But ET....some of us just HAVE to use semicolons end parentheses next to each other as part of our inimitable, distinctive writing styles. What are we to do now? ); ?

I interpreted that ladynole, who says she is flying into Sacramento, then going to the Wine Country to SF, will then be driving north to south down the Coast from SF to LA, and then is leaving from LA on Oct. 12 not to drive up the Coast, but for home. But I'm not sure of this. I'm also not sure if she's staying the night in Carmel, or just plans to see it on her way from San Francisco, or plans to leave there mid day, or whether she needs to arrive in Santa Barbara mid day, and I still think we could help her better with more detail about her schedule.

Let me try that again:

What do we do now? ;) ?

Thank you to everyone for trying to help me and all I seem to do is confuse you even more. We are flying into Sac. on Oct 1st and driving over to the wine country. I have a rough plan together but am undecided about how many days in each place. We have been to San Francisco and Monterey about 8 yrs ago for a few days each but we would like to stay in SF at least 2 full days. I just thought that Cambria would be a good stopping point for the night and then shop a little the next day and then on to SB. We are leaving out of LA on the afternoon of Oct. 12 and I thought it would be nice to do a day tour in LA (just to see the major places) but Stu Dudley says we should just skip that. The more I read the more confused I get and then it seems like I confuse everyone else. I just don't want to miss out on anything. We are 37 yrs. old and we are taking the trip minus our son, so we would like to enjoy the landscape, hike, and maybe horseback ride and kayak. Hope this info helps. Thanks again.

Dear lady:

Do stop in Cambria and check out Hearst's Castle. Well worth it. Don't stress out. Just have a good time when you are visiting the Golden State!

MY

It sounds like you are more outdoors, hiking folks, traveling without your son, who have Big Sur as a priority. With your limited time, I'd advise you to stay the night in central Big Sur and use that as a base for exploring both days, then drive on down to Santa Barbara right past Cambria and the Castle in the PM. You will at least be able to see the Castle perched on its mountaintop from the highway. The things you can buy in Cambria you can buy many places, I'm sure. Shop instead at the more unique stores at Nepenthe abd the Coast Gallery in Big Sur.

Here are links to two cabin style lodgings in the heart of Big Sur that I am very fond of. The first is also a good source of info and other links on Big Sur in general:

www.deetjens.com
Tripadvisor user reviews:
http://tinyurl.com/8bxgf

and also

http://www.ripplewoodresort.com/
Tripadvisor user reviews:
http://tinyurl.com/c9sdk

By the way, both of these places serve really outstanding breakfast at their own cafes, although it is not included in the room rate.

If neither of these is to your taste, see my earlier post on this thread for other interesting places, and a couple to avoid.

That should have been "Nepenthe AND the Coast Gallery."

And in case it isn't clear--by "both days" I mean the day you spend the night in Big Sur and the morning and early afternoon of the following day. Then I'd drive more or less straight down to Santa Barbara starting midafternoon. Morro Bay with its scenic harbor and great Rock is the most noteworthy sight on the way to Santa Barbara, I think.

And by the way, I don't see why you shouldn't take a city tour of LA if you're curious and would like to see it. I would. Just be aware you've entered a different world from Northern California and the Central Coast.

If you want a studio tour, avoid the Universal Studios kid oriented theme park and go to the tours at Warner Bros. and NBC which give you a closer look at real working studios. And avoid some of the city tours which devote too much of their time to dumping you at Farmers Market on your own. You can see farmeers markets elsewhere.

Thanks so much for the help. I will look into a place to stay in Big Sur. That is something that we are really looking forward to and like you said before, we would have a couple of days in case the weather is foggy. I really appreciate everyone with their advice. If I have anymore questions, I will ask. I will make sure and post a trip report when we get back.