If you don't like LA, you can always drive further south to San Diego. It's much more charming (she says modestly). And then you drive back to LA for your flight.
I agree that there's no point picking up the car at the airport. If you are in First then, given your comments on sampling plonk, I assume that you want the full experience which, as many regulars here attest, includes copious amounts of Champagne. This, combined with jet lag, is incompatible with picking up a car straight after the flight. Furthermore, as many others have pointed out, if you are starting at SFO there is no point in having a car whilst you are in the city.
Another recommendation is to get a Sat Nav for use in the car. It saves messing about with maps and is particularly useful in the cities.
There are so many options in the region that it will be hard not to have a great time, whatever you decide.
Polk
Last edited by Polk; Nov 2, 09 at 11:28 pm.
Reason: Correction of typo
When are you doing this? Certain times such as Mid June i have found PCH, specifically the So Cal section very gloomy/misty. It really makes the difference if the weather is nice
However if you drive North (the views are also in front of you) you can continue to Yosemite or further north along the coast where you will find some amazing scenery and forests. Once again: start with the less than perfect (still nice) and end with the perfect. From San Simeon north it is just more beautiful with every mile (so going south it gets less beautifull).
Maybe the Britts were right when the chose to drive on the left...
__________________ Wherever you go, there you are.
However if you drive North (the views are also in front of you) you can continue to Yosemite or further north along the coast where you will find some amazing scenery and forests. Once again: start with the less than perfect (still nice) and end with the perfect. From San Simeon north it is just more beautiful with every mile (so going south it gets less beautifull).
Maybe the Britts were right when the chose to drive on the left...
If this was any other time of year, and if the OP had more time, then my recommendation would strongly be to start in Seattle and drive down the coast to SF, rather than SF > LA. The Oregon coast is superb, the Redwoods unique, and the northern half of SR 1 (Leggett > Mill Creek) is IMO the scenic equal of the southern half (Big Sur et al) although a different type of scenery - smaller scale, more interesting towns. As for the Redwoods - there's nothing like them anywhere else, while there's plenty of scenic coastline all over the world. However, in mid-March the Oregon coast weather is likely to be rainy, and the settlements a bit dismal for that route.
If, however, the OP had an extra two days and didn't mind a loop drive, then I'd strongly recommend spending one of them driving north to some of the major Redwood groves around Eureka (about 5 hrs north of SF), then staying the night in the very cute town of Ferndale. The next day, head south along US 101 to the SR 1 cutoff, then follow the coast through Mendocino back to SF. A longish two days, but incredibly rewarding. In late March there might be some wildflowers appearing roadside, and/or some whales offshore.
__________________ Vengeance is for people who don't have the patience for karma.
If, however, the OP had an extra two days and didn't mind a loop drive, then I'd strongly recommend spending one of them driving north to some of the major Redwood groves around Eureka (about 5 hrs north of SF),....
But with only one week, if they want to see redwoods, I'd take in the groves just north of Santa Cruz, like Henry Cowell State Park or Big Basin Redwood State Park....which are on one reasonable route to SFO.
When are you doing this? Certain times such as Mid June i have found PCH, specifically the So Cal section very gloomy/misty. It really makes the difference if the weather is nice
Ah... We call that June Gloom. It can get very foggy (kind of nice actually) near the water during that month.
I vote for a drive south (SF-LA) since California angles from NW-SE and you avoid driving into the sun, assuming you drive during the afternoon after your lazy late morning starts
Programs: AAdvantage Million Miler, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 254
It has been a long time, but when I did the drive it was SF to LA. I thought that was better since most of the sights will be on the right side so easy to pull off and take pictures and soak in the view. I did it in July so there was some fun coastal sea fog
I tool Route 1 right in SF. I was staying by Fisherman's Wharf. I got in the car and headed west, then turned south.
i stopped the night in Monterrey, toured that area and off to LA the next day. As you get close to LA, really closer to Oxnard, you lose the coast anyways and on to the highway. If I did this again, I would stay in Venice Beach (Marina del Rey Marriott) and soak in Venice Beach before heading home. Last time I stayed at the Marriott LAX. Was convienent for exploring LA, but not as great as the beach.
i stopped the night in Monterrey, toured that area and off to LA the next day. As you get close to LA, really closer to Oxnard, you lose the coast anyways and on to the highway.
Sounds like you missed the Highway 1 turnoff from US 101 at Oxnard, since while the Interstate (101) goes through the hills, 1 dodges Port Hueneme and NAS Pt. Mugu and then returns to the coast to go through Malibu and end up in Santa Monica & Venice.
Actually, the longest stretch where Highway 1 loses the coast is from Pismo Beach to Gaviota, where it cuts the corner on Point Arguello, passing through Guadalupe and Lompoc. Frankly, I'd stay on Highway 101 from Pismo Beach to Gaviota, since it's much better road....and I suspect that's what you did, without realizing it...as Highway 1 through that area is rather obscure.
However if you drive North (the views are also in front of you)
+1. That time of year, the climate typically favors traveling the northern section in the afternoon. As Henkybaby correctly points out, you have forward views as well. On top of that, when traveling northbound, you notice many views of dells, canyons, and streams on the right side. Plenty to see on either side going north! If you go south (like most tourists) you fix your attention only on the ocean view.
(I worked that run for nearly fifteen years when I worked for a major tour operator).
Programs: AS MVP (withering away due to insane fares), UA, AA, AGR, NPS passport, Costco Exec
Posts: 5,209
Quote:
Originally Posted by mlshanks
since while the Interstate (101) goes through the hills
101's an Interstate?
I will admit it's much better now. I remember when there were stoplights on 101 in downtown Santa Barbara. The traffic through there used to be horrendous.
Now, 101 is stoplight-free south of San Francisco and even has a 70mph speed limit through the southern Salinas River valley. I never thought I'd see the day!
Programs: AAdvantage Million Miler, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 254
Quote:
Originally Posted by mlshanks
Sounds like you missed the Highway 1 turnoff from US 101 at Oxnard, since while the Interstate (101) goes through the hills, 1 dodges Port Hueneme and NAS Pt. Mugu and then returns to the coast to go through Malibu and end up in Santa Monica & Venice.
Actually, the longest stretch where Highway 1 loses the coast is from Pismo Beach to Gaviota, where it cuts the corner on Point Arguello, passing through Guadalupe and Lompoc. Frankly, I'd stay on Highway 101 from Pismo Beach to Gaviota, since it's much better road....and I suspect that's what you did, without realizing it...as Highway 1 through that area is rather obscure.
Thanks MLSHANKS, I missed the turn in the directions when I was typing.
