Driving from Napa to Long Beach
 

My husband and I (both recently retired) will be in Napa for touring and wine tasting in May. We plan to start by flying from DC to SF for a night, driving to Napa for several days. Then we will drive to visit my brother in Long Beach. We want to drive as we have never done the CA coast. Our question is where to stop, what to see? We plan to take two days to make this trip, stopping somewhere overnight. Should we stop in Monterey or San Simeon or Santa Barbara? Any other suggestions?

So many good places to stop. We have stopped in both Monterey and Shell Beach(near Pismo Beach). Sailing and sightseeing in Monterey, Hearst Castle and claming near Pismo Beach.

But I'm sure there are lots of other options too. Even sitting with sunning sea lions on a beach is enjoyable

I'm not sure you can really make in in 1 night & 2 days and also make the trip enjoyable - with places to stop & explore along the way..

Using the fastest route possible - it is an ugly freeway drive most of the way from St Helena to Carmel, and it will take 3 1/4 hrs without anyone else on the freeway. I would budget 4 1/2 hrs if you do this on a work day. Then you're gonna want to explore Carmel for 2-4 hrs.

- Lv St Helena @ 9:00 & arrive in Carmel & check into hotel @ 2:00.
- Wander in Carmel, Carmel Beach, etc. 2:00-6:00 No time for Monterey, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Pacific Grove, Spanish Bay, 17 mile drive, etc.
- Next morning leave Carmel & visit Pt Lobos - 9:00-12:00
- Drive along Hwy 1 to Long Beach - 6 hr drive. I would budget 8 hrs if you do this on a work day. 12:00-8:00pm with zero time to view Bixby Bridge, Nepenthe, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, redwoods in Pfeiffer State Park, or Pfeiffer Beach. No Hearst Castle either.

IMO - the Big Sur coast & Carmel/Monterey are much more interesting with many more things to do & see, than being in the wine country for "several days". There is wine country along the coast near Paso Robles that will be much less "touristy" than the Napa/Sonoma wine country.

Stu Dudley

That is one long haul if you want the coast (which is wonderful).

My choice would be to cut one day from Napa and spend 3 days/2 nights driving the coast. First overnight in Carmel, second in Pismo Beach or possibly Santa Barbara.

I agree with two overnights driving Highway 1, one night in Monterey and another night in Cambria, Pismo Beach or Morro Bay.

Although I've done it with only one stop (I've actually done it with none, but I was young and foolish), I'd also recommend 2 nights in Napa/Sonoma and 2 overnights driving Highway 1. Have lunch at Nepenthe in Big Sur(overpriced, food is good not great, but the views are worth every penny).

>>Have lunch at Nepenthe in Big Sur(overpriced, food is good not great, but the views are worth every penny).<<

I tell people their $30 lunch will be a $15 meal with a $2,000,000 view (<i>Unless</i> it is foggy ;) )

That's a good one Janis!

Thanks so far for the advice. I'm rethinking the two days / one night. I can shorten my stay in Long Beach with my brother. You know what they say about fish and relatives!

bethbauer: Yes - If you have flexibility, definitely take at least two nights, almost 3 full days down the coast

I like night 1 Monterey or Big Sur and night 2 in Santa Barbara.

I agree with Jamie or Tom -- I've done both, Monterey and Cambria or Santa Barbara.

I personally don't think you need two nights to enjoy the trip. It depends on how much time you want to spend at stops.

I think Monterey is too close for a midpoint if you go with one night. I would stop just south of Big Sur eg between San Simeon and Cambria.

>> I would stop just south of Big Sur eg between San Simeon and Cambria.<<

Without anyone else on the road and with no stops to see Carmel, Pt Lobos, etc - it is a 5 1/2 hr drive, and the last 2 hours are on a winding road on the "edge" side of a long drop into the ocean. If there is any traffic on the road and it is a weekend, it may be a 6 1/2 hr drive. If it is a workday - perhaps a 7 1/2 hr drive.

I would not recommend this.

Stu Dudley

>>I think Monterey is too close for a midpoint<<

Yes, it <i>is</i> too close for a 'midpoint' . . . but Monterey/Carmel is the best 1/3 of the way stop and Napa to Long Beach is one looooooong haul in two days. It is a 12 hour drive if one hits <i>any</i> traffic in the Bay Area, and longer if there is traffic in LA. That is without a single stop.

Thanks again to all of you! I appreciate your input! Beth