My family and I are travelling from San Francisco (3nites there) to carmel (1nite),cambria (1nite),santa barbara(1nite), and santa monica(2nites) We will then be flying to Las Vegas for 3 nites. My question is- should we stay for two nites in carmel? I hear so many good things about that area and not so much about san simeon or cambria. Am I being too aggressive with my plans? Should I give up Cambria (stopping at the Hearst castle on the way to santa barbara, and stay 2 nites in carmel? Any advice would be appreciated.

One night in Carmel is probably enough, but do allow some time to go out to Point Lobos. Cambria is a pleasant little town, but aside from San Simeon there isn't a lot to do. If you like art galleries and food, the extra night in Carmel might be better--but I don't think you could visit San Simeon the same day you left Carmel and then get on to Santa Barbara; so the one-night stop in Cambria is probably best for planning purposes.

Underhill, thanks for the reply. I am not familiar with point lobos. is it far from carmel? is there much to see there? Many thanks.

Point Lobos is a marvelous state park just south of Carmel. You drive in and park, then walk over to the ocean--often you will see otters playing in the water, sea lions, all sorts of birds and vegetation, including the famous Monterey cypress trees. It's a bit wild and quite interesting--and absolutely beautiful. It could be your first stop when you head south from Carmel.

You have correctly picked up, frankpkeller, that Carmel as a destination has much more to offer than Cambria. That so many people in this forum--both those with experience in the area and first timers--seem to see Cambria as a worthy destination in itself mystifies me. I have never seen much there other than a largely unsuccessful attempt to copy Carmel's charm, a traffic-clogged spawn of the desire to capture as many of the dollars drawn to the area by Hearst Castle as possible.

That being said, I have to agree with Underhill that you'll probably want to stay somewhere near Hearst Castle as a practical matter, not to see Cambria (I'd consider one of the San Simeon oceanside places for quicker access to the Castle without getting bogged down in the Cambria tourist crawl) but because there is so much to see between Carmel and the Castle that you will not want to combine the Castle with it.

The Castle is well worth your time, for the beauty of its setting, grounds, and jaw-dropping outdoor pool in addition to its interesting history and countless art objects. I'd recommend going there first thing the morning of your drive to Santa Barbara and doing more than one tour (by all means reserve them in advance. The Castle is incredibly popular and those who do not are often disappointed.)

There have been very many recent threads in this forum on Big Sur, a name which rightly refers to the whole coastline from just south of Carmel almost to the Castle. It is not only one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in the world, but a place of unique atmosphere and mood. Type Big Sur in the search box, click on Find and many recommendations and much guidance will appear to the left.

Do allow at least a day for this drive. Even if you are not stopping and looking, the highway is twisting and slow and it would take much longer than you'd espect to get from Carmel to the Castle, which is why driving Carmel to the Castle to Santa Barbara wouldn't work well.

Instead, enjoy this area's views, hikes, restaurants, shops and galleries as you'll find extensively discussed as you search under Big Sur, and see the Castle the following day.

Thank's Johncharles, we have a 2pm tour at hearst on tues. maybe I will change it for wed early am and then head for santa barbara. this should not only give us more time in carmel but also more time to drive down the coast.