San Diego to San Francisco
Dec 15th, 2010, 09:49 AM
#1
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San Diego to San Francisco
I am looking for ideas from San Diego to San Francisco...some desitnations I am interested along the way are Hearst Castle & Monterey Aquarium. I am fuzzy on drive times--thanks for any info...obviously driving up the coast.....
Dec 15th, 2010, 04:09 PM
#2
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So many places of interest on that route, and gorgeous coastline views.
Some of my favorite areas:
San Juan Capistrano (I love every Spanish mission in CA),
Area around the Nixon compound,
Laguna Beach/Dana Point (Ritz Hotel there is a worthy splurge),
Newport Beach/Balboa Island (eat at The Crab Cooker),
Manhattan Beach (Mama D's for fun Italian place)
Marina del Rey (Tony P's for decent food, good prices and waterfront seating)
Santa Monica beach and Abbott Kinney Blvd shops/cafes
UCLA and Westwood,
GETTY CENTER or GETTY VILLA (Both free, $15 to park, make resies on-line)
Chateau Marmont,
Sunset Blvd (drive 'the Strip' to Hwy 1),
BelAir,
Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills Hotel
Malibu, have dinner at The Charthouse
Zuma Beach,
Santa Barbara (bike on the oceanside pathway from the Ritz to the pier and back)
San Luis Obispo (Spanish mission in heart of downtown)
Half-Moon Bay
Big Sur
Carmel
Monterey
(if you are interested in driving inland a bit, Stanford is a gorgeous campus, and Palo Alto is nice.)
Union Square and ALL of San Francisco
Some of my favorite areas:
San Juan Capistrano (I love every Spanish mission in CA),
Area around the Nixon compound,
Laguna Beach/Dana Point (Ritz Hotel there is a worthy splurge),
Newport Beach/Balboa Island (eat at The Crab Cooker),
Manhattan Beach (Mama D's for fun Italian place)
Marina del Rey (Tony P's for decent food, good prices and waterfront seating)
Santa Monica beach and Abbott Kinney Blvd shops/cafes
UCLA and Westwood,
GETTY CENTER or GETTY VILLA (Both free, $15 to park, make resies on-line)
Chateau Marmont,
Sunset Blvd (drive 'the Strip' to Hwy 1),
BelAir,
Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills Hotel
Malibu, have dinner at The Charthouse
Zuma Beach,
Santa Barbara (bike on the oceanside pathway from the Ritz to the pier and back)
San Luis Obispo (Spanish mission in heart of downtown)
Half-Moon Bay
Big Sur
Carmel
Monterey
(if you are interested in driving inland a bit, Stanford is a gorgeous campus, and Palo Alto is nice.)
Union Square and ALL of San Francisco
Dec 15th, 2010, 04:40 PM
#3
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Could you supply a bit more information?
Is this a one-way trip for you or are you planning on returning to San Diego? The coastal route is much nicer going from north to south.
Drive times are variable. What time of year are you talking about? Obviously, summer time is the slowest for the two-lane portion of your trip.
Also what are you interested in? Parks? Museums? Vigorous hiking or just a nice stroll? Going out and partying at late night spots or having a quiet dinner and the going to bed?
There's just so much to recommend! Please help us narrow things down a bit.
Is this a one-way trip for you or are you planning on returning to San Diego? The coastal route is much nicer going from north to south.
Drive times are variable. What time of year are you talking about? Obviously, summer time is the slowest for the two-lane portion of your trip.
Also what are you interested in? Parks? Museums? Vigorous hiking or just a nice stroll? Going out and partying at late night spots or having a quiet dinner and the going to bed?
There's just so much to recommend! Please help us narrow things down a bit.
Dec 15th, 2010, 07:09 PM
#4
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IMO the "don't miss" spots if you have enough time are:
The Missions, starting with San Juan Capistrano
Reagan Presidential Library near Simi Valley
Santa Barbara - the whole county including the wineries around Los Olivos and Santa Ynez...Solvang if you like touristy place.
Pismo Beach
San Luis Obispo, including the Mission
Paso Robles wine area and San Miguel Mission
Morro Bay
Cambria
Hearst Castle & all of Highway 1.
17 Mile drive just south of Monterey
Driving times depend on how many stops you make. For example, Santa Maria to San Luis is about an hour, but not if you stop at Pismo Beach or if you make stops for wine tasting.
You can do Hearst Castle to Monterey in 3 hours, but you would miss a lot.
The Missions, starting with San Juan Capistrano
Reagan Presidential Library near Simi Valley
Santa Barbara - the whole county including the wineries around Los Olivos and Santa Ynez...Solvang if you like touristy place.
Pismo Beach
San Luis Obispo, including the Mission
Paso Robles wine area and San Miguel Mission
Morro Bay
Cambria
Hearst Castle & all of Highway 1.
17 Mile drive just south of Monterey
Driving times depend on how many stops you make. For example, Santa Maria to San Luis is about an hour, but not if you stop at Pismo Beach or if you make stops for wine tasting.
You can do Hearst Castle to Monterey in 3 hours, but you would miss a lot.
Dec 18th, 2010, 09:52 AM
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I have a different opinion from that of easytraveler: "The coastal route is much nicer going from north to south."
Among the most scenic parts of the coastal highway are winding, two-lane stretches high above the ocean, with a risk of driving over the cliff if you are doing too much sightseeing while driving. We have always found the south to north trip more enjoyable, as you are on the inside part of the road--not where the cliff is.
Among the most scenic parts of the coastal highway are winding, two-lane stretches high above the ocean, with a risk of driving over the cliff if you are doing too much sightseeing while driving. We have always found the south to north trip more enjoyable, as you are on the inside part of the road--not where the cliff is.
Dec 18th, 2010, 10:17 AM
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Having driven 1 more times than I can recall, either direction is fine. I prefer north to south when I'm driving visitors because all the view pull ins are on the right side and I can easily stop when I hear "Ooh can we stop" and can easily get back on the road. Driving south to north I have to pull across traffic to get into and out of pullouts, much more frustrating. Either direction the driver will never get to appreciate the scenery in the same way as the passenger.
Dec 18th, 2010, 03:23 PM
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It's about 4 hours from SD to Santa Barbara, CA. The Four Seasons at SB is outstanding. That would be a good place for the night. It's about 4 1/2 hours from SB to Carmel. Taht would be another good place to stop for the night. Stay at L'Auberge Carmel. You will be in SF in 2 1/2 hours. Have a great trip.
L'Auberge Carmel @ Between Ocean and 7th, Monte Verde Street, Carmel, CA 831 - 624 - 8578.
http://www.laubergecarmel.com/
L'Auberge Carmel @ Between Ocean and 7th, Monte Verde Street, Carmel, CA 831 - 624 - 8578.
http://www.laubergecarmel.com/
Dec 18th, 2010, 05:44 PM
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If you decide to stay in Newport Beach I went on a wonderful Harbor Tour called Watts on the Harbor you can have a snack or lunch-see the backs of movie stars homes-The # is 949-291-1953. A very relaxing way to spend a few hours.
Also Nepenthes south of Monterey-I beleive Orson Wells bought it for Lana Turner? The coastal drive is beautiful-Enjoy Chris
Also Nepenthes south of Monterey-I beleive Orson Wells bought it for Lana Turner? The coastal drive is beautiful-Enjoy Chris
Dec 18th, 2010, 10:55 PM
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