California Coast Vacation
 

I was looking for thoughts on my itinerary from anyone familiar with the area, particularly the last part of the trip. I'm planning a 9 day trip up the California Coast. I currently have the following itinerary: Fly into LAX, 2 days in Manhattan Beach (visiting friends), 1 night in Santa Barbara, 1 night in Morro Bay, 3 nights in Big Sur, and 3 nights in Sonoma, flying out of San Francisco. Not sure if the Big Sur to Sonoma drive is too long and was considering 1 night in Half Moon Bay and 2 in Sonoma. While San Fran is nice, not looking to spend time in a major city (i.e., I live in NYC).

If you have never been to San Francisco I think you will find it much different from NYC. If the airfare is comparable, think about flying to San Francisco (or Oakland) and make your first night in CA either in Sonoma or Half Moon Bay. For driving down the coast, I like driving north to south avoiding left turns into the viewpoints.

Are you planning on doing a lot of hiking in Big Sur? Otherwise, why 3 nights?

Personally, I find San Francisco very different from New York. There's not much of the crowded big city feel to San Francisco.

I'd suggest looking into the possibility of splitting up the last six days into two nights at Big Sur/Carmel, two nights in Sonoma/Healdsburg, and last two nights in San Francisco.

Have you looked at the drop off fees for picking up a car rental in one city and dropping off in another city? Could be hefty.

I think your itinerary sounds great. It would be nice to stop in Half Moon Bay -- it's a pleasant little town with a nice main street, good food, beach....On your way from there to Sonoma, consider going further up the coast, north of San Francisco (Point Reyes, Tomales Bay).

P.S. I agree with the others about San Francisco -- didn't recommend it because you had made a point about skipping it. It certainly is VERY different from NY (where I grew up and to which I return at least yearly, but I've lived in SF for nearly 40 years).

Thanks for the replies so far. I appreciate the comments regarding San Fran, but I wanted to leave it off the itinerary. I've been a couple of times and understand it's a great city (and much different than NY). I feel that I have a chance to explore on periodic business trips, whereas driving the coast is an infrequent opportunity at best.

Regarding 3 days in Big Sur, I booked our stay at Ventana Inn (i.e., special anniversary). I thought we might hike around for a day, explore a bit, visit Carmel/Monterey and chill. My preference was to have a nice base camp for a few days and not be packing and moving to a new location every day.

Big Sur is not on the coast, you know. It's inland, in a forest. It is charming, but three nights there would be too long, IMHO.

Personally, I would stay 2 nights in Santa Barbara, 1 or 2 in Big Sur.

And why Sonoma? There is lots of wine country on your drive up the coast. And Sonoma to SFO isn't a short drive.

Maybe spend more time on your drive south of SF, and not try to drive all the way to Sonoma. Choose more stays on the coast, or visit wineries or historic missions?

Sonoma to SFO isn't a LONG drive, either (less than 1-1/2 hours). Depends what time they're leaving from SFO and whether they intend to drive directly from Sonoma to the airport. I'd personally keep Sonoma (Sonoma, Healdsburg, Dry Creek, Occidental) in the itinerary.

As for the stay in Big Sur, since you've already made your plans at Ventana, no reason not to do this. Given the choice, I'd probably stay 2-3 nights in the Pacific Grove-Carmel area instead, and make the day trip south, rather than the other way around.

Big Sur stretches inland from the coast. Here is an interesting, useful guide to the area:

http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/

Thanks again for the great suggestions and weblink. From what I've been reading it seems that Ventana has some flexibility as a destination spot in an of itself (with amenities, hiking, etc.) on premises. I hadn't thought about staying in Carmel and visting south but it's worth considering. Also sounds like a night in Half Moon Bay might make sense instead of a long drive (4hrs?) from Big Sur to Sonoma. We're leaving around noon on Tues from San Fran. I thought an early Sonoma departure (8am?) should give us time to get to the airport. Although, not sure about the rush hour situation on a Tues morning.

Rush hour is bad, but nothing like NY. You'll have plenty of time if you leave Sonoma at 8.

Or, if you're like me, you could stay near the airport on Monday night. Drive down from Sonoma late (no traffic), sleep, get up leisurely, have a nice breakfast, leave. The areas to look at are the airport hotels in Millbrae and Burlingame, or the hotels near El Camino in Millbrae.

Personally - I would skip staying at Santa Barbara - and consider staying up at Danish themed Solvang - http://www.solvangusa.com/ or at one of the wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley. I would also skip staying at Morro Bay (nice to drive in and see) and perhaps spend a night at say Cambria - for Hearst Castle - or tour Hearst Castle on your way to Ventana - and btw - Ventana is very nice. If you didn't stay in say Cambria - you could add a night in Carmel/Monterrey - where you can visit the Aquarium/Cannery Row/take the 17 mile drive - and from there - you could drive easily drive up to Sonoma in a day.

Now having said that - Half Moon Bay is also nice and a pretty drive from the Monterrey area.

Decisions, Decisions, eh? :)

Three nights at Ventana Inn would be an extremely romantic, peaceful, serene, relaxing get away. The commute from there to the sites, activities, and restaurants in the Carmel area would be about 40 min on a winding coastal road with spectacular scenery. If you want less serenity and romance and less driving, you could spend 1 night at Ventana and 2 in the Carmel/Monterey/Pacific Grove area. Either way, it's a glorious vacation.

Decisions, decisions, yes! However, all good

If it were me - and I normally am not a Nervous Nellie - I would leave Sonoma earlier than 8, more like 7. Even if you catch some rush hour traffic crossing the Golden Gate - enjoy the view and know you will not be missing your plane if something went somewhat wrong.

You could also stay Monday night at one of the motor inns down by the Golden Gate end of Lombard St. - and enjoy a lovely breakfast/brunch on Union St or Chestnut St and casually get to the airport from there - out 19th Ave - in maybe 45 minutes? I like the Chelsea Inn: http://www.chelseamotorinn.com/ and http://www.lombardstreethotels.com/

BTW - I don't think I could tire of driving either up or down the Coast from Ventana, certainly not in 3 days. Just spectacular. And one day you could go into Carmel/Monterrey and tour the Aquarium and adjacent Cannery Row and take the 17 mile drive back to Carmel and have late lunch/dinner there - or head back to beautiful Ventana.

<<<If it were me - and I normally am not a Nervous Nellie - I would leave Sonoma earlier than 8, more like 7. >>>

5 hours to go 57 miles (Sonoma town square to SFO)? Even at 20 miles an hour it would only take 3 hours! :-)

Let's work backwards SF7. These days - you need to be at the airport at least an hour ahead to check in, get through security, etc, righto? Add what - conservatively add half an hour to turn in the rental car and get to the passenger area?

Ok - for a noon flight - that's what 10:30? If you ran into any bad traffic, and or a possible accident on the freeway (guess I think more about that down here in Southern Cal)that could add another hour plus. Assuming "normal" driving time from Sonoma to SFO would take an hour and a half or so - even leaving at 8 am could be iffy. Odds are - probably not - but if I am flying cross-country - I like to minimize - with a big M - the chances of missing the flight.

And that's why I like to stay near the airport the night before my flight (and why I live less than 5 miles from SFO) :-)

Worth considering. Maybe I go straight from Big Sur to Sonoma on Saturday and stay in Half Moon Bay (closer to SFO) on Monday.

I don't think that's a good plan, really, looking at the map. You'd drive north, then south, then north, wouldn't you?

Sounds like another reason to fly in/out of Oakland.

flight to sfo is already booked. likely best to suck it up and leave Sonoma early. no problem for me, but getting my wife moving early is another matter!

Great idea to head to Sonoma from Carmel - not that far of a drive really - and then stay at say the Ritz at Half Moon bay the last night - and then just pop over the hill to SFO, no more than say 45 minutes.

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Proper...ay/Default.htm

Drove that road after seeing Stanford beat Notre Dame in football last fall, and my college buddy and his wife live right next to the beautiful Ritz, and we had late night drinks at one of the many cute places in the small downtown area of the town of Half Moon Bay.

BTW - driving in from Sonoma - and seeing the SF skyline from the Golden Gate and then down 280? - to take the road over to Half Moon By is a very scenic drive in and of itself.

It's only about 21 miles from Half Moon Bay to SFO.

see: http://www.travelmath.com/drive-dist...f+Moon+Bay,+CA

You could also drive down scenic Hiway 1 from SF to Half Moon Bay - rather than down 280 to hiway 92 and over the hill. http://wwwpenandpalette-susancushman...iff-house.html

To get to 1 - drive out to the Cliff House - which is a great place for a hot toddy overlooking the Ocean - taking Geary St from 19th ave - and 19th is the exit you need to turn onto after you come across the GG bride, rather than continuing on into the Marina/Lombard St/SF.

From near the Cliff House to Half Moon Bay is about a half an hour drive - maybe a bit more - but it's only about 24 miles.

If you wanted to do that - I would suggest you leave Sonoma mid-afternoon - and on a Monday - the traffic should not be that bad going back into SF. On Sundays - it can really back up with all the people coming back from wine country, Marin County, etc.

For another map - also see: http://www.hilltopautoservice.com/Map.htm

To clarify, I meant the town of Big Sur is in a forested area.

The Ventana looks fantastic!

i like your idea of staying in HMB the last night.

The problem with staying north of SF is that there's a bottleneck called "The Golden Gate Bridge". I wouldn't want to be north of that potential bottleneck while trying to reach the airport for a flight home.

It sounds a lot more relaxing to be closer to the airport on the last night.

Like Tomsd said, there are some great dining places in HMB and closeby.

Just a heads up/warning: the drive from the Cliff House to HMB is 24 miles, but it is not a freeway; it takes at least 45 minutes (or more, depending upon the time of day), not a half hour.

Same thing for the drive from HMB to SFO: a good portion of that 21 miles is not freeway. Weekday mornings, the traffic can be an issue, so allow yourself time.

That said, HMB is quite nice; just don't expect a typical "California beach town", because it's not (which is one of its charms, imo). Also, usually overcast in the evenings and mornings, so if you're planning to arrive late and leave early, don't count on sunshine!

Geesh - be sure to allow yourself a whole extra 15 minutes on any of my estimates. If you leave HMB by say 9:30 - when there should not be much traffic - you can be at the airport - without any hassle - easily by 10:30.

Tomsd, I did not mean to offend you. I have lived here all my life, though; and I travel these routes frequently enough to know how easily a person can be deceived by mileage on maps vs. actual driving time.

No offense, just inane. 15 minute difference. Yahooooo.

BTW - I can drive from the Cliff House down to Half Moon Bay in about half an hour. Or certainly used to be able to. Just have to know how to pass slow drivers.

And I just drove 92 from the 101 over to Half Moon Bay last fall. No big deal.

Neither drive is a big deal, and both are beautiful drives. (Do be careful, though: our highway patrol takes great pleasure in ticketing drivers who ignore the flow of traffic!)

In any case, perhaps I'm unusual, but when I'm on vacation (as I assume the OP is going to be), I like to be able to enjoy the scenery of a beautiful drive, not worry about making time! But of course, we all have different traveling styles.

LucieV: My bad as you sincerely meant to help the visitor with your information. There are a couple of other posters in here whom I don't feel are so well-intended. :)

And yes, how I zipped around when I used to live there is not the same as a visitor enjoying the sights. Also - those doggone Chippies are better at hiding these days, and the radar is better.

You can only go so far relying on maps, tripadvisor and fodors. All of this feedback has been terrific and very helpful. Thank you all very much.

Roger that. Hope you post your planned itinerary - and/or a post trip report.

We enjoyed Ventana a couple of times with some people from my ole law school - UC Hastings Sf. One night - it was fun to watch the Marine layer/fog - roll in over those below (such as at Nepenthene) while we still enjoyed the sunshine. :)

Nice.. sounds like heaven! BTW, I booked at a place called the Cypress Inn (Miramar Beach) in HMB for Monday. Seems nice. Ritz looks beautiful, but trying to stanch the wallet hemorrhage after Ventana.

You apparently have your heart set on Ventana, but I like the Post Ranch Inn.

www.postranchinn.com