mw512

We are arriving in San Francisco on a Sunday at noon and would like to eventually visit Hearst Castle plus sites along the way. Plan is to be in Napa on Tuesday evening. Its probably a little time crunched but any suggestions on an itinerary/places to stay/eat would be most appreciated! We are two friends traveling together so don't need anything "romantic". We do like quaint/cozy/off the beaten path... My friend is not much of a hiker so nothing "athletic" on the agenda.

Thank you!

nytraveler

Well you might want to have a look at a map.

Hearst Castle is 4 hours at least south from SF - so to see it will require a full long day - 8 hours in transit plus however many hours to see the castle depending on which tour(s) you book. To see anything else on the way will really mean this is an overnight trip.

Napa valley is in the opposite direction.

This means your time in SF will be limited to Sun afternoon and Tues AM - depending on if you want to see anything in Napa on tuesday versus just getting there after dinner.

And will you be renting a car for this trip? If so, it;s a PIA to park in SF overnight - do check what your hotel will charge.

AustinTraveler

If you want to see Hearst Castle and go wine tasting you should consider the Paso Robles area. Great wineries, wines, and not as expensive as Napa.

http://www.winemag.com/Web-2013/2013...r-Paso-Robles/

clarkgriswold

I think you're saying that you want to arrive at SFO sunday noon and from there, drive to Hearst Castle? And that you have to drive to Napa on Tuesday afternoon? So you're asking, where to stay/visit on Sunday afternoon and Monday?

jamie99

Hearst Castle is not a daytrip, which it sounds like what you are planning. The tours take a little over 2 hours plus the drive down and back. Save it for another trip.

happytrailstoyou

Carmel-by-the-Sea is on the quaint side, but there is little "off the beaten path" between San Francisco and San Simeon except for a one-lane road that connects Camp Roberts (near San Miguel) with Highway 1 just below Lucia.

Cambria is a pleasing town, and the drive on Highway 46 to the Paso Robles wine district is very scenic.

HTtY

mw512

Yes sorry it was confusing. I am not staying in San Francisco just flying in there. Love San Fran but have been there before. I understand Hearst is south and napa is north. Just wondering if it is doable. I am arriving on Sunday at noon in San Fran and have two nights and can get to napa late Tuesday.

mw512

Clarkgiswald you have it right.

clarkgriswold

Yes it is doable. Depending on the time-of-year, Sunday traffic might be annoying if you want to drive down the coast.
SFO to Hearst is about 3.5 hours if you take the 101S down to the 46, if you just want to get to the area and then spend your time exploring Cambria/San Simeon.
Taking the coastal route down would be 4.5 hours just drive-time, plus whatever you wanted to stop and see along the way, such as Carmel or Jules Pfeiffer Park/McWay Falls. Again, might depend on time of year and time-of-sunset.

San Simeon to Napa is about 5 hours going up the 101 then the 680. You'd probably want to leave San Simeon by noonish on Tuesday so as to avoid hitting 5pm traffic coming out of the bay area. Or wait until 4:30pm and arrive Napa rather late.

For a cozy place to stay near Hearst Castle, you shouldn't have any problems finding something suitable. Little Sur Inn, White Water Inn, Castle Inn or Sea Otter Inn,

mw512

Thank you so much! Favorite restaurants anywhere along the trip?
I am thinking take the scenic coastal view one way and quicker route the other.

traveldawg

If you can change your tickets fly into San Jose. It is on the same highway with SFO but about 2 hours closer to Hearst Castle, depending on traffic.

Go to www.pacificgrove.org for great little spots to stay on the Monterey Peninsula. Many people only think Carmel. Pacific Grove has most of the ocean front and prices are cheaper.

Christina

If you want to stay in Cambria, I stayed in the Moonstone Landing there and loved it.
http://www.moonstonelanding.com/

I just got the partial view room as it was a lot cheaper and I didn't need views from my room that much anyway, being out and about during the day.

SAB

One lodging issue you might encounter re quaint/cozy is that most such places will not have lodging for non-couples if you intend to share a room. It is an issue my sister and I encountered all the time in Carmel/Pacific Grove until we started renting a house.