SOLVANG worth an overnight stay
 

Driving from SFO to Solvang- I am already booked in Highlands Inn Carmel overnight. Just trying to figure out what order I should take to visit the following areas-

CARMEL ( just to walk around town-not stopping by Monterey)
BIG SUR ( just to intake cliffside views and short hike/beach Julia Pfeiffer)
SOLVANG

Was planning to pass through Big Sur then linger in Solvang area, overnight there, next day on the way to checking in at Highlands Inn, we do a bit more of the area before heading straight to Carmel.

Does this sound logical, is solvang an area i should be staying overnight in? CAn only do two nights- to & from SFO downtown

Lots of shops,restaurants and bakeries. Wine outlets too. The Mission of Santa Ynez is right on the edge of town.
I'm pretty tired after that drive from Carmel,the driver has to be on their toes all day on Hwy 1.
A nice motel, a bottle of good local wine,and a stroll to a restaurant. Sounds good to me, with a nice high calorie Danish breakfast the next morning.

I thought solvang was adorable and wish i had more time there. the cheese selection was heaven.

valmoon,

I'm confused. Are you returning to San Francisco? You are aware that Solvang is the furthest south by far? Are you driving a loop?

Solvang is cute and very touristy. Some good food here and here. Shops if you are into that. Best part is the wineries surrounding....

Nope.

If you do spend a night in Solvang be prepared to eat early. The restaurants don't stay open very late and we have almost missed dinner on many occasions.

Thanks for your comments. Yes,we will be returning to SFO- I originally just planned to go as far south as Big Sur ( post ranch inn lunch, do a little hiking/whalewatching, lounge a bit in Nepenthe to take in the views) then stay overnight in Highlands Inn as well as dine in Pacfic edge resto) In the morning, that's when I planned for a tour of Carmel on the way back to SFO.

If Solvang is too far south, do let me know as i would not want to take it too far off Big Sur if it isn't a must see. I am doing NAPA another day so if the wineries are just at par with NAPA- perhaps I don't need to do that area???

unless you like really touristy places i would skip Solvang. on our trip up the coast last year we drove in and drove right out. it was just too many shops and touristy for us. i would spend my time in big sur and enjoy the beauty of it.
Post Ranch Inn is great for lunch.
if you wanted to drive the whole big sur at the south end there is nice place to stay called the Ragged Point Inn. The next day you could tour Hearst Castle or just drive to the Elephant seal beach, http://www.beachcalifornia.com/piedras.html.
both of these are just a little south of Ragged point.

Either go all the way down to Santa Barbara to spend a day and night, or just go down as far as Cambria/ San Simeon. Personally I don't even think you have time to go further than Cambria.

Thank you for the additional info. You have been very helpful. I have now decided to skip Solvang altogether and perhaps just linger in Big Sur a bit. I checked out Ragged point inn, couldn't really see what the rooms were like- have you stayed there joeyi ? are the rooms very clean? Thanks!

stayed there twice and would stay there again. the rooms are very clean and large. they have balconies and you are right on the cliff. all you see is ocean below and i've spotted many sea otters from the room. we've also eaten at the restaurant and have found it to be very good. the grounds are also nice to walk around.