Should we rent a GPS for SF/Monterey area?
 

Wondering whether I should try to rent a GPS system for when we are driving from SFO down to Monterey and down to Big Sur? Would it be useful or pointless?

Would a GPS system work in that area along HWY 1?

Are exits for various parks and sights to see along HWY 1 marked clearly enough that the GPS would be overkill? and we wouldn't need it?

I might add that I am directionally challenged.

We'll only have the car one day while in San Francisco and I've already printed out maps for our route there so I'm not so concerned with the GPS there.

Thanks for any thoughts.

I don't think you need a GPS. If it's not expensive, it might help you to get back on the highway once you get into Monterey. But essentially the exits are very clearly marked, the ocean in on the west side, the highways mainly go north/south. The sun sets in the west. These little things all help alot. And the towns are very small, with lots of people to ask if you have that lost feeling. It is about as easy as anything can be.

You could print out maps. I think printouts of maps will be fine. Yes, the GPS should work on HWY, but not necessary imo.

I think the GPS would be pointless. The main "sight" is the ocean, and driving along Hwy 1, you can't miss it; it's very difficult to get lost. Maps should be ample, even for the directionally challenged, and as cabo points out, you can always stop for directions if the need arises. Enjoy!

Agreed - you don't need a GPS. If you miss an exit and drive too far west you'll know it even without a GPS.

If your tires are wet, you've gone too far west. If you see Los Angeles, you've gone too far south.

Seriously, the exits and signs for Highway 1 are very well marked, and you should have no problem finding your way to Big Sur.

And, oh, yes, GPS systems work EVERYWHERE!

If they didn't, they would be pretty useless in helping you find your way.

After all, GPS stands for GLOBAL Positioning System, not LOCAL...

<i>And, oh, yes, GPS systems work EVERYWHERE!</i>

Well, yes and no. The system might be able to find you, but unless the built-in maps on which it bases its directions are up-to-date for the area, it won't do you much good to be found!

How fortunate, then, that the Pacific Ocean hasn't changed its location in quite some time! ;-)

I personally have loved my GQS in my home town, and while you might not need it for highway 1, you can buy one for a little over $100 and keep it in your home car. And you can walk around with it in SF.

<i>And, oh, yes, GPS systems work EVERYWHERE!

Well, yes and no. The system might be able to find you, but unless the built-in maps on which it bases its directions are up-to-date for the area, it won't do you much good to be found!
</i>

In that case, for the most part, any gps with maps made in the last 20 years or so should do for the califormia coast.

Ok! Enough already. I get it. Probably a dumb question.

But as opposed to wondering where the ocean is, I guess I was thinking more in terms of whether a GPS would make it easier to find some of the turnoffs for parks and sights and such that people keep saying are easy to miss.

GPS out the window. Sense of adventure here we come.
Thanks for the help. I'm thinking my husband would have told me the same thing you guys did If I had asked him.

I agree with Gretchen as far as the price of many of the units and some of the rental cars are already equipped with them.
We picked up a Garmin and it contains hotels and restaurants plus museums and other locals that we would be hunting on maps and phonebooks so I wouldn't have a problem picking one up.

I love my GPS but it really isn't worth it to rent one. It can get quite costly. Instead, I'd invest in one and keep it with you. It's useful to have and just gives you (or me at least) a sense of security.

My husband would tell you to buy one and bring it with you. They're really useful and inexpensive. Besides, if you make a wrong turn at Pebble Beach or Carmel, you could get lost!

I just bought one for a trip to Napa we are taking in a few weeks. I don't think it will take away our sense of adventure. If anything, I think it will enhance it. I am looking forward to just driving around, and making a turn at any road just because I feel like it, without worrying about where it wil take us. And then when we are ready to go back to our inn, I'll click on the GPS and follow the route it suggests back to the inn.

I was just in Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach. I would recommend having a GPS there which we did. It's easy to get turned around and the street layout can be confusing.

I find the GPS really helps on a trip. Not just for getting from point A to point B but once I am at point A or B I can wonder any street I want and not worry about how to get back to point A or point B. I have seen a lot more of the area because I am ok with getting lost as my GPS will get me back on track. I personally have been lost many times, all turned around in Monterey and have had to ask for directions just to find Fishermans wharf - I am a bit challenged in that area, so love the GPS!

Elaine

As far as driving along the Big Sur coast, here's a very useful map giving you the locations of all the most important places. Just download a copy of this map and mark up the places you want to go to:

http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/map.html

The entrance to Point Lobos would be easy to miss and you don't want to miss Point Lobos! Try to see it on a sunny day! Point Lobos is just before you get to Big Sur; the entrance would be on your right hand side.

If you are going as far as Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to see the oceanside waterfall, then the entrance to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is on your left.

The restaurant Nepenthe is just a few miles down the road from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. It's entrance is on your right. Nepenthe could be easy to miss too, as you're probably focused on seeing the ocean for the first time (again!) or as you are rounding that steep curve!

GPS might help, but whatever happened to those good old paper maps? :)

Thanks everyone. EasyTraveler....loved that link and have printed out much info as well as some maps with points of interest marked.

Hubby came home the other night and guess what he had with him? A new GPS thing....so we'll have both the maps and the insurance for the navigationally challenged!

mwessel: you have gotten me excited over your trip! :)

When are you coming again?

Any chance for a small meeting and cup of coffee together?