Hi Guys,

My fiancé and I have booked flights to LAX on the 5th October (3 weeks away!) and planning to drive the central coast, stay in SF for 3 nights before leaving for Yosemite for 2 nights an driving back to LA. We were hoping for some advice on stops for our itinerary. This is what it looks like so far:

5th - 6th Santa Monica (booked)

6th -7th Santa Barbara (booked)

7th - 8th San Luis Obispo (not yet booked)

8th - 9th ????

9th - 10th Big Sur (fernwood resort booked)

10th - 11th Monterey (not yet booked)

11th - 12th Santa Cruz (not yet booked)

12th - 15th SF (booked)

15th - 17th Yosemite (curry village booked)

17th - 19th Hollwood? (Not booked)

How does that look? Not sure if we should stay two nights in Santa Barbara or somewhere else on the coast. The ones that are booked I'm not able to change. What is the weather likely to be like, and are there any attractions that are must see? We are planning to visit Hearst castle in cambria, do whale watching and the aquarium in monterey, visit the boardwalk in Santa Cruz and of course many stops on the big sur coastline.

Thanks in advance

My opinion, others may disagree: Spend 2 nights at Santa Barbara. There is much more to see and do there than at SLO.
As for SLO, you may like Pismo Beach or Moro Bay more.
North of Santa Cruz, take the time to see Big Basin to see some great Coast Redwoods.
In Yosemite, take the time to see the Mariposa Grove in the south end for some great Giant Sequoias.
I'm hoping that the wildfire situation is not too dire when you visit Yosemite. There have been recent days when the smoke was thick enough you could not see more than 2 miles.

OK - I am a bit confused . . . .

You say all these places are 'booked' or 'not yet booked'-- but you list the same dates for two places?

>>5th - 6th Santa Monica (booked)

6th -7th Santa Barbara (booked)

7th - 8th San Luis Obispo (not yet booked)

didn't see Tom's post -- Big Basin is great -- but quite a detour. You will have the chance to see lots of coastal redwoods in Big Sur, and near Santa Cruz.

Do at least 2 nights in each place. For SLO/ Hearst Castle you could stay your 2 nights in SLO, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay or, if your budget allows Cambria. The one night is probably OK for Big Sur. Spend both nights in Monterey and day trip to Santa Cruz. Or skip it. So much to see in Monterey and Carmel and Santa Cruz is only worth it if you had more time.

Click on the 'California' tag on your post to look for ideas for you trip. There are plenty of posts with good info. The weather should be the best one the grape crush will still be going on , so get some winetasting in too!

It's usually easier to get a feel for an itinerary when it's counted by nights, rather than days, as yours appears to be. So, if that's correct then the 1st 7 nights are all 1 night stays? If so, it would seem to me a more satisfying week to combine at least 2 of those, maybe 3, into 2 night stays.

Depending on your arrival time at LAX, you might consider setting out immediately for, as tomfuller has mentioned, 2 nights in Santa Barbara.

Instead of SLO, I'd go to Cambria after Santa Barbara and stay 2 nights with a visit to Hearst Castle on your full day there, then you're well positioned for the drive through Big Sur. Monterey & Santa Cruz are at opposite ends of the same bay so, instead of moving, pick one or the other for 2 nights. There's much more to do in Monterey/Carmel than Santa Cruz so I'd pick Monterey.

Even if you've chosen to stay in Santa Monica for your first night, I'd return there for your last 2 nights. I like the ambiance there better than Hollywood, assuming you really mean Hollywood, and it's close to everything else as well as being a nicer walking town with the water and areas adjacent to the ocean.

Agree with Mme Perdu, stay in Cambria instead of SLO, much nicer town and it is on the coast.
Also agree with skipping Hollywood, has some rather gritty parts.

Sorry for the confusion, I added in the days but the first date is the night that we intend to stay. This has really helped. I think staying two nights in a couple of places makes sense. I don't want to be moving around more than I have to with luggage. What would peoples picks be out of pismo/SLO/cambria? I guess I initially chose SLO as there seemed to be more 'going on' there and not sure if we can afford Cambria.

On the northern edge of Cambria there's a nice beach with Moonstone Beach Drive running along it between the ocean and Highway 1. I travel on a budget and I found the motels along it very nice, not cheap but not particularly expensive. All face the ocean with no buildings on the beach side. I'd just compare prices and choose the least expensive of the bunch.

Have a look on Streetview.

SLO is a college town, so lots going on. We visit often since DD is there in school. More budget options if Cambria doesn't work out.

bookmarking so i can piggy back on some of these ideas... thanks

The Best Western Cavalier in San Simeon is a great choice. Very nice oceanside property, with bonfires at night on the beach. Good prices, free parking, a few minutes' drive to Hearst Castle.
http://www.cavalierresort.com/

I agree with changing the plan, so you don't have so many one-night stays. And driving directly to Santa Barbara upon arrival is a good idea. Then come back to LA and stay a couple of nights in Santa Monica, not Hollywood.