SusanCS

paula - my guess is that we'll be coming the latter part of July or the beginning of August simply because by that time the heat/humidity here will probably be awful.

I've been distracted today so haven't had a chance to look into all these great suggestions, but will get to it as soon as I can. Interesting you should mention Edna Valley wines because one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants serves their chardonnay (and I drink it!)

Is there an alternate way to Big Sur that doesn't go the scenic route? I have a friend who talked about having great fun at Nepenthe when he was young and have wanted to go ever since.
Or maybe the beauty of Big Sur IS the route by the water...

suze - Santa Cruz is on my list, too!

StuDudley

>>Is there an alternate way to Big Sur that doesn't go the scenic route?>I have a friend who talked about having great fun at Nepenthe when he was young and have wanted to go ever since.>Or maybe the beauty of Big Sur IS the route by the water

SusanCS

Well, rats, Stu. Thanks (I think) for the info. Maybe I should consider getting airlifted in.

paula1470

Susan-Don't know how you'd get over your fear of Highway 1 through Big Sur. I doubt the accident rate is any higher than other roads and in fact may be less because most people are driving slowly. You can check with the CA Highway Patrol but honestly you're probably much less likely to get in an accident on Highway 1 than on any California freeway.

Otherwise Stu answered all your questions.

hazel1

I'm afraid that the weather could really get you down, if you have expectations of sunny California. It's been an especially cool and gloomy summer this year (I'm talking low 60's as the daily high temp). I have friends who live in Santa Cruz who are completely bummed out at the lack of "decent" summer weather and sunshine. Perhaps further south, around Santa Barbara, it's better, but I wouldn't want to bank on the weather anywhere along the coast in Northern California in July/August. The marine layer (cloud cover)and/or fog is just too persistent and often lasts until the afternoon.

SusanCS

hazel - when we were in San Diego I heard people complain about the weather not being as warm as usual. But having come from this hell hole, where it was too hot and humid for me to go for a morning walk/jog, I couldn't have been happier. Just looking out our hotel room in the early morning and seeing swarms of people walking their dogs, or jogging, or just enjoying the morning, was enough to make my day. Any weather in the 60s or 70s will be fine with me.

paula - I wish facts could erase this silly fear, but it's not a brain thing, it's a gut thing. I don't like flying either, but have found if I steer clear of the smaller regional planes it's palatable for me.