hwy 101 vs. hwy 1 California
 

We have an action packed few days travelling between SF-->Monterey-->Cambria. We do want to see a bit of Hwy 1..but don't really feel the need to drive both ways on that road.

Does anyone have a suggestion about where to get on/off Hwy 1 for a "taste" of the scenery without over doing it?

How long does it normally take to get from SF to Monterey via 101? How about Monterey to Cambria via 101? On our return to SF we will be driving straight up from Cambria to SF...we have to have the rental car turned in by 6pm (on a Wed.). I am a little concerned about our timeline...thanks!

The most spectacular stretch of CA 1 is Big Sur Highway from just south of Carmel to nearly Hearst Castle, a short distance north of Cambria. If you were to go past Carmel, then double back, you'd take as much time to go back to Salinas to pick up 101, go down to Paso Robles, then cut back to the ocean for Cambria, as just taking 1 south from Carmel. SF to Monterey is approx. 2 1/2 hours. Carmel to Cambria via Big Sur is approx 3 1/2 hours. That routing won't give you the boredom of doing 101 twice in a few days. Big Sur Highway is one of the most spectacular drives anywhere.