Flying into SBA and home from SFO. Final night will be very near SFO because the flight is early enough plus have to drop the rental car.

How does this allotment look to you, what would you move?

General idea is to make sure I see Redwood trees at least once during the trip, and multiple groves if possible.

Night 1 Santa Barbara - arrival at 2 PM, which means I'd only have late afternoon and next morning in Santa Barbara if I move on after one night.
Night 2 Pismo Beach (I was told this is a cute town, is it worth a stay over or should I stay one extra night in Santa Barbara and merely visit on my way)
Night 3 Big Sur (this is a must do - my last visit it was totally gloomed over)
Night 4 Big Sur (also has Redwood trees nearby)
Night 5 Pacific Grove
Night 6 Pacific Grove (I've already been here but it's been 15 years, should I make this one night and move one night to another town? If so, which town?)
Night 7 Santa Cruz - Redwood groves nearby
Night 8 ??Napa?? I've been here before too, I enjoyed it but not an utter must. If I ditch Napa entirely, where would you choose instead - no farther north than Sonoma, though.
Night 9 ??Napa?? Just stay in San Francisco this weekend - ditch Napa entirely?
Night 10 near SFO airport - I'd have all day with no time limit to get to the hotel - flight the next morning.

Thanks!

When would this take place?

Yes -- when is important.

Before the end of June - i.e. soon.

Might be challenging to find accommodation’s, especially in Big Sur as limited accommodations to begin with and not only are some exorbitantly expensive, it is wedding season.

I thought that might be the case. I can at least do a little sightseeing and keep going. Thanks.

How far north of Big Sur would I need to go, to find even one night's lodging? That area seems like it's a lot of private property or perhaps state property?

I wouldn't backtrack but it would be a way point before Pacific Grove (for example, even PG isn't a certainty until I sort this out).

Can’t say for sure but I would think Monterey.

Do some lodging searches for your dates. You may encounter 2-night minimum stays in some places depending on the day(s) of the week you're there. Also, depending on your preferences, you may be stunned at the rates offered on late bookings.

North of Big Sur, you'd reach Carmel Highlands first (about 40 minutes). There are a couple of hotels in CH. It's another 30-35 minutes to Pacific Grove.

I'd skip Napa on this trip, but that's me. If you stayed in Cambria rather than Pismo, you could tour some wineries in the Templeton/Paso Robles area, about 45 minutes east of Cambria.

As ohers are suggested, since it is June already, I'd back up with planning and see where you can get reservations. I agree, skip Napa and put your time on the coastal trip. Thumbs up to both Santa Barbara and for sure Santa Cruz just in a general way.

Since it seems your dates and flights are set (?) I'd just dive in researching more but starting with where you can find places to stay, rather than what you want to see. All of the California coast is amazing.

Yes - at this late date I'd work backwards -- find lodging first and then decide how long. Places to look: Carmel, Carmel Highlands, Pacific Grove, Monterey -- all would be convenient for Big Sur / Point Lobos (another must) etc. What with Big Sur, Pt Lobos, the Mission, Monterey Aquarium, vineyards, Carmel etc etc I'd want 3 nights in wherever you end up staying.


Do be aware of June Gloom -- it may be foggy/cool, cold even, along the coast. It usually burns off by early/mid afternoon. (June isn't 'summer' on the coast -- that happens in September/early October)

Thank you everyone - will do on lodging.

I've stayed in Pacific Grove before and visited Point Lobos, Big Sur, Monterey, Carmel. Lovely places, and if I stay in PG it would be because it's easy to get to a lot of other things. I definitely want to see Big Sur again because of the gloom the last time. Sounds like I won't be staying there - I've already looked and unless something opens up, it's not happening.

The other places I mentioned are utterly lovely but lower on the list to visit because I have done so once.

The places that are really new to me would be the coast near Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Cambria, San Simeon. I might take four days/nights for the aforementioned places. Two in SB, one in SLO, one near Hearst Castle (Cambria?)

Can I fit in a visit to Hearst Castle and Big Sur in one day? Obviously not a long hike, but a look see, maybe wander on the ridge a little? The sun sets late!

That gives me 6 nights left. Pacific Grove is convenient, and might be my base to see Big Sur - a backtrack - one day. Maybe two nights in PG if I do that, and then Santa Cruz one night so that I can see some redwoods nearby.

If I do THAT above, then I have three nights left.

Two of those nights - dunno. Sonoma maybe? Nicks Cove? Too far? Stay south? Just go to San Francisco and spend the last weekend there? I've been there 4-5 times but it's been a while. Hence why I am thinking of Sonoma which is brand new for me.

Then the final night before flying home - it makes sense to stay at an airport hotel. But, if I can find a charming town near the airport that isn't too hard to get to SFO by 7 AM for dropping the rental car, maybe I could spend one last night there instead of an airport hotel.

The above is a lot of hotel changing. Two nights in: Santa Barbara, Pacific Grove, "Sonoma", but the other four are one-nighters.

PS: if I skip Sonoma at the end entirely, I can add more nights to the places down south. Stretch out San Luis Obispo, or Santa Barbara, or Paso Robles - an extra night or two.

You cannot really see Hearst Castle on your own just wandering around. You buy admission at the visitor center and then you take a bus up to the Castle which you tour with a guide as part of a group. You can simply visit the visitor’s center that has some exhibits, not sure whether the film about Hearst would be available apart from the tour. If I recall, it took several hours for the film and the tour of the Castle. I was happy to visit once but wouldn’t need to have a return visit.

would you skip it, given that it would take a chunk of the day - especially over everything else I could see instead along this route?

No, I wouldn't skip it. You have plenty of time since you are trying to figure out how to spend 3 or 4 'extra' nights. I'd maybe do 2 nights in SB then 2 nights in either Cambria or Morro Bay ( a base for San Simeon, Paso Robles, Pismo, SLO - whatever else)

Then after where ever you stay on the Monterey Peninsula I'd stay TWO nights in Santa Cruz. Using one day for Henry Cowell and maybe the Roaring Camp Railway and the other day for Capitola and Santa Cruz. (plus many places in SC have a 2 night minimum even on weekdays at this time of year)

Good morning

I like that idea. More two night stays. If I made anything a three night stay, instead, which would you suggest?

2 nights SB
2 nights Cambria or MB
2 nights Monterey Peninsula (likely PG as it was very pleasant and easy to get around plus cheaper than Monterey if memory serves. I stayed at a lovely B&B up the hill and it was a short walk to Monterey Aquarium IIRC. it was being cleaned when I was there so I didn't see it).
2 nights Santa Cruz.

That leaves "one" night elsewhere, and "one" night for my final night. If I split those nights into two locations, my final day is my re-positioning day to be near enough to the airport that my morning flight the next morning isn't a frazzle fest. I "could" spend my penultimate day driving to Sonoma from Santa Cruz, spend the afternoon/night, then spend Monday driving back down south to be nearer the airport.

I need to get my car to the rental drop at 7 AM on a weekday. Apparently something like Half Moon Bay is not a hard commute at that time of the morning. Would you round out the last two days at HMB as a base?

Would I be nuts to stay "in" San Francisco my last night, that is, a drive to the airport early the morning of my flight? If I did that, I would spend two nights in SF and that would end my trip - I'd have five, 2 night hotel stays, then.

Cambria is what I would call a "cute town" not Pismo Beach, which is tacky touristy in my opinion. Cambria is full of cute shops and is more adult than Pismo. Cambria is also closer to Big Sur which means you'll be able to spend a whole day leisurely driving up Highway 1 until you get to the Carmel area. I wouldn't bother spending the night in Big Sur as lodging is either very expensive or very rustic.

I'm a bit biased since I live here, but I would skip Napa/Sonoma to concentrate on Paso Robles. Both the town of Paso (tiny) and the over 300 wineries make it a great place to visit.

For redwoods, don't miss Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Pfeiffer Big Sur SP also has some redwoods but Henry Cowell has older growth trees. Big Basin has redwoods as well but was pretty scarred by fires, so I'd skip that.

Don't miss quaint Capitola during your stay in Santa Cruz.

thank you good info! Would you add one night to Santa Barbara for Paso Robles or add it to Cambria? Sounds like Cambria may be a little closer?

if I do that, then I think I've only got my final night to consider.

sounds like half moon bay might not be a bad morning drive to the airport.

also, is there another town near Santa Cruz that you'd suggest instead of SC? I hear conflicting reports that it's nice, or, too touristy. I definitely want to see the redwoods nearby there.

thanks again

I like Capitola better than Santa Cruz but a lot of people love SC. Henry Cowell Redwoods is an easy drive from either place and won't take you long to explore. The tiny town of Felton nearby is worth a stroll.

Santa Barbara is way too far from Paso, especially for wine tasting. Stay in Cambria instead. If you have time, stop in Los Olivos on your way to Cambria. It's a super-cute town full of shops, restaurants and wine tasting rooms.

It really depends on your interest as Hearst Castle is pretty unique and my husband and I do frequently tour historic homes when we travel. I believe we had a lovely dinner in Cambria and I recall a lovely dinner in Pacific Grove when we stayed in Monterey in advance of a weekend wedding held at the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur. During that weekend we were in some of the state parks in Big Sur. This was in 2019 so pre-pandemic and most of the trails were not in good shape, very overgrown foliage and in one of the parking areas you had to pay cash only and exact change as they didn’t have enough ones and tens to change a twenty. Annoying, to say the least.

We did spend a few nights in Half Moon Bay and as the weather turned sunny and hot, it was crowded and not easy to find parking when we went for dinner.

I'm not sure any of this will be helpful but here are some ideas. Some are from a coastal drive trip from SF to Irvine and some are from other trips.

You've already been to Carmel-by-the-Sea but I fell in love with it and extended an extra night. My favorite parts were a walking tour of the magical cottages and hanging out on Dog Beach at sunset - to watch the sunset and enjoy the dogs playing.

Cambria - a friend drove up from West Hollywood and we hung out for a couple of nights and really enjoyed the central Coast wineries and a nice dinner at PR. On another work (but having fun trip) we did the Hearst mansion and I highly recommend it. I also highly recommend to take the tour that includes the outdoor pool. Gorgeous.

Monterey - one of my favorite travel "adventures" was kayaking in Monterey Bay. That was a work trip (same one as Hearst) and the kayak rental place was a short walk from our waterfront hotel. It was a blast. One of the most special moments happened there. I was sitting still, away from the rest of the group and WISHING an otter would "visit" me. One did! It slid up on the bow of the kayak and just stared at me for a few minutes before sliding back down in the water. Magical. The aquarium there is really good too. We had a dinner event there one night. My only complaint was having seafood as one of the menu options. Rude. Just rude.

Between Cambria and Carmel I would definitely stop at Nepenthe for something to eat and enjoy the amazing view.

In the SF area are three things I want to do.
The Wooden Boat tour on Sausalito. I can't believe I've not done it yet, but it's been a long while since I've been to SF.
https://www.sausalitowoodenboattour....orichouseboats

Also in the Bay area, I want to visit these historic sites -
The John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez
The Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park
If you don't know who Betty Reid Soskin is/was, read up on her. Truly an inspiration. She retired as a ranger there at 100 years old.

I like historic homes and the like and when in Sonoma (on another work trip with "play days") my friend and I flew into Oakland at the same time and drove up to "do" Sonoma. We found this cute little inn at the entrance of the Jack London State Park. We skipped some wineries to spend an afternoon there and it was just lovely. Glen Ellen was lovely.

I'm going to stop here and add some winery stops.

I'm back. I have 3 favorite wineries from previous visits.
I always said I was going to return to Truett-Hurst for their port (I still regret not buying some when we were there for the barrel tasting weekend) but they aren't doing port anymore.

I felt immediately at home when we drove to Clos Pegase and had no idea why. Then I learned that Michael Graves designed it. I just Googled and it has been revamped and is reopening this June.

I really enjoyed St Supery but that tour was a million years ago. I'd love to return.

Those three are all over the place. Not sure any will be of interest to you.

If you do go to Sonoma, you may be interested in the Charles Schultz (Peanuts) museum.

Those are some random ideas. If my nephew moves back to CA, we'll be doing the coastal trip we talked about before Covid and I will fly into Oakland to explore some new stops and revisit old ones in the wine country.

Back to the Central Coast wineries - my friend and I really enjoyed Peachy Canyon. We brought back wines to our hotel overlooking the water at Moonstone Beach and totally relaxed. If you go to Cambria, go to the famous bakery for their Olallieberry pie.