anywhere to eat between san simeon and big sur?
 

The plan is to do Hearst castle, and see the sealions in the morning, and then spend the afternoon driving up the coast. the question is- do we have to stick around san simeon to eat, or is there somewhere to stop that is closer than Big Sur?
(even fast food would suffice!)
thanks!

We did that last summer and ate lunch at Ragged Point Inn. Here's a link to a map:

http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/map.html

EAT HERE!!!

http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/

I'm serious. AMAZING view. Good food. You'll remember it forever. One of my favorite memories of the California coast.

PS - take a tour at the Hearst castle that includes the outdoor pools (and look for the mermen statues) :-)

Nepenthe is on Barbara's map (further north than Ragged Point Inn)

so what's the driving time from ragged point to nepenthe?

65 miles from Hearst castle/ San Simeon to Big Sur. A little over an hour to drive it.

so there's nothing really between ragged point and big sur

In an hour/ 65 miles, you'll have a wide variety of options.

Why not eat at someplace with a SPECTACULAR view that you'll remember for years?

We always have snacks in the car with iced soda and water in case of munchies en route to a destination.

Munch on an apple, or cheese and crackers and drive on up to Nepenthe (would be my recommendation anyway)

well, we are also driving with a 6 month old, which makes things a little more complicated. but I do appreciate the suggestions!

and while the nepenthe looks great, I'm not sure we can afford $15pp. for lunch, though. :)

The patio dining at Nepenthe is cheaper than the dining room. Though I don't know if it's open year round (I was there last June).

This is by no means any disrespect to you aspalm but I must tell you that in California if you cannot afford $15 pp for lunch, I would suggest you travel the major interstate and only eat at fast food with .99 cent specials!
I dream of eating at places like Nepenthe for only $15 pp.. I would gladly just drink water for the experience there!!

It is around 45 miles from ragged point to big sur. I would allow about an hour and half. There is a deli/cafe at the Big Sur Lodge in Big Sur next to the Post Office which might be cheaper than Nepenthe.

aspalm, don't let them bully you. Go where you feel comfortable and enjoy yourselves. Everywhere along the Big Sur coast has its own magic.

Here's the Hearst castle link for specific info -
http://www.hearstcastle.com/visitors...directions.asp

I've "done" the California coast drive several times, but the most enjoyable day on a segment was an all day trip starting at Monterey down to Hearst for a tour and back to Monterey. All day. The 17 mile drive was amazing. A friend who grew up in the Bay area was the first to tell me how gorgeous the 17 mile drive was.

Stopping for lunch at Nepenthe was a highlight for EVERYONE (we had two cars caravanning for this day trip). We spent the drive stopping at overlooks and just basically enjoying the day and the route.

http://www.pebblebeach.com/page.asp?id=1373

The first link may be helpful in answering your question on another thread with detailed info on the Hearst options. You seem to be concerned about time constraints - and I strongly recommend that you not rush this portion of California. If you need to make good time or get somewhere quickly, use the interstate/freeway - but if at all possible, slow it down a lot and enjoy this part of the coast fully.

I'm not sure who is being accused on bullying. I'd gladly eat dinner at Wendy's for a couple of nights in order to have lunch at Nepenthe. When I say the view is amazing and everyone in two cars (large range of ages and interests) felt eating there was a highlight of the trip - well, that was our experience. I wish someone had recommended it to me on earlier trips.

as a regional "local" i have to say we have experienced nothing but attitude from nepenthe. last weekend we (two of use) went at 3:30pm and the place was EMPTY, and we were told we could not sit at the EMPTY railing because they didn't have enough servers!

it was 70 degrees out.

the almost identical thing happened 5 years previous when we were with my elderly parents.

the view is great but personally, i don;t give my business to places that don;t want or appreciate it.

i will never again make that drive down from carmel to eat there.

Hi asplam

Just a coment about the drive. Take your time. You need to allow time for breaks and short hikes. I plan a full day from hearst to the bay area. Here is a great link for that area of coast.
http://www.pelicannetwork.net/

Have Fun
GP

My experiences at Nepenthe are similar to kerikeri. It is a unique and visually interesting place with a colorful history, and is a neat place to stop for a look-see, but I think it is an overpriced tourist trap...with mediocre food and awful service, however with fabulous views in a lovely location.

Since it appears the OP is on a bit of a budget, I would suggest getting some picnic makings before hitting the road on your way north and have a picnic somewhere along the way. Or snack your way up to Carmel/Monterey and get a budget meal in that area.

I agree with the picnic makings. There was another store with deli that made very good sandwiches (not by the Big Sur Lodge). They were right on Hwy one and surprisingly affordable. Though if you want to eat halfway between San Simeon and Big Sur, maybe buy your picnic fixings in San Simeon.

these boards always crack me up. I love how my question about whether there are any places to eat turns into me being cheap for wondering if there was something besides the one restaurant that was mentioned (and I DO appreciate the mention).
If only I lived in California and could set up a stand where I could sell water to people like Tahiti for $15 a bottle, and have them gush about how much it is worth it. Do you think they'll even let my rental car on the highway if it isn't a lexus or a convertible? ;)

To those that offered help, thanks much! I appreciate all the links and will follow every one as I look forward to seeing the beautiful coastline.