Hi everyone! I am planning a trip for my husband - surprise trip for his 40th! I am trying to figure out the best option for 4 days. We have done Napa, San Fran and San Diego. I am considering Monteray/Big Sir for two days and then driving up to Sonoma. Does that sound good? Or should I stick around Santa Barbara? Any and all suggestions are welcome. We only have 4 days so keep that in mind. Thank you in advance!

"Does that sound good?"

Not yet. California or CA, San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur all sound better.

Now that I've cleared my head, tell us what day of the week & time you arrive, and what day of the week & time you fly out, so we'll have a better idea of what you really can do in the time you have.

What time of year and have you bought tickets yet? If so, where do you fly into?
Do you know about the road closures on Highway 1? There is a bridge which collapsed (due to be replaced in October) so from Monterey/Carmel you can only drive about as far south as Bixby Bridge before you have to turn around and backtrack.
Please if you have to abbreviate, do not use "Cali", use CA, SoCal and NorCal.
Hope your husband has a wonderful birthday trip.

Actually, mention of Santa Barbara sounds as if you haven't bought tickets yet. Have you? Where? Still need days of the week and month would be useful, too.

Cali is a city in Colombia.

>>figure out the best option for 4 days.

<Cali is a city in Colombia.>

It is also a common abbreviation for the state of California, albeit among people younger than, oh, 70, lol.

< am considering Monteray/Big Sir for two days and then driving up to Sonoma.>

I assume the typos are due to Auto Correct. And generally, this sounds good to me, but general is all I can be. if you give a few more details about the kid of trip you envision, we could help more.

I am not offended by the term "Cali" for California, but I have to agree I know noone in California, of any age, who uses it (and I've lived here for 44 of my 66 years).

California

I assume the four days do not include either the arrival or departure days. IOW, four entire days.

I wouldn't combine two distant areas in such a short time. Monterey/Carmel and Sonoma are nearly 4 hours apart. If you round-trip through the same airport, you also have drives from/to the airport to consider.

If you can fly into and out of Santa Barbara, I'd go there. If you're interested in wine, the Santa Ynez area is about an hour away. If the weather's nice, you could take a boat excursion to the Channel Islands.

"I assume the four days do not include either the arrival or departure days."

The trouble is we don't know that. I asked because I'm picturing the possibility of coming in on Friday, out maybe Monday afternoon, which blows anything they're thinking out of the water. So I'm just waiting before I think very hard.

"Water my plants for me, Shirl, Ted and I are heading for a week in Cali!"

Said no one outside of an 80s rap video, ever.

To the OP: For such a short time, pick one place, stay put, enjoy it. Simple. Santa Barbara gives you luxury and great wine. So does Sonoma. Monterey and Carmel are lovely and unique. What time of year and your budget should then be considered. When ARE you planning this little trip...?

I second all of the above (rjw_lgb_ca's).

Using Cali is fine it distinguishes the tourists from the locals.

Big Sir/San Fran/Cali/Monteray -- I think we have someone pulling our proverbial legs.

Makes you almost long for the 'ol Frisco days. Almost.

<but I have to agree I know noone in California, of any age, who uses it (and I've lived here for 44 of my 66 years).>

Then you must not be acquainted with LL Cool J.

<Said no one outside of an 80s rap video, ever.>
So language in rap videos doesn't count? Old white folks nonsense.

Let's hear it for old folks, invisible in any color.

I'm older than I thought. I had no idea rappers spoke on behalf of Californians. Or would that be Calians?

BTW, LL Cool J is from Queens.

So some rapper from New York mentions Cali is his music and we should use that as our guide? Typical turista/gringo.

"Typical turista/gringo."

I agree with Jean & the sentiment of your first sentence but don't get this one. A bore to explain, I know, but would you expand on that part, nanabee?

Well I am another old white person with no intention of apologizing for it and who dislikes the term "Cali". It makes the person sound like a hipster wannabe poseur.