Monterey - > LA Itinerary help
 

We are leaving SF on a Tuesday morning and have to fly out of LAX on Sunday afternoon. The current plan is 1 nights in Monterey, 1 night at Deetjen's, 2 nights in San Luis Obispo, and 1 night in Santa Monica. In Monterey, we'd like to see the aquarium, and either bike the 17 mile drive or go sea-kayaking (or both). Can we do this with 1 night in Monterey? If we added a second, we would have to do Monterey->hearst castle->SLO in one day, and it seems we would have to rush through the scenery and hikes in the big sur area. Also, is San Luis Obispo close enough to various wineries in the area, or would it be better to stay closer to Santa Barbara?
Thanks for your help!

Hi. There are wineries in both the San Luis Obispo area and Santa Barbara area, so you would have to pick which one to go to. San Luis is pretty close to Hearst Castle.

I like your current plan, it looks well paced.

Oh, there is also kayaking out of Morro Bay, a 1/2 hour from SLO. My family has done it many times and really likes kayaking there.

There is some kayaking at Moss Landing (just north of it actually ) and folks can go into Elkhorn Slough from there. The right tide could make a difference.
You could have a quick meal at nearby Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing on the way.http://www.philsfishmarket.com/.
Good local seafood and artichokes, etc.

Kayaking closer to Monterey would also be nice. Personally, I'd pick the kayaking over 17 mile drive. Getting close to the water and maybe to a sea otter has ore draw than those houses on that coastal road.

The aquarium would be my first priority in Monterey. It is world class.

Point Lobos has a nice short hike. It is south of Monterey.