I'm trying to plan a vacation of about 10-12 days driving the coast of CA on Rt. 1. I don't have a lot of ideas on where to stay and what to see. Any suggestions from places to internet sights of interest would be appreciated.

Lucky you! Others will have to pitch in because I'm most familiar with Route 1 between Fort Bragg and Big Sur.

Here are my favorite places/stops/views along the way:

Just south of Fort Bragg is a great place to stop, hike and enjoy spectacular coastal scenery as well as exquisite gardens. This would be the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. DO NOT pass this up!

The town of Mendocino is a fun stop: lots of tourists, lots of shops, still charming, good food, good bookstores, lovely views.

Sandpiper House Inn is a special place to overnight in Elk. Totally terrific; unbeatable views; sumptuous comfort.

The town of Gualala has a good bookstore and a good nursery, right on the main drag (that's Hwy 1). The Old Milano Hotel is a good place to stay and a GREAT place to eat!

The 15-mile-or-so coast between the south end of Sea Ranch and Gualala is spectacular for hiking, walking, tide pooling, beach combing, etc. Don't miss the unique Sea Ranch Chapel on the east side of Hwy. 1 in Sea Ranch.

Salt Point State Park is second only to Point Reyes (about which more later) for gorgeous scenery, hiking, picnicking and so on. Also a good place to spot and watch whales (if it's the right season) and for diving.

Do stop at Fort Ross -- which was a Russian outpost to support fur traders in the 19th century. Much of the fort remains to entertain history buffs and the scenery atop the coastal bluffs is very special. Wild flowers, too!

Point Reyes, just north of San Francisco, is one of the best places in the world! There's a national seashore park, great hiking and birding, horseback riding, beachcombing, tide pooling and more. Don't pass up the opportunity to ramble the quaint, charming old towns of Point Reyes Station, Inverness and Olema. Be sure to picnic at Heart's Desire beach in the Tomales Bay State Park. Eat at Mankas in Inverness and at the Station House Cafe in Point Reyes.

Then there's San Francisco and I'll let someone else tell you about that.

South of San Francisco is Monterey and Pacific Grove -- two towns abutting one another, both chock full of lovely American gothic architecture, fabulous restaurants and more wonderful places to stay than you can shake a finger at (my favorites are the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Green Gables Inn). Rent bikes and toodle along the coastal walk/bikeway. Lots to see including seals, sea lions, otters, kelp beds, kayakers and so on.

Next obligatory stop is the park at Point Lobos. Don't skip this, you'll be sorry. More gorgeous scenery, hiking, beach combing, birding, picnicking.

Then, it's on to Big Sur where the best place to stay (although tres pricey) is Ventana Inn with it's outdoor Japanese hot baths under the stars, terrific restaurant and devotion to sybaritic pleasures.

You're gonna love it!

There's a wonderful aquarium to see at Monterey.

And don't forget the Hearst Castle at San Simeon, further south.

Well Paul, you don't mention where you are starting from or when you plan the trip, but let a couple of easterners in love with the left coast chime in. We are most familiar with the area between Cambria in north central up to Half Moon Bay. We have been going out every year for 15 years or so and generally stay around Pacific Grove. This is the last of the Home Town USA's and there are many inexpensive and confortable motels to check in.

A stop in Cambria is pleasant. It is, for want of a better expression, a quaint artist community with many nice stores and restaurants. We usually go down for lunch, walk around a while and then head north to Hearst Castle. That is some place, I'll tell you. You must allow time for a tour (couple of hours duration) and see the views, breathtaking. There are so many 'vistas' on the way up through Big Sur, though not very many commercial establishments which makes it so nice. There are several great restaurants along the way so you shouldn't get hungry. Make sure you have plenty of gas because it is outrageous if you have to stop in Big Sur. As you leave Big Sur and head into Carmel Valley you will come to Pt. Lobos State Preserve. This is a very worthwhile stop to get out and hike a while. It has been described as the most beautiful meeting of land and sea in the world and we can't argue. There are two nice shopping areas in Carmel Valley to walk around in as well as the Carmel Mission on the west side of Rt. 1 on Reo Rd. (think that's the road name). Just a bit farther is Carmel. The first time we saw Carmel we wanted to stay forever. Head down the hill and park near the beach. It's free and there is no time limit. Of course, you have to hike back up the hill for dining and shopping, sorry!
When you've had your fill there you can jump on the Seventeen Mile Drive and head on toward Pacific Grove, stopping along the way many times of course. See the Lone Cypres, it has to be the most photographed tree in the world.
Pacific Grove is a wonderful town. You can walk for miles on the shore trails. On to Cannery Row where you have the Monterey Bay Aquarium (http://www.mbayaq.org). Allow several hours to just absorb the aquarium, don't just browse through.
There is a great place for breakfast and brunch just around the corner in the American Can Co Outlet Mall called First Awakenings. It has the best menu for the buck we've ever come across. You can't leave hungry. Then there is Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey. Not spectacular but a pleasant walk around.
Then it is a pleasant drive on Rt. 1 heading on to Santa Cruz which is on the northern end of Monterey Bay. It is a bustling town but there are some very nice artist retreats on the southern and northern ends. The Boardwalk/Carnival is a lot of fun.
Get a 3A trip book for that whole area if possible, it will be a big help. Have a wonderful trip and drop a line any time you feel like it or want some more on anything just published in this tour guide. Can't help it though, we really love the area.

Ron

Somewhere along rt. 1 (I think), north of the Russian River and into the big redwoods, there is/was a restaurant in a tree. You walk inside the tree and go on up, can anybody better refresh my memory?

GREAT suggestions above!

My vote is to skip the Los Angeles/San Diego area unless you want to see the Beverly Hills/Sea World/Zoo scene. Focus from San Luis Obisbo and north, Most of Rte. 1 pretty much looks the same all of the way up to San Francisco area. After a while, you may wish to take a break from the windy roads.

Perhaps go as far up as Crescent Beach and see the Redwoods up there. It is close to Oregon which lends a different flavor.

Try these websites and do a search for California, California coast, Big Sur, etc.

http://travel.roughguides.com/index_fr_d.htm

http://www.gorp.com/

I do think that Cambria, Big Sur, Pacific Grove, Pt. Reyes and Mendocino areas should not be missed. (although, being from New England, I am jaded...don't think Mendocino is that hot)

There are some cabins in Big Sur that are reasonable, although I have never stayed there.

http://www.kasslar.com/SWCastles/RippleW.html

http://bigsurriverinn.com/

There is a guy who has a HUGE website all about the coast of California.

http://www.jrabold.net/bigsur/

Re: Big Sur

We have always wanted to stay at Deetjen's Big Sur Inn...for a unique experience in lodging.

Karen Brown writes about it here:

http://www.karenbrown.com/california...bigsurinn.html

Hope this is helpful...remember, Route 1 is VERY long! Get off of it and take breaks...hiking, tidepooling, etc.

Have fun!

I am a native Californian and live in both San Diego and the San Francisco Bay area. I strongly disagree with the previous message regarding skipping San Diego.

San Diego is a beautiful area with a lot to do and see. I am not going to say which area is the best as both Southern and Northern California have a lot to offer. I would not drive Rte 1 between Santa Cruz and San Francisco. Could be foggy and doesn't really offer much after having driven up the coast.

Point Lobos outside Carmel is one of the greatest places I've ever visited. Don't miss it, but get there early in season because (thankfully) they limit the number of visitors.

Paul, Where are you from? And have you been to California before? If it's new to you, then by all means see all the off-the-beaten-track stuff. (Unless, you've never been to a metropolitan zoo, or seen an orca, I'm not sure those attractions are worth the haul all the way from SF to SD. It's an 8-9 hour drive on I-5 stopping only for gas and a trip to the restroom.)

I have to disagree with the comments about skipping Hwy 1 between Santa Cruz and Pacifica. The alternate is a 3-4 lane freeway (280). As freewyas go, it's very nice, but if you're from the midwest or non-coastal area of the world, the Pacific Ocean is gorgeous. Why skip it? And this section of hiway is the least winding of the whole stretch so you can make good time driving.

Also, try all the not-so-touristy north coast towns and communities: Elk has turn-of-the-century charms and also is a working town. Manchester State Beach north of Manchester has a beautiful long beach of brown sand and a view of the Point Arena Lighthouse which is open for tours.
Point Arena town is a mix of blue-collar and nouveau hippy with a *FABULOUS* and widely known dining spot, Pangaea, plus a movie theater and a small fishing cove and pier.
If you're up for something other than what most tourists see, check out these places. They are VERY north coast.
Welcome to northern California!