Big Sur Drive - California holiday info needed

[bizzylizzy]

Hi everyone, my hubby and I are planning a trip to California - probably in September to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Yikes! I know what a well travelled lot you are and wondered if I could pick your brains. We want to either start or finish in San Francisco. Some people say start there and you'll be on the right side of the road for the Big Sur Drive, others say start at LA and drive northward because the views are better as you look north. Can anyone offer any helpful tips for this neck of the woods. Hotels, motels, recommended restaurants, trips. All advice gratefully received. Also any tour operators or websites that are particularly good for good flight deals. We also want to book some hotels in advance as San Francisco always seems to be full! Thank you all so much.

[dr b]

Having driven this a few times, I prefer LA to SF. Things to see on the way: San Simeon (Hearst Castle); Monterey/Carmel; if you are at all a fan of John Steinbeck, his home/museum in Salinas is very much worth a few hours. Santa Barbara is also nice. Don't stop in SF; cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin/Sausalito; also Muir and Stinson Beaches; if you like nature hike to the top of Mt. Tamalpais (see the giant redwoods!).

There are plenty of guidebooks to get you around SF, so I will not bother to list the many attractions there.

As for the scenery,. Rt 1 along the coast is VERY winding as you get further north; make sure your driver is watching the road and not the ocean or you can easily wind up in the latter. Also realize that taking Rte 1 the whole way up is a pretty long drive - with many stops you may want to not do it all in one day.

[cc1]

We went to Monterey lasy year, we'd been there 20 years ago. Avoid it like the plague, unless you like Blackpool etc. It was such a disappointment
Go inland up through Scaramento, to Lake Tahoe then on to Yosemite. They can be touristy, but that's what you'll be!
If you go North, there's Bodega Bay, I think it's called, where they filmed The Birds.

[jno]

I didn't honestly see that much resemblance between Monterey and Blackpool! In particular, Monterey aquarium is excellent.

If you want to see San Simeon (which is good), book in advance.

If you head south you're on the watery side of the road, and it can be a bit unnerving. The view's still fine on the landward side as you go north.

Look out for discount coupon booklets for accommodation given away in supermarkets. or you may be able to find them online.

[jollyangeles34]

wow, what destination big sur is in California.I love the valley road and bridge.
Amazing side view of Big Sur attract me more towards it . Never i feel like that . Really Big sur is the beautiful destination of United State California.
I love this.....