Itinerary Advice Needed for Road Trip with Kids SF-San Diego
Mar 15th, 2016, 06:26 AM
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Itinerary Advice Needed for Road Trip with Kids SF-San Diego
Hi all! We are planning a 13-night road trip down the PCH from San Francisco to San Diego. Planning to stay with friends in SF for the first three days, then pick up a car. The current plan is to stay in Monterey the next three nights, then Big Sur one night (?), maybe San Simeon or Santa Barbara the next (?), Santa Monica the next two nights (?), and San Diego the final three nights. My kids will be 7 and 9 and this will be in July. We love hiking, sea life, beaches, and good food. We have lots of Marriott points and are thinking of staying in Marriotts in Monterey and San Diego, but does anyone have advice for hotels for families in Santa Monica or between LA and Monterey? Does our itinerary sound OK and what no-miss cool things would you recommend doing with the kids? I already plan to do the Monterey aquarium, boardwalks in Santa Cruz and Santa Monica, Pfeiffer State Park, Sea World/San Diego Zoo/Griffith Observatory. Any advice very much appreciated!
Mar 15th, 2016, 06:55 AM
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When you are in Santa Cruz, you might want to consider Roaring Camp Railroad - it's in the small coastal mountain town of Felton, adjacent to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, about 20 minutes inland from Santa Cruz via Hwy 9 or Graham Hill Road.
Narrow gauge tracks with steam trains running either in a loop through the redwoods or back and forth to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. They also have an "old time" western town. Great for kids. http://www.roaringcamp.com/
You can also just walk across a parking area from Roaring Camp into the state park where there is an easy self-guided .8 mile loop through some of the biggest old-growth redwood trees along coastal California - also an interactive Visitors Center that has activities for children and adults.
In July it may be cool and foggy in Santa Cruz (and all along the central coast of CA), but it will be sunny and warm just a short way inland.
Narrow gauge tracks with steam trains running either in a loop through the redwoods or back and forth to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. They also have an "old time" western town. Great for kids. http://www.roaringcamp.com/
You can also just walk across a parking area from Roaring Camp into the state park where there is an easy self-guided .8 mile loop through some of the biggest old-growth redwood trees along coastal California - also an interactive Visitors Center that has activities for children and adults.
In July it may be cool and foggy in Santa Cruz (and all along the central coast of CA), but it will be sunny and warm just a short way inland.
Mar 15th, 2016, 08:55 AM
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Monterey for the aquarium. There's also the Carmel Mission and the Point Lobos Natural Reserve.
I would not try to stay on the Big Sur coast between Monterey and Hearst Castle. Just spend a leisure day doing the drive to your next stop: there are more accommodations between Hearst Castle and Cambria, and planning on a day to visit the castle is worthwhile.
I would not try to stay on the Big Sur coast between Monterey and Hearst Castle. Just spend a leisure day doing the drive to your next stop: there are more accommodations between Hearst Castle and Cambria, and planning on a day to visit the castle is worthwhile.
Mar 15th, 2016, 10:06 AM
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Thank you all! Roaring camp sounds incredible. I am concerned about Hearst Castle and whether it's worth it with two young kids. They'd probably rather watch the Elephant Seals for a while and move on. I am wondering if it's pushing it too much to skip overnights in Big Sur and Santa Barbara, reduce Monterey to 2 nights, and fit in Yosemite. I don't like to rush things... and yes, the car rental one way from Berkeley to SD is a great, cheap price.
Mar 15th, 2016, 11:07 AM
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Big Sur lodging is limited and either rustic, uber expensive or both. Stay in Monterey, then Pismo Beach then Santa Barbara. San Simeon is nice but has limited lodging and dining, we stayed at the Best Western Cavalier once. Lots more choices in Cambria or Pismo, and Pismo is probably better for kids. Morro Bay is another good choice.
Marriott has Residence Inns and Springhill Suites which are good for families (free hot breakfast).
Marriott has Residence Inns and Springhill Suites which are good for families (free hot breakfast).
Mar 15th, 2016, 12:40 PM
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The majority of the lodging in Big Sur is clustered +/- an hour south of Monterey hence the suggestion to travel farther down the coast for the night. There are a few exceptions toward the southern side of Big Sur such as Lucia Lodge, Treebones and Ragged Point. It really depends on how much hiking and stops you wish to make in Big Sur. You can certainly find things to fill your time if you spent a night in Big Sur but most people opt to head to San Simeon or Cambria or farther south.
During your time in Monterey, visit Carmel Beach, Point Lobos, rent a surrey and pedal along the coastal recreational trail that runs along the Monterey and Pacific Grove waterfront, perhaps a whale watch cruise out of Monterey or Moss Landing or a boat ride or kayak in the calm, protected waters of Elkhorn Slough at Moss Landing.
During your time in Monterey, visit Carmel Beach, Point Lobos, rent a surrey and pedal along the coastal recreational trail that runs along the Monterey and Pacific Grove waterfront, perhaps a whale watch cruise out of Monterey or Moss Landing or a boat ride or kayak in the calm, protected waters of Elkhorn Slough at Moss Landing.
