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