Help w/ itinerary: SF and Monterey
 

Hubby and I are travelling to California in May, and plan on dividing our time there b/w SF and Monterey, but can't decide on 5 nights SF and 3 nights Monterey, or 4 nights each. We have been to San Francisco before, and while there this time plan on taking a tour of Sonoma or Napa, as well as Angel Island, Alcatraz, and Golden Gate Park. We want our drive down the coast to include Big Basin Park, a stop in Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Big Sur,and Hearst Castle. The driving distances don't look that far down the coast which is why I'm thinking 3 days might be sufficient, but I want to have enough time without feeling rushed. I realize this topic has been exhausted on this board, but I would appreciate any additional input!

I'd add more time to the Monterey end of the trip. There is a great deal to see especially as you have included seeing the various spots along the coast. To do all you have planned in only 3 days (including driving time) would not only be rushed but probably not particularly enjoyable.

Thank you. Having never been to the area before it's difficult to plan and decide what length of time to allocate where...so 4 days each sounds more reasonable?

I'd say 3 full days in SF given your plans and that you have been here before should be enough. One full day should be allotted for Napa or Sonoma. It will take you about 1-1/2 hours to drive from SF to either than tastings, dining etc. Two full days should allow you time for Angel Island, Alcatraz and Golden Gate Park. Depending on your wants for the park you could spend a few hours or an afternoon there with some of the main sites(the tea garden,stowe lake et al). If you really want to see and enjoy all the places you have set for the Monterey leg of the trip I'd say increase your time there. The travel times between all of the places you have listed can eat up alot of your days. The Aquarium should take at least 2-3 hours and there is great scenery to be had all around you. If you have time I recommend Point Lobos off Hwy 1 near Carmel. This is a lovely state park with many easily travelled trails which provide you with dramatic vistas, views of marine life and tide pools as well. You will have more contact with the coast than if you were to drive to Big Sur for the scenery. The Hearst Castle part of the trip will probably take a full day. It can be done, however, with 4 days in each you will just be a bit rushed still. Monterey itself is beautiful and given you have not been here before I'd allow for some time to simply get caught up in the beauty of it all. In Monterey I recommend the Monterey Fish House..make reservations. It's casual,a favorite of the locals and serves great fresh fish any way you can imagine.

Your're right...3nts SF and 5nts Monterey now looks like a better use of our time. Especially so now that I found this great site, jrabold.net, perfect for the first time visitor that details the various sites along Big Sir coinciding with the mile markers, north to south. So much to do! Thanks again for the detailed post.

I think everything sounds good in Monterey for three days, accept for Hearst castle.<BR><BR>If I were to do those things, it would be in this order:<BR><BR>Big Basin park on the way to the penninsula, from SF, by way of 280 to 84, to 35(?), to 9. This can take all day. So the stop in Santa Cruz would be to eat dinner, not in Santa Cruz, but in Capitola. Then check into hotel on the Penninsula which is about 45 minutes drive.<BR><BR>Next day, the Aquarium, with time left over to brows Carmel, and eat dinner there somewhere.<BR><BR>Next day, Big Sur, which is on the way to Hearst Castle. Since Big sur can take all day, I would find somewhere down south to stay, and save Hearst castle for day four. It would be too tiresome to drive down, and up big sur, then the next day drive the 2.5 hours or so to Hearst castle from Monterey.

O.K. How does this sound?<BR>Day1) Driving from SF to Monterey on the route you suggested, stopping in Big Basin and Santa Cruz or Capitola for dinner.<BR>2)Aquarium, 17mile drive<BR>3)Hwy 101 to the 46 for Hearst castle, avoiding difficult drive on Hwy 1. Night spent in Cambria.<BR>4)Entire day travelling up Hwy 1 back to Monterey. Nepenthe or Rocky Point Restaurant for eats.<BR>5)Maybe taking Hwy 1 back to SF since alternate route was taken on way down. Is this scenic route worth the extra time?<BR>Other alternative on days 3 and 4 would be to forget Hearst Castle (is it really worth it?),then we wouldn't be obliged to drive all the way to San Simeon. The alternative being just to drive half way down hwy 1, maybe as far as Pfeiffer Burns state park before returning. Next day could be spent at Point Lobos or Andrew Molera...just to stay closer to Monterey and give the driving a rest!<BR>

lynnejenn.<BR><BR>From SF to Monterey a better alternative would be 280 to 17 to 1. You will be fairly close to Big Basin off of route 17. Since you have seen much of SF before, I'd also recommend a day in San Jose and Silicon Valley on the way to Santa Cruz and Monterey. There are a number of museums, restaurants, theaters. etc in the downtown area, which is walkable. There are also a some notable attractions outside of the center city area ie: Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrician Egyptian Museum, and the quaint Willow Glen neighborhood. You could stay one night in SJ and leave the next morning from there for Big Basin. On the way to Monterey on Route 1 in Moss Landing, stop at Phil's Fishmarket for lunch or dinner. Great seafood. It's especially known for the clam chowder. <BR><BR>The drive from Monterey to Hearst Castle is very scenic. If you have time, Hearst Castle is worth a visit. Just south of Carmel, I also recommend Point Lobos. Do make reservations for Hearst Castle.<BR><BR>As far as taking route 1 all the way back to SF from the Central Coast, since you will already be driving through Big Sur, the scenery along highway 1 north of Monterey will not be as impressive as that south of there. If you were not going to Big Sur, then I would recommend taking route 1 to SF.<BR><BR>http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/<BR>www.hearst-castle.org<BR>www.sanjose.org

I live in San Jose. Great town, but given the choice of it or more time on the Monterey Peninsula, I would choose the Peninsula.<BR><BR>Do try to do San Simeon. It is unique. You will also have a better time if you spend the night down there. The drive down and back is scenic, but can be slow. Just relax and spend the night down in that area and you can enjoy the drive back next day.<BR><BR>Additional good restaurants: BAHAMA BILLYS in the Barnyard Shopping Center off HWY 1. Great dining experience. New to the area. Beautiful shopping center also. Better than downtown Carmel.<BR><BR>FANDANGOS in Pacific Grove. All the locals know this one as do the visitors to Pebble Beach. Tiger eats there when in town for the AT and T. Get reservations and enjoy. <BR><BR>Have fun in the area. We are heading down Friday for the annual Good Ole Days Celebration in Pacific Grove....the best town on the Monterey Peninsula and the one that the tourists don't know about. You should go there just to try to prove me wrong.

I live about an hour from San Jose, and would say that it certainly is worth a visit. I usually go into SJ for theatre and when I want to go to a nice restaurant, etc. Pretty much has the amenities of any large city. Sometimes residents do not appreciate their home as much as visitors. It is a good place to stop for at least one night. Having said that, I also love the Monterey area and its beautiful coastline. The aquarium is awesome and south of there Big Sur is unforgettable. Hearst Casle is an amazing place.

&quot;The driving distances don't look that far down the coast which is why I'm thinking 3 days might be sufficient, . . .&quot;<BR><BR>Lynne,<BR><BR>That driving distance from Monterey down to Cambria only looks like 95 miles or so but the travel time increases because every time you round a bend you are presented with another amazing view. It is a ride not to be missed and one you won't forget for a long time.<BR><BR>We're also from the east coast and have been making the trip every year since the late 70's. The drive from Pacific Grove to Cambria is a never ending source of amazement. We also, usually, include a stop at Hearst Castle after lunch in Cambria.<BR><BR>It can be a little &quot;white-knuckled&quot; for the passenger while heading South but the scenery, I think will overcome that.<BR><BR>In any case, I would agree with the other members and allow the greater portion of your time for the Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, Pt. Lobos, Big Sur, San Simeon, Cambria areas.<BR><BR>We are also members of the Monterey Bay Aquarium (www.mbayaq.org) and happy to see you have listed it as a stop on your trip. It's really a wonderful place to visit. If you happen to spend the night in Monterey or Pacific Grove then I would also suggest a stop at First Awakenings in the American Tin Cannery Outlet Mall (right near the Aquarium) for breakfast. And Fandango's is a neat place.<BR><BR>If time allowed, a stop at Pt. Lobos State Reserve, just south of Carmel Valley, for a hike, would also be something to see. There are many trails within the Reserve that will present some of the most beautiful scenery.<BR><BR>Take your time and really enjoy the trip.<BR><BR>Ron

Lynne,<BR><BR>Our favorite part of the California coast is the area around Monterey. We try and get out there every couple of years during the summer. It's a nice break from the humidity of NYC. Big Basin very nice, so I would make time to do that if you can. Usually we fly into San Jose, since that is our starting point, and check out the sights in the area, as there is a lot to do in the Silicon Valley area. From there Big Basin is fairly close, about a 30 minute drive. I love morining walks in the redwoods since the air is so claen. <BR><BR>I would do at least 3 days along the Monterey Bay coast. We always enjoy Fisherman's Wharf, the aquarium, Point Lobos, Carmel, and 17 Mile Drive. You can typically find better deals on accomodations in Pacific Grove, which is only a few miles form both Monterey and Carmel. <BR><BR>Although Hearst Castle is nice to see, I do not think that it will be worth for you to drive all the way down to San Simeon given the amount of time you have. I would save that for another trip.

I think you're right about Hearst Castle. It doesn't look like there would be enough time so we'll have to leave that for another trip. We ended up booking 4 nts in SF and 4 nts in Monterey so hopefully that will be enough time to explore a lot of the sites suggested here without exhausting ourselves!

Leaving out Hearst castle..I think this time allotment will allow you to enjoy the sights. Have a wonderful trip!

Me again from above post. <BR><BR>The recommendation for breakfast at FIRST AWAKENINGS in the mall across from aquarium is very good. Popular place and we try to eat there often. Beware: There will probably be a line on the weekend, so prepare accordingly.<BR><BR>Check out www.pacificgrove.org for info on this great town. Too many people assume the Monterey Peninsula is Carmel and Monterey when really the most beautiful coastal areas they are driving on is in the town of Pacific Grove. <BR><BR>Two good B and Bs that overlook the bay are INN OF SEVEN GABLES or the GREEN GABLE INN, both in Pacific Grove.<BR><BR>Have fun, enjoy the area!