Please Help With SF/Carmel Trip
 

My husband and I are flying to SFO in October. Plan to arrive in SFO at 3:30 p.m. from Florida. Am wondering whether it would be feasible to drive from the airport straight through to Carmel where we have reservations for four days at Highlands. Or, should we take it easy going down there and maybe stop off at Half Moon Bay or somewhere around there? Also, I have read that the prettiest scenery is the drive from Big Sur to San Simeon. Would we be stretching it if we drove down there, took the Hearst Castle tour and then drove back to Highlands, or should we plan on making this trip after our stay at Highlands? Will be going back to San Francisco after Carmel and spending three days. Plan on turning the car in at the airport first and then checking into Hotel Monaco. Have already read all the great posts about restaurants, things to do, etc. so I won't ask for any help on that!

As a former (multi-decade) resident of the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas, I'd suggest that you forego the drive to Carmel on your arrival date. It will be well after 4PM by the time you get your car, and darkness will descend soon after.

You can stay at a hotel near the airport, or drive over the hill and down to Half Moon Bay. Lots of accommodation lodgings, from posh hotels (Ritz Carlton) to quaint B&Bs.

Once at Highlands Inn, a daytrip roundtrip drive to San Simeon is very do-able if you start early (I often drove from Santa Cruz area, to Santa Barbara, for lunch down Highway One -- 4 hours each way).

Have a _great_ time!

You asked is it feasible, and my answer is yes. It's approximately a 2 hour drive (on inland route) assuming you are not arriving on a weekday and therefore avoiding rush hour traffic around San Jose. Whether you want to do it is another matter--I have friends and family who do drive straight to Carmel after flights from NYC. BTW same group drove down to Hearst from Carmel in 2 1/2 hours, they didn't make any stops on the way however to oh and ah at the scenery.

Thanks so much for your responses. Just booked the tickets (using miles) and will be arriving SFO at 7:30 p.m. so we will definitely stay near the airport that first night. One more question about SF hotel choice. I have booked a junior suite at Hotel Monaco for 3 nights. I have read reviews of the rooms being very small at that hotel. Has anyone stayed in the junior suite?? I don't want to be disappointed after our stay at Highlands. Any other hotel suggestions in SF? I picked Monaco because it seems classy but fun and funky at the same time. We love the "look" of the Highlands. Anything comparable in SF or should I stick to Monaco? Sorry about all the questions...I'm getting way excited about the trip. If it would be better to post these questions under a new thread please let me know that also. Thanks again so much!!

By "Highlands" do you mean the Highlands Inn, or is there something new in the area without the "Inn"? I'm always on the lookout for something different.

Sorry, I mean the Highlands Inn. The location and architecture looks absolutely fabulous. We're splurging on this trip!

topping. anyone??

I have never stayed at the MONACO because I live in this area, but I have been in the lobby. It looks very classy and you should enjoy it.

One thing you may want to consider on your arrival day. If you arrive at 730pm the traffic should not be that bad on Hwy101. Use this time to drive down to San Jose (about 30 to 45 minutes) or as far south as you feel doing so you have a jump on your next day's trip to Carmel.

The morning traffic in the Bay Area is heavy on 101 (I live here) so the farther south you can get, the better. The San Jose Airport is also off 101 and there are nice hotels around there....Doubletree, Hyatt, Biltmore, etc. Just a thought.

If you do decide to stay near SFO that first night, I have some ideas for you for dinner. The Hong Kong Flower Lounge is a south bay outpost of a restaurant founded in, yes, Hong Kong; it's very authentic Chinese, a bit loud on weekends because it's enormous, but a great experience nonetheless. (It's on El Camino a stone's throw from SFO.)There are also several nice restaurants on Burlingame Avenue, which is about a 5 min drive from SFO; it's also a nice strolling avenue. So even though you'll be by the airport, you won't have to "waste" the evening--enjoy your trip!

You'd have just the right amount of time to drive down to the charming village of Los Gatos. The Garden Inn (rooms around $100) is very nice, and there are any number of good restaurants; our favorite is Steamers, although for Italian you can't beat I Gatti, right across from the Inn. You'd be quite near Highway 17 for continuing on to Carmel via the coastal route the next morning.

What a good idea Underhill--much nicer than an airport hotel.

Wow, what great suggestions! I think I have to take Underhill's suggestion of Los Gatos. How far of a drive will that be? I'm off to make reservations now!! Thanks again everyone...this forum is just awesome.

Oops, sorry, one more question if I may since everyone is being so helpful. Does anyone have an opinion on what type of car to rent for the time we're there? It will be October 18-26. Thanks again!

Depending on traffic, the drive should take around 45 minutes. You can go down 101 and then up 17.

stjohnbound,
I would not enjoy driving a minivan or SUV on this trip. Get a mid to full size sedan that goes into 3rd gear for the curves and the hills. If renting from Avis, get a Grand Prix or Grand Am - the traction and front suspension are ideal for gripping the road. Although it is most likely that you will be coming at the end of our dry and warm "indian summer", there might be some rain, so again, you want a car that handles well.