Emmilea

Hey guys!

I'm flying in Las Vegas in December and wanted to drive between LA and San Fran but didn't know which way was best. Do I go north LA up to San Fran or San Fran down to LA? Also, I know Highway 1 is the most scenic, but I've also been told there are parts to enjoy and parts to avoid because they are just boring and there are quicker ways of getting around. I have no time restraints, I just want to see the best of what there is.
I will be doing Yosemite, coming from Monterey given the snow closes off Tioga Pass. So I'm not phased whether I have to drive/fly from Vegas to either LA or SFO, but I will be heading up to Canada afterwards, so I'm guessing flying out of SFO as my final stop point would be the best option.

I'm open to suggestions for accommodation, eating or just things to see and do.

Thank you very much,
From a very excited Australian!

emalloy

Check the airfare from Vegas to both cities and from each city to wherever you are going in Canada as well as car rental and drop off fees before you make the final decision.

We've done the coast road in both directions and both are wonderful. The plus of going from north to south is that you don't have to cross traffic to get into/out of the pull offs. The negative for some folks is that you are closer to the drop offs in some places. If I were only to go once, I would opt for driving south towards LA, but it is beautiful either way.

clarkgriswold

http://www.fodors.com/search/results...ia+coast+drive

janisj

>>I will be heading up to Canada afterwards, so I'm guessing flying out of SFO as my final stop point would be the best option.>I've also been told there are parts to enjoy and parts to avoid because they are just boring and there are quicker ways of getting around.

janisj

oops -- meant to add -- whether you drive N to S or S to N would mostly depend on from where you get the best flight to Canada.

mlgb

I think driving north to south is easier, due to not needing to cross traffic to get to the view side. If you might be nervous about driving on the cliff edge side, then do it south to north.

Hwy 1 is still pretty through to the edge of Los Angeles. At Pismo Beach you are funneled inland through Lompoc (which is an inexpensive stopping point for an overnight). You can take a short drive out to the beach there (Ocean Beach). Lompoc is also near a number of wineries, and historic mission La Purisima.

http://www.lompoctrail.com/index.php/wineries

Just before Santa Barbara, US 1 hits the coast again until Ventura, at which point you can get on the freeway, or continue on 1, cutting through Oxnard and then along the coast through Malibu to Santa Monica.

janisj

N > S vs S > N makes very little difference. It is usually no problem at all crossing to the other side for turn outs/view points. It isn't like hwy 1 is a freeway or anything.

(And a lot of people prefer S to N because being on the cliff side scares them spitless )

I'd decide based on the airfares/schedules you can get from California to Canada. (was going to say CA to CA but thought that would be confusing )

jamie99

I prefer south to north, it just gets better the farther along you go and the sun is behind you.
Either one would work, just check the airfare to Canada from both cities as janisj says.

sf7307

driving down 101right now and it's true, there's very little between San Francisco and Paso Robles!

sf7307

However, I am coming back sometime soon to hike at Pinnacles!

janisj

>>driving down 101right now and it's true, there's very little between San Francisco and Paso Robles!hwy 1 is anything but boring . . . (which what the OP asked about)

If one wants high speed and heck w/ scenery take I-5; If one wants a bit of speed and a teensy bit of scenery take 101; If one wants slow and amazing scenery take hwy1.

MichelleY

Next time we head down 101, I want to do a detour out to Mission San Antonio. Perhaps next week? We will in SLO to visit DD.

sf7307

We did that for my son's 4th grade mission project - I think we were on the way home from Palm
Springs Jeez, that was 20 years ago!