Help!!!! Cal Coast Itinerary
Apr 1st, 2002, 12:35 PM
#21
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Lin, since the cheese places are all going to close by 6pm, I'd suggest you go ahead and drive into the city. It will only take you an hour or so and you'll have many great dining options for dinner. If you want to keep to the cheese theme you could pick a restaurant that serves a great cheese plate, like Plumpjack.
Apr 1st, 2002, 01:12 PM
#22
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Lin, sounds as if your vacation is shaping up nicely.
As for traffic, unfortunately you'll most likely hit quite a bit of traffic on Sunday at 11:00. People will be returning home after their weekend getaways. Though Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) has the superior view, it is the longer route. Much of it is two-lane traffic which is fairly slow-going.
If you take the 405 North to the 101 North (the faster route), expect patches of stop-n-go traffic, particularly on the 405. The 101 usually has less traffic, but that isn't always the case. In general, expect to hit spots of bad traffic... then if you don't you'll be pleasantly surprised.
As for eating, if you can stand to wait, I'd recommend just getting on the freeway and eating in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is known for its excellent dining options, and since you'll be in town less than 24 hours, it would be nice for you to maximize your dining options here (depending on when you arrive and leave, you might actually get a lunch, dinner and breakfast in).
The winery map is correct; nearly all the wineries are north of Santa Barbara. There is a wine tasting room on Stearns Wharf, though, that samples wines from Santa Barbara Winery. Since your visit will be short, that would probably be your best bet. Also, since you'll be arriving on Sunday you'll be able to visit the "Art Walk": a long stretch of local artists and craftmen with their original works and crafts on display along the beach boardwalk. The art walk is only on Sundays, and runs until approx. 4pm. The Art Walk ends at the entrance to the wharf. Once on the wharf you could take in a little wine tasting then continue on to browse the rest of the wharf. In addition to the wine tasting room the wharf has various shops, a marine life museum, and some restaurants. You might want to get a drink at Longboards (open-air patio seating that overlooks the ocean, with a great view of the Santa Barbara coastline). The drinks and appetizers are a little pricey, but they're tasty and the location is wonderful.
Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure you'll have a great time on your vacation. Good luck!
As for traffic, unfortunately you'll most likely hit quite a bit of traffic on Sunday at 11:00. People will be returning home after their weekend getaways. Though Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) has the superior view, it is the longer route. Much of it is two-lane traffic which is fairly slow-going.
If you take the 405 North to the 101 North (the faster route), expect patches of stop-n-go traffic, particularly on the 405. The 101 usually has less traffic, but that isn't always the case. In general, expect to hit spots of bad traffic... then if you don't you'll be pleasantly surprised.
As for eating, if you can stand to wait, I'd recommend just getting on the freeway and eating in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is known for its excellent dining options, and since you'll be in town less than 24 hours, it would be nice for you to maximize your dining options here (depending on when you arrive and leave, you might actually get a lunch, dinner and breakfast in).
The winery map is correct; nearly all the wineries are north of Santa Barbara. There is a wine tasting room on Stearns Wharf, though, that samples wines from Santa Barbara Winery. Since your visit will be short, that would probably be your best bet. Also, since you'll be arriving on Sunday you'll be able to visit the "Art Walk": a long stretch of local artists and craftmen with their original works and crafts on display along the beach boardwalk. The art walk is only on Sundays, and runs until approx. 4pm. The Art Walk ends at the entrance to the wharf. Once on the wharf you could take in a little wine tasting then continue on to browse the rest of the wharf. In addition to the wine tasting room the wharf has various shops, a marine life museum, and some restaurants. You might want to get a drink at Longboards (open-air patio seating that overlooks the ocean, with a great view of the Santa Barbara coastline). The drinks and appetizers are a little pricey, but they're tasty and the location is wonderful.
Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure you'll have a great time on your vacation. Good luck!
Apr 3rd, 2002, 05:44 AM
#23
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Posts: n/a
Hi there! I just read your posts. My husband & I will be traveling from Monterey to Portland, OR in July. I have 2 nights in Monterey, 2 in San Fran, (booked these on Priceline due to being economical!) But now I am working on NapaValley, I have had many recommendations for Yountsville. I just looked at the Vintage Inn which got good ratings on this site, but $$. I also looked into Maison Fleurie for $200 a night. I am torn between going cheap hotels (w/good dinners) or splurging on an Inn. ANY ADVICE? Is it worth the $$ for an INN. Next, we will head to Mendocino, then up the coast, over to Crater Lake, and up to Mount Hood, OR. We have 2 weeks. Any recommendation on this route are appreciated!!
Maura, Holyoke, MA
Maura, Holyoke, MA
Apr 13th, 2002, 02:12 PM
#26
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Hello,
I lived in CA for a few years and always head back each Thanksgiving to drive Highway 1 and visit friends in SF.
I usually stay in Santa Barbara at the Radisson on the Beach, you can easily do the drive before dark from LA. The view is beautiful and a great walk in the morning or at sunset. Don't miss driving through Ojai on the way.
I stop at Morro Bay, check out the shops, then on to Harmony (population 14 last I checked) and stay on Moonstone Beach in Cambria (also great walks and views).
The Hearst Castle is a great tour but I wouln't stay in any of the hotels in that area (kind of seedy). I usually stay in Monteray but Carmel is a "cuter" city - don't miss the 17-mile drive and Pebble Beach.
From Monteray it is about 3 hours up to SF and then another hour or so to Sonoma. Don't miss Cakebread and Plumpjack wineries in Oakville, the Oakville Grocery (picnic supplies) and the tour at Robert Mondavi's is the best (also in Oakville). A suite at the Sonoma Mission Inn in Napa is the best treat you can give yourself.
I lived in CA for a few years and always head back each Thanksgiving to drive Highway 1 and visit friends in SF.
I usually stay in Santa Barbara at the Radisson on the Beach, you can easily do the drive before dark from LA. The view is beautiful and a great walk in the morning or at sunset. Don't miss driving through Ojai on the way.
I stop at Morro Bay, check out the shops, then on to Harmony (population 14 last I checked) and stay on Moonstone Beach in Cambria (also great walks and views).
The Hearst Castle is a great tour but I wouln't stay in any of the hotels in that area (kind of seedy). I usually stay in Monteray but Carmel is a "cuter" city - don't miss the 17-mile drive and Pebble Beach.
From Monteray it is about 3 hours up to SF and then another hour or so to Sonoma. Don't miss Cakebread and Plumpjack wineries in Oakville, the Oakville Grocery (picnic supplies) and the tour at Robert Mondavi's is the best (also in Oakville). A suite at the Sonoma Mission Inn in Napa is the best treat you can give yourself.
Apr 28th, 2002, 09:36 PM
#27
Guest
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In response to the questions about where to stay in Yountville without breaking the bank, I'd highly recommend Petit Logis Inn (see their web site of the same name). Most of the other hotels are way over-priced, unless you want an on-site pool or spa. Petit Logis is small and nicely done (bring something for a long soak in the tub).
Yountville is very small, so it doesn't matter where you stay in the town, location-wise.
I just finished working for the Town of Yountville for 18 months, and I think most of the hotels are major traps for tourists with deep pockets.
By the way, Sonoma Mission Inn is actually in the SONOMA Valley, outside of the City of Sonoma. It's a lovely facility, but the spa treatments are uneven (just pay for one and hang out by the pool all day!).
Yountville is very small, so it doesn't matter where you stay in the town, location-wise.
I just finished working for the Town of Yountville for 18 months, and I think most of the hotels are major traps for tourists with deep pockets.
By the way, Sonoma Mission Inn is actually in the SONOMA Valley, outside of the City of Sonoma. It's a lovely facility, but the spa treatments are uneven (just pay for one and hang out by the pool all day!).
Apr 28th, 2002, 11:10 PM
#28
Guest
Posts: n/a
There is a grocery store in Cambria and then NOTHING all the way up Hwy 1 through Big Sur. We usually treat ourselves to lunch at Nepenthe's or River Inn, halfway. Both are great stops to get out and relax for a few minutes (check out the view and the gift shop at Nepenthe's. The state park at Julia Pfeiffer offers a nice picnic spot and beautiful walk to a waterfall that lands on the beach (takes about 20-30 minutes, roundtrip) I agree with the previous posters re: Santa Barbara, Cambria and Carmel. Stay on Moonstone Dr. (Fogcatcher Inn is nice) Have a great trip! Chris
