Need help w/itinerary from SD to Half Moon Bay and stops in between!
 

I've been scouring this website for weeks now and everytime I think I've got it this put to rest, I find something that upsets the cart! We're a family of four , me, DH, DS (17) and DS (13). We're heading from the mid-west to CA in July. We were going to spend the time in SO CA, as we did the Monterey/SF/Yosemite trip two years ago, but DS (17) has been accepted into a camp in Palo Alto, so our plans have been altered. Our airfare into SD is already purchased, so that can't be changed. So, here goes:

SAT.am---arrive SD. Spend SA/SU/MON nights there. With 2 teen boys, would you recommend Paradise Point or Loews Coronado or Marriott Coronado? (Would love the Del, but too much $$$) Our plans are the Zoo, Balboa Park and that's about it. We love the water, so want/need to stay close by it!

Leave TUES. am to head up to Hearst Castle area for a WED. am tour. Again, suggestions for lodgings TUES. night---Morro Bay or Cambria? We're guessing this will take about six (6) hours...good guess?

Now here's where the questions get tricky ;-)

As I explained, we did the Big Sur/Monterey/Carmel/SF thing a couple of years ago.....and LOVED it! So we'll take our time, stop for lunch/dessert/drinks/hikes, but we don't need to do ALL the sights.

How much time should we plan for Hearst Castle to Half Moon Bay? Should we try to spend a night in the Monterey/Marina area, then go up to Half Moon Bay? (Our idea in going there is that that part of Hwy 1 we did not see on our past travels and it puts us close to the Palo Alto drop-off on SAT., and still gives us that all-important water!)

What is there to do, besides enjoy the view, in Half Moon Bay? Any other destinations that might make sense instead?

We're can fly out of either SJC or OAK on SAT. night or SUN. pm. (This portion is on awards and is flexible). We're trying not to do too many 1-nighters, but if that's the best plan, then so be it!

As always, you are the best resource there is and I thank you!

In SD - Loews is on the ocean side of Coronado whereas Marriot Coronado is on the harbor side. A friend and I stayed at the Marriot a couple years ago and liked it - great views of downtown from our balcony, nice pool area overlooking the water and so on. Plus there is a good paved walking path along the water. But there wasn't really a beach there, whereas there is a beach near Loews - with teenagers that is probably a big selling point. I am not familiar with Paradise Point, so I can't speak to that.

For Morro Bay or Cambria - both are good choices. If you stay in Cambria, stay along Moonstone Beach. Very pretty there. Cambria caters more to couples rather than families, so your kids would probably prefer Morro Bay. Morro Bay has a waterfront with tourist shops and restaurants and an eclectic downtown just up the hill from the water. Plus there is the rock where you can go out and wander around. Pismo Beach is also a good choice.

From SD to Cambria, 6 hours sounds about right, maybe a little less than that. Santa Barbara makes a nice midpoint stop.

Half Moon Bay is roughly 2 hours from Monterey. The coastline between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay is really pretty - very different from Big Sur. It is more open with long stretches of beaches, fields right up to the cliffs, low hills just inland.

HMB itself is a nice little town. There isn't a whole lot going on there, a small downtown with some shops, the beach, a harbor. If you want someplace with more going on, Santa Cruz is a good choice. It is only an hour or so from Palo Alto, so you could definitely stay there and then take your son to Palo Alto. And Santa Cruz is an hour closer to Monterey, so if you decided not to overnight in Monterey, you would have an hour less of a drive that day.

No secret, HMB is my favorite place on earth! That disclosed, There are nice beaches to explore, beautiful Memorial redwood park,kayak rental near the boat ramp, Princeton Harbor,if your boy have never seen a working harbor. Fabulous places to eat for just about any style you'd want. Maybe you'd have fun with your boys renting "Riding Giants" the great Big Wave Surf Film to learn about The Maverick's Surf Contest a mile and a half out from HMB Base outside the Pillar Point Harbor breakwater. When all conditions come together, the best surfers in the world have 24 hours to get here. Grant Baker from South Africa wast this years winner. HMB Brewery shows films on big screens and display surfboard. Watch surfing enjoying a burger might delight your boys. Then just down the street is Jeff Clarks Surfboard Shop, stop in for a look at photos and posters, boards and apparel. From there hike out to the Maverick's beach and tidepools. Memoirs of Geisha was filmed at Fitsgerald just up HWY 1 and the Moss Beach Distillery, home of the "Blue Lady" Ghost. This and Miramar have colorful bootlegging histories and good food. Miramar is right on the beach.
What specifically do you and your sons enjoy and find fun?

Cambria Pines Lodge is nice for famiilies...nothing fancy but on beautiful grounds with decent, clean rooms. There are quite a few lodging choices along the ocean, too. What is your price range? I've stayed at the Inn at Morro Bay, but not with my kids. DH and I liked it, though. Pismo Beach has many hotels to choose from also.

Also check out the Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort in San Simeon.

For very elegant pan asian dining try Red Ginger at the Princeton Harbor/Hwy 1 intersection. All new, just opened several weeks ago and a most welcome addition to HMB!

I have plans to stay in Coronado next month with a teen and we chose Glorietta Bay Inn. It is across the street from the Hotel Del so, even though it is on the Bay, you can just walk across the street to the wonderful beach at the Hotel Del. It also includes a continental breakfast. Although Loews is on the beach, you have to drive anywhere else on the island for other activities in Coronado. I have stayed at Paradise Point several times, not that impressed although sometimes I have gotten great deals. It is also on the Bay not the ocean, which I think teens like the ocean better (surfing, body surfing). In Coronado you can also rent bikes. I think that SJC will be a more convenient airport to fly from than OAK. I agree on Morro Bay or Pismo Beach being a little more attractive to the teens, but Cambria is beautiful and closer to Hearst Castle. Staying in Half Moon Bay sounds like fun! By the way if you have a shopping urge, the Stanford Shopping mall is just awesome! Maybe you can fit in a quick visit after dropping off DS at camp!

You guys are making this sound like it's going to be a lot of fun! HMB has just always sounded appealing to me...now it sounds awesome! DS 2 will probably try to surf. We used to live in FLA and he used to surf at Cocoa Beach, but that's nothing like what he'll face on the West Coast! DS 1 loves to kayak, so it sounds like a perfect spot. DH will golf and I'll chauffer...what's wrong with this picture?

Cambria appeals to DH and me, but from what you guys are telling me, it appears as though Pismo or Morro Bay will be better for the boys. Price range...well that depends. We'll pay what we need to, but would like to keep it under $200 for that one night. Well, all the nights, but that's just not feasible, especially since we do want to be on the water whenever possible. Tried to get a room at the Kon Tiki, but they're already booked. The Inn at Morro Bay will probably be our second choice, unless someone gives me some other ideas...Please!!! Found a good deal in Ventura, but it's just doesn't seem like it's far enough North.

Shopping at Stanford...never would have thought about it, but I'm sure some retail therapy will be welcome by then!

I'll look into the Glorietta, but had read it was more suited for adults than kids. Even though mine are a little older, they're still kids, but I do like the idea of being as close as possible to the beach. We have ruled out Paradise Point. Can anyone use the beach at/near the Hotel Del? How does that work?

Any suggestions for places to stay at HMB or Miramar? Keep those suggestions coming and thanks, Fodorites!

There are 2 Best Westerns in Pismo-the Shore Cliff and Shelter Cove, Cottage Inn by the Sea is nice and check the Pismo Lighthouse Suites. Although pricier, check out Cliffs Resort and the Sea Venture too.

Don't forget that Highway 1 is closed north of HMB at Devil's Slide, and will be until at least September.

This probably is not a trip killer, but it does mean that the traffic on Route 92 between HMB and San Mateo will be twice as heavy as normal, and there will be delays, so plan for extra travel time.

Since you mentioned kayaking - Morro Bay has some great areas for kayaking. The water goes back from the harbor between land and a sandspit. There is plenty of wild life and if the tides are right, you can basically just coast along on the current. Lots of fun.

Ventura is nice, but you are right - it isn't really far enough north. The best stretch of coastline is between San Simeon and Monterey, so you want to make sure you have enough time for that.

San Luis Obispo is a good stop for a rest and some wandering around - Cal Poly San Luis is a nice school, perhaps it will be of interest to one of your kids, then you would have a reason to come back and visit often ;)

As for the beach at the Hotel Del - it is absolutely a public beach. All California beaches are except those too close to a power plant or something. You just walk on to the beach. You can also wander around the hotel, even if you aren't a guest. Plenty of others will be too.

http://www.halfmoonbaychamber.org/where_stay/index.html
Least expensive-Point Montara Lighthouse
Need sleeping bags and such but beautiful spot.
Costanoa is wonderful with so many $-$$$$$ options. I have not been for a few years but when staying there, I was so impressed by the cleanlyness and design of the "Comfort Stations"
Harbor House is on the water and under $200.
Pillar Point Inn is in the Harbor next door to the HMB Distillery, but new innkeeper in the last couple months so I dont know how they are compaired to my visit in Feb..
The Beach House is my home away from home, starting at $175. Great location,surf beach right there, calm in breakwater, walk to dine and harbor, kayak, etc.
Harbor at the Hwy1/Pillar Point Harbor intersection if I recall correctly in $reasonable.
About 92, it is all in the timing. Early or late or middle of the day havent been too bad, the am pm rush hours are the worst and Sat am east should not be terrible, it is driving 92 west to HMB that is a first gear parking photoshoot of the stone look retainers that's miserable.
May I wish you great happiness and pleasure on your family trip that will last forever as priceless memories for you sons. That always helps me be calm and patience remembering this moment will be forever with my kids.

In Morro Bay, you can check out La Sernea Inn and the Blue Sail Inn. Both nice motor inns. More Motel like, there;s the Breakers. All easy walks to the Embarcadero shops and dining. Kitty's Kitchen on Main Street has a nice breakfast. Here's a good lodging link.
Oh, and Palo Alto is a fun spot to explore as well. I really like my nearby (I'm in San Jose) Los Gatos. a fun town to walk around and stay in a night or two as well.

Your itinerary sounds good and I know how difficult it is to figure out the fine details. Here is where I am stuck. We fly into LA 9:30 AM and plan to be at Hearst Castle the next morning. So, do we stop once in Santa Barbara and then drive straight through to Cambria to get there by dinner and be close to Hearst the next morning...or do we be more leisurely and stop in Solvang, pismo, wheverever we want and end up in Morro Bay or Pismo and drive a little further to Hearst the next day? I understand Cambria is beautiful but which area is more interesting to roam around for the night for a couple? Help! And Thanks!!!

Here's my 2 cents, for what it's worth.

Cambria is romantic, but the downtown is small and everything will be closed by 9. So if your looking for a romantic moonlit walk on the beach with you hubby you got it - what the boys will do, not so sure ... and I think it's more expensive? At least the places along moonstone beach will be - I remember in the spring we paid over $200 ...

As a teenager I would have rather gone to Santa Cruz than HMB for the authentic surfer/skater/hippie attititude - but in July Santa Cruz will be hot and crowded ... HMB will probably be more comfortable and have a little more room on the beach to spread out.

Good luck!

But the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will be open in the summer - full of crazy rides for teens - if they love that sort of thing. Check it out - you may want to stop a day in Santa Cruz if the boys enjoy rides like those at the Boardwalk.

O.K....we're in the home stretch! This is how it's coming together:

3 nights in SD
1 night in Pismo Beach
Hearst Castle am tour
1 night in Monterey
2 nights in Half Moon Bay
Drop DS at camp in Palo Alto
1 night in SF
Back home :-(

A couple of questions remain... As we're heading out of San Diego on a Tues. morning driving North to Pismo Beach, our goal is to keep as close to the Coast as possible for that fantastic scenery (once we pass thru LA), but what is really the best route? Any helpful hints on getting thru LA and when we should opt for Rte. 101 vs 1 would be appreciated!

Any suggestions for a winery or two? We've done several in the Monterey area on previous trips, but have never visited any South of that region. Since we've got the boys, we'll keep it quick and not too far out of our way...or we'll bag the idea all together!

Any "must eats"? (I think I've got the "must sees" covered, but I'll certainly entertain any additions to that category, as well!).

Sounds like a fun trip.

Take I-5 from San Diego to I-405 (just south of Irvine) then you need to decide how much coastal route you want to drive.

If this was me…I would take the PCH (CA-1) from Santa Monica to Oxnard (driving through Malibu) then hop on US-101 (through Santa Barbara) until you get to Pismo Beach.

When you go to Hearst Castle you will take US-101 up to San Luis Obispo where you can get back onto CA-1 for your entire rest of the drive through San Simeon, Big Sur, Monterey, and Half Moon Bay.

Go through LA between 10 am and 2 pm for your best shot at a traffic free drive. Don’t try to get onto I-405 at 8 am or you will be stuck with thousands of other folks.

saps: Thanks a bunch! This is just what we were looking for! Sounds like you know the route well...any guesses on how long the trip to Pismo Beach should take (insuring that we get thru LA between 10 & 2, as you suggest)?

expect at least 5 to 5 1/2 hrs from SD to Pismo. Do you have dinner plans for Pismo? If you let me know what kind of food you like, I can make recommendations.