LA to SF on Pacific coast highway
 

I was looking into flying in to LA and planning a 7 day trip driving the PCH to SF. How many days would you spend in LA and where would you stop on the way? I have two daughters 12 and 11 I'll be traveling with. I'm looking for a 7 or 8 day itinerary. Where to stay in SF when we arrive and how many days there also? Where should we visit there also?

:-? hmm... #-O

George, my first question is, would Disneyland be part of your itinerary? If not, I would spend 3 days in LA, 2 days driving north (stopping along the way at least in Monterey) and 3 days in San Francisco. You'll only be getting a taste of California, but that's better than nothing!

Do you mean driving up #101 to San Luis Obispo and then going up #1 past the Hearst Castle and along the coast?
With kids, I'd probably stay near Fishermans Wharf in SF. Personally, I'd stay near Union Sq. but I think families prefer near the Bay.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35131405

With a short time I would not spend more than one night in LA if you are not going to a theme park. Add another if you are going to Disney or Universal.

8 or 9 days instead of 7 would be perfect if you want a day at Disneyland or Universal Studios.

What's your budget for hotels?

Several topics on Fodors already about this road trip, just to a search in the box at the top of this forum on California Coast

Here is an idea: Your kids are exactly the right age to enjoy the book, Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. You can read it or get it on tape. It is an exciting survival story about a young girl and her little brother, who are left when seal hunters invade the island. It is based on a true story.

Then, when you drive an hour north of L.A., you can board a boat for a one hour ride to the Channel Islands, the very islands where the book took place, spend some time hiking around, or even going kayaking in the world's largest sea caves before going back to shore.

Be prepared to sing a LOT of car songs along the PCH.

Don't miss Hearst Castle and acquariuim in Monterey

You didn't say where you are from--do you live near a beach? Upon leaving LA, I'd drive up to Pismo Beach and spend a day or two there--the beach is wonderful, water not quite as cold as Cambria or Cayucos. A fun, old-fashioned CA beach town. It will be foggy in early morning and late afternoon/evening, but in between it should be nice and sunny. You could make an early morning getaway to be at Hearst Castle for a mid-morning tour (book ahead), then drive the rest of the way up one, stopping in Big Sur, or a longer trip to Monterey to overnight.