Feedback on My California Itinerary
#1
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Feedback on My California Itinerary
Hi Everyone - Can you give me some feedback on my 5 1/2 day itinerary in California? Not sure if I'm packing too much in or if this is all feasible. I haven't decided on hotels in each area either, so any advice you might have on that would be appreciated. I can't thank my fellow Fodorites enough for all of your great advice...Thanks - Laura
Day 1, 2, 3 - San Francisco - stay in Union Square??
Day 4 - leave early for drive down Highway 1 and stay overnight in Carmel (with possible stop through Monterey - can I squeeze in some time in Monterey if I still want to get to Carmel in time to check out the sites there?)
Day 5 - Wake up early and check out some sites in Big Sur - leave by around 4PM or so to get to San Simeon before dark (how much can I really see of Big Sur with this timeframe in mind?)- overnight in San Simeon
Day 5 1/2 - Early morning tour of Hearst Castle - need to be in Santa Barbara by 3-4PM or earlier if possible - will this be cutting it too close? Not sure how long the drive from San Simeon to SB will take.
Thanks everyone!!
Day 1, 2, 3 - San Francisco - stay in Union Square??
Day 4 - leave early for drive down Highway 1 and stay overnight in Carmel (with possible stop through Monterey - can I squeeze in some time in Monterey if I still want to get to Carmel in time to check out the sites there?)
Day 5 - Wake up early and check out some sites in Big Sur - leave by around 4PM or so to get to San Simeon before dark (how much can I really see of Big Sur with this timeframe in mind?)- overnight in San Simeon
Day 5 1/2 - Early morning tour of Hearst Castle - need to be in Santa Barbara by 3-4PM or earlier if possible - will this be cutting it too close? Not sure how long the drive from San Simeon to SB will take.
Thanks everyone!!
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Sounds pretty good to me.
In SF - Union Square is pretty good, central location close to public transportation.
Monterey/Carmel - they are basically next to each other so it is easy to see them both. SF to Monterey is only a couple hours straight through so you will have time to see stuff.
Big Sur - one day through is fine for an overview. You will have plenty of time to do a bit of hiking, picnicing, and sightseeing.
Hearst Castle to Santa Barbara is about 2.5 to 3 hours, so as long as you are on the road by noon, you will make it no sweat.
In SF - Union Square is pretty good, central location close to public transportation.
Monterey/Carmel - they are basically next to each other so it is easy to see them both. SF to Monterey is only a couple hours straight through so you will have time to see stuff.
Big Sur - one day through is fine for an overview. You will have plenty of time to do a bit of hiking, picnicing, and sightseeing.
Hearst Castle to Santa Barbara is about 2.5 to 3 hours, so as long as you are on the road by noon, you will make it no sweat.
#3
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SF to Monterey is a couple of hours IF you don't take Highway 1 the entire way. Carmel is not that large so you can easily see it and some of Monterey, especially if you don't go window shopping on Ocean Ave.
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FYI most people who visit Hearst stay in Cambria-if you put that in the search box you will find lots of lodging recommendations. Hard to give lodging recommendations for SF or Carmel w/o knowing budget, taste and make up of party. Union Square is a good central location for SF; personally like staying in southern Carmel, away from the shops and restaurants and I like the Mission Ranch which is next to the Mission; others like the Tickle Pink in the Carmel Highlands; others like places near Ocean Ave. Again if you put Carmel in the search box you will see lots of suggestions.
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>>SF to Monterey is a couple of hours IF you don't take Highway 1 the entire way.<<
Also, if you leave SF early on a work day and take 101 or 280 instead of CA #1, you will hit a "monster" of a cummute traffic backup. If you leave early like you plan, it might not take any more time on the scenic #1, than 101 or 280 - but it will take longer than 2 hours, like SAB indicated.
Stu Dudley
Also, if you leave SF early on a work day and take 101 or 280 instead of CA #1, you will hit a "monster" of a cummute traffic backup. If you leave early like you plan, it might not take any more time on the scenic #1, than 101 or 280 - but it will take longer than 2 hours, like SAB indicated.
Stu Dudley