Hi All,
Need some must see tips for first timers to this drive. We will have a full day to drive from SF to Carmel. The next day, we will do Carmel to Big Sur drive.

Suggestions on must see/dos?

I know Nepenthe, Cielo and Julia Pfeiffer park are musts.

Other ideas? Love views, scenery, hiking.
Thank you!

From SF to Carmel, you could take the coast route - straight down Hwy 1, through Santa Cruz, along the bay, and into Carmel. This is what I would do if I had an entire day to make my way down there. The drive itself should take about 2 1/2 - 3 hours, so you would have plenty of time to stop and see things.

Interesting things to see along the way:

Half Moon Bay is a small town with a nice main street. There is a small diner on main that serves breakfast and lunch - just a small family owned place with good food and good prices. If you make an early start, this might be a good stop for breakfast since it's only about 45 minutes south of SF.

Along the coast between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz there are plenty of nice beachcombing beaches where you could stop, take a stroll and take in the scenery.

Butano State Park is just outside of Pescadero and has some nice short hikes through the forest.

There are a couple other good parks in the Santa Cruz mountains for some hiking through the redwoods - Big Basin and Henry Cowell are the most accessible. There are some wineries up that way too.

Santa Cruz itself is a nice beach town - the Boardwalk is a seaside amusement park, the wharf has some nice views, downtown is cool (in a hippy counterculture way), there is a surf museum at the old lighthouse and if the tide is right, you can see some terrific surfing out there.

Capitola Village is a nice little area - several blocks of shops and casual restaurants right on the beach. There is also a promenade along the beach and a pier.

South of there, past Watsonville, you pass through some artichoke fields, and if you are a fan, stop in Castroville and see the Giant Artichoke - a kizschy road side stand with a big artichoke sculpture in front. Watsonville is the strawberry capitol, so if they are still in season, you might want to stop at a roadside place and pick some up. There are places along the highway.

Moss Landing is a little town along there with a place called Phil's Fish Market where you can get some great chowder.

My very favorite place is the deck of Sierra Mar Restaurant at the Post Ranch Inn. Stop there for lunch...or just drinks. With its floor to ceiling windows, the dining room is wonderful for dinner, too. You feel suspended over the ocean. Check out their website postranchinn.com It's in Big Sur.

You should also do the 17-mile drive around Pebble Beach.

Between Carmel and Big Sur, take a hike through the redwoods in Pfeiffer Falls State Park...which I believe is different from the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is the home of McWay Falls...which is a beautiful turquoise waterfall.

I'm not sure what time of year you are going, but I recommend a convertible for the drives.

Point Lobos State Park just south of Carmel on the PCH. A jewel with outstanding & easy trails to and through virgin stands of Monterey Cypress. A photographer's dreamscape.

http://www.pbase.com/image/13103719/medium

In Half Moon Bay, Jeff Clark's SurfBoard Shop, you can see film of "The Maverick's, Men Who Ride Mountains" world famous surf contest and learn more about the Sony movie "Riding Giants" then have a great meal at Ketch JoAnn's.

From Half Moon Bay down to Santa Cruz along Hwy 1 is one of my favorite ocean drives.

Just a little north of Santa Cruz is the Natural Bridge State Park. It's a great beach area and also home to a Monarch Butterfly Grove that provides a temporary home from mid-October through the end of February.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541

Utahtea

Me too Utahtea. I love that drive. It has a windswept openness about it that is beautiful. You can also wander along some of those beaches without seeing a soul.

I am actually thinking of heading over there sometime this weekend - not actually into Santa Cruz because it will be a zoo, but maybe lunch at Duarte's in Pescadero and some beachcombing.

Some people dismiss this stretch of coastline because they say it doesn't compare to Big Sur, which I think is unfair. Big Sur is gorgeous to be sure, but this area is completely different.

I so profoundly agree, this coast is so magnificant and unique, constantly changing,I love it all!

I just did the drive from Carmel to Big Sur yesterday. It was absolutely amazing! So scenic. The Sierra Mar at the Post Ranch Inn totally exceeded all of our expectations. (I'll be writing a trip report in a few days.)

Try to time it to watch the sunset over the ocean. Glorious! We also enjoyed some pre-dinner drinks at Cielo out on their patio.

There are lost of pull-out where you can stop and take pictures. If you like to hike, the hike up to Sierra Mar (quite a few stairs there) will be something you will enjoy! ***kim***

Thank you all! This is so fantastic. I can't thank you all enough. It makes me want to leave right now. Just 18 more days. You have all been so helpful in planning all of our wonderful trips - wonderful b/c of all of you.

I agree, Zacky! I learned about Sierra Mar from this board. We had been to Ventana (right across the street) many times and I didn't even now about it!

Let us know how it goes! ***kim***