Jul 24, 2016, 10:53 pm
Last edit by: TWA884
Caltrans road conditions:
Big Sur visitors information on businesses and services currently open:
Big Sur visitors information on businesses and services currently open:
Pacific Coast Highway - CA Route 1 between SF & LA
Jun 17, 2014, 2:05 pm
#61
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,467
My quick reaction is Santa Cruz (Day 1). There's a big boardwalk (amusement park, midway, roller coaster...and ice cream) and the town still has an active hippie community (1960s/70s-style, even if the current "hippies" are mostly age 20).
Downtown (Pacific Ave) is safe and family-friendly. If you want more adventurous/edgy, the town has that too.
Downtown (Pacific Ave) is safe and family-friendly. If you want more adventurous/edgy, the town has that too.
Jun 17, 2014, 2:40 pm
#62
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,145
Highway 1 from SF to LA
Thanks a lot! Definitely looks like a cool place to stop. Since it is also more or less in the middle between San Francisco and Carmel, I guess we will make it a lunch stop as well as looking around.
Jun 17, 2014, 3:19 pm
#63
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NJ
Posts: 3,335
We're outdoors people, and out in the bay area/Monterey a lot.
Our favorites include Cowell Redwoods State Park (just north of Santa Cruz), and Point Lobos State Park (fantastic park just south of Carmel on the coast ) .
Review google images for both and you will see what they are like.
Monterey -- have to have some French-fried artichoke hearts on the wharf (best junk food ), and the Aquarium should not be missed.
Pacific Grove -- we go Kayaking here with the sea otters near Lover's point park.
Below Carmel, stop in at Nepenthe restaurant/gift shop on the Big Sur coast for that California groovy vibe. Great view over the water while you are eating. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park nearby have great redwoods also. (I'd stop at one of the Redwood parks, not recommending you do all of them, as I think you would find it a little redundant, and have only limited time.)
Pismo beach is worth checking out -- the sand dunes are great. Ventana Grill is a nice restaurant there with great views.
If you had more time, I would recommend you go inland for Pinnacles National Park, but given your length of trip I don't think you can really fit it in.
Our favorites include Cowell Redwoods State Park (just north of Santa Cruz), and Point Lobos State Park (fantastic park just south of Carmel on the coast ) .
Review google images for both and you will see what they are like.
Monterey -- have to have some French-fried artichoke hearts on the wharf (best junk food ), and the Aquarium should not be missed.
Pacific Grove -- we go Kayaking here with the sea otters near Lover's point park.
Below Carmel, stop in at Nepenthe restaurant/gift shop on the Big Sur coast for that California groovy vibe. Great view over the water while you are eating. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park nearby have great redwoods also. (I'd stop at one of the Redwood parks, not recommending you do all of them, as I think you would find it a little redundant, and have only limited time.)
Pismo beach is worth checking out -- the sand dunes are great. Ventana Grill is a nice restaurant there with great views.
If you had more time, I would recommend you go inland for Pinnacles National Park, but given your length of trip I don't think you can really fit it in.
Jun 17, 2014, 5:40 pm
#65
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,018
Jun 17, 2014, 7:13 pm
#66
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,921
Phils Fish Market in Moss Landing.
After lunch walk in Elkhorn Slough.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium (good place to eat too).
The Carmel Beach.
Cielo (the restaurant at Ventana and not cheap) if it's not socked in.
Downtown Santa Barbara and the Botanical Garden.
After lunch walk in Elkhorn Slough.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium (good place to eat too).
The Carmel Beach.
Cielo (the restaurant at Ventana and not cheap) if it's not socked in.
Downtown Santa Barbara and the Botanical Garden.
Last edited by MADPhil; Jun 17, 2014 at 7:15 pm Reason: Added Elkhorn Slough.
Jun 18, 2014, 1:58 am
#67
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,145
We're outdoors people, and out in the bay area/Monterey a lot.
Our favorites include Cowell Redwoods State Park (just north of Santa Cruz), and Point Lobos State Park (fantastic park just south of Carmel on the coast ) .
Review google images for both and you will see what they are like.
Monterey -- have to have some French-fried artichoke hearts on the wharf (best junk food ), and the Aquarium should not be missed.
Pacific Grove -- we go Kayaking here with the sea otters near Lover's point park.
Below Carmel, stop in at Nepenthe restaurant/gift shop on the Big Sur coast for that California groovy vibe. Great view over the water while you are eating. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park nearby have great redwoods also. (I'd stop at one of the Redwood parks, not recommending you do all of them, as I think you would find it a little redundant, and have only limited time.)
Pismo beach is worth checking out -- the sand dunes are great. Ventana Grill is a nice restaurant there with great views.
If you had more time, I would recommend you go inland for Pinnacles National Park, but given your length of trip I don't think you can really fit it in.
Our favorites include Cowell Redwoods State Park (just north of Santa Cruz), and Point Lobos State Park (fantastic park just south of Carmel on the coast ) .
Review google images for both and you will see what they are like.
Monterey -- have to have some French-fried artichoke hearts on the wharf (best junk food ), and the Aquarium should not be missed.
Pacific Grove -- we go Kayaking here with the sea otters near Lover's point park.
Below Carmel, stop in at Nepenthe restaurant/gift shop on the Big Sur coast for that California groovy vibe. Great view over the water while you are eating. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park nearby have great redwoods also. (I'd stop at one of the Redwood parks, not recommending you do all of them, as I think you would find it a little redundant, and have only limited time.)
Pismo beach is worth checking out -- the sand dunes are great. Ventana Grill is a nice restaurant there with great views.
If you had more time, I would recommend you go inland for Pinnacles National Park, but given your length of trip I don't think you can really fit it in.
Nepenthe restaurant/gift shop looks like it is well worth a stop for coffee or breakfast and a great view!
Artichoke hearts on the wharf sounds delicious as well. I love artichokes but have never eaten them like this I think.
The restaurant Ventana Grill at Pismo Beach looks very good as well and we will certainly stop there for lunch on the 2nd day.
Jun 18, 2014, 1:59 am
#68
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,145
And afterwards, eat at The Fishwife restaurant.
Jun 18, 2014, 2:07 am
#69
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,145
Great suggestions - thanks a lot to you as well.
Jun 18, 2014, 2:08 am
#70
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,145
I am very happy about your answers. Thanks a lot. Would have meant lots of planning, reading and googling to find these places without you!
I have many tips now for day 1 and day 2. Any ideas for day 3 (Santa Barbara to LA)??
I have many tips now for day 1 and day 2. Any ideas for day 3 (Santa Barbara to LA)??
Jun 18, 2014, 2:46 am
#71
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
Driving south from Big Sur, you will drop down from the mountains to the shore. You might enjoy a stop at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal viewing area. There are hundreds of these giant sea mammals in residence and the wooden walk-ways get you pretty close for photos. They smell pretty bad but you will probably never have a chance to see something like that as close in the wild. There are interpretive signs and often a volunteer docent who can give educational talks.
As you drive south toward San Simeon, keep an eye to the east (land side) for glimpses of the famous Hearst Castle, sitting on top of a hill. With your short time, I wouldn't recommend taking one of the tours as they eat up a lot of time.
One place I haven't seen mentioned is Cayucos, about half-way between Big Sur and San Luis Obispo, several miles south of San Simeon. It is a bustling, scenic little beach-side town with a nice pier to walk out on. There is a takeout place for lunch right at the entrance to the pier for food you can carry out and eat over the water. Although I like their food, my favorite lunch place in Cayucos is The Smokehouse on 'D' Street for really great barbecue. The place doesn't look like much, rather like a converted barn with rustic wooden picnic tables and food served in baskets, but the barbecued meats are to die for. Try the beef or pork sandwich or get a full platter if you are really hungry.
In Morro Bay, the Great American Fish Company does a pretty good job with seafood, but there are a number of quite good seafood places along the Embarcadero, right on the waterfront. Even if you don't stop in Morro Bay, it is worth the short detour to drive along the waterfront by the boat basin for views of the iconic Morro Rock, which dominates the scenery in this part of the coast. You will see it rising out of the sea well before you get to Morro Bay.
As you drive south toward San Simeon, keep an eye to the east (land side) for glimpses of the famous Hearst Castle, sitting on top of a hill. With your short time, I wouldn't recommend taking one of the tours as they eat up a lot of time.
One place I haven't seen mentioned is Cayucos, about half-way between Big Sur and San Luis Obispo, several miles south of San Simeon. It is a bustling, scenic little beach-side town with a nice pier to walk out on. There is a takeout place for lunch right at the entrance to the pier for food you can carry out and eat over the water. Although I like their food, my favorite lunch place in Cayucos is The Smokehouse on 'D' Street for really great barbecue. The place doesn't look like much, rather like a converted barn with rustic wooden picnic tables and food served in baskets, but the barbecued meats are to die for. Try the beef or pork sandwich or get a full platter if you are really hungry.
In Morro Bay, the Great American Fish Company does a pretty good job with seafood, but there are a number of quite good seafood places along the Embarcadero, right on the waterfront. Even if you don't stop in Morro Bay, it is worth the short detour to drive along the waterfront by the boat basin for views of the iconic Morro Rock, which dominates the scenery in this part of the coast. You will see it rising out of the sea well before you get to Morro Bay.
Jun 18, 2014, 7:07 am
#73
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,145
Driving south from Big Sur, you will drop down from the mountains to the shore. You might enjoy a stop at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal viewing area. There are hundreds of these giant sea mammals in residence and the wooden walk-ways get you pretty close for photos. They smell pretty bad but you will probably never have a chance to see something like that as close in the wild. There are interpretive signs and often a volunteer docent who can give educational talks.
As you drive south toward San Simeon, keep an eye to the east (land side) for glimpses of the famous Hearst Castle, sitting on top of a hill. With your short time, I wouldn't recommend taking one of the tours as they eat up a lot of time.
One place I haven't seen mentioned is Cayucos, about half-way between Big Sur and San Luis Obispo, several miles south of San Simeon. It is a bustling, scenic little beach-side town with a nice pier to walk out on. There is a takeout place for lunch right at the entrance to the pier for food you can carry out and eat over the water. Although I like their food, my favorite lunch place in Cayucos is The Smokehouse on 'D' Street for really great barbecue. The place doesn't look like much, rather like a converted barn with rustic wooden picnic tables and food served in baskets, but the barbecued meats are to die for. Try the beef or pork sandwich or get a full platter if you are really hungry.
In Morro Bay, the Great American Fish Company does a pretty good job with seafood, but there are a number of quite good seafood places along the Embarcadero, right on the waterfront. Even if you don't stop in Morro Bay, it is worth the short detour to drive along the waterfront by the boat basin for views of the iconic Morro Rock, which dominates the scenery in this part of the coast. You will see it rising out of the sea well before you get to Morro Bay.
As you drive south toward San Simeon, keep an eye to the east (land side) for glimpses of the famous Hearst Castle, sitting on top of a hill. With your short time, I wouldn't recommend taking one of the tours as they eat up a lot of time.
One place I haven't seen mentioned is Cayucos, about half-way between Big Sur and San Luis Obispo, several miles south of San Simeon. It is a bustling, scenic little beach-side town with a nice pier to walk out on. There is a takeout place for lunch right at the entrance to the pier for food you can carry out and eat over the water. Although I like their food, my favorite lunch place in Cayucos is The Smokehouse on 'D' Street for really great barbecue. The place doesn't look like much, rather like a converted barn with rustic wooden picnic tables and food served in baskets, but the barbecued meats are to die for. Try the beef or pork sandwich or get a full platter if you are really hungry.
In Morro Bay, the Great American Fish Company does a pretty good job with seafood, but there are a number of quite good seafood places along the Embarcadero, right on the waterfront. Even if you don't stop in Morro Bay, it is worth the short detour to drive along the waterfront by the boat basin for views of the iconic Morro Rock, which dominates the scenery in this part of the coast. You will see it rising out of the sea well before you get to Morro Bay.
Jun 18, 2014, 7:07 am
#74
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,145
Thanks for the suggestions. We will definitely take the 17 mile Drive - and Hogs Breath sounds like a real fun place for dinner at night.