Central Coast Dilemma
 

Have 7 days mid Feb to tour around (from Las Vegas). Want to visit Palm Springs and then take in some of the coastal route up to Monterey before turning back and returning to Vegas via Death Valley.
Dilemma: starting at Palm Springs, if I head North-West for the I5 to save time and turn West at Kettleman City to Cambria (and then North to Monterey), will I be missing any really memorable scenery on the route from Ventura to Cambria?
Also a query as to weather conditions mid Feb: what are the chances that mist is going to spoil the coastal view?
Would greatly appreciate your thoughts!

Santa Barbara and Morro Bay. We felt both were high-spots on our CA coastal trip. Some pix are at http://community.webshots.com/user/bookhall

That Kettleman City route is quick, but ugly. I would take the route via Ventura and drive through Santa Barbara and drive up 101 to Monterey. It does take you out of the direct path. If you have the time it will be great, if speed is needed, go the ugly route.

The 101 route is very pretty in places and although you are not constatntly on the ocean, there are good breakout points.

You may run into fog in February in the central valley (I-5 run) but usually it is over by the end of January. The coast doesn't get the fog or mist until summer time.

The southern section of the central coast is pretty, but not as dramatic of scenery as the Big Sur section. The area is more enjoyed for pleasant towns and country roads.

Weather is definitely iffy in Feb. If you are making that long drive, you should try to arrange some flexibility in your schedule so you can wait or advance a day to avoid storms. I might suggest going to Monterey first, as a better place to kill time if you are waiting out a storm. Storms generally won't last longer than a day, and even if there are a series of them, there is usually a break in between when you could enjoy the coast drive. There is the possibility that mudslides will close the road, but it is rare to get ones that take more than a few hours to clear.

Very helpfull responses. Thank you.
I think I'll take the 101 to San Luis Obispo, then the coastal road to Monterey (better to do the coastal road from South to North, right?). Will go back on 101 to Paso Robles, then take the 58 to Bakersfield and from there to Death Valley.
Thanks also for the link to your photo's Bookhall, my photo's are on http://community.webshots.com/user/marksmalley. And my trip reports are on www.freewebs.com/smalley.

I actually prefer Hwy 1 through Big Sur north to south because you are on the ocean side of the road and can easily pull off at all the lookouts. Either way, the scenery is beautiful.

Yes you're right JC, North to South!!!

Just back from there & want to warn you that Hwy 1 was closed for quite a few days from just above San Simeon to Big Sur, due to a mudslide. Probably the result of not just the rains, but also the earthquake that had its epicenter in Paso Robles (it's definitely a non-boring area). So regardless of what plans you make in advance, be sure to check ahead any day you plan to drive the coastal route in February.

Incidentally, we like to stay in Pacific Grove, next door to Monterey. Less commercial, some great Victorian B&B's.