Hearst Castle to LA
May 26th, 2006, 12:01 PM
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Hearst Castle to LA
We are travelling with 3 kids (ages 10-15). We're spending 5 days in San Francisco, 2 days in Monterey, 3 days in LA and 5 days in SD. We are planning on driving from Monterey to LA with a stop at Hearst Castle. Is that doable? Would we have time to stop in any towns on the way to LA? What town or towns should we stop at? We're planning on doing the 2 hour tour of Hearst Castle in the morning. Also we have 2 days in LA, the kids want to do Universal, what are some other "must do's" given our short time there? Thanks!
May 26th, 2006, 12:11 PM
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Hi. I've lived in California all my life. 25 years in LA and the last 12 in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
If you take Hwy 1 all the way from Monteray to LA, it will take many hours because it is a narrow windy road on which you often cannot travel more than 35 miles an hour or so. I can't quite remember the distance right now, but you should check and do the calculation based on traveling that slowly. I am thinking at least 10 hours.
You will need to travel on Hwy 1 for some of your trip b/c that is where Hearst Castle is. But, you might consider going inland after that to the 101 or the 5. I don't think you will have time to stop anywhere else, if you want to remain sane.
Having lived in LA for so long, it is hard to say what to do with 2 days. But, I would reccomend the new Getty museum which is absolutely beautful architecturally, has a great view, and, of course, wonderful art. Given that, it is amazing that it is free.
If the kids have never been to Disneyland, you could also do that. Although, I don't know how the adults feel about this. . . .
Have a wonderful time. We have a beautiful and wonderfully diverse state here. Enjoy it!
If you take Hwy 1 all the way from Monteray to LA, it will take many hours because it is a narrow windy road on which you often cannot travel more than 35 miles an hour or so. I can't quite remember the distance right now, but you should check and do the calculation based on traveling that slowly. I am thinking at least 10 hours.
You will need to travel on Hwy 1 for some of your trip b/c that is where Hearst Castle is. But, you might consider going inland after that to the 101 or the 5. I don't think you will have time to stop anywhere else, if you want to remain sane.
Having lived in LA for so long, it is hard to say what to do with 2 days. But, I would reccomend the new Getty museum which is absolutely beautful architecturally, has a great view, and, of course, wonderful art. Given that, it is amazing that it is free.
If the kids have never been to Disneyland, you could also do that. Although, I don't know how the adults feel about this. . . .
Have a wonderful time. We have a beautiful and wonderfully diverse state here. Enjoy it!
May 26th, 2006, 12:38 PM
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Where in LA are you staying? It depends where you stay, because traffic can be a major factor. There is a quaint town south of Hearst Castle, Cambria which has nice antique shops and restaraunts, you can stop there for lunch and walk around if you're interested. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is supposed to be one of the best in the world, my husband has been there and he likes it better than the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.
Also on the way down to LA is Solvang Vilage- a touristy but fun little dutch village with shops and restaurants. Santa Barbara is also a great place to visit, as well as the huge outlet on the way to L.A. if you are into shopping in Camarillo.
Also on the way down to LA is Solvang Vilage- a touristy but fun little dutch village with shops and restaurants. Santa Barbara is also a great place to visit, as well as the huge outlet on the way to L.A. if you are into shopping in Camarillo.
May 26th, 2006, 01:16 PM
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I think it would be difficult to go from Monterey to LA in one day, stopping at Hearst Castle but I guess it could be done.
As daria said, the drive from Monterey to San Simeon is on Highway 1 (about 93 miles) but is very windy and slow. You will be driving through Big Sur which is one of the most picturesque drives in California (perhaps even the country). You would want time to stop at view points, etc. Even though it's 93 miles you should probably give yourself at least 3 hours to drive, even more if you stop. You'd have to leave Monterey very early to get to Hearst Castle for a morning tour. You could go inland from Monterey, go down 101 and then cut back into the coast close to San Simeon, its about 130 miles but faster. However, I think if you've never driven through Big Sur it's something you don't want to miss.
Once you leave Hearst Castle, it's about 200 plus miles to Los Angeles depending on where in town you're staying. This is around 4 hours without traffic.
So it would be doable if you leave early, don't make any stops and get into LA later.
I think if it was me, I would only stay in Monterey one day and spend the next night in Cambria. I just came back from Monterey, it's OK but for me two days is too much. You could spend your one day/night in Monterey and see the sights there. The next morning get up, maybe stop for a light breakfast in Carmel, drive through Big Sur with some time to stop and then arrive for your Hearst Castle tour early afternoon. After the tour spend the night in Cambria, a very cute town. The next day to LA you would have time to stop in Santa Barbara, Solvang, etc.
Especially traveling with 3 kids, it would be less stressful and more fun to stay in Cambria or somewhere close to the castle. It would be a shame to rush through one the most beautiful areas of California.
As daria said, the drive from Monterey to San Simeon is on Highway 1 (about 93 miles) but is very windy and slow. You will be driving through Big Sur which is one of the most picturesque drives in California (perhaps even the country). You would want time to stop at view points, etc. Even though it's 93 miles you should probably give yourself at least 3 hours to drive, even more if you stop. You'd have to leave Monterey very early to get to Hearst Castle for a morning tour. You could go inland from Monterey, go down 101 and then cut back into the coast close to San Simeon, its about 130 miles but faster. However, I think if you've never driven through Big Sur it's something you don't want to miss.
Once you leave Hearst Castle, it's about 200 plus miles to Los Angeles depending on where in town you're staying. This is around 4 hours without traffic.
So it would be doable if you leave early, don't make any stops and get into LA later.
I think if it was me, I would only stay in Monterey one day and spend the next night in Cambria. I just came back from Monterey, it's OK but for me two days is too much. You could spend your one day/night in Monterey and see the sights there. The next morning get up, maybe stop for a light breakfast in Carmel, drive through Big Sur with some time to stop and then arrive for your Hearst Castle tour early afternoon. After the tour spend the night in Cambria, a very cute town. The next day to LA you would have time to stop in Santa Barbara, Solvang, etc.
Especially traveling with 3 kids, it would be less stressful and more fun to stay in Cambria or somewhere close to the castle. It would be a shame to rush through one the most beautiful areas of California.
May 26th, 2006, 02:39 PM
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As other's have said, the drive is doable, but it will make for a very long day in the car. I wouldn't do it with 3 kids in the car unless their was a cash pay off at the end 
I like the idea of adjusting your itinerary so you can spend 1 night enroute between Monterey and LA. The Big Sur coast is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline anywhere. It would be a shame to short change yourselves by rushing it - or skipping it all together in favor of an inland route. And with a trip the length of yours, you definitely have the time to savor Big Sur.
I would probably shuffle things around in the itinerary and take 1 night from SF or SD.
For options of where to stay enroute, Cambria is a good choice, as mentioned previously. With 3 kids though, I think I would be more inclined to choose Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, or Pismo Beach.
I like the idea of adjusting your itinerary so you can spend 1 night enroute between Monterey and LA. The Big Sur coast is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline anywhere. It would be a shame to short change yourselves by rushing it - or skipping it all together in favor of an inland route. And with a trip the length of yours, you definitely have the time to savor Big Sur.
I would probably shuffle things around in the itinerary and take 1 night from SF or SD.
For options of where to stay enroute, Cambria is a good choice, as mentioned previously. With 3 kids though, I think I would be more inclined to choose Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, or Pismo Beach.
May 26th, 2006, 05:31 PM
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Shorten the time in Monterey--stay overnight in Morro or Pismo, try the Sea Gypsy (800-592-8092), small "condo-like" rooms on the beach. Then tackle the drive to LA. Dinner at Steamer's of Pismo--killer view, great food, fantastic kid's menu.
May 26th, 2006, 05:45 PM
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Although I love Cambria, I agree that Pismo or Morro Beach would be more fun for the kids. Better beaches. Actually it might be better to take one of the days off of either SF or SD. Although I think you could see most of Monterey in one day, you do have driving times to think about. I don't know which city I would shorten (SF or SD). I guess a lot that would depend on arrival and departure times from those cities as to how many full days you have in each one.
No matter where you cut your time, do stay somewhere between Monterey and LA. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and beaches. I think your kids will appreciate it more that way also.
No matter where you cut your time, do stay somewhere between Monterey and LA. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and beaches. I think your kids will appreciate it more that way also.
May 26th, 2006, 05:59 PM
#8
Are your stays set in stone? And WHEN is the trip? That also makes a difference.
I personally would not cut a day from Monterey - but you will have to cut a day from somewhere and adjust your itinerary.
4 or 5 nights SF, 2 nights Monterey/Carmel, 1 night Cambria/Morro Bay, 3 nights LA and 4 nights in SD makes most sense to me.
The tour(s) at San Simeon plus driving Big Sur, plus stops for sightseeing, meals, etc. make the trip from Monterey to N. LA County nearly 12 hours, and longer to other parts of LA. You definitely don't want to do it in one day.
I personally would not cut a day from Monterey - but you will have to cut a day from somewhere and adjust your itinerary.
4 or 5 nights SF, 2 nights Monterey/Carmel, 1 night Cambria/Morro Bay, 3 nights LA and 4 nights in SD makes most sense to me.
The tour(s) at San Simeon plus driving Big Sur, plus stops for sightseeing, meals, etc. make the trip from Monterey to N. LA County nearly 12 hours, and longer to other parts of LA. You definitely don't want to do it in one day.
May 29th, 2006, 07:14 AM
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Thanks for all the advice. We were thinking of making the followind changes: spend only one night in Monterey, travel to San Simeon on Friday and tour Hearst Castle on Saturday. Should we plan on one night in Santa Barbara and then travel to LA ( we're staying near Universal) or should we drive from Hearst Castle to LA in one day?
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