riollano

We're taking our time driving from San Francisco to San Simeon over three days next week down Hwy 1. We'll be leaving Hearst Castle around noon on Friday and staying at an airport hotel that night in San Francisco and are in no hurry. Should we travel back up Highway 1 or is there another pretty drive to take? thanks everyone

easytraveler

Highway 1 is the "pretty" route, albeit slow, especially in the summertime.

Highway 101 is "pretty" in some parts, but the closer you get to San Francisco the uglier it gets because of the industrial-commerical businesses that line this highway.

If you cut over to 101 from Monterey and get up to San Jose, then cut over to Interstate 280, I280 from San Jose to San Francisco is very pretty.

Or you could keep going on Highway 1 until Santa Cruz, then cut inland on Highway 17 which goes through the Santa Cruz Mountains. That's a nice drive but very curvy. Highway 17 becomes I880 and then intersections with Interstate 280 which you can then take to go up to SF.

glimmer2

Hi, you could take 46 from Hwy. 1 to 101, and 101 all the way to the airport. 46 meets up with Hwy. 1 just south of Cambria. 46 is pretty. It runs through some nice low rolling hills. 101 going is a pretty drive until you get to around Salinas. It's not near as pretty as 1, but it's nice and a lot quicker. You'll pass through Paso Robles that is quickly becoming a little Napa Valley. There are quite a few tasting rooms if you are interested in wine.
If you want to skip 46 you can just drive south on 1 to San Luis Obispo and then take 101 north. There's plenty to check out in SLO as well.

Parrothead

Just for pure scenery you could take 46 to 101 north to 280 north to 84 west to 35 north to 380 east to 101 south for 1 exit to the airport.

You should allow at least 7 hours for this itinerary.

J_Correa

I would take Hwy 101 up and then 280 into SF as well. As others have mentioned, it is mostly scenic, although not as scenic as Hwy 1, Hwy 1 will take a long time and since you will have come down it slowly already, it would make sense to take the other route for variety.

In addition to the other stops mentioned, you might want to make a small detour to San Juan Bautista, which is a few miles east of Hwy 101 between Salinas and Gilroy. There is a nice mission there and the old town square has been restored/rebuilt. It is a very walkable town and makes a nice stop. The mission and old town buildings close up around 4 or 5, so depending on your other stops, you could spend an hour or so there, have dinner, and then head on up to SF.

Also, in Salinas there is the Steinbeck museum, so you could stop there as well.