Seattle to San Diego Road Trip in August 2015 (19 Days)
Jun 14th, 2015, 06:57 AM
#21
I don’t know how far you’ve progressed with accommodations for this trip, but let me talk about the Seattle loop for a second because you may want to reconsider the order of things.
Regarding Olympic National Park: The park occupies the interior of the Olympic peninsula, which the park service maintains as roadless wilderness. The main attractions for those who don’t want to hike into said wilderness are all located around the northern and western periphery of the park. To the north are Hurricane Ridge, marvelous alpine meadows with jagged peaks behind – an hour cul-de-sac from Port Angeles on the north shore. Also on the northern peninsula are Lake Crescent and access to a couple of attractions such as Sol Duc hot springs, but with limited time most people would bypass these sites en route to the highlights on the west side of the peninsula, namely the rain forests and beaches along the park’s Pacific coastal strip.
There are several beaches with reasonable access from the roads, notably those close to the little town of La Push (Rialto Beach, First and Second beaches, etc.) and farther south, Ruby Beach near the little settlement of Kalaloch.
There are two rain forest valleys with easy visitor access along the west coast, the Hoh river valley to the north, and the Quinault river valley to the south, with Lake Quinault at its head. (Kalaloch and Ruby Beach are between the two.) Both valleys are marvelous, but I think most visitors would say that the Hoh Valley is the more visually stunning of the two, with its Hall of Mosses walk, frequent encounters with (enormous) Roosevelt elk that loom in the gloom like antlered dinosaurs.
But in terms of accommodation, the western side of the park is seriously lacking in quantity. There is no accommodation at the Hoh valley, a very limited (and usually heavily booked) number of rooms at Kalaloch, and a couple of places down at Quinault, including the lovely (as in creaky) Lake Quinault Lodge and a few other places, again, all heavily booked. On the peninsula, only Port Angeles offers a wide range of accommodations; the places south of Quinault – Ocean Shores, Aberdeen/Hoquiam – are far less appealing to most tourists.
Farther north, closer to La Push and Hoh, is the little town of Forks, made popular by its resident vampires, where there are several motels and B&Bs. Pretty plain and basic stuff.
In terms of drive times, you’re looking at around 90 min. from Port Angeles to La Push, another 90 from La Push to the Hoh visitor center, then two hours back to PA, so doable as a day trip but one that entails five hours plus in the car, never mind actually seeing stuff.
So here’s my recommendation. First, consider doing Mt. Rainier as a day trip from Seattle, either at the beginning or end of your stay around here. Try to do it on a weekday. It’s around 2 ½ hours from downtown, a little less from the airport.
Second, for three days and two nights for Olympic NP, I’d head to Hurricane Ridge the first day and spend that night in Port Angeles. The second day I’d head to the Hoh valley and spend the night in Forks. The third day I’d head to La Push for Rialto Beach, then return either to Seattle, or, if you want to hit Mt. Rainier the day before you fly, overnight in the cute little town of Gig Harbor, near Tacoma, from which Paradise on Mt. Rainier is two hours or less the next morning. From La Push Gig Harbor is around three hours (less than Seattle if you count the ferry.) Get an early start, spend the day at Mt. Rainier, then down to the airport and off to California.
Let us know how the accommodation search is going, and happy planning!
Regarding Olympic National Park: The park occupies the interior of the Olympic peninsula, which the park service maintains as roadless wilderness. The main attractions for those who don’t want to hike into said wilderness are all located around the northern and western periphery of the park. To the north are Hurricane Ridge, marvelous alpine meadows with jagged peaks behind – an hour cul-de-sac from Port Angeles on the north shore. Also on the northern peninsula are Lake Crescent and access to a couple of attractions such as Sol Duc hot springs, but with limited time most people would bypass these sites en route to the highlights on the west side of the peninsula, namely the rain forests and beaches along the park’s Pacific coastal strip.
There are several beaches with reasonable access from the roads, notably those close to the little town of La Push (Rialto Beach, First and Second beaches, etc.) and farther south, Ruby Beach near the little settlement of Kalaloch.
There are two rain forest valleys with easy visitor access along the west coast, the Hoh river valley to the north, and the Quinault river valley to the south, with Lake Quinault at its head. (Kalaloch and Ruby Beach are between the two.) Both valleys are marvelous, but I think most visitors would say that the Hoh Valley is the more visually stunning of the two, with its Hall of Mosses walk, frequent encounters with (enormous) Roosevelt elk that loom in the gloom like antlered dinosaurs.
But in terms of accommodation, the western side of the park is seriously lacking in quantity. There is no accommodation at the Hoh valley, a very limited (and usually heavily booked) number of rooms at Kalaloch, and a couple of places down at Quinault, including the lovely (as in creaky) Lake Quinault Lodge and a few other places, again, all heavily booked. On the peninsula, only Port Angeles offers a wide range of accommodations; the places south of Quinault – Ocean Shores, Aberdeen/Hoquiam – are far less appealing to most tourists.
Farther north, closer to La Push and Hoh, is the little town of Forks, made popular by its resident vampires, where there are several motels and B&Bs. Pretty plain and basic stuff.
In terms of drive times, you’re looking at around 90 min. from Port Angeles to La Push, another 90 from La Push to the Hoh visitor center, then two hours back to PA, so doable as a day trip but one that entails five hours plus in the car, never mind actually seeing stuff.
So here’s my recommendation. First, consider doing Mt. Rainier as a day trip from Seattle, either at the beginning or end of your stay around here. Try to do it on a weekday. It’s around 2 ½ hours from downtown, a little less from the airport.
Second, for three days and two nights for Olympic NP, I’d head to Hurricane Ridge the first day and spend that night in Port Angeles. The second day I’d head to the Hoh valley and spend the night in Forks. The third day I’d head to La Push for Rialto Beach, then return either to Seattle, or, if you want to hit Mt. Rainier the day before you fly, overnight in the cute little town of Gig Harbor, near Tacoma, from which Paradise on Mt. Rainier is two hours or less the next morning. From La Push Gig Harbor is around three hours (less than Seattle if you count the ferry.) Get an early start, spend the day at Mt. Rainier, then down to the airport and off to California.
Let us know how the accommodation search is going, and happy planning!
Jun 14th, 2015, 08:09 AM
#22
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Thanks for providing the timely advice! I was stuck in my accommodations planning for Olympic National Park and decided to move on to the rest first.
I think either way, I will effectively only have 2 nights in ONP. I currently have 3 nights in Seattle, and if I do Mt Rainier as a day trip, I would be inclined to add an additional night to Seattle so I get at least 2 full days in Seattle. Or should it then be 3 nights Seattle and 3 nights ONP?
I did come across Forks during my planning. Unfortunately, it seems like all the accoms there are all booked up
so here is what I have come up instead. Do you think it looks ok?
ONP Day 1
- Leave Seattle early morning
- Hurricane Ridge
- Lake Crescent (should I even come here?)
- Stay at Port Angeles
ONP Day 2
- Leave Port Angeles early morning
- Hoh River Trail (hoping to do a long hike for the day)
- Stay at Lake Quinault (surprisingly there is still accoms available)
ONP Day 3
- Rialto Beach / Ruby Beach
- Gig Harbor (should I do a stop here, or should I spend my entire day at ONP?
- Stay at Ashland (I wanted to stay as near to Mt Rainier as possible to do some trails - unfortunately Paradise Inn is fully booked, so my next best bet is Gateway Inn at Ashland)
Mt Rainier
- I was hoping to do the Summerland Trails after seeing how beautiful the wildflowers are
- Depart for SeaTac by 2pm.
<b> OR </b> if I were to do Mt Rainier before ONP, it will probably look like this
Seattle last day
- Summerland Trails at Mt Rainier
- Should I stay at Gig Harbor or Port Angeles?
ONP Day 1
- Hurricane Ridge
- Lake Crescent
- Stay at Port Angeles
ONP Day 2 (same as Option 1)
- Leave Port Angeles early morning
- Hoh River Trail (hoping to do a long hike for the day)
- Stay at Lake Quinault (surprisingly there is still accoms available)
ONP Day 3
- Rialto Beach / Ruby Beach
- Drive to airport
Does the 2nd option look better?
Also, I have a question - is there a reason why we're doing Port Angeles first?
I think either way, I will effectively only have 2 nights in ONP. I currently have 3 nights in Seattle, and if I do Mt Rainier as a day trip, I would be inclined to add an additional night to Seattle so I get at least 2 full days in Seattle. Or should it then be 3 nights Seattle and 3 nights ONP?
I did come across Forks during my planning. Unfortunately, it seems like all the accoms there are all booked up
so here is what I have come up instead. Do you think it looks ok?ONP Day 1
- Leave Seattle early morning
- Hurricane Ridge
- Lake Crescent (should I even come here?)
- Stay at Port Angeles
ONP Day 2
- Leave Port Angeles early morning
- Hoh River Trail (hoping to do a long hike for the day)
- Stay at Lake Quinault (surprisingly there is still accoms available)
ONP Day 3
- Rialto Beach / Ruby Beach
- Gig Harbor (should I do a stop here, or should I spend my entire day at ONP?
- Stay at Ashland (I wanted to stay as near to Mt Rainier as possible to do some trails - unfortunately Paradise Inn is fully booked, so my next best bet is Gateway Inn at Ashland)
Mt Rainier
- I was hoping to do the Summerland Trails after seeing how beautiful the wildflowers are
- Depart for SeaTac by 2pm.
<b> OR </b> if I were to do Mt Rainier before ONP, it will probably look like this
Seattle last day
- Summerland Trails at Mt Rainier
- Should I stay at Gig Harbor or Port Angeles?
ONP Day 1
- Hurricane Ridge
- Lake Crescent
- Stay at Port Angeles
ONP Day 2 (same as Option 1)
- Leave Port Angeles early morning
- Hoh River Trail (hoping to do a long hike for the day)
- Stay at Lake Quinault (surprisingly there is still accoms available)
ONP Day 3
- Rialto Beach / Ruby Beach
- Drive to airport
Does the 2nd option look better?
Also, I have a question - is there a reason why we're doing Port Angeles first?
Jun 14th, 2015, 10:19 AM
#23
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Ok guys, I'm stuck again - this time round I believe the roadblock is bigger.
My 2-nights in Monterey/Carmel happen to be on a Friday and Saturday. And to top it off, it happens to be Monterey Car Week.
I am totally clueless as to how to go about finding accoms - a regular motel now costs around $400.
Should my itinerary be changed???
My 2-nights in Monterey/Carmel happen to be on a Friday and Saturday. And to top it off, it happens to be Monterey Car Week.
I am totally clueless as to how to go about finding accoms - a regular motel now costs around $400.
Should my itinerary be changed???
Jun 14th, 2015, 10:46 AM
#24
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Also, I would appreciate some advice on how I should plan my car rentals. Thanks!!
<u>Seattle</u> - should I only rent a car when I am in Seattle city right before travelling to Olympic National Park / Mt Rainier? Probably makes more sense to find my own way into Seattle city, and then travel around by foot/public transport in the city right?
<u>San Francisco</u> - should I also do the same for Seattle and only rent the car right before my drive to Yosemite? Or should I have a car to do some travels out to say Sausalito etc? Not sure if this makes sense, and will have to find accoms that provides free parking.
<u>San Diego</u> - I was thinking of keeping the car throughout to drive around places, then returning it to the airport.
<u>Seattle</u> - should I only rent a car when I am in Seattle city right before travelling to Olympic National Park / Mt Rainier? Probably makes more sense to find my own way into Seattle city, and then travel around by foot/public transport in the city right?
<u>San Francisco</u> - should I also do the same for Seattle and only rent the car right before my drive to Yosemite? Or should I have a car to do some travels out to say Sausalito etc? Not sure if this makes sense, and will have to find accoms that provides free parking.
<u>San Diego</u> - I was thinking of keeping the car throughout to drive around places, then returning it to the airport.
Jun 14th, 2015, 11:50 AM
#25
Motor week sounds like a crazy weekend to be in Monterey so yes I would tweak the schedule, though I don't know how you'd tweak other than drop Monterey. Maybe add a night to SF and add a night to SB?
If you can get into the Columbus Motor Inn, then book the car right from your arrival at SFO. Traffic will be light into the city in the evening, 12 day car rental does not look to be much more than 9 or 10 day.
However, check the flight price Seattle to OAK airport instead of SFO, currently cars from Oakland to San Diego will save you about $300 over SFO to San Diego.
If you can get into the Columbus Motor Inn, then book the car right from your arrival at SFO. Traffic will be light into the city in the evening, 12 day car rental does not look to be much more than 9 or 10 day.
However, check the flight price Seattle to OAK airport instead of SFO, currently cars from Oakland to San Diego will save you about $300 over SFO to San Diego.
Jun 14th, 2015, 11:59 AM
#26
Not seeing any availability at Yosemite or El Portal no matter which way you tweak the arrival....so I guess this depends on how willing you are to book the rest of your trip pending "possible cancellations" near Yosemite.
Jun 14th, 2015, 11:59 AM
#27
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The car event is a big thing, heck we were in Carmel when there was a race at Laguna Seca and were lucky to get the last room in a 2 star motel, not sure how to advise you how to change your itinerary, but if possible I would do so.
Jun 14th, 2015, 12:16 PM
#28
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One of the few places on the Monterey Peninsula that still has reasonably priced rooms for car week is the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove. The rooms are on the rustic side (no phones or TVs but they do have wifi) but the forested setting across from Asilomar state beach is lovely and the property has that park lodge feel. You will however run into traffic everywhere and parking will be an issue as well. The Tour d'Elegance takes place on Thursday. This is where cars from Sunday's Pebble Beach Concours will be driving all over the peninsula. You can find a route map here http://www.pebblebeachconcours.net/pages/3023.html Friday and Saturday are even busier with multiple events all over. It's a fun spectacle if you're into cars but otherwise is a time to avoid. This is the biggest annual event on the peninsula.
Jun 14th, 2015, 12:53 PM
#29
>>Not seeing any availability at Yosemite or El Portal no matter which way you tweak the arrival….<<
The OP says she found availability in El Portal . . .
As for that week in Monterey -- Oy Vey -- That is the busiest time of year there.. Love <B>LOVE</B> it -- but only when I'm going for the races/Concours. Otherwise I avoid it like the plague. Hotels are sky high and full, and restaurants are booked solid.
If Carmel/Monterey are a must then jump on Asilomar like Patty posted <u>ASAP</u>
But for sightseeing in the area - you have 'crap' timing
Maybe re-configure your trip to include Yosemite and Tahoe and not Monterey.
The OP says she found availability in El Portal . . .
As for that week in Monterey -- Oy Vey -- That is the busiest time of year there.. Love <B>LOVE</B> it -- but only when I'm going for the races/Concours. Otherwise I avoid it like the plague. Hotels are sky high and full, and restaurants are booked solid.
If Carmel/Monterey are a must then jump on Asilomar like Patty posted <u>ASAP</u>
But for sightseeing in the area - you have 'crap' timing
Maybe re-configure your trip to include Yosemite and Tahoe and not Monterey.
Jun 14th, 2015, 03:27 PM
#30
Consider dropping one night in Yosemite (you can see plenty in one day and two half days) and head to Monterey on the 12th. A quick check on Expedia shows many properties available at more "normal" rates before the big concours weekend.
Spend the morning of the 13th visiting the aquarium, shopping in Carmel, whatever. Early afternoon head south and stop for an hour or so at Point Lobos, then continue down the coast through Big Sur and spend the night in San Simeon. Visit the Hearst Castle in the morning, then continue south to Santa Barbara.
Dropping one of the days at Yosemite in August isn't a disaster - as I mentioned above, the waterfalls are going to be so-so, this year the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias is closed for park improvements and maintenance, and frankly the crowds are going to be thick on the ground.
Carmel to San Simeon is about 2 1/2 hours, so with a stop at Point Lobos or even a late lunch at Nepenthe (so you can channel the ghosts of Rita and Orson and Liz and Dick over an overpriced burger with the best restaurant view in the USA) you can still make it easily.
This would also give you more time in Santa Barbara, always a good thing.
Earlier...
<i>Also, I have a question - is there a reason why we're doing Port Angeles first?</i>
No, you could do either a clockwise or counter-clockwise loop of the Olympic Peninsula. Counting ferry time, Port Angeles is around 3 hours from Seattle; Quinault is about the same.
<i>Seattle - should I only rent a car when I am in Seattle city right before travelling to Olympic National Park / Mt Rainier? Probably makes more sense to find my own way into Seattle city, and then travel around by foot/public transport in the city right?
San Francisco - should I also do the same for Seattle and only rent the car right before my drive to Yosemite? Or should I have a car to do some travels out to say Sausalito etc? Not sure if this makes sense, and will have to find accoms that provides free parking.</i>
If you haven't booked anything yet, you're also in for sticker shock with Seattle lodging. Thousands of cruise passengers prompt very high hotel prices in the downtown hotels. It's a numbers game - add cost of transport to the city from the airport ($3 on the light rail, but only a limited number of hotels walkable from the stations, otherwise $30 - $50 for a taxi/uber/limo) to the high prices for the hotels, vs. the cost of a car offset by cheaper hotel prices outside the city center where parking will be easier/cheaper. There are several hotels in the city (on the outskirts of downtown but not in the burbs) that have free parking and local shuttles - look up the Silver Cloud or Pineapple Hospitality chains.
The night before you leave for the Olympic Peninsula, have a look at the Silver Cloud in Mukilteo, a cute little town around 20 miles north of Seattle. You could take a ferry to Whidbey Island the following morning, then another ferry to Port Townsend, a very scenic and lovely way to get to the Olympic peninsula. http://www.silvercloud.com/mukilteo/
Can't offer much help on accommodations in SF - it's a long time since I lived there and all my hotel knowledge is badly out of date. My feeling (on both Seattle and SF) however is that it isn't a sin to stay in some out-of-town location and drive in. Parking the car for $20 a day is okay if it means you're saving $100 in hotel costs (but the car costs money too.) Both Seattle and SF are simply expensive in high summer.
Spend the morning of the 13th visiting the aquarium, shopping in Carmel, whatever. Early afternoon head south and stop for an hour or so at Point Lobos, then continue down the coast through Big Sur and spend the night in San Simeon. Visit the Hearst Castle in the morning, then continue south to Santa Barbara.
Dropping one of the days at Yosemite in August isn't a disaster - as I mentioned above, the waterfalls are going to be so-so, this year the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias is closed for park improvements and maintenance, and frankly the crowds are going to be thick on the ground.
Carmel to San Simeon is about 2 1/2 hours, so with a stop at Point Lobos or even a late lunch at Nepenthe (so you can channel the ghosts of Rita and Orson and Liz and Dick over an overpriced burger with the best restaurant view in the USA) you can still make it easily.
This would also give you more time in Santa Barbara, always a good thing.
Earlier...
<i>Also, I have a question - is there a reason why we're doing Port Angeles first?</i>
No, you could do either a clockwise or counter-clockwise loop of the Olympic Peninsula. Counting ferry time, Port Angeles is around 3 hours from Seattle; Quinault is about the same.
<i>Seattle - should I only rent a car when I am in Seattle city right before travelling to Olympic National Park / Mt Rainier? Probably makes more sense to find my own way into Seattle city, and then travel around by foot/public transport in the city right?
San Francisco - should I also do the same for Seattle and only rent the car right before my drive to Yosemite? Or should I have a car to do some travels out to say Sausalito etc? Not sure if this makes sense, and will have to find accoms that provides free parking.</i>
If you haven't booked anything yet, you're also in for sticker shock with Seattle lodging. Thousands of cruise passengers prompt very high hotel prices in the downtown hotels. It's a numbers game - add cost of transport to the city from the airport ($3 on the light rail, but only a limited number of hotels walkable from the stations, otherwise $30 - $50 for a taxi/uber/limo) to the high prices for the hotels, vs. the cost of a car offset by cheaper hotel prices outside the city center where parking will be easier/cheaper. There are several hotels in the city (on the outskirts of downtown but not in the burbs) that have free parking and local shuttles - look up the Silver Cloud or Pineapple Hospitality chains.
The night before you leave for the Olympic Peninsula, have a look at the Silver Cloud in Mukilteo, a cute little town around 20 miles north of Seattle. You could take a ferry to Whidbey Island the following morning, then another ferry to Port Townsend, a very scenic and lovely way to get to the Olympic peninsula. http://www.silvercloud.com/mukilteo/
Can't offer much help on accommodations in SF - it's a long time since I lived there and all my hotel knowledge is badly out of date. My feeling (on both Seattle and SF) however is that it isn't a sin to stay in some out-of-town location and drive in. Parking the car for $20 a day is okay if it means you're saving $100 in hotel costs (but the car costs money too.) Both Seattle and SF are simply expensive in high summer.
Jun 14th, 2015, 04:10 PM
#31
University Motel Suites has one room left with free cancellation if you want to book something affordable while continuing to look around. Free parking & just 8 mins from downtown or you can use transit.
Jun 14th, 2015, 06:11 PM
#32
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We've decided to skip the 2 nights at Monterey/Carmel as the crowds will probably make our experience there less enjoyable.
Now for the drive from Yosemite to Santa Barbara (with a night somewhere in between of course)... The plan would be to leave Yosemite in the morning, and do the Pacific Coast Highway.
(1) Where is a good place to rest for the night, given that we would have started from Yosemite? Cambria, San Simeon, San Luis Obispo, or Pismo? Seems like the first 2 would be a better bet as it's more up north - would have been doing a lot of driving already. Or is there somewhere even more up north that we should consider?
(2) At which point should we start the drive along the coast? Will the Monterey peninsula be so crowded that we should avoid it altogether? I was kinda hoping to perhaps pop by and do a quick drive-through and exit the area, but I am not sure how crazy traffic will be there.
(3) If Monterey is to be avoided, where is a good place to stop for lunch? Santa Cruz?
As for the remaining night, any thoughts as to whether I should add it to Olympic National Park or San Diego? Currently spending 1 full day and 2 half days each at both places.
Now for the drive from Yosemite to Santa Barbara (with a night somewhere in between of course)... The plan would be to leave Yosemite in the morning, and do the Pacific Coast Highway.
(1) Where is a good place to rest for the night, given that we would have started from Yosemite? Cambria, San Simeon, San Luis Obispo, or Pismo? Seems like the first 2 would be a better bet as it's more up north - would have been doing a lot of driving already. Or is there somewhere even more up north that we should consider?
(2) At which point should we start the drive along the coast? Will the Monterey peninsula be so crowded that we should avoid it altogether? I was kinda hoping to perhaps pop by and do a quick drive-through and exit the area, but I am not sure how crazy traffic will be there.
(3) If Monterey is to be avoided, where is a good place to stop for lunch? Santa Cruz?
As for the remaining night, any thoughts as to whether I should add it to Olympic National Park or San Diego? Currently spending 1 full day and 2 half days each at both places.
Jun 14th, 2015, 06:24 PM
#33
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Thanks all for the car rental / flight / accoms suggestions. More homework to do... Not a bad thing though 
once again, just let me say how thankful I am for all these advice!
<i> The night before you leave for the Olympic Peninsula, have a look at the Silver Cloud in Mukilteo, a cute little town around 20 miles north of Seattle. You could take a ferry to Whidbey Island the following morning, then another ferry to Port Townsend, a very scenic and lovely way to get to the Olympic peninsula. </i>
Do you mean that I should consider spending a night in Mukilteo as compared to Seattle?
Would there be any preference for the order at which I should visit Olympic National Park / Mt Rainier after Seattle?
Also, I'm likely going to do airbnbs for Seattle and SF. How does staying in the Capitol Hill area for Seattle sound?
once again, just let me say how thankful I am for all these advice!<i> The night before you leave for the Olympic Peninsula, have a look at the Silver Cloud in Mukilteo, a cute little town around 20 miles north of Seattle. You could take a ferry to Whidbey Island the following morning, then another ferry to Port Townsend, a very scenic and lovely way to get to the Olympic peninsula. </i>
Do you mean that I should consider spending a night in Mukilteo as compared to Seattle?
Would there be any preference for the order at which I should visit Olympic National Park / Mt Rainier after Seattle?
Also, I'm likely going to do airbnbs for Seattle and SF. How does staying in the Capitol Hill area for Seattle sound?
Jun 14th, 2015, 06:25 PM
#34
I'm out for now because I'm not quite following you. Are you driving from San Fran to Yosemite, and then backtracking to the Monterey Peninsula to start a drive along the coast? If so when/where does Santa Cruz fit in?
And what nites/dates have you got booked for Yosemite?
And what nites/dates have you got booked for Yosemite?
Jun 14th, 2015, 06:55 PM
#35
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7-11 Aug - SF
11-14 Aug - Yosemite
14 Aug - leave Yosemite for coastal drive
Oh, Santa Cruz was just a random place I threw out for a lunch stop. If if doesn't fit in nicely (I think it's a detour) I'm perfectly fine to leave it out
11-14 Aug - Yosemite
14 Aug - leave Yosemite for coastal drive
Oh, Santa Cruz was just a random place I threw out for a lunch stop. If if doesn't fit in nicely (I think it's a detour) I'm perfectly fine to leave it out
Jun 14th, 2015, 07:05 PM
#36
1) >>Now for the drive from Yosemite to Santa Barbara (with a night somewhere in between of course)… <<
I'd drive straight to either Cambria or Morro Bay. About a 4.5 or 5 hour drive from Yosemite. I'd stay 2 nights there (the 2 nights you <i>would</i> have stayed in Monterey). That way, the next day you can explore Big Sur from the southern end and not have to deal w/ Carmel/Monterey/crowds. You can still spend half a day or so in Big Sur and see the best bits.
2) see above -- bypass the Monterey Peninsula and hit the coast in the Cambria/Morro Bay area.
3) You won't go anywhere near Santa Cruz. Plus you won't need to stop for lunch enroute - you can wait til you are in Morro Bay/Cambria. (the next day eat lunch at Nepenthe while you are exploring Big Sur -- food is OK - views are !!!!! - the view from Nepenthe http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TzSKqgRhuBc/VQ...jpg?imgmax=800 )
I'd drive straight to either Cambria or Morro Bay. About a 4.5 or 5 hour drive from Yosemite. I'd stay 2 nights there (the 2 nights you <i>would</i> have stayed in Monterey). That way, the next day you can explore Big Sur from the southern end and not have to deal w/ Carmel/Monterey/crowds. You can still spend half a day or so in Big Sur and see the best bits.
2) see above -- bypass the Monterey Peninsula and hit the coast in the Cambria/Morro Bay area.
3) You won't go anywhere near Santa Cruz. Plus you won't need to stop for lunch enroute - you can wait til you are in Morro Bay/Cambria. (the next day eat lunch at Nepenthe while you are exploring Big Sur -- food is OK - views are !!!!! - the view from Nepenthe http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TzSKqgRhuBc/VQ...jpg?imgmax=800 )
Jun 14th, 2015, 08:13 PM
#37
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Suppose we would like to add 1 night to San Diego and just spend 1 night in Cambria/Morro Bay, would that be doable? Does that mean driving through the Monterey area then Big Sur to hit my accoms for the night?
I am definitely heading to Nepenthe for a meal!!!!!
I am definitely heading to Nepenthe for a meal!!!!!
Jun 14th, 2015, 08:26 PM
#38
>>Suppose we would like to add 1 night to San Diego and just spend 1 night in Cambria/Morro Bay, would that be doable? <<
Yes
>>does that mean driving through the Monterey area then Big Sur to hit my accoms for the night?<<
Not unless you want to go that way -- you could drive from Yosemite (out the south entrance) to Cambria arriving around lunch time -- assuming you leave YNP in the morning. Check in to your motel an then take the afternoon to drive up into Big Sur from the south end.
Or - you can drive out the Park's west entrance, to Monterey and down the coast through Big Sur and end up in Cambria.
It is really 6 of one/half dozen of the other. Nepenthe is closer to Carmel than to Cambria so if you went that way you could stop there for a late lunch and then head south to Cambria.
Yes
>>does that mean driving through the Monterey area then Big Sur to hit my accoms for the night?<<
Not unless you want to go that way -- you could drive from Yosemite (out the south entrance) to Cambria arriving around lunch time -- assuming you leave YNP in the morning. Check in to your motel an then take the afternoon to drive up into Big Sur from the south end.
Or - you can drive out the Park's west entrance, to Monterey and down the coast through Big Sur and end up in Cambria.
It is really 6 of one/half dozen of the other. Nepenthe is closer to Carmel than to Cambria so if you went that way you could stop there for a late lunch and then head south to Cambria.
Jun 14th, 2015, 08:39 PM
#39
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Sweet! That sounds like a plan!
Now it looks somewhat like this - too packed or doable?
<u> 14 Aug </u>
Leave Yosemite in morning
Spend night in Cambria
<u> 15 Aug </u>
Leave Cambria after lunch
Spend night in Santa Barbara
What are the stops I should make en route to Santa Barbara? Hearst Castle, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach? Is Solvang worth driving through?
<u> 16 Aug </u>
Leave Santa Barbara after lunch
Any stops I should make en route to San Diego?
Now it looks somewhat like this - too packed or doable?
<u> 14 Aug </u>
Leave Yosemite in morning
Spend night in Cambria
<u> 15 Aug </u>
Leave Cambria after lunch
Spend night in Santa Barbara
What are the stops I should make en route to Santa Barbara? Hearst Castle, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach? Is Solvang worth driving through?
<u> 16 Aug </u>
Leave Santa Barbara after lunch
Any stops I should make en route to San Diego?
Jun 14th, 2015, 08:54 PM
#40
Only time for a quick comment right now - have to dash out for a bit . . .
>>16 Aug
Leave Santa Barbara after lunch
Any stops I should make en route to San Diego?<<
Leaving SB after lunch will be a problem -- it will put you in <i><u>extremely</u></i> heavy afternoon commute traffic in the LA basin, Orange county, San Diego. Either leave before noon, or wait til after 5 or 6 PM. That could make a two+ hour difference in your drive time.
>>16 Aug
Leave Santa Barbara after lunch
Any stops I should make en route to San Diego?<<
Leaving SB after lunch will be a problem -- it will put you in <i><u>extremely</u></i> heavy afternoon commute traffic in the LA basin, Orange county, San Diego. Either leave before noon, or wait til after 5 or 6 PM. That could make a two+ hour difference in your drive time.
