San Francisco to LA directly or with a stop to sleep?
Nov 26th, 2011, 05:26 AM
#1
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San Francisco to LA directly or with a stop to sleep?
We will travel by car from San Francisco to LA on January 31st. I know the US1 has a very beautiful landscape and places to stop.
Can I travel directly using a hole one day for this or is it better to stop to sleep in the way ?
Can I travel directly using a hole one day for this or is it better to stop to sleep in the way ?
Nov 26th, 2011, 06:41 AM
#2
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A stop in Cambria or Morro Bay would be my suggestion. Otherwise, it's a long (albeit exceptionally scenic) day for you. There are ocean side lodgings in both places. Cambria has a planked boardwalk for running or walking along the beaches. It will be possibly quite "cold" at that time of year..with chance of rain.(By arriving in L.A. area the next mid-day, you can avoid the strangling late afternon-early evening traffic.
stu
stu
Nov 26th, 2011, 06:41 AM
#3
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It would be VERY long day--also, at that time of year, if there have been considerable rains, there could be landslides. There are currently a couple of road closures (down to one lane). You might want to drive to Cambria for a night on the ocean--or on to San Luis Obispo. The drive from there to LA would be about 3 hours.
Nov 26th, 2011, 07:02 AM
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You have 4 options. The fastest is I-5 down the west side of the central valley. It's straight and to my eyes pleasant, with the valley farmland on the left and largely undeveloped hills on the right. It's definitely a one day drive.
Almost as fast is CA 99, which skirts the eastern side of the central valley and passes through most of the cities therein. so, plenty of places to stop for food or whatever, but a one day drive also.
US 101 (or El Camino Real) runs parallel to the coast, but somewhat inland. It's the original north-south trade route and is almost entirely 4 lane divided highway. It's also the mission route. Most of the California missions are along it or near it. It's about an hour longer than I-5 and CA-99. Still one day.
If you were to take Hwy 1, you would probably be partially on US 101. The 2 routes sometimes merge and then separate. From Carmel south to Cambria is the section most notable for its scenic vistas of the ocean and shoreline. To get the most out of this route, you should consider doing it in 2 days, with an overnight stop, for example in Cambria. Hwy 1 is susceptible to landslides and washouts during the winter, so you will want to check road conditions before setting out on it.
Almost as fast is CA 99, which skirts the eastern side of the central valley and passes through most of the cities therein. so, plenty of places to stop for food or whatever, but a one day drive also.
US 101 (or El Camino Real) runs parallel to the coast, but somewhat inland. It's the original north-south trade route and is almost entirely 4 lane divided highway. It's also the mission route. Most of the California missions are along it or near it. It's about an hour longer than I-5 and CA-99. Still one day.
If you were to take Hwy 1, you would probably be partially on US 101. The 2 routes sometimes merge and then separate. From Carmel south to Cambria is the section most notable for its scenic vistas of the ocean and shoreline. To get the most out of this route, you should consider doing it in 2 days, with an overnight stop, for example in Cambria. Hwy 1 is susceptible to landslides and washouts during the winter, so you will want to check road conditions before setting out on it.
Nov 26th, 2011, 09:02 AM
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If your goal is to get from SF to LA, by all means, take one of the 1-day routes dbdurand suggested. But if your goal is also to see the coast, definitely stop overnight. You'll want to stop along the way - Capitola, Monterey, Carmel, Pfeiffer Beach, Pt. Lobos, Big Sur, Nepenthe - just to name a few places 
, so you won't want to rush.
, so you won't want to rush.
Nov 26th, 2011, 09:58 AM
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Have driven to LA from SF many times in one day. It is NOT a long arduous trip unless you have a baby in the car and need to stop for feedings, etc - which I have done and that makes it LONG! I have done I-5 and 101. When I drive by myself I prefer 101 as there are more places to stop if you need things but it is an easy trip. Depends if you are in a hurry or not.
Nov 26th, 2011, 02:19 PM
#9
We-how many people? Car-rental car with drop off fee?
For a solo trip I would either ride the train or take a cheap flight. If you want to go to LA why not just fly there?
If you are driving you don't have the time to stop and view the scenery.
For a solo trip I would either ride the train or take a cheap flight. If you want to go to LA why not just fly there?
If you are driving you don't have the time to stop and view the scenery.
Nov 26th, 2011, 05:57 PM
#10
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If going via I-5, the Harris Ranch restaurant would be a logical lunch break.
http://www.harrisranch.com/index2.php
http://www.harrisranch.com/index2.php
Nov 26th, 2011, 07:34 PM
#11
"I know the US1 has a very beautiful landscape and places to stop. Can I travel directly using a hole one day for this or is it better to stop to sleep in the way ? "
You are driving on New Years Eve and the weather might be awful. You can't really drive the coast highway in one day. (BTW -- it is not US 1 . . . That is on the east coast of the United States. It is California State hwy 1)
But to make it in one day you would have to use either the fast/un-scenic US Interstate 5, or the more scenic but mostly not along the coast US 101.
If you want to drive hwy 1 you will need to stop over 1 or, better yet, 2 nights.
You are driving on New Years Eve and the weather might be awful. You can't really drive the coast highway in one day. (BTW -- it is not US 1 . . . That is on the east coast of the United States. It is California State hwy 1)
But to make it in one day you would have to use either the fast/un-scenic US Interstate 5, or the more scenic but mostly not along the coast US 101.
If you want to drive hwy 1 you will need to stop over 1 or, better yet, 2 nights.
Nov 26th, 2011, 09:26 PM
#12
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The coastal highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles is one of the most beautiful drvies you can enjoy. Don't rush it! Plan for an overnight stay along the route so you can slow down, take in the scenery, and create more memories. You won't regret it.
Nov 27th, 2011, 08:44 AM
#15
Not New Years Eve, but January 31st (I know, Janis, at first I was thinking the same thing).
Either way, that drive usually takes me about 12 hours. On a nice, sunny day with several stops.
But you're doing it in winter, in possibly inclement weather. Poor driving conditions. On the coastal side. Possible landslides. What I'm saying is, do have "Plan B" just in case -- if weather conditions are poor, but you want to get some of the scenery, take Hwy 101, since it hits plenty of shoreline as you get further south.
Because of the time involved, and the short days, yes, it would be a good idea to stop for the night.
Either way, that drive usually takes me about 12 hours. On a nice, sunny day with several stops.
But you're doing it in winter, in possibly inclement weather. Poor driving conditions. On the coastal side. Possible landslides. What I'm saying is, do have "Plan B" just in case -- if weather conditions are poor, but you want to get some of the scenery, take Hwy 101, since it hits plenty of shoreline as you get further south.
Because of the time involved, and the short days, yes, it would be a good idea to stop for the night.
Nov 27th, 2011, 02:56 PM
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We take this drive at least once a year.
Our favorite place to stay is Pismo Beach because there we can get a big room with balcony and spectacular ocean view at Kon Tiki Inn for under $150: http://www.kontikiinn.com/
We also always look forward to dinner at Ventana Grill: http://ventanagrill.com/
HTTY
PS The stretch of Highway 1 from San Francisco to Santa Cruz, which passes through Half Moon Bay, is extremely beautiful and too often overlooked.
Our favorite place to stay is Pismo Beach because there we can get a big room with balcony and spectacular ocean view at Kon Tiki Inn for under $150: http://www.kontikiinn.com/
We also always look forward to dinner at Ventana Grill: http://ventanagrill.com/
HTTY
PS The stretch of Highway 1 from San Francisco to Santa Cruz, which passes through Half Moon Bay, is extremely beautiful and too often overlooked.
Nov 29th, 2011, 08:28 AM
#19
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If you have the time, definitely spend one or two nights on the coast between SF and LA.
Hearst Castle is interesting to tour. I posted a recommendation for the hotel we stayed in last month:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-simeon-ca.cfm
Hearst Castle is interesting to tour. I posted a recommendation for the hotel we stayed in last month:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-simeon-ca.cfm
Nov 29th, 2011, 08:29 AM
#20
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If you have the time, definitely spend one or two nights on the coast between SF and LA.
Hearst Castle is interesting to tour. I posted a recommendation for the hotel we stayed in last month:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-simeon-ca.cfm
Hearst Castle is interesting to tour. I posted a recommendation for the hotel we stayed in last month:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-simeon-ca.cfm
