lazymoon

This would be our first time to California. We are looking at a 8 day trip. We decided to fly into LA, do the scenic road trip from LA to SF, and then fly out of SF.

We are from Orlando, FL, so Disney at LA would not be a part of out itinerary (even though we would be traveling with our two year old) Other than that, our interests are nature, museums, and ofcourse the first time-tourist-musts.

Upon researching the forums, we have decided to take Highway 101 from LA to SLO, stop over for the night at SLO,and then switching to Highway 1 for the scenic route from SLO to SF.

Any advice/tips with regards to the road trip ( alternate routes, stopovers, and places to visit along the way)and an itinerary so as to divide the time optimally between the two cities, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

mlgb

What time of year are you going?

lazymoon

We would be traveling from 12/21/09 to 12/28/09

Kailani

We took my son to the Monterey Bay Aquarium when he was 2, and he was mesmerized by the two story kelp forest. http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/kelp.aspx
His speedy little self became hypnotized, and it was a magical moment that I treasure.

Also in Monterey is the Dennis the Menace park. http://www.lotsafunmaps.com/Monterey...nace_Park.html
Great for funning and running around.

In LA, the Farmer's Market http://www.farmersmarketla.com/, La Brea Tarpits http://www.tarpits.org/, and Griffith Park (Observatory http://www.griffithobs.org/ & Travel Town) http://traveltown.org/). Also, Olvera Street, birthplace of LA. http://www.olvera-street.com/ are places you might enjoy.

As you go through Santa Cruz, the Boardwalk reopens 12/26 and it has a fun section of rides for little ones. http://www.beachboardwalk.com/

Pescadero has a beloved restaurant, Duarte's, with famous artichoke soup and pies. http://www.duartestavern.com/

The little towns along the coast are fun to explore.
I like Half Moon Bay main street, and the tide pools nearby http://www.fitzgeraldreserve.org/. Some nice restaurants with views (and ghosts). http://www.miramarbeach.com/ http://www.mossbeachdistillery.com/

In San Francisco, the Exploratorium http://www.exploratorium.edu/, the Palace of Fine Arts http://www.palaceoffinearts.org/, the California Legion of Honor Museum http://www.famsf.org/ are all in the same general area.

In Golden Gate Park, the new science museum, the Japanese Tea Garden, the view from the tower at the DeYoung (free to go up to viewing area). Also, there are boats on Stowe Lake (it may be cold, though), a Children's Playground with carousel, a herd of bison, and a large windmill. I like the view and murals at the Beach Chalet. http://www.beachchalet.com/

The SF zoo has some interesting exhibits http://www.sfzoo.org/openrosters/vie...sp?orgkey=1859

Pier 39 isn't a place I would normally recommend, but with a little one, it can be entertaining and you don't have to worry about cars. http://www.pier39.com/index.cfm

Zeum http://www.zeum.org/ is a children's museum, also with a carousel, and it's near the Museum of Modern Art, which is a beautiful building, and across from the Yerba Buena Center, which is good for running around, and people watching.

Fisherman's wharf area has the Hyde Street Pier http://www.nps.gov/safr/index.htm with historic boats, and Ghirardelli is a good place for a hot fudge sundae.

There are so many fun things to do that will entertain and delight all of you. The weather may be a factor, and with a little one you'll need to be flexible. So, these are just some things I enjoyed with my son, or enjoyed as a young one myself.

MichelleY

Kailani gives great advice for your trip. I can't add much else since she covered it so well. Going up to SLO on 101 will be fine. Hwy. 1 from SLO to Monterey is beautiful, but curvy. So if your child is prone to motion sickness, be prepared, but do not skip this drive. Near Hearst Castle is an elephant seal colony, right along the highway. You may want to plan this part of your drive around nap time.

Good luck and hope the weather cooperates for you.

jjthom4217

We went last spring and we visited Santa Cruz Island. If you like nature and a bit of walking, it is beautiful. I would leave a whole day for it though. We were so tired when we left but, we did manage a swim at Malibu beach. Beautiful...the whole trip!

boom_boom

The 101 from where it joins I-405 to Oxnard is nothing special and often very congested. An alternative that's a little (but not a lot) more scenic would be to take the 118 from the 405 over toward Moorpark and catch the 23 for your connection to the 101 in Thousand OAks.
OR take the 405 and 5 to 126 just north of Magic Mountain and go through Fillmore and Santa Pauls before cutting the 101 in Ventura.
Santa Barbara, it's historic Mission and Stern's Wharf make it worth a stop as you drive the 101.
Also. Moonstone Beach Drive in Cambria is a nice, short coastline drive.

StuDudley

Here are my recommendations for the San Francisco area:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35129049

Stu Dudley

mlgb

Since the current weather pattern has shifted to the winter storm track...I think overnight at SLO is a good idea. Then if it there is bad weather you can take "the" 101 the rest of the way instead of the Big Sur route. The usual pattern is storms from the Pacific Northwest that blow thru in a day or two and clear inbetween, but who knows.

lazymoon

A big thank you for all your suggestions

It took a while to get all the details about the trip finalized. We have deviated from the initial plan, and are now spending two days on driving from LA to SF. Also, instead of the stopover at SLO, as per the initial plan, we are now stopping over at Cambria (1 night), and Carmel (1 night). Any advise (particularly on directions) on the revised route will be most appreciated.

Anyhow, here's the itinerary. Really looking forward to your last-minute suggestions.

12/21- Reach Los Angeles at 9 am (Sunset Tower Hotel)

12/23-Start out from LA around 9 am. Spend the night at Cambria (Moonstone Landing)

12/24-Take the first tour of the Hearst Castle, and start the road trip. Stop over at Carmel for the night (Ticklepinkinn)-Still iffy on the HC tour, am still contemplating if that would make the road trip too rushed

12/25-Start out for SF around noon

12/25(evening)-12/28(early evening-flight is at 10pm)-SF (Le Meridian)

Once again, thanks a bunch, all of you!!!!!

Vttraveler

I thought Hearst Castle was fascinating so hope you can fit it in.
The California missions are also beautiful, and you will pass many of them on your drive.