I agree that the only reason to take I-5 is if you are in a hurry and, hence, you would not want to stop enroute except bathroom stops and a bite to eat. I'm an LA native and the I-5 if just plain ugly! You state you are taking the 'beautiful coastal route' on the way up. So, to avoid the confusion just experienced in the last few replies, I have to clarify that by "coastal" you probably mean to drive the 101 north from LA but then just past SLO, you will turn coastal to take Hwy 1 up the coast and that you did not mean the 101 all the way to SF was your plan. The 'beautiful coastal route' requires that you follow the signs out of SLO toward Morro Bay, then Cambria, San Simeon, Big Sur, Carmel, Monterrey after which you can either continue on up to Santa Cruz before taking the 17 to the 101 to SF or you can cut inland sooner around Castroville and head toward the 101 north to SF.

Hwy 1 is a beautiful drive but definitely slow and winding so you'll need to make a number of stops and since many of these are destinations in themselves, I assume you will do at least one or more overnights along the way up. So, if it is variety you want, then a return drive using entirely the 101, makes sense. It is definitely much more pleasant than the I-5, even though a couple hours longer drive. Also, in August it is likely to be VERY hot on the I-5. One short cut that adds some variety either on your drive up or back, is to take the San Marcos Pass Road (the 154) which you pick up just north of Santa Barbara and then rejoin the 101 around Los Olivos to the north.

Note: I think the nicer parts of the San Joaquin Valley (central valley of CA)that MY refers to are along Rte 99 through Bakersfield and Fresno because there is more agriculture (greener). When I was a child, before they built the I-5, that's how my parents drove us up to Oakland to visit my aunt. But, of course, 101 is still a prettier and better route north to SF than the 99.

I like Harris Ranch for a stop over. They have a really great pool and you will all appreciate the chance to cool off in August. The restaurant is fancy and expensive but the bar is great, even with a child, and the service is way better. The bakery has wonderful cookies.

I thought I'd mention that I drove today from Camarillo (an hour or so west of LA) to Ukiah (2 hours north of SF) in around 8 1/2 hours net of stops, all on 101 except for SR 85/I-280 on the Peninsula (in order to avoid the Bayshore Fwy.) The temperature range went from 101 in Paso Robles to 59 while crossing the GG bridge.

There are definitely boring bits on 101 - the whole Salinas Valley for example, and a couple of stretches where if the low fuel idiot light comes on (which it did for me - duh) you'll be sweating bullets to find a gas station.

However Santa Barbara is glorious, the SF Peninsula from I-280 is gorgeous in the afternoon light, and in general it's still an enjoyable ride, even if you've done it (as I have) literally dozens of times.

Tomorrow through the big trees and up the Oregon coast. One of the best drives in the world IMO.

We take Highway 99 up and down regularly, but we are not going to the Bay Area, we are going to the Lodi area. If you are starting out in Lodi, Stockton, Sacramento etc. then 99 is preferable IMHO. There are long sections with three lanes, and there are fewer trucks. Plus, it's just more interesting. But, it's not a good option from the Bay Area.

WOW!!! There is a lot of I-5 hating around here. It must be awful. We are leaving in 2 hours so I will find out soon what all the fuss is about.

Despite the advice, we are going to take the I-5 AND spend the night at Harris Ranch. My husband is not a car ride sort of person (he desperately wants to fly but Hertz wanted $800 for a 4-day car rental so I am insisting on the drive)so 6 hours in 1 day is out of the question for him. Thanks for the heads up on Harris Ranch. The rooms don't look too bad and there is a nice looking pool for our little girl and the steaks look terrific.

well, at least you picked a day when it isn't 108°F in the Valley . . . . .

90004, I've been up and down the I-5 countless times in my 36 years in California, and it was only a couple of years ago that we finally stopped for lunch at Harris Ranch. It was excellent!! Enjoy your meal.

Curious what you thought of the drive, and of Harris Ranch. Please report.