Can anyway help with a route driving from Cambria to Murphy, Jackson, Sutter Creek which is picturesque and some nice stops en-route.

Here is the route I would take: 1 North, 156 East, 152 East, 65 North, 140 East, 49 North.

Hwy 1 through Big Sur and up to Monterey is absolutely geogeous. There are several state parks and places to stop for hikes, picnics and so on.

Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel have plenty of things to see and would be a good place to spend the night (or 2) if you are making this a multiday trip.

Off Hwy 156, San Juan Bautista is a good place to stop enroute - there is a mission and the old square has been rebuilt/restored. It is a good place to learn about California history.

A bit past the 156/152 junction is a good stopping point called Casa de Fruta - fruit stand, coffee shop, ice cream, clean bathrooms, etc. Stopping there is a California tradition.

Beyond Casa de Fruta, the route is pretty boring as you cross the central valley. You've got to cross it no matter how you go. If you aren't used to seeing large expanses of farm land, it might be interesting to you.

Once you reach Hwy 140, you will start to leave the valley and head up to the mountains where the route gets more scenic.

On Hwy 49 there are plenty of little gold rush towns and things along the way.

That is the problem w/ posting multiple threads on the same subject. J_Correa has given you EXCELLENT advice for what you asked. Unfortunately - from your other thread you will have already been to Monterey/Carmel for a few days so backtracking through there really doesn't make any sense for you.

The most direct route from Cambria would be through Fresno as you first posted. The first bit through Paso Robles/Shandon will be fairly scenic. Then it is a straight shot on hwy 41 all the way through Fresno to Yosemite Valley. The route is scenic again once you get in the foothills north of Fresno.

If you've decided to skip Yosemite - then from Hwy 41 at Oakhurst take hwy 49 north. All of hwy 49 is scenic and it will take you to Murphys, Sutter Creek or whereever you decide to stay.

I have driven most of the route that J_Correa posted and enjoyed it very much. San Juan Bautista was definitely worth a stop. There is a great Mexican restaurant there called Jardines de San Juan that you would love for lunch.

Thanks Janis - yes, if Rosie has already done Monterey and Cambria, then your route is the the one I would probably choose.

Another thought...since driving through the central valley isn't particularly scenic, if Rosie wants to limit that, maybe heading up Hwy 101 for awhile might be good. Basically head east from Cambria over the mountain, then north on 101 for awhile and then cut east and link up with Hwy 49. This would probably take a little bit longer, but not a whole lot, I wouldn't think.

Thank you Fodorites, you have given me some useful information for a first time visitor to California, I shall get out the map and plan our route forthwith!