LittleMiss

Hi all

we need some urgent advice pls.

we are currently in san fran and are planning drive down to san diego and then back to lA where we fly out of on the 2nd jul. we have 9 days to play with. could someone pls tell us where we should visit as we are unsure.

thanks

vickiNcharlie

easytraveler

you definitely should go along the coast instead of the inland routes. You could drive down to Monterey/Carmel/Pacific Grove and spend a night or two there.

Then go and leisurely drive along the Big Sur coast - you could spend a day or two hiking and/or viewing the sights. Point Lobos, Nepenthe, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (McWay Falls) would be the stops I'd recommend. Hikes in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (this is another state park, there are a number of things named "Pfeiffer" in Big Sur) would be the best. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat, layer your clothing.

Then stop off for a night in Cambria and go and see Hearst Castle.

After that, there's all the wine country in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties to go through - will take you several years to do this area properly!

Then back along the coast, on the way go and see Mission La Purisma, which will give you a very good idea of a working mission in the old days. The rangers even dress in period costumes to give an air of authenticity.

Along the coast, stop off at Santa Barbara.

Is your car out of LA? If not, you could be facing a large drop off fee if you rent in San Francisco and drop off in LA. Try and find a car rental that will give you little/no drop off fees.

Good luck! And have a find time!

GET SOME MAPS!

dmlove

There are a lot of nice towns on easytraveler's itinerary too - Cambria, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara among them. You won't be lacking for places to eat in all price ranges!

dmlove

Oh, for restaurant recommendations, I would suggest yelp dot com.

Mademoiselle

Hi,
Check out my previous post on the central coast:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35035873

for some suggestions =D

kleroux

I'd visit several missions, San Juan Batista and Carmel,San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara too... they are all different and give an interesting picture of early Calif. life. I also think the John Steinbeck museum in Salinas is interestiing. Its small and easily visited. Then go down #1 along the coast, then #101 down through Malibu into LA...

dmlove

Another really interesting mission is San Antonio de Padua which is within Fort Hunter Liggett. It's a little off the beaten path, but its much more than just the church. Very intersting (It's the one on which my son did his 4th grade mission report).