Staying in San Francisco for four nights and wondering about taking a day to drive to Big Sur. How long do you think that would take and what would be the best route?

I think it's too long a drive, 3 hours + each way, depending on traffic, if you want to enjoy the area and also return to SF that evening. There are, however, beautiful drives less far, along the San Mateo County Coast to the south, or north. But with just 3 days in San Francisco, you might consider a ferry ride to Angel Island, Sausalito or Belvedere/Tiberon for part of a day.

Well, it all depends. If you get an early start and enjoy long drives, it could be a great day. I guess I'd say that if this is your first trip to SF, I wouldn't give a whole day to this, but if you have made or plan to make many visits, why not? 3 hours one way without heavy traffic sounds about right, longer if you stick to the coast the whole way versus taking 101 part of the way.

If it were summer when it stays light later, I could see doing that, but in the dead of winter, not sure I'd drive 6 hours, 3 back. Of course, if you just regard the drive itself as your outing, and drive down, stop for lunch and drive back, you could do it. But most of that won't be scenic, so it's not as exciting as you might think -- at least if you drive down 101 until you hit highway 1 just above Salinas going towards Monterey. If you take 17 at Los Gatos down to highway 1 at Santa Cruz, it could take closer to 4 hrs each way. And who knows what traffic might be like.

But most of that won't be scenic, so it's not as exciting as you might think.

The scenic drive to Big Sur is on Highway 1 via Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Carmel-by-the-Sea. It is about 150 miles and three hours of driving without stops.

I would take the same route both ways. The drive on 101 is extremely annoying, and it takes only a few minutes less than the Highway 1 route.

This trip makes an excellent outing if you like great ocean views and want to spend a little time in charming Carmel-by-the Sea.

HTtY

I would definitely do it. Here's a link to a day trip we took a few years ago.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...art-way.cfm?38

Are you in SF now? Because the weather is glorious on the coast this week and it would be a great (but loooooong) day.

BUT if you are there when we are having a winter storm - do not take this drive.

We did this yesterday (actually went much further south). While it was beautiful weather starting out from San Francisco, it turned very foggy and we had only intermittent views the whole trip.

Add in time to have lunch and it is easily over 8 hours, without doing anything
IN Big Sur, besides the drive down and back

It really depends on the weather on the exact day you are going. Check forecasts.

We'll be in San Francisco on the Memorial Day weekend so that would probably make the trip even longer..guess we'll save this for another time..thanks for the help.

I agree with that decision. We traveled Monday, which was Presidents Day. The traffic was moderate heading south, but it was heavier northbound. Also, all of the state parks must have been super busy, all of the parking lots along the way we're full, with people parking Lang the road, some at a good distance from the entrance. May also has a much higher chance of foggy weather along the coast.