Monterey
 

Is one day too small of a time frame to visit Monterey? (going in early March)<BR> I planned on renting a car at our hotel for the day, and driving to Monterey. <BR> I am told it's a beautiful drive along the coast, and Monterey is a very neat place to stop, eat, do a whale watching cruise, etc etc.<BR> I don't care about shopping, I just want a nice, scenic day trip. My main interest is seeing the coast, and visiting a neat, unique, area.<BR> How far from SF to Monterey? What's the best route? Is there some other day trip you would recommend considering my interests? <BR>Any advice? <BR> Thanks!<BR>J

Monterey is very beautiful, but one day is just enough. Take Route 1 (Coastal Highway) to/from SF - I would say 3-4 hours drive. Make sure you have your camera with you!!! Enjoy.

Jason, if it's the coast you are interested in, you might want to drive from SF to Monterey all along the coast. It is a longer drive and you should get an early start but I think it's worth it. The drive may take close to 4 hours with stops. Then you can hang out in Monterey for a bit, have something to eat, and head back to SF via the inland route.<BR><BR>Will you be alone in the car? I ask because if you drive back to the city during the evening rush hour you will have the advantage of the HOV lane if you have a passenger with you. If you will be alone, you should time your drive back to SF to miss the commute. Without traffic you should be able to get from Monterey to SF in under 3 hours.

it is a very beautiful area/drive and would recommend it. however, personally, driving 7-8 hours return plus wherever you drive while you are in montery/carmel area sound more then i'd enjoy. if you can, spend the night in montery.

Iwould stay at least three days in Monterey. There are many things to do in the area: (17 mile drive, Carmel by the Sea, and south along Highway 1 Big Sur can't be beat. If yournaim is to see the coast, the Central Coast from Santa Cruz down to Big Sur is by far the most scenic. The coastline north of Monterey into SF is not worth your time.

I love the Monterey Peninsula, but I prefer to go just a little further south into Carmel and Pebble Beach. The 17 mile drive is breathtaking.<BR><BR>A word of warning about driving coastal highway 1 - it is not for the faint of heart. After the first hour the cutbacks made me very nervous. For a taste of scenic driving you could take highway 101 out of San Francisco, look around Monterey and Carmel, and then drive highway 1 from Carmel to Big Sur. The route from Carmel to Big Sur is fairly short, compared to the route from San Francisco to Monterey (3-4 hours).

I am writing this response from my home in Pacific Grove California on the Monterey peninsula and 1 mile from the Spanish Bay resort. You need more than a day trip to see this area. The HWY 1 route from SF is pretty but long. The direct 101 route and then 156 over is quicker but can also be crowded. My recomendation would be 101 and spend the night in one of the great B and Bs in Pacific Grove...the town with more beach and more ocean views than Carmel.

Good reminder, Bob. We stayed (as individuals) in Asilomar (Pacific Grove) last Sept. Quite pleasant, rustic, and breakfast was included!<BR><BR>The CA Park/Conference Center rents to individuals when rooms aren't otherwise full. Got their own chunk of beach, too.