Hi--

We just booked our flight from PHL to SFO for July. Our goal is to go visit w/friends in Pacific Grove. We only have six days, but opted to fly into SFO and drive the rest rather than sit around waiting for a connection to MRY after our six hour flight!

Any advice? After reading some posts, it seems we should avoid the drive anytime after 3 p.m. We're trying to decide if we should spend the first night in San Fran and make the drive the next morning. We're also thinking of stopping in Santa Cruz the next day to do Roaring Canyon Railroad. Maybe we should drive to Santa Cruz as opposed to staying one night in San Fran?

There's so much we want to see and do (I esp. want to to Big Sur) but our youngest is three and quite active. So I need to be realistc.

I can't seem to find any good info on family-friendy hotels and attractions. Then again, my 3 yo doesn't let me get too far

So any advice on the drive, where to stop, where to stay would be most appreciated. One huge concern I have w/staying in the PG area is it seems to be mostly B&B's/Inns, which have thin walls and might be tough for a jet-lagged family. I was thinking maybe the hotels in Monterey might be more sound-proof and kid-friendly.

Also, I read somewehre that renting a car at SFO can be difficult with long lines. Any advice on that would be most helpful too.

Thanks! We can't wait to see CA!!!

Regarding the drive from San Francisco to Monterey.

The traffic will be just as bad in the morning as it will be after 3PM (3 is probably OK - 4 starts to get rough). Also, getting to Santa Cruz will take you through the same commute traffic problems as going to Monterey - perhaps even worse if there is an accident on the narrow road past Los Gatos. If the "next day" is a Saturday, then there won't be any commute traffic at all.

What time does your plane arrive?

Stu Dudley

Distances are quite short and driving will be quick and easy. Driving time for SFO to Pacific Grove should be about two hours.

I suggest you drive to the coast from SFO and take Highway 1 down to Santa Cruz and further to Pacific Grove. It is very scenic and you avoid the traffic jams which are rife in the San Jose area.

Once you are in Pacific Grove, you can do easy daytrips. From PG to Santa Cruz, driving time is about 45 min and from PG to Big Sur also 45 min (without stops).

You might be interested in parts our trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ne-country.cfm

We're supposed to arrive at 12:30 p.m. I figure we'll all be antsy and hungry so after renting the car, we'll want to find something to eat. I'm just unsure about getting in the car w/o at least a couple hours to stretch.

Good point about the morning rush--I should've thought of that. I guess if we're still jet-lagged and up super early (4 a.m. but kids think it's 7!) maybe it would be good to start our drive. Just a thought.

Driving won't be "quick & easy" or 2 hrs on workdays from about 3:30 to 6PM and in the morning from about 7:30 to 9:30.

Going from SFO to Half Moon Bay on 92 & then down the coast would be much easier, but might take 2 1/2 to 3 hrs to get to PG. Less time to Santa Cruz, of course.

Stu Dudley

Actually, there are some decent restuarants at the airport. If you can depart the car rental lot by 2:30, you should not have any problems getting to either Santa Cruz or PG - unless it's Friday getaway day when the commute starts a little earlier.

I drove south from SFO to work every day on 101, and the commute was lighter in July when school was out & people were on vacation.

Stu Dudley

The best route to get from SFO to down south is to go 380 to 280 toward San Jose, then catch 85 south until it turns into 101 south. Go south and when in Prunedale take 156 to the coast and turn south on HWY 1. With that route you will miss some of the worst traffic that tends to be on other routes. 280 south out of SFO flows freely even during rush hour. Just make sure you don't go through the San Jose area during either morn or eve rush hour and you'll be OK.

Thanks so much! I'm really getting excited for this trip.

The place your 3 yr old will love the best is Dennis the Menace Park in Monterey and of course any sandy beach. If you are "antsy and hungry" when you land eat, and walk around the airport before you get your rental car. And you are right about the hotels in Monterey will be more kid friendly than B&B's. Also, the previous poster has a good idea to see Santa Cruz after you have settled into PG. It's only a 45 min drive. Don't forget Point Lobos State Reserve and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

We're coming in on a Thursday so rush hour is definitely a concern. Still debating about an overnight to Santa Cruz on the way to PG. Wondering if this would be a better day trip w/the kids. I sure we had more time for this trip!

Also, does anyone have any recommendations w/any particular car rental agencies? Any ones to avoid?

Yes, I really think we're better off staying at a hotel in Monterey. I love the idea of a romantic b&b in PG, but not with two kids in tow. Now I just need to find the right hotel!

Thank you, thank you

We stayed at the El Castell Motel in Monterey. It's an older property with family rooms. Ours had a very large living area with two queen beds and a separate queen bedroom, plus a pool. It wasn't too expensive and suited us quite well.

Lee Ann

A hotel that is within walking distance of a lot of good stuff like the coastal recreation trail, fishermans wharf, beaches, restaurants, movies, shopping is the Portola Hotel in Monterey. www.portolahotel.com

If you decide to do Santa Cruz on the way from SFO, after you are on 85, take the turn off onto HWY 17. That will take you to Santa Cruz.

We used to stay at Casa Munras with our kids. I always found it to be convenient, nice and a good deal price wise. Santa Cruz is really very close to Monterey. I wouldn't change hotels for that, it would be more hassle than it was worth.

With a flight arriving at 12:30, I'd just head down to Monterey. Even after getting something to eat and walking around a bit, you should still be on your way before the traffic gets bad. You may hit some, but you should be able to avoid the stop-and-go stuff. And I'd be inclined to go to Santa Cruz and Felton as day trip(s) from Monterey rather than spending a night in Santa Cruz. That way you've only got to unpack once.

I've had the best luck with Dollar and Hertz rental car agencies and decent experiences with Enterprise, Avis, and National.

The Monterey Plaza Hotel is a great choice for families, there is also the new Clement Intercontinental which looks very nice. ***kim***

I agree with Kim on her 2 hotel choices as well, especially if you get rooms that are over the water. Both are in Cannery Row which is a fun tourist area.

There is a nice Aquarium in Monterey.

Everyone gave you good advice on the hotels and drives. Here's my two cents--pick up something to eat at the airport--there are some great food joints at SFO--picking up the rental car will entail taking your luggage onto the tram--then tram to the rental center. The walk from the terminal, to the tram, then the tram ride--may be just enough "stretch" for the to couple of hours to Monterey.

Great hotels...the Clement looks esp. nice. Now just need to find a good deal. Thanks so much for the info on the tram to the rental car. That could be a bit hairy w/two kids, two carseatsts plus all our luggage. I'm hoping they have porters to help out. I'm just glad I know all this now so I know what I'm in for!

Thanks again to everyone!