We are planning a trip to SF mid Sept for 8 nights...3 nights in SF, 3 nights in Yosemite & then want to drive over & down to see Hearst Castle & then up Hwy 1. to see Big Sur & then Monterey area. We will be renting an RV for our trip to Yosemite & on. Is this trip doable in 8 nights? How does one get from Yosemite to Hearst Castle? Thanks!

I've never driven an RV but don't think I would want to try it driving hwy 1 through Big Sur. Make sure you check with someone with experience in this.

From Yosemite to Cambria (and Hearst Castle) take 41 south to 99 which is a fast freeway to just north of Paso Robles and take 46 over to Cambria. I wouldn't even want to drive 46 in an RV--is that a necessity? BTW, I'm thinking of an RV as being one of those "caravan" type things you see towing cars and boats. Maybe you're talking about something smaller.

The RV would be like a small Winnebago, no pulling a trailer, but we have been rethinking the RV thing anyway, it may be more costly than we thought. Anyway..thanks for the advice on the drive..can you give me an approximate travel time for the Yosemite to Hearst Castle drive? Also..how is lodging around Cambria & then Monterey..is it possible to find something decent for around $150?...thanks again!

The trip from the south entrance of Yosemite to Cambria is about 4 hours. You'll be driving on 41 to 46 and then briefly on 101 then rejoin 46 to HWY 1. Paso Robles is on 101 not 99. 99 runs through the central valley and includes Bakersfield, Visalia, Fresno, Modesto, ok you get it.

Driving an RV on almost any highway will take you longer than a car. I have driven highways 41 & 46 in 23 ft. RV
( I am a senior lady and often travel alone) and 41 is the easier of the 2 roads. However, the trip you describe I would just go by car...The high price of gas and the fact RVs only get 8 to 10 to 12 MPG AND highway 1 is very narow and twisty --would cause me to rethink also..
Not familiar with Cambria but Morro Bay (few miles south on highway 1) has lots of motels in all price ranges
Good Luck........

San Simeon has a few reasonably priced
hotels...found one on the San Simeon site, Elrey Garden Inn (www.elreygardeninn.net).
Monterey is pricey, might have better luck in Salinas (about 16mi west).
Count on 3.5 to 4hrs to drive from
San Simeon to Monterey . The views
are spectacular and a must see.
Allow 2-2.5hrs from Monterey to San Francisco.

Suzie's right--I don't know how I put 99 in there--needed another cup of coffee, perhaps? Sad thing is, I just drove through Paso last week on 101! Oh my.... In Monterey, try the little Otter Inn for a reasonably priced room. In Cambria there should be hotels in your price range on Moonstone Beach. Be sure to ask for any AAA etc. discounts. You will most likely see hotels without A/C which is fine, but in Monterey, if you're a light sleeper the seals and birds will keep you awake and get you up early. I don't think Salinas would be an option, although the price of rooms is significantly lower.

Thanks all for the great advice. I think we have decided against the RV.
We booked 2 nights at the Yosemite Lodge & may drive to Fresno for the 3rd night & then to Hearst Castle the next day.
Think we want to spend a good day in Big Sur & stay overnight there. I had checked for rooms in Monterey area for Sept 22 & 23..no luck...I just found out the Monterey Jazz Fest is that weekend!
Would it be too crowded on that Sunday the 23rd for sightseeing in Monterey, Carmel, etc?