Road Trip
 

We would like to drive up the coast of California and end in wine country. From the south Carmel is a must. We are planning about a week. Any suggestions as to where to visit and places to stay?

Where are you starting from LA? SD?

We were in Carmel in Feb. Stayed at the Carmel Valley Ranch, about 10 minute drive from downtown Carmel. There are several tasting houses in Carmel Valley. All within walking distance of each other.

Eat at Casanova's in Carmel. Awesome wine list and food!

What time of the year? I ask because from mid-Oct to mid-Feb. you can see the monarch butterflies at Natural Bridges State Park near Santa Cruz.

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

Utahtea

We are starting from LA. We haven't decided time yet. We also need to find out the best time to visit. (Any ideas). I have stayed at Carmel Valley Ranch, loved it and plan to stay again.

We did the trip the other way around last year and one of our favourite visits was San Luis Obisopo - we stayed at the Peach Tree Inn which was very reasonable and lovely. It was sort of 'old school' motel which had been renovated without destroying it's personality.

In your week are you planning to visit LA and SF? If I assume you are not spending days in LA and SF (If this assumption is wrong then one week is not enough time to enjoy the coast drive properly) I would do something like this...

From LA head to Santa Barbara via CA-1 (driving through Malibu).

Spend 2 days in SB. It is a coastal college town that is a lot of fun. The boardwalk area is great.

Drive to San Simeon and visit Hearst Castle in enroute to Carmel. Spend 2 days in Carmel/Monterey. Shop, dine, do 17 mile drive, visit the world famous aquarium.

Drive & spend the night in Half Moon Bay.

Head up to Wine Country (Sonoma or Napa?) to spend your last 2 days.

If you plan to do LA & SF then you probably only have 1 or 2 days max to make it from LA to SF.

We were not planning on LA or SF. Probably flying in or out but not spending time. Thank you so much for the itinerary. It sounds perfect!