asklyarov

Hi,

Planning a 12-13 Day California trip with my GF in September, we are couple in our early 30s. Flying in from NY, the original thought is to fly into SF and spend 2-3 nights in the area. would like to travel north for about a night to visit Napa Valley. Afterwards I wanted to start driving down along the coast and visit Big Sur, Monterey Bay. Hearst Caste, etc. (would like suggestions of where to stop and for how long). We would like to stop by LA area afterwards to see the area for also about 2 days. Neither of us has ever been to California so we would like suggestions on where to stop by. Afterwards we want to continue traveling down to San Diego area and stay there for about 3 nights as well.

Once again neither of us has ever been to any part of California so any suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Thank you,
Alex from NY

AustinTraveler

Currently, Highway 1 is closed 25 miles south of Carmel/Monterey so you'll have to backtrack and take Hwy 101 to Paso Robles and then Hwy 46 West to Hwy 1 to get to Hearst Castle. FYI, wine tasting in Paso Robles is incredible so you can easily skip Napa if you want more time somewhere else.

I suggest staying in Cambria to see Hearst Castle and do wine tasting in the Paso area. A little further north of the castle is Piedras Blanca Elephant Seal Rookery. Also, you can continue driving north to Ragged Point, a great place for lunch. After that you can only drive 5 more miles before the road is closed due to a mudslide. The north closure described above is due to a bridge failure. We had quite the winter!

Morro Bay is also worth seeing and San Luis Obispo is a great little town with a vibrant downtown area. Santa Barbara is a beautiful coastal city and definitely worth a stop. I don't go any further south than that because I hate the congestion, so someone else can chime in on that.

San Francisco is an amazing city. Make sure you don't pick up your rental car until you are done with your visit there. Public transportation and walking are the way to get around. Don't spend too much time on Fisherman's Wharf unless you enjoy hordes of tourists. Exploring neighborhoods is my favorite thing to do there.

asklyarov

Is route 1 still completely closed from Soberanos Point to Ragged point?

Thank you for your other suggestions.

AustinTraveler

No, Soberanos Point is just 10 miles from Carmel. You can go as far as Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Even though you can't go any further, it is still a spectacular drive. Also, do not miss Point Lobos, just south of Carmel. Amazing scenery.

For a view of big redwoods, check out Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

jamie99

Here is the Caltrans info:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads....&submit=Search
There is a bridge out which is due to be replaced end of September about 25 miles south of Carmel like AustinT said.
There is also a large mudslide north of Ragged Point at a place called Mud Creek with no ETA since it is/was still moving, it may be replaced or repaired sometime next summer. So you can drive part of Big Sur, then backtrack to Monterey and over to the 101.
No way to make suggestions on where to stay without knowing what you want to see (Disneyland is not in LA) and your budget for lodging per night in USD.

AustinTraveler

The bridge is expected to be completed in September so if it is, great for you since you'll be able to venture further into Big Sur. If it's not finished by the time you arrive, you can still hike around the bridge and then rent electric bikes. See this link:

https://www.bigsuradv.com/

If you do this, you won't have to miss one of the best sights in Big Sur, McWay Falls.

StuDudley

IMO, one night in Napa Valley isn't worth it, because driving there & back really eats up a lot of your valuable time - especially if you do it on a work day. Napa Valley is about 1 1/2 hrs north of San Francisco. Then your next destination is Carmel - 3 1/2 hrs south of San Francisco. Take AustinTraveler's advice and do your wine stuff in Paso Robles instead. If you do - stay in Paso Robles too. We spent 1 night this past spring at Hotel Cheval - which was fabulous
https://www.hotelcheval.com/
We dined at La Cosecha. Head out to Justin Winery - the countryside is stunning driving there.

Things to do in the San Francisco area:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

StuDudley

If you decide to stay in Paso Robles, there is no need to stay in Cambria also. Paso Robles will only add 30 mins to your travel time to Hearst Castle & you'll pass through Cambria to get to Hearst Castle. And if you decide to stay in Cambria, you'll drive through Paso Robles to get there - so it adds 0 travel time over the two days.

Pick up a winery map at "anyplece" in Paso Robles.

Paso Robles is quite interesting to explore. We enjoyed it more than Cambria. Cambria is nice for the beach access, but if explore the beach in Cambria the day after or same day as also exploring the coast at Pacific Grove, Spanish Bay, 17 mile Drive, Carmel Beach, Pt Lobos, and driving to Big Sur - I think you're gonna be a bit "let down" by the beach at Cambria.

Stu Dudley

AustinTraveler

StuDudley, if you ever go back to Paso please let me know and I will give you amazing recommendations. Payback for your wonderful SF advice.

asklyarov

Any recommendations for decent priced hotels in San Francisco area that inst too far from the sight seeing areas.

AustinTraveler

The sight-seeing areas are all over the place. Most people stay in the Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf areas, both of which were my very least favorite. We stayed in the Marina District and loved the neighborhood (not touristy) feel. We stayed at Chelsea Inn and it was perfect. They have other "sister" hotels as well. You might want to read some of the FAQ's on Tripadvisor. You won't see them (on the right side of the screen) if you're using a phone so get out the laptop.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForu...alifornia.html

And, it always helps when you list a budget. Keep in mind that SF is expensive. If you find a hotel that is a great deal, it's probably not in the best neighborhood.

CaliNurse

Have a great trip, Alex! Forewarned is forearmed: bring warm caps and scarves! September along the NorCal coast can be foggy and chilly!!

For me, Cambria is about more than the very accessible lovely beach (called Moonstone Beach) which is great for walking. There's a boardwalk along the top, which borders a narrow road where motels face the ocean. The town itself, across Highway One from the beach, is divided into West Village and East Village. Cambria has genuine small town California charm. Whether you stay or just pass through, try Linn's Bakery in town--great pies, sandwiches, etc. If you decide to stay overnight in Cambria, vs staying in Paso Robles or elsewhere, check the Sea Otter Inn--lovely place!

Agree with AustinTraveler and StuDudley-- skip Napa, since you'll be around the lovely rolling hills and excellent, less busy wineries in the Paso Robles/Cambria area (Highway 46 is the road between them). I live in the Bay Area and prefer driving three plus hours to Paso Robles' area, than 1/3 of that time to Napa Valley.

You don't mention your budget,so if that matters, aware of imho exorbitantly high prices--in Santa Barbara, for example, even the most basic place within a couple blocks of the ocean outrageously expensive for what you get, particularly on weekends. In Paso Robles,if you stop overnight there, some small hotels cost $300-400/night but at the modern La Quinta Inn in PR, for less than $140/night, you'll get included breakfasts and delicious local wine and artisanal cheese at the complementary evening wine tasting,

My favorite San Diego hotel is in "Old Town" where you'll be surrounded by California's early Mexican history http://oldtowncosmopolitan.com If you stay, try for the Pine Tub or Cauldron Rooms. it's a great bed and breakfast, includes free parking, and costs $150/night.

If the trip South is partly about the Southern Cal beaches, consider driving slightly north of San Diego, to La Jolla or Torrey Pines instead.

asklyarov

Hi Everyone,

I appreciate the responses, I understand that a trip like this would be costly, since its for 12-13 nights. I was hoping to fit into $5,000 for 2 people combined, with the plane, hotels and spending.

Let me know if you think this is within reason considering the high prices for hotels in San Francisco and some other coastal cities.

Thank you,
Alex

jamie99

It would be easier if you just provide a budget for lodging per night since none of us know how much airfare will cost or what type of eating or drinking you will be doing.

asklyarov

I am looking to spend 800-1000 on airfare for 2 people, so would love to fit into 2000 for lodging for the trip (doesn't seem realistic) so that I could have 1500-2000 for spending.

nanabee

I think it is doable on a $5000 budget. But you just have to be frugal and look for great deal on accommodations. Can you use frequent flyer miles for airline ticket(s)?

If the costs are really a problem and I know this may sound weird, but many universities and colleges will allow tourists to stay in the college dorms for very reduced rates (during the time when students are off campus obviously). My DH and I have done that a number of times (in England) and my DD and I did that once in Portland, Or. Our costs were about $25/day on average and the accommodations were excellent. My parents did that (20 years ago) and stayed at the University of Paris and loved it.

Colleges in San Diego
Pt. Loma Nazarine
San Diego State (SDSU)
University of San Diego (USD)
University of California at San Diego (UCSD)

nanabee

Make that (parents did that more like 30 years ago!)

nanabee

You might also check with Chase bank. They have a card where if you sign up up with them you automatically get a lot if miles and other travel benefits.