Seattle to San Diego Road Trip in August 2015 (19 Days)
Jun 14th, 2015, 11:47 PM
#41
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Wow. I certainly did not expect that the car rental (SF to SD only) would cost more than $1,000!
<i> However, check the flight price Seattle to OAK airport instead of SFO, currently cars from Oakland to San Diego will save you about $300 over SFO to San Diego. </i>
Typically which car rentals are the more wallet-friendly ones? Budget, Dollar, Thrifty? When I tried to input the dates and compared SFO and OAK as pick-up locations, surprisingly OAK was more expensive at Dollar. Am I doing something wrongly here?
Is there a website that can compare most car rental prices for me? I tried Priceline but the prices didn't look as good as if I were to search the individual websites.
<i> However, check the flight price Seattle to OAK airport instead of SFO, currently cars from Oakland to San Diego will save you about $300 over SFO to San Diego. </i>
Typically which car rentals are the more wallet-friendly ones? Budget, Dollar, Thrifty? When I tried to input the dates and compared SFO and OAK as pick-up locations, surprisingly OAK was more expensive at Dollar. Am I doing something wrongly here?
Is there a website that can compare most car rental prices for me? I tried Priceline but the prices didn't look as good as if I were to search the individual websites.
Jun 15th, 2015, 07:05 AM
#43
<i>14 Aug
Leave Yosemite in morning
Spend night in Cambria
15 Aug
Leave Cambria after lunch
Spend night in Santa Barbara
What are the stops I should make en route to Santa Barbara? Hearst Castle, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach? Is Solvang worth driving through?
16 Aug
Leave Santa Barbara after lunch
Any stops I should make en route to San Diego?</i>
I've now officially lost track of what your plans are for farther north (Olympic NP etc.) but I'm just going to say that I think heading straight from Yosemite to Cambria is a waste of time and you should just head to Santa Barbara and be done with any attempt to see scenic coastline in California.
You've already eliminated the Oregon coast, the redwoods, the Columbia Gorge and their affiliated options for exploration, amazing food, etc. that you talked about in your OP, and have replaced them with hyper-touristy places at their most expensive time of the year, separated by hot and boring drives. Fine, your nickel.
South of Big Sur, Highway 1 becomes a nice but unremarkable stretch of highway, one that becomes suburban freeway south of Cambria as you get close to SLO. The best bits of Highway 1 - the parts people come from all over the world to see - are <i>north</i> of Cambria, starting with the Hearst Castle, then Piedras Blancas and up the coast to Big Sur, Point Lobos, and the Monterey Peninsula. By driving straight to Cambria from Yosemite you'll be in hot boring country most of the way; it's not uncommon for the temperature in Paso Robles in August to be 20 or 30 degrees (F) hotter than the coast. Doubling back from Cambria on the morning of the 15th to see San Simeon and Big Sur is possible, but you're still looking at 8 hours of driving if you plan to end in Santa Barbara. If you wanted to visit the Hearst Castle (which you should) that would add another 3 hours or so to the trip, putting you into Santa Barbara even later, or forcing you to skip Santa Barbara altogether.
From SLO south US 101 is a busy freeway. It passes Pismo Beach (much more touristy than it used to be) quickly, then back inland, only hitting the coast again at Gaviota from which you zoom past Refugio into Santa Barbara.
So I don't see much point in bothering with Cambria and Highway 1 much at all. Just push through to Santa Barbara on the 14th (maybe an hour farther than Cambria depending on route) and spend that night and all the next day around SB. You can visit some of the wineries around the Santa Ynez valley, or up to Refugio (hopefully the oil spill will be cleaned up by then) or visit Santa Barbara's <i>wonderful</i> Saturday morning farmers market on the 15th. Fly your foodie flag in Santa Barbara... lots of great places.
Then on the 16th head out to San Diego. Use the HOV "diamond" lanes through the LA area as best you can, but still expect it to be five or six hours optimistically. It will be a Sunday, so typical commuter traffic won't be an issue, but there's never a "good" traffic day in LA, so suck it up and get through it.
Now briefly back to the coastline issue. In the absence of other any scenic mountains-rocks-and-waves coastline on your itinerary, it would seem (to me) to place even greater emphasis on the remaining options you <i>do</i> have - up in Olympic National Park. I would make every effort to visit Ruby, Second, or Rialto beaches while you're in the area, because you won't have a similar option anywhere else. But as I say I've kinda lost track of your plans farther north, so maybe that's already on your radar.
Leave Yosemite in morning
Spend night in Cambria
15 Aug
Leave Cambria after lunch
Spend night in Santa Barbara
What are the stops I should make en route to Santa Barbara? Hearst Castle, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach? Is Solvang worth driving through?
16 Aug
Leave Santa Barbara after lunch
Any stops I should make en route to San Diego?</i>
I've now officially lost track of what your plans are for farther north (Olympic NP etc.) but I'm just going to say that I think heading straight from Yosemite to Cambria is a waste of time and you should just head to Santa Barbara and be done with any attempt to see scenic coastline in California.
You've already eliminated the Oregon coast, the redwoods, the Columbia Gorge and their affiliated options for exploration, amazing food, etc. that you talked about in your OP, and have replaced them with hyper-touristy places at their most expensive time of the year, separated by hot and boring drives. Fine, your nickel.
South of Big Sur, Highway 1 becomes a nice but unremarkable stretch of highway, one that becomes suburban freeway south of Cambria as you get close to SLO. The best bits of Highway 1 - the parts people come from all over the world to see - are <i>north</i> of Cambria, starting with the Hearst Castle, then Piedras Blancas and up the coast to Big Sur, Point Lobos, and the Monterey Peninsula. By driving straight to Cambria from Yosemite you'll be in hot boring country most of the way; it's not uncommon for the temperature in Paso Robles in August to be 20 or 30 degrees (F) hotter than the coast. Doubling back from Cambria on the morning of the 15th to see San Simeon and Big Sur is possible, but you're still looking at 8 hours of driving if you plan to end in Santa Barbara. If you wanted to visit the Hearst Castle (which you should) that would add another 3 hours or so to the trip, putting you into Santa Barbara even later, or forcing you to skip Santa Barbara altogether.
From SLO south US 101 is a busy freeway. It passes Pismo Beach (much more touristy than it used to be) quickly, then back inland, only hitting the coast again at Gaviota from which you zoom past Refugio into Santa Barbara.
So I don't see much point in bothering with Cambria and Highway 1 much at all. Just push through to Santa Barbara on the 14th (maybe an hour farther than Cambria depending on route) and spend that night and all the next day around SB. You can visit some of the wineries around the Santa Ynez valley, or up to Refugio (hopefully the oil spill will be cleaned up by then) or visit Santa Barbara's <i>wonderful</i> Saturday morning farmers market on the 15th. Fly your foodie flag in Santa Barbara... lots of great places.
Then on the 16th head out to San Diego. Use the HOV "diamond" lanes through the LA area as best you can, but still expect it to be five or six hours optimistically. It will be a Sunday, so typical commuter traffic won't be an issue, but there's never a "good" traffic day in LA, so suck it up and get through it.
Now briefly back to the coastline issue. In the absence of other any scenic mountains-rocks-and-waves coastline on your itinerary, it would seem (to me) to place even greater emphasis on the remaining options you <i>do</i> have - up in Olympic National Park. I would make every effort to visit Ruby, Second, or Rialto beaches while you're in the area, because you won't have a similar option anywhere else. But as I say I've kinda lost track of your plans farther north, so maybe that's already on your radar.
Jun 15th, 2015, 07:14 AM
#44
That $400 change fee is looking better and better. 
(sometimes savings are false economies -- sometimes not)
W/ different flights you could change up everything and be in the Carmel area NOT over the race weekend . . . just sayin'
Buy concentrating on the WA/OR/NorCal bits you would have a lot less frantic trip)
(sometimes savings are false economies -- sometimes not)W/ different flights you could change up everything and be in the Carmel area NOT over the race weekend . . . just sayin'
Buy concentrating on the WA/OR/NorCal bits you would have a lot less frantic trip)
Jun 15th, 2015, 07:42 AM
#45
I would agree that your best bet is getting as quickly as possible from Yosemite to Santa Barbara and then settling in for a couple of nights. The beach, a cliff drive, an oceanview hike...you could head for an afternoon drive into Santa ynez wine country/Solvang if you have extra time.
As it stands you're trying to book a one-nighter on an August Saturday which will be very difficult in SB. I see that CabrilloInnattheBeach.com has availability for Fri-Sat two night minimum $229 per night but they have a 7-day cancellation policy. Most everything else is up over $300 but check Mason Beach Inn and Marina Beach Motel. Don't book anything on outer State Street as the prices aren't that much better so it's well-worth being closer to the beach rather than stuck out in mini-mall land.
As it stands you're trying to book a one-nighter on an August Saturday which will be very difficult in SB. I see that CabrilloInnattheBeach.com has availability for Fri-Sat two night minimum $229 per night but they have a 7-day cancellation policy. Most everything else is up over $300 but check Mason Beach Inn and Marina Beach Motel. Don't book anything on outer State Street as the prices aren't that much better so it's well-worth being closer to the beach rather than stuck out in mini-mall land.
Jun 15th, 2015, 07:48 AM
#46
"Our visas have just been approved"
Where are you from? Don't use Expedia for car rental if you are from another country. Non-citizens generally pay less for one-way car rentals (especially if you are from U.K.). You want to book something that includes the necessary insurance that you'll need being a non-citizen.
For instance, UK resident would use avis.co.uk , not avis.com
Where are you from? Don't use Expedia for car rental if you are from another country. Non-citizens generally pay less for one-way car rentals (especially if you are from U.K.). You want to book something that includes the necessary insurance that you'll need being a non-citizen.
For instance, UK resident would use avis.co.uk , not avis.com
Jun 15th, 2015, 07:53 AM
#47
I completely missed the bit about the visas . . .
also try http://www.carhire3000.com
Foreign visitors can often get cheaper all-in bookings (insurance, drop offs, unlimited mileage, etc)
also try http://www.carhire3000.com
Foreign visitors can often get cheaper all-in bookings (insurance, drop offs, unlimited mileage, etc)
Jun 15th, 2015, 08:56 AM
#48
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Oh dear, so sorry to cause the confusion. I have left the most important bit out of the 14 Aug itinerary as I thought I had mentioned that I would be visiting Big Sur.
<u>14 Aug</u>
Leave Yosemite in morning
<b><i>Drive through Point Lobos and Big Sur + a meal at Nepenthe</b></i>
Spend night in Cambria
Will definitely check out Hearst Castle on 15 Aug! And then head straight to Santa Barbara, spend the night there and the entire next day there before leaving for San Diego.
<u>14 Aug</u>
Leave Yosemite in morning
<b><i>Drive through Point Lobos and Big Sur + a meal at Nepenthe</b></i>
Spend night in Cambria
Will definitely check out Hearst Castle on 15 Aug! And then head straight to Santa Barbara, spend the night there and the entire next day there before leaving for San Diego.
Jun 15th, 2015, 05:29 PM
#50
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14 Aug will be a long day. Yosemite to Cambria via Big Sur is 6-7 hours of driving without stops on a normal day. I would be prepared for delays getting in and out of the Monterey Peninsula area that Friday.
Jun 15th, 2015, 06:48 PM
#51
Be cautious with CarHire3000 or rentalcars.com as they are now owned by priceline and the complaints are starting to flow in. Most of the quotes do not include the liability insurance that you'll need as a foreigner, and the one way fees are in small print. Also their damage waiver is sometimes with a 3rd party which can be a nightmare if you have a damage claim.
When your dates are set in stone we might be able to help you more with the car.
When your dates are set in stone we might be able to help you more with the car.
Jun 15th, 2015, 07:51 PM
#52
oh - sorry to here that. In the past friends from the UK and OZ have had really good experience w/ them - and several Fodorites have reported using them and saving a bundle. PL screws up everything
Jun 15th, 2015, 10:12 PM
#54
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Assuming I leave SF in the morning, is it feasible to do a detour to Big Basin Redwoods State Park en route to Yosemite?
<i>14 Aug will be a long day. Yosemite to Cambria via Big Sur is 6-7 hours of driving without stops on a normal day. I would be prepared for delays getting in and out of the Monterey Peninsula area that Friday.</i>
Yes I'm aware
unfortunately, we've already booked our accoms for Yosemite for 11-14 Aug and it's a 1-night cancellation charge. We'll probably set off Yosemite early in the morning on the 14th, or alternatively, forfeit the last night in Yosemite and start setting off on 13th evening.
<i>Most of the quotes do not include the liability insurance that you'll need as a foreigner, and the one way fees are in small print. Also their damage waiver is sometimes with a 3rd party which can be a nightmare if you have a damage claim.</i>
Eeps. I'll be sure to check out these fine prints and seek for help before I actually make payment for the car rental! Thanks!!
<i>14 Aug will be a long day. Yosemite to Cambria via Big Sur is 6-7 hours of driving without stops on a normal day. I would be prepared for delays getting in and out of the Monterey Peninsula area that Friday.</i>
Yes I'm aware
unfortunately, we've already booked our accoms for Yosemite for 11-14 Aug and it's a 1-night cancellation charge. We'll probably set off Yosemite early in the morning on the 14th, or alternatively, forfeit the last night in Yosemite and start setting off on 13th evening.<i>Most of the quotes do not include the liability insurance that you'll need as a foreigner, and the one way fees are in small print. Also their damage waiver is sometimes with a 3rd party which can be a nightmare if you have a damage claim.</i>
Eeps. I'll be sure to check out these fine prints and seek for help before I actually make payment for the car rental! Thanks!!
Jun 16th, 2015, 08:11 AM
#55
<i>Assuming I leave SF in the morning, is it feasible to do a detour to Big Basin Redwoods State Park en route to Yosemite?</i>
No. If you want to see redwoods, and also - if you want - some nice coastline, plan to allocate one of your SF days to a mini-road trip that would include the Muir Woods (west of Sausalito) then maybe up Hwy 1 past the Pt. Reyes National Seashore to Bodega Bay, then inland to the little town of Occidental, famous for "family style" Italian dinners in vineyard country, then back to SF.
No. If you want to see redwoods, and also - if you want - some nice coastline, plan to allocate one of your SF days to a mini-road trip that would include the Muir Woods (west of Sausalito) then maybe up Hwy 1 past the Pt. Reyes National Seashore to Bodega Bay, then inland to the little town of Occidental, famous for "family style" Italian dinners in vineyard country, then back to SF.
Jun 16th, 2015, 08:12 AM
#56
Sorry, meant to include a link for Muir Woods - http://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm
Jun 16th, 2015, 08:15 AM
#57
>>Assuming I leave SF in the morning, is it feasible to do a detour to Big Basin Redwoods State Park en route to Yosemite?<<
absolutely not - That is a 7 hour drive w/o the 2 or 3 hours you'd want to spend in the park. (Big Basin is longish day trip just from SF since it takes nearly 2 hours each way)
. . . Don't try to squeeze a 4 week trip into a 2.5 week slot . . .
absolutely not - That is a 7 hour drive w/o the 2 or 3 hours you'd want to spend in the park. (Big Basin is longish day trip just from SF since it takes nearly 2 hours each way)
. . . Don't try to squeeze a 4 week trip into a 2.5 week slot . . .
Jun 22nd, 2015, 04:47 PM
#59
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Hi slothandrabbit!!
<<San Diego - I was thinking of keeping the car throughout to drive around places, then returning it to the airport.>>
Since you are spending such a short amount of time here, yes, keep the car! I live in San Diego and it will take far to long to get around over 2 days w/o a car.
<<San Diego - I was thinking of keeping the car throughout to drive around places, then returning it to the airport.>>
Since you are spending such a short amount of time here, yes, keep the car! I live in San Diego and it will take far to long to get around over 2 days w/o a car.
Jun 22nd, 2015, 04:56 PM
#60
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<<16 Aug
Leave Santa Barbara after lunch
Any stops I should make en route to San Diego?>>
That's a Sunday so not the same traffic as weekday rush hour. However, there will be lots of traffic heading south of people coming home from a weekend away. If you leave after lunch at, say, 2:00 you will probably be OK for the first hour or so. But, then you'll start hitting the traffic big time. When I lived in both Orange County and SD County and commuted on a Sunday I made sure I was on the road no later than 3:00. And still would have traffic getting into Downtown SD. Usually starting around Oceanside / Carlsbad.
Leave Santa Barbara after lunch
Any stops I should make en route to San Diego?>>
That's a Sunday so not the same traffic as weekday rush hour. However, there will be lots of traffic heading south of people coming home from a weekend away. If you leave after lunch at, say, 2:00 you will probably be OK for the first hour or so. But, then you'll start hitting the traffic big time. When I lived in both Orange County and SD County and commuted on a Sunday I made sure I was on the road no later than 3:00. And still would have traffic getting into Downtown SD. Usually starting around Oceanside / Carlsbad.
