chocaholic

In August when does the sun set?


We can leave Universal around 6pm the latest and drive to San Simeon which is about 2.5 hrs away. Or is leaving at 6pm too late?

easytraveler

Sunrise and Sunset in Los Angeles in August:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...&afl=-11&day=1

Leaving Universal Studios at 6pm on a weekday will put you in peak traffic hour for an hour or two. Then you have to negotiate the bottleneck of Santa Barbara. I'd plan on arriving at Cambria/San Simeon about 10/11pm.

StuDudley

ET
Choc is doing this on a Sunday.

Stu Dudley

easytraveler

thanks Stu,for the correction. I'm losing continuity on this thread.

If you really need to get out of Dodge that day, why not spend the night in Santa Barbara - or was there something else that prevented this?

chocaholic

There was only 2 things I wanted to do in LA. That was Getty and Universal.

But waahhh ... Universal Orlando has the Harry Potter ... freak!!! But I'll still go to the one in LA while I'm out west.

Well as long as I am leaving LA sunday evening. I am good right?

Would it be better to stay in Santa Barbara than San Simeon (I only was going there becuz someone say I can go there for the night and the do my 17 mile drive.)

Here is the updated version based on everyone's advice so far:

1. Friday night, Aug 13th - Land in Los Angeles.
2. Sat, Aug 14th - Getty Villa 10am- 5pm / Getty Center 10:00 am–9:00 pm
3. Sun, 15th - Universal Studios Aug 15, 2010 sunrise 6:15 AM sunset 7:40– Depart LA stop in Cambria (San Simeon) by nightfall. ** Best Western Oceanfront Cavalier in San Simeon.** In the morning, the drive from Cambria to Big Sur will be safer and spectacular. It will only take you about 2 to 2 1/2 hours to drive from Cambria to Big Sur in the daylight. You won't regret it. stop in Cambria (San Simeon) by nightfall. In the morning, the drive from Cambria to Big Sur will be safer and spectacular. It will only take you about 2 to 2 1/2 hours to drive from Cambria to Big Sur in the daylight. You won't regret it. Or stay in Santa Barbara.
4. Mon, Aug 16th –do the 17 Mile drive (Carmel / Monterey) ? stay at the Big Sur Lodge in Big Sur.
5. Tues, Aug 17th – hike Pt. Lobos & the Big Sur coast are spectacular in Monterey ***** There are lots of hiking trails available. Often the Big Sur coast can get foggy - but just inland in the actual village of Big Sur, the weather can be great - and perfect for a hike in the redwoods. There are numerous hikes from Hwy 1 to hidden coves on the coast, which would be your first choice if the weather is good. ***** If you want to spend most of a day hiking, do the perimeter trail at Point Lobos. It is truly spectacular. Park outside the park, on the highway (you'll see other cars), walk in, when you get to the entrance station turn to the right and follow the external rim of the park. You can buy a map at the entrance station for I believe 50 cents. **** About Point Lobos, do park inside the park. You are not allotting enough time to be hiking all the way from the main road into the area where most of the hikes start and then do all that hiking around Point Lobos itself. Pay the parking fee and conserve your time for the better hiking inside the park. Make sure it's a sunny day (not much to see when it's foggy!)
http://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes.html
McWay Waterfall Trail (.64 mile)
Ewoldsen Trail (4.5 miles)
6. Wed, Aug 18th – Arrive in San Fran
7. Thurs, Aug 19th – Sight see around San Francisco (1) Young museum & Legion of Honor (paintings from the Musee d'Orsay closed) this year. You can use the same entrance ticket to get into both museums if you do them both on the same day. Save the little stick-on tag and wear it to the second museum. (2) The Cliff House! http://www.cliffhouse.com/bistro/index.html.
8. Friday, Aug 20th – Muir Woods – only 11 miles away.
9. Saturday, Aug 21st – Free day in San Francisco
10. Sun, Aug 22nd – Depart San Francisco

sf7307

It sounds good, but unless I missed it, when do you have time in there for a Hearst Castle tour?

chocaholic

I am not gonna do the Hearst Castle. I decided if there was no time that I would just leave that out.

krgystn

Sunday drive from LA to Santa Barbara and stay there. There is nothing to do in San Simeon. On Monday morning drive the whole way from SB to Big Sur on highway 1-- it is a beautiful drive.

chocaholic

Where to stay at San Francisco? The Palace or The Drake?

easytraveler

Why these two particular hotels?

Any others you might prefer?

chocaholic

I was reading the forum and someone recommended The Drake for a good rate.

And I can get $160 including taxes a night at the Palace.

So the rates for were comparable.

chocaholic

Oh another question, where to stay when I am in LA? Any suggestions?

I will only be going to the Getty Center / Villa and Universal studio. So anywhere inbetween is good I think.

chocaholic

More questions.

1. Where are all the Fodorites?
2. Where to stay in Santa Barbara?
3. A tad confused. Where am I on August 17th? Am I staying the night at Big Sur area?

Help Please

krgystn

run down your final itinerary?

vova

i don't have the energy to read 113 postings but to answer the sir francisc drake vs. palace question, I would stay at the palace personally.
one negative is that you don't get to stay in Union Square area but the positive is that you don't stay in the Union Square area.

From the Palace you are very near BART for public transit, you can walk to the Embarcadero (and Ferry Building), you can walk to most places in SOMA areas, you are close to MOMA...and you can walk to Union Square if 10 minutes if you want to. And you have access to some great restaurants in the financial district and near embarcadero.

If all you want to do is in LA is see Getty Villa (near Malibu, right) and Universal Studios, I would stay near Santa Monica...staying in the middle would not be very interesting so if I was to stay near one of them I would choose staying near Getty Villa...maybe that would force you to go and see some of Santa Monica as well, which is a great little town.