bfish

We are driving from DL to SF.. I was hoping for a 2 night stay in Big Sur.. Would this be worth it? We were going to stop at the Monterey Aquarium on the way too.. I will have a 5 year old girl and my wife.. Is there a prettier way to do it?

Tomsd

Can't think of a prettier way to do it - and what time do you plan to leave DL? If it was me - I would leave at Oh Dark Thirty - to beat the LA traffic rush - and after say 3 hours on the road - maybe have a cup of coffee/Danish pastry in Solvang - above Santa Barbara.

You could then keep on trucking up to San Simeon (you might not have time to take a Hearst Castle tour - (takes 2 hours plus) - but just stopping and seeing the little museum in the Visitor Center is great). From there - enjoy the drive to/through Big Sur, another hour and a half (plus-minus) from San Simeon.

Tomsd

Forgot to add? From Solvang to San Simeon - it's not that far - 100 miles or so - and the road is pretty good - so you can make decent time - 2 hours if you keep at it.

MichelleY

If your child is prone to carsickness, be prepared on Hwy. 1 to Monterey. Although a beautiful drive, it is long and boring for a 5 year old. Make it during nap time?

mlgb

I think I might do one night Big Sur and one night Monterey/Carmel/Pacifica instead.

For Anaheim to Big Sur I'd allow 7 or 8 hours, depending on how much traffic you hit getting out of LA and through Santa Barbara. You'd want to leave by 6am to miss the worst LA traffic but you'll hit it then coming into Santa Barbara.
Add time for any lunch stops or other activities.

tomfuller

Is this a rental car or your own? If it is a rental car are you paying a drop off fee?

janisj

"Is this a rental car or your own? If it is a rental car are you paying a drop off fee?"

You have to understand our Tom - he will take 3 trains and a bus to avoid a drop off fee.

Do note MichelleY's post. Hwy 1 is magnificent. But for a poor urpy child stuck in a car seat -- maybe not so much. Is your daughter a good traveler?

MichelleY

The reason I mentioned car sickness is because I was one of those kids way back when.

janisj

But you out grew it -- right?

MichelleY

Blaahhh!