CA HWY1 Santa Barb to Napa
Jul 16th, 2017, 06:28 AM
#21
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If this was my trip, I would take Hwy 101 to Carmel & stay 1 night. Visit Carmel that day. Next morning, visit Pt Lobos. No time for Big Sur. Drive 101/85/280 to 19th Ave (I was born on 17th ave) & over the GG Bridge to Napa.
Actually, if this was my trip I would skip Napa (you've already been there), and spend my time in the Carmal area with a day-trip to Big Sur. Visit Carmel Valley if you MUST visit a winery, or drive through the Paso Robles wine area on the way to Carmel.
I've lived in Calif all of my 70 years, and IMO the Carmel/Big Sur area is by far the most interesting area in Calif - along with SF & our National Parks. We drive 2 hrs to the Carmel area & Big Sur & stay overnight around 2 times every year. We drive 2 hrs to the Napa Valley & stay overnight about once every 3-5 years (mainly to visit my college roommate & best man in our wedding).
Stu Dudley
Actually, if this was my trip I would skip Napa (you've already been there), and spend my time in the Carmal area with a day-trip to Big Sur. Visit Carmel Valley if you MUST visit a winery, or drive through the Paso Robles wine area on the way to Carmel.
I've lived in Calif all of my 70 years, and IMO the Carmel/Big Sur area is by far the most interesting area in Calif - along with SF & our National Parks. We drive 2 hrs to the Carmel area & Big Sur & stay overnight around 2 times every year. We drive 2 hrs to the Napa Valley & stay overnight about once every 3-5 years (mainly to visit my college roommate & best man in our wedding).
Stu Dudley
Jul 16th, 2017, 08:50 AM
#22
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The Hwy 1 closures are between Cambria and Carmel, not north of San Francisco.
Driving from Santa Barbara to St Helena in one day would be long and unless you left very, very early or late it would be difficult to avoid Bay Area traffic. Your drive could easily turn into 8-9 hours not including the Hwy 1 detours around the closures outlined above. I wouldn't attempt those at all if you plan to drive to St Helena in one day.
Stu's idea of skipping Napa and spending 3 nights on the Monterey Peninsula is good if you can find availability. Lots of wine tasting opportunities in the area. And to reiterate, short term vacation rentals are illegal except in Pacific Grove.
Driving from Santa Barbara to St Helena in one day would be long and unless you left very, very early or late it would be difficult to avoid Bay Area traffic. Your drive could easily turn into 8-9 hours not including the Hwy 1 detours around the closures outlined above. I wouldn't attempt those at all if you plan to drive to St Helena in one day.
Stu's idea of skipping Napa and spending 3 nights on the Monterey Peninsula is good if you can find availability. Lots of wine tasting opportunities in the area. And to reiterate, short term vacation rentals are illegal except in Pacific Grove.
Jul 17th, 2017, 04:09 AM
#23
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Skipping Napa isn't an option, we won a 2 night stay and a few wine tastings at a charity event, so the rest of the trip is being planned around that. We have decided on 1 nite in Ojai, 1 nite in Santa Barbara, 1 nite in Santa Cruz, then last 2 nites in St Helena. Our hwy 1 points will include parts of Malibu and Santa Barbara and also the strip from Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay. Thank you for all of your advice and recommendations!! Much appreciated��
