WE ARE PLANNING A TRIP IN AUGUST TO FLY INTO SAN FRANCISCO, STAYING ABOUT 4 NIGHTS AND THEN DRIVING DOWN THE COAST AND SEEING THE HIGHLIGHTS. EVENTUALLY ENDING UP IN L.A FOR A FEW MORE NIGHTS, AND THEN TO SAN DIEGO AND OR BEACH VACATION TO WIND DOWN. ABOUT HOW LONG WOULD WE NEED TO DO THIS? MY CHILDREN WILL BE 12 AND 7. ANY INFORMATION ON FAMILY ITINERARIES FOR THIS TYPE OF TRIP WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED!!

DON'T SHOUT.
Michele, no more than 4 nights between SF and LA, as few as one is doable. Possible stops include Monterey/Carmel (great aquarium and don't miss Point Lobos marine reserve), the Big Sur area, San Simeon, then Santa Barbara, you pick.

LA to San Diego is half a day, even going slowly. I'm scratching my head to think of overnight spots between them (Disneyland notwithstanding) which would be great for kids. Plenty of beaches, San Juan Capistrano mission, but nothing really jumps out.

If your kids are susceptible to car sickness, forget about taking Route 1
(Pacific Coast Highway)!
It is very twisty and turny.

P.S. What John was alluding to is the fact that typing in ALL CAPS is the same as shouting per Internet etiquette. It is also difficult to read.

Hi Michelle,

My family did the Pacific Coast Highway drive in September with a 6 year old. He was well behaved but not too interested in the scenery. He enjoyed the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is spectacular, the Dennis the Menace playground in Monterey, and walking along Carmel Beach (no swimming though as the water is cold). We wanted to go horseback riding at Pebble Beach but they were booked solid that day. Hearst Castle was a nice break in the drive, as was Santa Barbara. We stayed in San Luis Obispo on the way from Monterey to LA which made the drive time bearable. Hope this helps.

We spent two weeks in CA in July with kids ages 12 and 10. We also started in San Francisco (3 nights) and then spent 4 nights in the Yosemite area before continuing back to the coast and down to LA. We spent a night in Monterey, a night in Big Sur and a night in Pismo Beach ending with three nights in LA. I regret that we had less time along the coast. We only had one night in Monterey and I think two would have been better. The aquarium there is excellent. We also had a lot of fun looking in the tide pools along the beach. We then spent the night at the Big Sur River Inn which has a nice pool. Again, I would have liked more time there to explore and do some hiking around Big Sur. We stopped at Hearst Castle which even the kids enjoyed. We had gotten our tickets in advance over the internet but when we got there I noticed it said they offered a "family tour". Although the kids did fine on the regular tour (#1), I think a family-oriented tour would probably have been more interesting for them. The tour we went on may push a seven year old to the edge of his or her limit for listening quietly. Pismo Beach was ok but if you're used to NJ type beach towns it doesn't stack up. Sidewalks were pretty much "rolled up" by 9PM. I think San Luis Obispo, which we drove through but didn't get to stop in, would have been a better choice. We ended in LA and again I wish we had more time. We did Universal, Venice Beach, Mann's Theater, La Brea tarpits (outside only), and the gift shop of the miniature museum across the street from there (great shop if you know anyone who loves dollhouses!). How much time you spend will depend a lot on your interests and your kids. My husband and I loved the scenery but the kids were not too enthralled. We stopped frequently so they could play on the beach. (We live an hour from the NJ shore and we go 3000 miles so they can play in the sand!) But that was really fine, we enjoyed the scenery and they played in the ocean. But be advised that the ocean water is too cold for swimming until you get close to LA. Have a great trip!