I'll be travelling between Big Sur and Santa Barbara (with a stop at Hearst Castle) and was wondering about the drive time on Hwy 1. Is it do-able in one day, or is should I spend the night mid-way?
When in Santa Barbara, I'm considering staying either at the new Hotel Oceana, Harbor View Inn, or (for a splurge) the Four Seasons Biltmore.
Recommendations?
Trip between Big Sur and Santa Barbara
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Big Sur to Santa Barbara is no problem. The really hairy portion ends down around Hearst Castle.
It's certainly doable in one day. However, when we did it, we overnighted at Morro Bay and enjoyed ourselves.
When we did the drive we stayed overnight at the embassy suites in San Luis Obisspo. Then in Santa Barbara we stayed at the HarborView hotel-I highly recommend it.
It's probably doable in a day, but I think you'll enjoy the drive along the coast more if you're not rushing.
I took a full day to drive from Big Sur to the Heart Castle area and stayed overnight there. Then I got the first tour in the morning at the Hearst Castle and was in Santa Barbara by lunchtime.
Look for accommodations in Cambria or San Simeon. We stayed at a Best Western "resort", just a few miles down the road from the Hearst Castle. It wasn't glamourous, but it was fine. Cambria is a little bit further away but is a nice small town with some good restaurants--I'd recommend looking for a hotel there
Thanks for the feedback!