keb0503

I'm planning an Aug. trip to San Francisco and the coast south. We're flying in and out of SFO (not changeable as friend is retuning to UK from there) with roughly 6 days total.

I'm not sure how to split the time. I'm inclined to say 3 days in S.F. and the rest meandering down the coast. I've done a bit of research and would like to see Carmel (maybe stay night there), Pt. Lobos, and the Hearst Castle. Oh! Of course the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. Then other places that take our fancy as we go.

I guess what I'm most unsure of is drive time. If we end up as far south as San Simeon how long would it take to get to SFO from there? Would it be best to drive straight south as far as we plan to go then work our way back to SFO stopping at sights over a couple days?
I'm worried about having to rush to get back up to SFO and unsure if we want to return to S.F. a day before our flight out.

Thanks for your help and all the great info I've found so far about this area.

sf7307

I think your plan to split your time 50/50 is a good one. I would spend the first 3 days in San Francisco, then rent a car in town (cheaper than renting at the airport). Personally, I would drive straight down to San Simeon (it's about 4 hours) and then work my way back up. I'd end up the last night driving up from Monterey to SFO and stay at the airport (unless your flights out are later in the day, in which case, you could spend the night in Monterey and drive up in the morning -- there are some nice and/or funky places you could stop for lunch on the way.)

StuDudley

I agree with sf7307. In August the sun will be getting a little low in the sky, and driving south to north along the coast will aford views without the sun in your face. We drove along the coast from Half Moon Bay to Montara and back a week or so ago. The views were much clearer traveling north. It was hazy heading south along the same stretch of road.

Consider staying in Half Moon Bay the night before departure.

Stu Dudley

traveller1959

We have done a similar trip a couple of weeks ago.

Maybe this will help:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ne-country.cfm

keb0503

This is why Fodor's forum is my go to site for travel info.

Thanks so very much! I like the idea of driving as far down as we plan to go then wandering back. And it's great to know the sun and views will be in our favor!

Do you think 3 days is too much time to wander back from a 4 hour drive? Our flight out of SFO is in the early evening (6pm) so we have plenty of time the day of departure.

Thanks again, now to research cheaper hotels (near $100)...

bi_sf_grl

I would also suggest going as far south as you can and then driving back. I have been to Hearst Castle and it is a sight to be seen. You many want to plan on staying overnight because it is a long drive to get there. Also i would suggest driving there on the faster Highway 101 South and then cutting over (instead of taking 1 South). I would take back 1 South on the way back. You can also find more information about San Francisco and Bay Area including maps etc at following site i often look for deals: http://www.econcierges.com i know they have lot of discount passes for wine tasting etc in Napa (spa discounts), i am not sure if they have offers for San Francisco.

bi_sf_grl

Also if you are going in August (high season) then be sure to book your tickets in advance for all your activities. You may not be able to get them when you get there. If you will be in SF then I know that Alcatraz ALWAYS sells out far in advance.

StuDudley

>>Do you think 3 days is too much time to wander back from a 4 hour drive?

keb0503

Thanks Stu, I do like to travel at a very slow pace but I also don't want to skimp on S.F.

I've booked a few hostels which is giving structure. Here's what it's looking like:

Day 1- S.F. to Cambria Hostel (see Hearst Castle this day)

Day 2- up to Carmel with stops in J.P.Burns St.Park, Pt. Lobos. Am looking for budget hotel in Carmel.

Day 3- to Santa Cruz Hostel (if I can get it) stopping in Monterey for Aquarium. I've read to skip S.C. but we'll have fun with the kitsch and boardwalk.

I was thinking to spend the last night in Montara Pt. Lighthouse further north as it's 1/2 hr to SFO but there's not much up there and we'd be rushed getting there from Carmel. Can we swing SFO from Santa Cruz without feeling crazy? Our flights are 6:50 and 7pm so we have all day.

I'd rather miss things people think are "must see" to have a leisurely pace and see what we care to.
Thanks again everyone!

november_moon

You can absolutely spend your last night in Santa Cruz and make it to SFO for your flights. No problem there. If you drive there via Hwy 17 and 280 (freeway most of the way) the trip takes about 1:45. And I agree that leaving Santa Cruz in your itinerary is a good idea - it is a fun place to visit.

Budget lodging in Carmel...not sure. Carmel is known for being upscale, but maybe someone has some ideas.

For your drive down to Cambria, if you want to break things up, San Juan Bautista makes a nice stop - it is a few minutes off Hwy 101 just south of Gilroy. You can see the mission there and they have a rebuilt/restored old town square. Mission San Antonio is neat too, but it is a bit farther off the beaten path.

StuDudley

I'de sure want to concentrate my time in the area between Cambria/Hearst Castle and Carmel, instead of Santa Cruz & Montara. I would be comfortable with waking up in Carmel & departing SFO at 6:50 - especially if that's on a Sat or Sun.

Stu Dudley

MonicaRichards

Definitely get your Hearst Castle tour tickets ahead of time. We were there on Good Friday this year and they were sold out (we had thankfully gotten our tickets ahead of time).

keb0503

Thanks Stu. We depart on a Tuesday so maybe there'd be some afternoon traffic?

I booked a hotel in Pacific Grove for the 2nd night. Maybe we'll end up at Point Montara late, 10:30pm is the latest check in, for our 3rd and last night.
Is Half Moon Bay worth a stop on the way to the airport from Pt. Montara? Lunch maybe?

Centralparkgirl

bookmarking.

Stu - would you advise the same route for mid September?
If an extra night is doable, would you stay two nights in Big Sur or stay the last night in Half Moon Bay?

keb0503 - sorry for the hijack; this info is great!

sf7307

CPG, where you stay the night before you fly out depends on the time of your flight. If you're taking an early morning flight, personally I'd stay at the airport (which is Burlingame hint hint ), but if it's more mid-day then anyplace is fine, Half Moon Bay included. With no traffic, HMB is actually only about a 30 min.- drive to SFO, but there can be traffic depending on the day of the week and the time of day.

aussiedreamer

great info, saving for Oct. I've found mapquest.com invaluable for estimating drive times and actually seeing all the places we want to go to on a user friendly map.
enjoy

november_moon

Half Moon Bay is a neat little town. Definitely a good place to stop for lunch. Another possibility is Pescadero - there is a restaurant there called Duartes Tavern, its been there for ages, and they have great artichoke soup and ollalieberry pie. It is a great choice if you want some local specialties.

Centralparkgirl

sf7307 - I was wondering if I had 5 or 6 nights to spend south of Palo Alto, what would be the best way to do it? I wouldn't mind a day in there that was relaxing. I haven't booked flights yet, but I want to very soon because the fares look real cheap.

StuDudley

Any special reason you want to spend 5 or 6 nights south of Palo Alto??? How far south??? Carmel???? I can think of dozens of other places in the Bay Area I'd rathar spend time in - unless you're considering moving out here & looking for a place to live....

Stu Dudley

Kay2

"We depart on a Tuesday so maybe there'd be some afternoon traffic?"
Yes, definitely as you get into rush hours, but if you want to arrive at the airport around 4pm, then the traffic would just be starting.

I moved away from the Bay area a few years ago, so the locals can update my information, but I seem to remember that driving across from Half Moon Bay on 92 is fine until you reach one of the freeways - 280 or 101. I remember slow traffic on 101 around 92 with traffic transitioning for the drive over the Bay, so maybe 280 is better?

We liked the HMB area and used to visit tidepools near there often. Several lunch spots. I haven't stayed in Montara LH so can't comment there. I'm one of those people who also like the SC amusements for one evening visit. Then it would be a stop in some redwoods enroute to airport for me.