pismo beach or down to s. barbara?
 

Hi, i need some help with my planning. I'm driving along the Coastal highway from S. Francisco to Los Angeles next August but I have only 2 days and a half. I will make a first stop in Carmel leaving S.francisco on early morning. Since I'll sleep there I'd like to take some time of the same day to visit Monterey and Point Lobos. Do you think I can make it all in a day? Secon day I'll leave for Cambria and S.Simeon and here I need some hints. Is it better to take some time between Carmel and Cambria and sleep then, on the second night, in Pismo beach, or can I make it down to S. Barbara to stay overnight? How far is it? Then the third day I need to be at Lax Airport by 3:30 p.m. Can I make it if I sleep in Pismo? And in this case would I make a quick stop just to see S. Barbara?
Thanks for any help
Milli

If you leave SF early morning, you should have enough time to visit Monterey, Point Lobos & Carmel (unless you spend hours hiking in Point Lobos, or visit every tourist shop in Monterey). I'm a bigger fan of Carmel vs Monterey, but I do like the Monterey aquarium.

Carmel to San Simeon is around 2 hours drive. San Simeon to Pismo is about an hour on Hwy #1, and Pismo to Santa Barbara about an hour and 45 minutes on the #101 (Hwy 1 isn't on the coast at that point, so it's not worth the extra time to take it for that leg).

Going from Carmel to San Simeon (and presumably spending time at Hearst Castle) all the way to Santa Barbara sure seems like more than I'd want to do.

FYI, it's about 4 hours from Cabria to LAX with normal traffic, but I'd allow 5 hours. It's probably 3.5 hours to LAX from Pismo. Santa Barbara is a great place for dinner and to spend the evening, but it just seems like a very busy day if you're starting in Carmel.

Dear alan 64, thanks for your precious informations. I guess at this point you would suggest to spend the night in Pismo to shorten the distance from Carmel to Lax, wouldn't you? Any nice hotel you know? Thanks again
MILLI

The Sea Venture Resort is very nice. Located right on the ocean with a pool, soft-tub jacuzzi and restaurant. Walking distance to the pier, also. Get one of the spa rooms with an oceanview. :)

I have heard great things about the Kon Tiki Inn but haven't stayed there yet! Have a great trip! ***kim*** ((#))

Thank you all!
Milli

We have relatives living in Pismo, but when we go visit, we usually stay in San Luis Obispo. I believe there aren't many good hotels along the beach, may be wrong here.

I'd suggest that you overnight the first night in Big Sur itself.

The stretch between Carmel and Cambria is one of the most spectacular coastal drives anywhere in the world and you should plan on more than two hours travelling this stretch. Also try to do it in the afternoon to avoid any morning fog.

If, as suggested, you start out from San Francisco early (go south on I-280, then Highway 156 to the coast, then Highway 1 along the coast), you should be able to visit the Monterey Aquarium (believe it opens at 10 am) in the morning, have lunch in Carmel, hike Point Lobos in two hours in the afternoon, and then head off southbound.

There are several more or less rustic places to stay on this southbound route in Big Sur: Big Sur Lodge in Pfeiffer Big Sur Park, Deetjens, Ragged Point Inn, and way south there is the Lucia Inn - these are the ones that come to mind and there are probably a few others scattered along the way.

Depending on where you overnight, you can make it to Hearst Castle for a tour either mid-morning or early afternoon. Then head on down the coast to Santa Barbara. Overnight in Santa Barbara.

The closer you can get to Los Angeles, the better. It always makes me nervous to be situated far away from my departure airport on the day of departure. In this regard, there are plenty of places to stay after Santa Barbara, e.g., Ventura, if you feel like driving that far.

Great suggestions, easytraveler! I think that's how I'd do it.