West Coast Visit
 

Hi,

My daughter (13 year old)and I are planning a 8 day,7 night trip to California. We are flying into Oakland (staying in Oakland), renting a car, and plan to spend about 3-4 days in the Bay Area. We then plan to drive to LA, with an overnight stay on the way. Finally, we will spend about 3 days in LA and fly back to NY from there.

Any suggestions on possible sites to visit (of interest to a teen), driving tips, and weather advice? All suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,
Jnyce

Drive from San Francisco to LA on Highway 1. The trip is worth at least two days, if you can spare them. Spend one night in Cambria and visit the Hearst Castle, in San Simeon--six miles north of Cambria.

BTW, we are second to last week this month. Will temperature change much between San Francisco and LA?

OOPs, flying in the second to last week of the month.

Thanks happytrails! Our plans are flexible, so we can spare another day for the trip down. Any ideas on places to stay?

Up here in San Francisco, we're having the strangest weather I've seen in my 30 years here. Expect any type of weather. We had a heat wave in Feb, and a cold/rain wave now.

Stu Dudley

Hi Jnyce, sounds like fun! If you plan on driving south on Hwy 1 just make sure it is open as it is closed now due to storm damage.

Weather advice, well hopefully the rain will have stopped.

Most teens love San Francisco (as do most adults).

Thanks LoveItaly. I did read that about Hwy 1 in another post. Is there an alternate route that is as scenic and allows me to visit some spots on the way to LA?

Dont forget to visit the Winchester mystery house tour in San Jose.Your daughter will love it.Paul

If Hwy 1 through Big Sur is closed, you can take Hwy 101 south from the Monterey area and then go back to the coast on Hwy 33 (check the map to be sure) and hit Cambria. Hearst Castle is just north of Cambria. Or, if Hearst Castle is not on your itinerary, you can just stay on Hwy 101 and continue south. You will miss the best coastline, but all is not lost - you can go to Point Lobos, just south of Carmel, which will give you a taste of the Big Sur coastline. Hwy 101 is not a bad drive at all this time of year - the hills are green, the wildflowers are in bloom.

I don't think anyone has mentioned Santa Cruz yet, but if I were travelling with a 13 year old, that would definitely be on my itinerary.

I would say a stop in Monterey to see one of the world's best aquariums, plus beautiful beaches. Pt. Lobos is a great place for a hike. Santa Cruz has a board walk that is quite popular with teens. Big Sur is another place to stop. It's a long drive on Hwy 1 so you want to build in the fun on the way.

Thanks everyone for the input thus far. Based on the ideas at this post and from reading other posts, this is what I have so far:

280 from SF to San Jose--do the Wincester mystery house tour

17 to Santa Cruz--boardwalk

1 to Monterey--check out the aquarium
then next to Carmel and Pt Lobos State Reserve

Drive along Big Sur

Stop in Cambria for an overnight

Check out Hearst Castle

Questions:

Is that too much to do in 2 days with an overnight? or Should we stay a night in Monterey, then 1 in Cambria?

Also is it worth it to stop at Julia Burns State Park and see Mcway Falls?

Jnyce

Yes, I think you need two nights: one in Monterey/Pacific Grove/ Carmel and one in Cambria.

I think your daughter would enjoy the UC Berkeley bookstore and adjoining neighborhood. There are street vendors, funky shops and good ethnic eats.

I definately agree that one night in the Monterey area and another in either Cambria or San Simeon would be great. Cambria is more picturesque, San Simeon is probably a little cheaper and within a couple of minutes of the Hearst Castle.

If you were to come down 101, instead of Hwy 1, you would probably want to cut across from Paso Robles to Cambria on Route 46. As LoveItaly said, the weather has been so crazy, that it is possible the Coast Highway (Hwy 1) could be closed. Be sure to check. Also, be aware that Hwy 1 is narrow and windy in many areas, with quite a drop off. Going south, you will be on the outside lane; not a comfortable position for drivers who lack confidence. That being said, the scenery is absolutely stunning.

Have a great trip!

Thanks AuntAnnie, UC Berkeley is a must, especially since I'm trying to plant the seeds for college from now. We'll definetely check out the bookstore.

nevermind, Hwy 1 sounds scary! I'm a pretty confident driver in NY and the cabs in the city don't scrare me, but the thought of windy roads, and drops, I don't know. Is there a lot of traffic? Will be be annoyed if there is a slow driver? Also, where would I check to see which parts of Hwy 1 are closed? Does it change daily or can I find out before I get there?

Thanks everyone for the information so far, it has been very helpful.

This time of year, traffic shouldn't be too much of an issue. There isn't much choice but to go slowly, and there are places where you can pull over to let the traffic behind you pass by. I don't want to scare you off, because the drive is in one of the most magnificent, awe-inspiring places imaginable. I do think it is important, however, that you know what you are getting into.

With regard to road closures, it can happen any time along Hwy 1. In weather such as we have been having, landslides along Hwy 1 are fairly routine. This web site has road closure info and phone numbers: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/statemap.htm . You would be looking at "Section 5 - the Central Coast".

Another place you and your daughter might enjoy is Piedras Blancas, an elephant seal rookery about 8 miles north of San Simeon, along Hwy 1 (this part of the highway isn't scary!). By the time you would be there, the adult seals will have left, but some weaned pups would probably still be there.

Thanks, I'll check out that site for closures. I'm up for the challenge so I'll be daring and go slowly!

Any must see areas in San Francisco or LA for teens?

In San Francisco, Teens usually like Golden Gate Park, Chinatown and Fort Mason area. Add to that Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. Shoppers would like Union Square, and Union Street (in the Cow Hollow/ Marina Area). Oh, also the Haight. There's lots of appeal to teens in the city. :-)

Don't forget to ride a cable car!