California Trip help
 

Girlfriend and I are spending a week in CA end of August..
2 nights in San Fran and flying out of LA..
I'm renting car and wanted to drive down the PCH..I'll probably pick up he PCH in Monterey. Should I stay somewhere between San Fran and LA for 2 nights? and then only 2 nights in LA..or, 1 night somewhere on the PCH (cambria, santa barbara )and 3 nights in LA? Never been to California..

hi brenden
I love Monterey, and Santa Barbara.
I use a guide book for Bed & Breakfasts called Karen Brown - California Bed & Breakfasts or one for Small Inns. She also includes itineraries. Her books are to the point and simple to follow.

Thanks!
I staying 1 night in Santa Barbara.
Is San Fran to Santa Barbara along the PCH too much driving for 1 day? Should I stay somewhere near Cambria first?

we didn't go as far as you on our last trip but..
we went from San Francisco to monterey via hwy 1 and it was an easy drive.

The next day we went from Monterey to Cambria and that drive was a bit longer. We stayed at The Blue Dolphin Inn in Cambria and really enjoyed it. I just posted my trip report a few mins. ago so you can check out the details there. I would think trying to drive from SF to LA without a stop would be pushing it...

Brenden - that depends on how much driving you want to do. Once you hit San Luis Obisbo, it's pretty much freeway to Santa Barbara unless you detour into Lompoc.
SF to SB is drivable in a day if you like driving.
In Cambria a reasonable place to stay is San Simeon Pines at the northend of Moonstone Beach. Right across from a little park. Good food at Sow's Ear and Brambles
How much time on the coast depends on what you like to do.
The aquarium in Monterey is really good. There are loads of wineries between PCH and 101 on Highway 46 and then another bunch near SLO and Santa Maria.
The Missions near 101 are worth visits as well if you are interested in the history of California's Central Coast.
Of course LA has its own sights and "charms."

San Luis Obispo is also a really nice town - so even though you don't NEED to stop and stay overnight, it (and Santa Barbara, of course) would be a very pleasant place to stop.

The drive between Monterey and Santa Barbara on Hwy 1 is one of the scenic treasures of California. You will miss a lot and be very tired if you try to do it one day. It would be a shame to drive this route for the first time and not have time to enjoy the beaches of Big Sir, tour the Hearst Castle, frolic in the dunes at Pismo, and savor the fine wines of northern Santa Barbara County.

Then there are the fantastic missions, the charms of SLO and Solvang and then there are the wonders of Santa Barbara. You could spend your whole trip in SB and never run out of great things to do.

When you say the end of August, I hope you don't mean Labor Day weekend. I would avoid that area then unless you like a lot of company. And finding a room would be a challenge.