I'm going to California in May and want to drive Coastal Hwy. I'm going to visit Yosemite first and driving to Big Sur where I'll spend a few days. Then I'm heading back to San Francisco.

How long does it take for me to drive from Big Sur to SF on Coastal Hwy? Is it something I can do in a day?

This is easily done in a day.

It takes a little over three hours if you drive to San Francisco via Half Moon Bay and Pacifica--which I recommend.

HTTY

HTTY - are you sure about that??? My all-time best (early Sat or Sun morning - no commute traffic) from SF to Carmel is 2 hrs on the inland/mostly freeway route. Big Sur is 30-45 mins further south than Carmel.

Stu Dudley

Count on three hours but it could go over 4 if there is fog or you hit rush hour traffic. If you eat lunch in Monterey, you should be headed into the city before the afternoon rush hour.

It always takes me precisely 1/2 hour from Big Sur to Carmel in any kind of weather. Another 10 minutes from Carmel to Monterey. Another 30 Minutes to Santa Cruz.

If someone else could pick up on time from Santa Cruz, that might help, since I've only gone from Santa Cruz to SF by coast once. Heading inland (highway 17 to the 85 to the 101) is another 1 1/2 hours. So my best guess is at least 2 1/2 hours from Santa Cruz.

I just checked Mapquest - 3 hrs is correct from Big Sur to the Outer Sunset area in SF. I'll have to take the coastal route next time - I hate the inland route.

Stu Dudley

Thanks, everyone. By the way, is it true that the view is better if you drive from South to North? Also, where can I find seals along the coastal hwy?

first of all, at the time of year you will be traveling, it would be a mistake not to stop frequently along the Big Sur coastline, as well as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, 17 mile drive in Carmel, Santa Cruz downtown, and the coast between SC and SF - that being said, I would definitely set aside the ENTIRE day to get from Big Sur to SF...take binoculars as it's easier to spot whales, seals, sea otters, birds, dolphins and porpoises from the heights along the coast...the weather is almost always fog-free during May (and don't forget the wildflowers!)...enjoy!

Ano Nuevo is the spot for elephant seals on that portion of the coastline. They have a pretty good web site that will tell you what to expect that time of year.

>>Ano Nuevo is the spot for elephant seals on that portion of the coastline

Stu - Hence my recommendation to check the web site