Lovey2209

Hello,

My first time using this forum and I'm very excited.

We will have 4 days to drive from Vegas to San Fran.

We will be driving from Vegas to LA in early October. We are thinking of staying inSanta Monica for 1 or 2 nights and doing things in LA as well as doing a Segway tour of the Santa Monica Pier. The Georgian Hotel has been highly recommended.

From there we are planning on driving up the coast to Cambria. Of course we would stop along the way to see the sights - any recommendations? Stay a night at the Cambria Landing Inn & Suites.

From there not sure where to stop/stay before arriving in San Fran. Open to ideas on where visit, eat etc.

The Handlery hotel in San Fran has been recommended. We would like to stay in Union Square. Ww will be returning our car once we arrive in San Fran.

Excited to hear back!

elberko

How did your NYC trip go?
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...c-530805-2.cfm

janisj

If you can squeeze in another night on the coast I'd stay one night in Pismo Beach or Cambria and 2 nights in/near Carmel. There is a lot to see in the area. But if you are stuck w/ just 4 nights -- then 2 in Santa Monica, 1 in Cambria and 1 in Carmel is about as good as you can do.

Another option would be to NOT drive from LV to LA. Fly from Vegas to LAX and pick up you car there. This would save you one hellish drive and w/ a morning flight you could stay just 1 night in SM and still be able to see/do quite a lot. Then Leave SM in the early afternoon (before rush hour) and head up the coast. It is about a 4 hour drive + stops from Santa Monica to Cambria. W/ say a 1:00 or 2 PM start you could be in Cambria by dinner time even w/ stops along the way.

StuDudley

I grew up in the LA area, and I would never sacrifice time on the Big Sur coast & Carmel, for time in Santa Monica. Especially just after Las Vegas. Take janisj's advice & fly to LA from LV - but head out to the Cambria/Hearst castle area immediately, stay the night, & then spend 2-3 nights in Carmel.

Nobody could pay me enough money to drive from LV to LA on a work day, spend 1 night in Santa Monica, and then head into the commute traffic driving up north along Hwy 1. When we lived in the LA/Orange Co area, we would get up at 4AM to drive to Carmel or San Francisco.

Stuff to do in the San Francisco area:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

Lovey2209

I am so glad that I wrote in about my trip.

Looks like we are flying from Vegas to LA (would that be LAX)? The thought never crossed my mind but what a great idea. Looks like we will be changing our itinerary.

Thanks so muc for the replies.

janisj

>>(would that be LAX)

kleroux

I wouldn't waste time with any Segway tours. Walk the SM Pier and the Boardwalk towards Venice. Drive from LA to around Hearst Castle. That is Cambria or San Simeon. Buy those tix online before you get there. In Carmel, stay around Pacific Grove and visit the Aquarium. Its a very pretty coastline. In SF, there are lots of places to stay around Union Sq. Enjoy your trip.

jamie99

I agree with two nights on Highway 1, last time we drove from LA to Vegas for a wedding (my stupid idea) I was bored silly.
Georgian is a lovely hotel and gets good reviews but not sure if it has a pool (may not be important to you).

Lovey2209

Hi all,

I am going through the feedback and I'm so glad I decided to post my question.

I have made a couple of changes to our itinerary.. We are now flying in LAX then heading to SM for the day and 1 night instead of two. Will stay one night in Cambira and two nights inMonterey. From there we will go to San Fran for 5 days.

janisj

That is a very nice plan -- Longer would be good of course, but w/ what you have that is a good division of time.