so I am taking my family to California end of next week. Anyone done that drive from la to SF on the coastal road? I've got 8 days sorted in la and then have 5 more to kill before flying back. Left it a bit late but trying to book everything now. Question: is it possible to stay in Carmel and commute for 2 or 3 days to do tourist things in SF? Or is it too far? Only about 100 miles on the map but heard that road takes forever? Off to local library now to get books on California and will google some info as well but would be good to hear from someone who actually done it. Kids excited with the family car I hired as well...
Yeah. It was 35 years ago. Long Beach to SF via PCH, then Yosemite, Mono Lake and back down to Long Beach over a long weekend. Brilliant from what I can remember. But it doesn't really answer your questions.
I did Santa Barbara to LA a few years ago, I'd go back to Pismo beach in a heartbeat, I'd also make sure you go to Randolph Hearst's mansion to see what is achievable with almost unlimited wealth but so little taste. I didn't go quite as mad as you with the hire car
So would you say 100 miles on this road is normal 100miles? I've been told it could take up to 3 hours to do 100 miles there but I find it hard to believe . If it is indeed 3 hours each way from Carmel to SF than it is not an option
I found it took at least twice as long to travel as I was expecting in Urban areas, LA traffic is as bad as I've seen anywhere in the world. I wouldn't personally look to do a 200 mile round trip every day but that said I haven't been to San Francisco but even in good traffic you're looking at 4 hours a day in the car and a motel room isn't going to cost a huge amount more than the fuel for your challenger.
With parents I did the coast road from SF to LA some 23 years ago. I think our first night out of SF was in Monterey, and we stopped in Santa Cruz lunchtime. I second the suggestion to visit Hearst Castle - even though I hated (and still don't enjoy) being dragged round "stately homes" by parents, I remember quite enjoying that visit. We also stayed in Santa Barbara. I wouldn't look to day trip from Carmel to SF. You'd either be taking the slow coast road, or the main roads (101 or 280 looking at the map) which would involve fighting through all the Silicon Valley (San Jose) area commuter traffic. I seem to recall getting to various SF attractions took long enough when staying in SF, or the other side of the Bay in Berkeley (on a return visit to the Bay Area to see a college friend 5 years later). I very much doubt the traffic has got any better in the last 20 something years.
Yeah, reading on about it sounds like it would be too much to travel in to SF daily from such a distance. Problem is : I can only afford shithole in SF and for the same dollar I get really nice place in Carmel . Have to urgently rethink the plan. On the positive note 8 nights in LA we are staying in rita Hayworth's old house in Beverly Hills , you remember ? The girl on the wall in shawshsnk redemption.
I did a road trip from SF to LA eight years ago. It's an incredible road, the scenery is stunning. You'll wish you were on two wheels as its really twisty. When I went there was a forest fire around Big Sur so had to go back to the highway. I would recommend staying in SF. I stayed near Union Square which seemed a good area. There's a Macys and plenty of other shops. The end of the tramline is there so you can catch it and ride it all the way to Fishermans Wharf. I did a boat trip to the Golden Gate Bridge and also visited Alcatraz which was awesome! Whatever you choose to do you'll have a great time!
I've done the Big Sur three times but from SF to LA and doing a different section of Hearst Castle each time - be aware yoiu need to book in advance via the internet. It's impressive ! Santa Cruz is worth a visit and the Monterey Cannery district was featured in the Grapes of Wrath. You can stop for a meal at Nepenthe , which is now a restaurant, but was bought by Orsen Wells for Rita Hayworth (they were lovers). Carmel is full of arty farty shops and restaurants, is expensive parking and not much else, but there is the famous 17 mile drive through Pebble Beach there, (you pay for the privilege) A great road trip though
Stopped in San Mateo years back as I've got family in the bay. We used the train to get into SF each time as is quick and cheap then just walked around the city much to the locals amusement. Drove down to LA via the inland route and iirc it was 8 hours down and 12 hours back up the coast road but this was in a mini van. Only went to LA as my uncles pal had a mickey mouse job at the time and got us into the park for free. Monterey / Carmel is more of a day out rather than a commute but would be fine by bike. Things we enjoyed were; Alcatraz Redwoods SF over LA any day Mt Tamalpais for mountain biking Makes me want to go back
We drove Albuquerque, grand canyon, Vegas, down to San Diego up to San Fran. The costal route is good, we didn't book any hotels, just stopped when and where we wanted. You won't be driving fast, so allow extra time to get places. Take your time and enjoy. You will notice that the coast areas are very nice, so we didn't like LA, stayed 1 night and left. Have a good one.
