Since you are interested in wineries, I would drive from Santa Rosa to Paso Robles to visit the beautiful Paso Robles wine district (250 miles). On the way to Monterey (or Carmel) via Highway 1, I would visit Cambria and the Hearst Castle (135 miles). SFO is 110 miles from Carmel and 100 miles from Monterey.

HTtY

PS Paso Robles, Cambria, and Carmel are more delightful places to spend a night than is Monterey.

I think after a few days of wine tasting, the people I am doing road trip with will be done with tasting and just want to see sights - they are coming from the prairies of Canada and do not get to see ocean views often.

Would you stay in Cambria or San Simeon if you want to visit Hearst Castle? Cambria appears to me to be a quainter town - but have never been there so am only making judgement based on pictures.

Cambria is definitely the cuter of the two options - with good restaurants - as San Simeon is really just a few hotels clustered on both sides of the coast hiway.

There are several good places to stay in Cambira - and definitely Ccheck out Moonstone beach: http://www.cambriachamber.org/motels-beach.php

BTW - coming from Santa Rosa - you could drive down 101 to Paso Robles and take the 46 over to the Coast. The next day - you could visit Hearst Castle (check the schedule for a morning tour) and then continue on through beautiful Big Sur on into Carmel/Monterrey.

Driving along 46 - you pass by/through some nice wineries/B & B's along the way. My wife's nephew spent his/their honeymoon at the renowned Justin Winery - and loved it. http://www.justinwine.com/visit_just_inn.php

Uno mas: You could also stop at Monterrey on the way down to Cambria/Hearst Castle - and the next day visit the Castle and overnight around there and then back to Santa Rosa. Some prefer the drive south along the coast as you are closer to the view, but to each their own. Here is a map:

http://tinyurl.com/9epwd9f

since you don't want more wine tasting and don't have any reason to return to Santa Rosa . . . Re what to see between Monterey and Carmel is probably even more impressive than San Simeon - Big Sur. Especially for flatlanders like your relatives. They will probably have never seen anything like it.

I would drive down the 101 on Monday Afternoon and book that night in Cambria. Book your Hearst Castle tour(s) for Tues AM or very early afternoon. Then drive up through Big Sur Tues afternoon. Stay Tues and Wed nights in Carmel (or Monterey if you prefer but Carmel is rather special).

W/ a 1pm flight you don't have to leave to SFO until Thurs morning by 8:30 or 9 AM. It is about a 2 hour drive and you will avoid the morning commute in the Bay Area.

I think after a few days of wine tasting, the people I am doing road trip with will be done with tasting and just want to see sights

I was trying to get you to think about alternatives.

Have you checked out average rain fall in Santa Rosa in November? Paso Robles and Santa Barbara wine districts have much less rain that time of year and they are extremely beautiful and interesting areas with many sights to see.

These wine districts can be enjoyed without tippling.

HTtY

well the Santa Rosa tasting is set in stone - selected by a 50th BD celebrant and coming with a contingency of 20 Canadians to celebrate.( Look out Santa Rosa!) Its post BD her mom another cousin and I plan to do the little road trip.

What is the drive time between Santa Rosa and Cambria using 101?

I had also considered spending out last night at Half Moon Bay which would be a short drive to the SFO airport- but have not ever been there- looks nice in the pics - is that a good idea or not?

If we just used Monterey as our base - stayed there Mon and Tues and Half Moon Bay on Wed -
I think we could see a lot of beautiful country without having to change lodging every night? We might not make it to Hearst Castle if we did that - but can't do it all in 3 days and don't want to spend all my time in the car

"I think we could see a lot of beautiful country without having to change lodging every night? "

That is why I suggested 1 night in Cambria and 2 in Monterey or Carmel. That would give you time to enjoy the area at least a bit. If you leave San Simeon in early afternoon, and if you are at all typical w/ lots of stops for photo ops through Big Sur, you won't get to Carmel until nearly dark. So you wouldn't have time to see/do anything til the next day. Moving on to Half Moon Bay for that night would be really hectic.

Santa Rosa to Cambria can be about 5 hours - as long as don't leave in the early AM or mid/late afternoon. At those times you'll be stuck in about 100 miles of heavy Bay Area commute traffic. You will be much better off leaving between 9:00 and noon-1PM-ish.

I really like Janis' route and itinerary, but if you want to stay all three nights in one place, plan a day in Monterey and Carmel, a day driving down the coast and back, at least as far as Big Sur, and on the last day, drive up to SFO in the a.m.

Here's a trip report of a day trip we took a few years ago - it might help (we live near SFO)


http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/little-trip-report-day-trip-down-the-ca-coast-part-way.cfm

Everyone seems to be missing the tight timeframe the OP mentions: "We will arrive in Monterey the afternoon of Nov 12 and have to depart SFO on Nov 15 - flight leaves at 1 PM."

That really means staying a day and a half since my rec. would be to stay somewhere near SFO the night of Nov 14.

Forget Hearst Castle. See Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur. That's plenty right there.

Whether the OP stays near SFO the night before the flight is completely dependent on 1) whether they want to change hotels, and 2) how they feel about a 2-hr drive the morning of the flight. Personally, I'd also stay near the airport that night, but I know lots of people who aren't as crazed about this as I am (people who live in Monterey and Carmel leave from home the morning of a flight all the time, after all)

I think I am with Leslie and sf7307 on skipping Hearst Castle, doing less driving and staying close to the airport the last night - at the time of year I worry about rain or fog making the drive longer.

So guess Mon and Tues we will spend in Monterey/Pacific Grove and last night Half Moon Bay?
We can drive up and down the coast and see the sights which will all be wonderful for prairie people -

Anyone stayed at the Best Western Resort in Monterey?

Any particular reason you want to stay in Half Moon Bay? If I were trying to be close to the airport, then I'd be close to the airport - I.e. Burlingame or Millbrae. If you want to pass through HMB on your way back from Monterey, you can drive through, maybe take a walk on the Main Street, but then continue on. If you want a nice suburban street to hang out on that night (after all, that's all Half Moon Bay is, a suburb that happens to be near the ocean), spend it on Burlingame Avenue in Burlingame - great restaurants and shopping, and an overall lively vibe, especially in good weather.

I just thought Half Moon Bay would provide another night at the ocean and a short drive to airport in AM

sf7307 is right. Given your short amount of time, you should stay two nights in Monterey. With Pacific Grove, Cannery Row, the pier, the Aquarium and wonderful views and dining, that could occupy all of the afternoon of the 12th plus the 13th. On the 14th, you could visit Carmel, Point Lobos State Reserve, and go down to Big Sur, stopping at the Julia Preiffer State park, maying dinner in Big Sur, with a late drive and check in at a hotel next to SFO (ditching the rental car) that has a shuttle to the airport which you'll need to take about 11:00 am on the 15th.

Half Moon Bay has little to offer compared to these other sights.

Sorry. I mis-typed. That should be Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The views are spectacular. Also, you can stop at a restaurant in Big Sur before sunset called Nepenthe. It is expensive, but you can also just get a coffee, check out their gift shop and enjoy the views from their terrace.

As to the Best Western, don't know but I notice there are two in Monterey. You probably mean the Best Western PLUS Beach Resort. There are some wonderful victorian B & B places in Monterey with oceanfront views, tide pools, though not great beach. I would just prefer those over a more standard hotel.

We love the Old Monterey Inn, but it is not beach front.

If you want to do "water" on that last day, stay in Burlingame and take a walk on the Bayfront path (you can see the planes taking off from the airport), which goes for miles, some parts nicer than others.

thanks for that tip sf7307

HMB really isn't all that IMO.

Re where to stay the last night - My reasoning was - if I had a morning flight -- sure I'd stay north somewhere near the airport. A no brainer. But for a 1PM flight, staying near SFO would be overkill for me.

janisj- if you had a 1 PM flight- where would you stay? We are a little anxious about driving from Monterey in case there is rain or fog - and we do not know the roads . I would assume that we could expect any kind of weather that time of year.

I also don't want to stay by the airport if I could stay at a beach and just have a short drive to airport - that's why I thought of HMB- happy to hear other suggestions

I'm not a Bay Area resident, but according to Google maps, it's a 101 mile drive from Monterey to SFO. With that long a drive you have to allow for possible traffic and that would make me nervous.

My point is that there is SO much to see and do in the Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur area and so little time, I would feel less stressed if I made that drive north in the evening. So if you'd get into Half Moon Bay after dark, but you could enjoy a leisurely breakfast oceanside before heading over to SFO. I could certainly see why you'd prefer that over staying right at the airport.

I like JanisJ's original plan, particularly if your family is not likely to get out here any time soon. Monterey to SFO after 9 am will be any easy drive and are on major highways. Fog should not be an issue. You could have rain, but maybe not. Play it by ear.

Look at it this way . . . If it is foggy enough to affect your drive, not to worry - your flight won't be taking off . . .

Now if you really really don't want to drive up to SFO thurs morning . . . Then what I'd do is stay in Carmel/Monterey until after dinner - LOTS/TONS of terrific restaurants in the area. Then drive up that night. Don't even worry about how late you are since you can sleep in Thurs morning.

Keep in mind that you could have absolutely no fog on the bay side and be totally socked in in Half Moon Bay (and you have to drive over the mountain from HMB to SFO, even if it's less than a half hour drive in decent weather).

Janisj - are you watching the game? GO GIANTS!

I'm watching and have my fingers crossed Angel breaks out of his post-season slump right now!

So this is the plan- 2 nights in Monterey area ( actually we now have reservations in Pacific Grove) for 2 nights - Sunset Inn Hotel-

We will decide on the last day based on the weather- I think its not peak season and we should be able to find a place to stay no matter what we decide. My DD lives close to San Jose so going there is an option too.

I appreciate your help and advice- just helps to have others work through different scenarios.

off to Mexico tomorrow- for 1 1/2 weeks- flight attendant friend has provided a flight pass and a house to stay in - yahoo !!! Happy to have some of this clear in my mind before I leave.

Sf - got mine crossed too!

Shame you are missing Hearst Castle. It's spectacular.

As for Half Moon Bay - it's a cute little town and a pretty drive from the Carmel/Monterrey area. It's also a fairly easy pop over the hill to SFO - easily under an hour unless there is heavy fog - and it would take a little longer - or you went too early and caught some rush hour.

Just did it last fall.

Yah I know Tom- I just didnt want to do all that driving- my relatives have never seen any of the California coast and I think they will be just as happy doing what we have planned. I have been to Hearst Castle once and it really is an amazing place. What a life those people had!!

We still have a couple of weeks before we go- so who knows, maybe plans will change again but I am leaving for Mexico tomorrow and don't have much time to work on it.

Some of it we will play by ear-

Internet says 30 min drive from HMB to airport so that sounded appealing.

Next game.

sumbum: Don't fret it. HMB doesn't have much 'there there'. Some pretty scenery but not as pretty or dramatic as the other places you'll be and much less to do than around Monterey Bay, Carmel, Big Sur.

It is not really a 'destination'

The only reason I suggested driving from say Carmel/Monterrey up along the Coast road to Half Moon Bay is that it is a beautiful drive and primarly - you are much closer to the SF Airport for the last day. It is only a little over half an hour from HMB to the airport (over the hill) - other than during morning rush hour - or if there is a heavy marine layer/fog - which could slow you down some.

As for HBM - try this Ritz Carlton (for a mini-splurge) - for a little "there" - and they have some good places to dine on their main street - which admittedly - is quiet. http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay/Default.htm

As for the Giants - well glad to see Tim Lincecum looked good in relief. Tough to spot the other team six runs and come back - but did like the way the Giants fought back.

This still sets up well if I have my rotation down - going with Matt Cain in game 3 or 4 - and having him for game 7 if they can get to a game 7.

thanks for all your help

we have several options for last day depending on weather - we could even go and spend the night in Campbell where daughter lives and drive to airport from there .


Who knows but in 30 min I am on the way to Mexico - so will do more research on Ca when I get back.

Adios

Buen Viaje!

You didn't mention a budget, but if you want to be near water on your last night and still avoid the trauma of being further away from the airport than you want to be, then try the San Francisco Airport Marriott:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sfobg-san-francisco-airport-marriott-waterfront/

Ask for a room facing the (SF) Bay.

Have a great time in Mexico. Hopefully by the time you get back tom will be done trying to push you to HMB. Plus you really won't have the spare time to drive up hwy 1 to HMB - unless you want to cut Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur short.

Via con dios~~

Uno Mas - the only reason I mentioned HMB again is that it would seem to mesh nicely with your plans to head back toward SFO the afternoon/early evening before (seeing more beautiful coastline) and have a nice leisurly dinner and breakfast - without worrying about getting to the Airport the next day - and head over about 3 hours before your flight and you should have no worries.

FYI - here is a list of some of their quite respectable dining options: http://www.yelp.com/c/half-moon-bay-ca-us/restaurants

Uno Mas Dos: Since you will have pretty much two full days in the Carmel/Monterrey area - you can see much of what they offer - at least for an initial tour - and then decide if you also want to return for a more in depth visit.

You could also head south to - a bit beyond - Big Sur one afternoon (or morning if it's clear - go when the weather is best) - and experience that incredibly beautiful drive for an hour plus - maybe enjoying the good coffee and view at Nepenthene - and be back in Carmel/Monterrey/Pacific Grove in time for dinner - or lunch - depending on when you left.

We were in San Francisco yesterday and while there was that perpetual fog that seems to come into Pacifica, San Francisco was a beautiful clear day.

HMB is only about 15 miles south of Pacifica and does sometimes gets fogged in also while the rest of the Bay Area remains clear.

Just another thought to put into your pipe.

tomsd: I mean this in the nicest way, since my Spanish spelling isn't the greatest, but do believe that's "Vaya con Dios" and the town near Carmel is "Monterey" spelt with one "r", whereas "Monterrey" is in Mexico, capital of the state of Nuevo Leon, and is one of the richest cities in Mexico.

Happy to have some of this clear in my mind before I leave.

You can see clearly now. Bye-bye.

Cambria would be a must for me. The boardwalk along the ocean is super and the vibe of the place is lovely. Nice galleries etc in town, but Sea Otter resort across from the beach is a nice place. Just north of the Hearst is a spot to watch the elephant seals and you will definitely want to do this. You can walk for several miles on trails and see the Blanca lighthouse (the top is missing) in the distance. Half moon left me cold, but to each their own. If you are in Paso Robles, I would recommend Sculptura winery for their sculpture and Robert Hall for their wine. Big Sur is a terriffic drive and in the village of Big Sur is a super gallery that was made from recycled redwood water storage units. Monterrey is pleasant also. 17 mile drive in Carmel is on most people's bucket lists.