We are well into the planning of our Alzheimer's/college(start at my child's college drive to my friend's child's college) kid road trip, but are having trouble deciding on where to spend our in between day. The first 2 days and nights are in San Luis Obispo and environs:Hearst Castle,wineries,beach, etc, then we have a 24 hr+ time period to drive to our 2 days 2 nts in San Diego. We are considering Laguna, Newport, spa day, shopping day, sights day and are open to suggestions. So Central and SoCal experts please weigh in!

Well, I'm from northern California, so probably can't qualify to answer your question.

So, I'll ttt this for you.

However, it appears that the Greater Los Angeles area would be a logical stopover. So many different choices of things to do.

Two of many options:

-- Drive SLO-Santa Monica early morning. Check out Venice Beach, drive east to see a few sites in Beverly Hills/West Hollywood/Hollywood, return to SM for evening (Third St. Promenade stroll and shop, nice dinner). San Diego will be a two- to 2 1/2 hour drive next day.

-- Drive SLO-Laguna Beach. Ritzy, artsy beach community. Chill, relax, stroll the galleries, museums etc. Spa time is a possibility. Dinner, chill the evening. San Diego will be a 1 1/2 hour drive next day.

Either one would be nice. And there are other possibilities, of course. Anyone else...?

OK, I am Central California, technically, but in Santa Cruz, only 70 miles so. of San Francisco. But, here goes.

Do you know about Solvang? It is a charming town, Danish in heritage, customs, and atmosphere. It was established in 1911 by a group of Danish educators. It has much going for it. Google it and I am sure that the tourist bureau has much information.

There are more than 200 shops, with a Danish flavor, selling everything from hand-crafted furniture and jewelry to antiques and freshly baked bread.

On my map it looks like it is on State Hwy 246 shortly east of 101, between Santa Maria and Santa Barbara.

If your daughter is attending Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, may I congratulate her, and you, for her choice. I am a retired secondary school educator. If we could get a candidate from Cal Poly, when hiring, we snapped them up as fast as possible. Great school.

i like laguna or newport

JT:I thought about Solvang and we may cruise through on our way but if I remember correctly it's north of Santa Barbara and we should probably make more headway....but I've read quite a bit and we definitely need to stop there for a bit. Thanks for the Cal Poly kudo, she's a great kid. Who knows if med school will really work out later, but she loves CP and we love the central coast!!!!
easy: thanks for the tt
rjw: I've only stayed in Santa Monica once and maybe this is the time to try it again
My TC really likes the spa thing so we might stay in Newport. The problem is too many choices. I want to try everything.....