Pacific Coast Highway 2 stop / 4 night route
Jan 23, 2020, 4:48 am
#16
Join Date: May 2015
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When we were there we saw several pairs of sea otters at Morro Bay with two of them very close. Also there were many sea lions on rocks out in the middle of the harbor. However do not miss Monterey Bay. You should also see sea otters if you do the 17 mile drive at Pebble Beach, I think.
Jan 23, 2020, 8:25 am
#17
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Well now Im getting very excited. California beach safari! Seriously though this is totally our type of thing on trips. I had to laugh re the indoor Hearst hike. We werent going to do the castle bc have done that on so many trips in Europe. But maybe for the hike. : )
Im thinking after 2 nights in SB, we wing it for a night but then reserve the 4th night in Monterey. That gives us wiggle room but I can feel somewhat less anxious. We will have the 11 and 17 year olds with us and I usually like to have hotels nailed down but it seems like this area will have plenty of last minute options. And we will have the car.
You guys have been fantastic! I knew Id get great advice here.
Im thinking after 2 nights in SB, we wing it for a night but then reserve the 4th night in Monterey. That gives us wiggle room but I can feel somewhat less anxious. We will have the 11 and 17 year olds with us and I usually like to have hotels nailed down but it seems like this area will have plenty of last minute options. And we will have the car.
You guys have been fantastic! I knew Id get great advice here.
Jan 23, 2020, 1:37 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,786
Well now Im getting very excited. California beach safari! Seriously though this is totally our type of thing on trips. I had to laugh re the indoor Hearst hike. We werent going to do the castle bc have done that on so many trips in Europe. But maybe for the hike. : )
Physical Requirements to Tour Hearst Castle
The tour is interesting not really because of looking at someone's house, but listening to the history of it by the tour guide. Also since you are visiting in May, I would suggest their evening tour. They have actors/actresses dressed up 1930's outfit walking around the estate grounds. You do need to reserve ahead of time as those tours get filled up.
Jan 23, 2020, 7:05 pm
#19
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Just to be sure, you know Hearst Castle is not really a castle right? It's just a really big home estate, but I am not kidding about the hiking. There are a lot of steps....
Physical Requirements to Tour Hearst Castle
The tour is interesting not really because of looking at someone's house, but listening to the history of it by the tour guide. Also since you are visiting in May, I would suggest their evening tour. They have actors/actresses dressed up 1930's outfit walking around the estate grounds. You do need to reserve ahead of time as those tours get filled up.
Physical Requirements to Tour Hearst Castle
The tour is interesting not really because of looking at someone's house, but listening to the history of it by the tour guide. Also since you are visiting in May, I would suggest their evening tour. They have actors/actresses dressed up 1930's outfit walking around the estate grounds. You do need to reserve ahead of time as those tours get filled up.
Jan 23, 2020, 9:45 pm
#20
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Point Lobos State Park is worth checking out. We saw lots of Sea Otters and a Joshua tree. It is near Carmel by the Sea.
--Jon
--Jon
Jan 23, 2020, 10:49 pm
#21
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Honestly all this thread info is PERFECT. Adding Point Lobos to my list. Ive never driven the CA coast and now am wondering why on earth not! Even spouse who whines when any trip exceeds 5 nights is ALL IN for 9.
Jan 29, 2020, 8:01 am
#24
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Google the places on this map - https://goo.gl/maps/8Zs8ZuM1KNMqg1Pu8
I'd recommend visiting a couple of old Spanish missions en route; in addition to terrific scenery, the coast highway is also fairly historic. I'd especially recommend Mission Santa Barbara (the "queen of the missions") and the lovely old mission grounds in Carmel. You could also stop for a coffee at Mission San Juan Capistrano, right about where US 101/I-5 swings inland north of San Diego. (Oh, and nomenclature: "PCH" is the term used mostly in southern California, and refers to Highway 1, generally between LA and, maybe, Ventura or Santa Barbara. North of there you'll hear "Highway 1" or "101" rather than "PCH.")
Mission Santa Barbara
You'll encounter seals and sea lions everywhere along the coast, usually laying on the docks in fishing ports, including Fishermen's Wharves in both Monterey and San Francisco. However, given your interests, I think the big Piedras Blancas elephant seal colony on the beach just north of the Hearst Castle parking lot is a major target. Fascinating.
IMO the best scenery and hiking site en route is at Point Lobos, just south of Carmel. If you spend one or two nights in the Monterey area, I'd strongly suggest allocating half a day for this amazing place. (Not my photo.)
The Monterey aquarium is fantastic, but I'd bet your group would also get a kick out of the old beachfront amusement park in funky Santa Cruz.
Finally, if you want to see some big trees, both/either Henry Cowell or Big Basin Redwoods State Parks, north of Santa Cruz, are must-stops. I'd probably recommend Henry Cowell because it's more on the way.
I'd recommend visiting a couple of old Spanish missions en route; in addition to terrific scenery, the coast highway is also fairly historic. I'd especially recommend Mission Santa Barbara (the "queen of the missions") and the lovely old mission grounds in Carmel. You could also stop for a coffee at Mission San Juan Capistrano, right about where US 101/I-5 swings inland north of San Diego. (Oh, and nomenclature: "PCH" is the term used mostly in southern California, and refers to Highway 1, generally between LA and, maybe, Ventura or Santa Barbara. North of there you'll hear "Highway 1" or "101" rather than "PCH.")
Mission Santa Barbara
You'll encounter seals and sea lions everywhere along the coast, usually laying on the docks in fishing ports, including Fishermen's Wharves in both Monterey and San Francisco. However, given your interests, I think the big Piedras Blancas elephant seal colony on the beach just north of the Hearst Castle parking lot is a major target. Fascinating.
IMO the best scenery and hiking site en route is at Point Lobos, just south of Carmel. If you spend one or two nights in the Monterey area, I'd strongly suggest allocating half a day for this amazing place. (Not my photo.)
The Monterey aquarium is fantastic, but I'd bet your group would also get a kick out of the old beachfront amusement park in funky Santa Cruz.
Finally, if you want to see some big trees, both/either Henry Cowell or Big Basin Redwoods State Parks, north of Santa Cruz, are must-stops. I'd probably recommend Henry Cowell because it's more on the way.
Jan 30, 2020, 12:25 pm
#25
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Google the places on this map - https://goo.gl/maps/8Zs8ZuM1KNMqg1Pu8
I'd recommend visiting a couple of old Spanish missions en route; in addition to terrific scenery, the coast highway is also fairly historic. I'd especially recommend Mission Santa Barbara (the "queen of the missions") and the lovely old mission grounds in Carmel. You could also stop for a coffee at Mission San Juan Capistrano, right about where US 101/I-5 swings inland north of San Diego. (Oh, and nomenclature: "PCH" is the term used mostly in southern California, and refers to Highway 1, generally between LA and, maybe, Ventura or Santa Barbara. North of there you'll hear "Highway 1" or "101" rather than "PCH.").
I'd recommend visiting a couple of old Spanish missions en route; in addition to terrific scenery, the coast highway is also fairly historic. I'd especially recommend Mission Santa Barbara (the "queen of the missions") and the lovely old mission grounds in Carmel. You could also stop for a coffee at Mission San Juan Capistrano, right about where US 101/I-5 swings inland north of San Diego. (Oh, and nomenclature: "PCH" is the term used mostly in southern California, and refers to Highway 1, generally between LA and, maybe, Ventura or Santa Barbara. North of there you'll hear "Highway 1" or "101" rather than "PCH.").
And US-101 and CA-1 are two different highways, which "overlap" each other (i.e., they're the same roadway) in only a few places in California -- a lengthy stretch in Ventura & Santa Barbara counties, and the short stretch on the Golden Gate Bridge. CA-1 mostly hugs the coast, while US-101 is mostly farther inland from the coast.
Feb 1, 2020, 10:27 am
#26
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Google the places on this map - https://goo.gl/maps/8Zs8ZuM1KNMqg1Pu8
I'd recommend visiting a couple of old Spanish missions en route; in addition to terrific scenery, the coast highway is also fairly historic. I'd especially recommend Mission Santa Barbara (the "queen of the missions") and the lovely old mission grounds in Carmel. You could also stop for a coffee at Mission San Juan Capistrano, right about where US 101/I-5 swings inland north of San Diego. (Oh, and nomenclature: "PCH" is the term used mostly in southern California, and refers to Highway 1, generally between LA and, maybe, Ventura or Santa Barbara. North of there you'll hear "Highway 1" or "101" rather than "PCH.")
Mission Santa Barbara
You'll encounter seals and sea lions everywhere along the coast, usually laying on the docks in fishing ports, including Fishermen's Wharves in both Monterey and San Francisco. However, given your interests, I think the big Piedras Blancas elephant seal colony on the beach just north of the Hearst Castle parking lot is a major target. Fascinating.
IMO the best scenery and hiking site en route is at Point Lobos, just south of Carmel. If you spend one or two nights in the Monterey area, I'd strongly suggest allocating half a day for this amazing place. (Not my photo.)
The Monterey aquarium is fantastic, but I'd bet your group would also get a kick out of the old beachfront amusement park in funky Santa Cruz.
Finally, if you want to see some big trees, both/either Henry Cowell or Big Basin Redwoods State Parks, north of Santa Cruz, are must-stops. I'd probably recommend Henry Cowell because it's more on the way.
I'd recommend visiting a couple of old Spanish missions en route; in addition to terrific scenery, the coast highway is also fairly historic. I'd especially recommend Mission Santa Barbara (the "queen of the missions") and the lovely old mission grounds in Carmel. You could also stop for a coffee at Mission San Juan Capistrano, right about where US 101/I-5 swings inland north of San Diego. (Oh, and nomenclature: "PCH" is the term used mostly in southern California, and refers to Highway 1, generally between LA and, maybe, Ventura or Santa Barbara. North of there you'll hear "Highway 1" or "101" rather than "PCH.")
Mission Santa Barbara
You'll encounter seals and sea lions everywhere along the coast, usually laying on the docks in fishing ports, including Fishermen's Wharves in both Monterey and San Francisco. However, given your interests, I think the big Piedras Blancas elephant seal colony on the beach just north of the Hearst Castle parking lot is a major target. Fascinating.
IMO the best scenery and hiking site en route is at Point Lobos, just south of Carmel. If you spend one or two nights in the Monterey area, I'd strongly suggest allocating half a day for this amazing place. (Not my photo.)
The Monterey aquarium is fantastic, but I'd bet your group would also get a kick out of the old beachfront amusement park in funky Santa Cruz.
Finally, if you want to see some big trees, both/either Henry Cowell or Big Basin Redwoods State Parks, north of Santa Cruz, are must-stops. I'd probably recommend Henry Cowell because it's more on the way.
Mar 18, 2020, 4:51 pm
#27
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I'm not sure if your trip is still happening with the current pandemic. If you want to hike, make sure visit Mt. Tamalpais. It offers great views of the Pacific Ocean, Bay and the City. It's a bit north of San Francisco.
Mar 18, 2020, 4:58 pm
#28
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Thanks for the tip!
Mar 18, 2020, 8:30 pm
#29
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But even if you're not visiting Muir Woods, drive up Mt. Tam and do some walks/hikes.