- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
OT Travel Experts - Pacific Coast Highway vacation
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:36 pm
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:36 pm
I'm thinking about taking the wife (no pics) for a 3 day trip down the PCH over MLK weekend.
My rough plan at the moment is to fly into SFO around 10:30am from Atlanta on Friday Jan 15th, rent a car, and head towards Monterey for night 1.
Day 2 being Monterey to Cambria or Morro Bay
Day 3 being ^ down to LA area, maybe Venice?
Fly out of LAX around noon on day 4 the 18th
Any better suggestions on the general stops?
Any suggestions on hotels, sights, stops, restaurants, etc along the way?
I read North to South is better so you on driving on the coast side of the road
TIA
My rough plan at the moment is to fly into SFO around 10:30am from Atlanta on Friday Jan 15th, rent a car, and head towards Monterey for night 1.
Day 2 being Monterey to Cambria or Morro Bay
Day 3 being ^ down to LA area, maybe Venice?
Fly out of LAX around noon on day 4 the 18th
Any better suggestions on the general stops?
Any suggestions on hotels, sights, stops, restaurants, etc along the way?
I read North to South is better so you on driving on the coast side of the road
TIA
17
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:43 pm to DawgCountry
Have done the trip the opposite direction (i.e., south to north). My advice is to stay in Carmel rather than Monterey, and Santa Barbara rather than L.A. Either way, awesome experience.
This post was edited on 9/23/15 at 3:44 pm
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:47 pm to DawgCountry
Check out the Steinbeck museum in Salinas LINK
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:48 pm to DawgCountry
I would get over to the PCH above Pacifica and make stops at Half Moon Bay/Princeton/Mavericks. I'd also skip spending the night in LA as already mentioned above.
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:50 pm to Thomas Hudson
quote:
Thomas Hudson
Thanks
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:53 pm to DawgCountry
Hearst Castle would fit into Day 2.
Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:54 pm to DawgCountry
An alternative trip would be to fly into Portland and drive down the Oregon coast, through the redwood forests and Napa Valley. Finish in SF and fly home from there.
This alternative would avoid a lot of traffic and be very scenic, as well.
This alternative would avoid a lot of traffic and be very scenic, as well.
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:54 pm to Pettifogger
quote:this -
I would get over to the PCH above Pacifica and make stops at Half Moon Bay/Princeton/Mavericks. I'd also skip spending the night in LA as already mentioned above.
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:55 pm to DawgCountry
A stopover night in a cabin at Big Sur, I would highly recommend. I personally would stay there over Monterey, and I've done both.
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:57 pm to Festus
quote:
A stopover night in a cabin at Big Sur
I have seen a lot of sites that say this. Just trying to maximize what we can do in 3 days without getting stressed out. I'll look into that
Posted on 9/23/15 at 4:01 pm to DawgCountry
It all depends on preference. I just happen to love the cabin and escape from reality feel of Big Sur. Unbelievable sunsets and a great restaurant on the top of a cliff to watch it and eat an awesome burger. It's a good stopping point in between SF and LA. But if you want more to do at night, might not be the best pick.
Posted on 9/23/15 at 4:04 pm to Festus
Would not drive all the way to LA, and San Francisco is too beautiful to not spend a night.
Posted on 9/23/15 at 4:09 pm to zeebo
I agree with both points. I would probably fly into SF, drive down to Big Sur same day and spend night, drive back up to Monterey, spend night, drive to SF, spend night, then fly out. That's probably what I'd do, if I wanted to stay on the coastal highway.
Posted on 9/23/15 at 4:18 pm to DawgCountry
That is an awesome drive. Stop at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz and also stop and enjoy the beach in Malibu.
Posted on 9/23/15 at 4:28 pm to DawgCountry
the trip from SFO to Monterrey is short, maybe two hours, depending on traffic. The real sights are btw Carmel and Cambria. Nepenthe is great for a burger and beer, but so is Sierra Mar at Post Oak Ranch, and they are close together. Do you like to hike? there are some gorgeous hikes along the way, that let you really experience the location. Further south is the sushi restaurant at the Treebones Lodge which is really great.
This post was edited on 9/25/15 at 8:10 am
Posted on 9/23/15 at 4:45 pm to Mung
quote:
Mung
Thanks for the good info. This is exactly the stuff i was looking for.
Posted on 9/23/15 at 4:47 pm to DawgCountry
We took our boys, six and nine, down the Pacific Coast on a train and the trip, views, and stops along the way were absolutely amazing. Would strongly recommend for you and the wife.
This post was edited on 9/23/15 at 4:48 pm
Posted on 9/23/15 at 4:56 pm to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
Half Moon May is great place - concur with others (ritz Carlton is awesome)
Cambria is nice stop, you could also jump inland a bit to Paso Robles (great area)
after Malibu, LA County sucks
I would just breeze through LA and stay a night down in Laguna
Fly out of John Wayne in Orange County
While the PCH is great, there are some awesome drives on the roads hat are just a bit inland of the PCH.
Cambria is nice stop, you could also jump inland a bit to Paso Robles (great area)
after Malibu, LA County sucks
I would just breeze through LA and stay a night down in Laguna
Fly out of John Wayne in Orange County
While the PCH is great, there are some awesome drives on the roads hat are just a bit inland of the PCH.
Posted on 9/23/15 at 8:28 pm to DawgCountry
I'd love to tag along with you on this trip. Any of the other suggestions are good, and I, too, would stay out of LA.
I'd consider this (for something other than what has been listed)
day 1: SF
day 2: Monterey, Big Sur, Carmel
day 3: continue driving down PCH as far as you can.
Fly out of Fresno, or other central California airport
I'd consider this (for something other than what has been listed)
day 1: SF
day 2: Monterey, Big Sur, Carmel
day 3: continue driving down PCH as far as you can.
Fly out of Fresno, or other central California airport
Posted on 9/23/15 at 9:00 pm to DawgCountry
Carmel and Big Sur are two of my favorite places on this planet. I fantasize about moving to Carmel when my kids are graduated. My husband I go there once every couple of years and it hurts me to leave...
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News