Originally Posted by
manneca
Unless the French Laundry has changed its policy, you call for reservations two months to the calendar day in advance. The times I tried to get reservations for weekends, the phone lines were busy the entire time. Weekday reservations may be easier.
Indeed; was planning on a weekday. I'll take Bouchon if I can't get into the French Laundry, but I'll give myself a fighting chance at TFL.
Originally Posted by
choster
Eight days is not unreasonable, but I would caution you to consider the route carefully. "PCH" varies from scenic cliffside road to 6-lane freeway to surface street at various points, and does not follow the ocean for substantial stretches in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. It also terminates in South Orange County, not San Diego, although I-5 does follows the coast south of San Juan Capistrano.
That was another thing I had in mind: is there a definitive route, and if so is it published anywhere? I've done LA to SD before on the 5, but never involved anything further north.
Having said all this and asking these questions, I should say that I've been to CA close to 15 times already, but I've never done this itinerary that I'm thinking of...Big Sur and Hearst Castle from the previous post are also excellenti deas, heard a lot about both. I've been to SFO, LAX/SNA a bunch of times, and SAN I think twice. I'm toying with the long drive idea for my girl: she's never done SF or LA.
Many thanks so far - keep the thoughts coming!