Senior couple planning a few days (3-4) South of SF and want to see, at a minimum, Monterey, Big Sur, 17 mile Drive, Hearst Castle. Does 3 nights in Carmel-by-the-Sea make sense?? Been to (and loved) Santa Barbara so no need to go that far South. Obviously will have a car... planning for end of March, 2020. Monterey, seems to need 1 day, ride to San Simeon via Big Sur another, find another for the third. Your thoughts, please.

Thanks!

Carmel makes a

Carmel makes a good base for everything you want to do except Hearst Castle. That is really too far for a day trip.

If San Simeon is a must -- then I'd stay one night in Cambria or Morro Bay and the rest of your time in Carmel.

Perhaps San Simeon is not a must... Just looking at the popular sites.... but we prefer getting settled in one place for a few days at a time.... Will reconsider San Simeon.. Thanks.

You can have a lovely 3 or 4 days w/o going down to San Simeon. Big Sur, redwoods, Point Lobos, Carmel Mission, vineyards and wineries, Carmel beach, Monterey Aquarium, the adobes and Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, lunch at Phil's in Moss Landing, wining and dining in Pacific Grove and Carmel, and more.

I agree - 3 or 4 days in Carmel and surrounding areas would be great. And if you prefer to stay in one place and sight-see from there, then dropping Hearst Castle is a good idea.

Planning on heading North for a few days to Napa/Sonoma.... and then to SF for a few days... Your suggestions feel right to me.... Who needs to see another castle??... already live in one, well actually just a condo apt, but on the smaller ocean! Aware that the weather can be iffy. Spent a few days in February Santa Barbara 1n 2017 and lucked out with good weather. Still likely warmer weather than back East Thanks.

March can be absolutely wonderful on the coast. On average there are about 8 days of rain in March so you were pretty unlucky. And yes there are some 'fusty' properties but also a lot very nice places in Carmel, Pacific Grove etc.

You could go to the Hearst Castle first and then "start your trip". We did that a couple of years ago. Hearst first and then we drove up to Monterrey and stayed at Monterrey Plaza and did some sightseeing from there. Very enjoyable trip and I'm glad we didn't skip the Hearst Castle but very sad we didn't get to drive along the coast. That was when there was a big land slide and the coast road was closed.

Yes, if you did want to include Hearst Castle, you could drive from SF to Hearst Castle, stay overnight in Cambria or San Simeon, then the next day, drive through Big Sur to Monterey. Then spend the rest of your time in the Monterey/Carmel area. That would definitely work.