Hi,

My husband and I will be driving up the CA coast between Solvang and Napa within the next few days.

I am trying to pack it all in. The weather threatens not to cooperate, so I am factoring in some indoor activity.

However, it looks like Wed, and or Sun may be clear. Is the 17 mile drive better going N or S? Or does it matter?

Would a night in Monteray, two in Sonoma and one in Napa be jumping around too much?

Thanks for any input!
T from FL

TTT aka: tick tick tick.

i don't think the direction matters. in terms of jumping around, my wife would say yes, i would say probably not. getting from monterey to north of SF will require navigating SF traffic--i encourage you to miss rush hour at all costs.

We did the 17 mi in 2002 . . from the south, but I agree, the direction will not matter much. We stopped at the clubhouse for some golf shirts and a snack.

and of course, took a photo of the tree in the rock.

We stayed in Napa and just drove around the Sonoma side . .

If you are interested, here is the portion of that trip

http://simpller.com/RoadTrip/Hearst%20Castle.htm

Hi, why not stay two nights in Monterey and two in Sonoma? The Plaza is a nice place to stay in Monterey, the Spindrift Inn is also great, right in the heart of Cannery Row.

In Sonoma, the Sonoma Mission Inn is one of our favorite places to stay, it is a spa resort. Have fun! ***kim***

I have done it twice recently, both times entering from the Highway 1 Gate (actually off 68 right at the off-ramp from Hwy 1), and each time I regretted later that I didn't stop and inquire about how to get down to the ocean level (Pebble Beach) immediately. It must be a simple turn, because when you drive in, pay, and drive straight on you end up on that boring stretch where you see nothing but garage doors of expensive houses for a couple of miles.

So if you drive in at the Highway 1 Gate, as soon as you have paid and got your map, pull over and make sure you know which way to go to get down to the Carmel Gate and The Lodge at Pebble Beach.

Or try to enter at the Carmel gate in the first place, by taking Ocean Ave west from Highway 1 (this is south and below of where the highway stops being a freeway).

Then turn left, towards The Lodge at Pebble Beach, and hug the coast as much as you can. No need to go up into the forested area where you see mostly garage doors - when you come to the Inn at Spanish Bay, follow signs to the Pacific Grove Gate.

Now you're not far from Cannery Row and all that.

If you're not a golfer, consider skipping 17 mile drive. Natural beauty is a smaller part of this drive than you might imagine.

~Liz

17 Mile Drive, meh.

You aren't missing anything by not doing it.

I agree with kimamom. Spend 2 nights in Monterey/Carmel and 2 in Napa/Sonoma.

MY

I think the 17-mile drive is spectacular, and I am not a golfer!

Thanks for all of the helpful tips. I am looking into a couple of state parks for possibly some scenic hikes for on our way up, or back. I saw a waterfall mentioned somewhere.

If we stay the two nights in Monterey, besides the Aquarium, which we've seen before, any suggestions?

The weather will most likely be lousy, and the hotel in Sonoma has a fireplace. So, that's why we were thinking of only one night in Monterey.

Thanks again!
T from FL

If you've seen the acquarium and don't care for a return visit, I'd say one night in Monterey suffices - head for the Sonoma place and settle in, it sounds comfy.

Why do you assume the weather will be bad? Doesn't that bring bad karma? (And don't let your karma run over your dogma...)

Why do you assume the weather will be bad?

Depending on what next few days means, rain is forecast for this Thursday and Friday.

If for the scenic, 17 mile drive is not worth it after Big Sur.

I would take hwy 1 all the way to the 280 interchange just south of SF. It does not take much longer than cutting inland and is a much more pleasant drive. Driving through SF is relatively easy. Follow the signs and stay in the left lane once off the highway. 19th Ave., which is the street to the Golden Gate bridge, has no left turns in its entire length. However, once in Golden Gate Park, move to the middle lane because the left lane has a left turn only in the park itself. After Golden Gate Park, the no left turn rule applies once more.

I am in the skip 17-Mile Drive camp, but some people really really like it. For me, I'd rather spend my time exploring the natural coastline rather than the built up part. It is just a matter of interests though. Point Lobos state park just south of Carmel is really great.

As for weather - rain is forecast, but it is unlikely to be heavy, sustained rain. Expect clouds, some rain, some sun, chilly temps.