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noracoombs
Citizen
Username: Noracoombs
Post Number: 152
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 1:18 pm: | 
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We're going to be in California in August and will be driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles. We'll split up the drive over about three days--anyone have any good suggestions for where to go/stay/eat? All suggestions are appreciated! |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 2434
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 2:08 pm: |
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Eat at Nepenthe (sp?) in Big Sur. It's right off the PCH with lovely views of the ocean. We drove the opposite way (from LA to San Fran) and stayed one evening in Cambria. Lovely little town. It was a long time ago, maybe ten years so I'm sure that any review of lodging will be out of date but the town was very nice and quaint.
Stop at Hearst Castle on the way down and I've heard good things about Solvang although I've never been.
Have fun and split the drive between people as well as the views are spectacular. |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1495
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 2:12 pm: |
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Nepenthe is one of my all time favorite places - wait for a spot outside in the back - it's worth it to sip Margaritas staring out at the Pacific Ocean. I love Big Sur and like to stay at Deetjens which is a really cool spot and not that expensive. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 1130
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 2:26 pm: |
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Morro Bay is a good stop. |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1596
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 2:31 pm: |
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Also recently saw a website for a really cool looking eco-resort (platform tents and lodge) somewhere along the coast. If that is your style, I can probably find the article/website. |
Spare_o
Supporter
Username: Spare_o
Post Number: 412
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 3:51 pm: |
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I used to drive between SF and LA when I was in college. Great places to stop in no particular order:
Santa Barbara
Santa Cruz
Carmel / Monterey (the aquarium is great!)
San Simeon (Hearst Castle)
If you were going earlier you could go to the Garlic Festival in Gilroy.
http://www.gilroygarlicfestival.com/
Other places not so on the way:
Yosemite (although likely crowded in August)
Sequoia National Park
I think Solvang is a waste of time tourist trap.
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doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1484
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 4:14 pm: |
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Just above San Fran...one of my best memories ever:
The giant redwoods
http://www.sftravel.com/muirwoodssanfrancisco.html
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judy3x
Citizen
Username: Judy3x
Post Number: 5
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 5:03 pm: |
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We did the same drive last august. I will tell you to pack many layers for SF. It was downright cold and foggy. It finally got warmer around Hearst Castle. We stayed one night along the way in Santa barbara. It's a great trip. |
Wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2534
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 5:05 pm: |
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Agree with Sportsnut. Cambria - was there oh so long ago - is an absolutely beautiful quaint town. Yes to the entire PCH, especially Big Sur area. In addition there was a wonderful stop north of Big Sur, near Carmel, which was Point Lobos State Park. Beautiful scenery, cypress trees and seals and other sea life. Great hiking trails and more! |
SO1969
Citizen
Username: Bklyn1969
Post Number: 329
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 2:46 pm: |
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The Highlands Inn near Carmel (Carmel Highlands maybe)has a very fancy restaurant with ocean / coast views. If you're into dropping a lot of cash at 4 star type restaurants, my understanding is this is a place to do it.
I'm not into doing that, so even though we got comped on the room thru Hyatt points, I still, 4 years later, resent the money I spent in the fancy restaurant.
HOWEVER, there is a fantastic, reasonably priced Grill (no ocean views or much more indirect ones, but outside deck) also attached to the Inn. I'm sure they share a kitchen with the fancy place. More seared in my mind than the check at the fancy place is the garlic chicken at the Grill - wish I'd gone back next night for a repeat.
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Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2179
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 7:36 pm: |
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When I did that drive, it didn't take 3 days. We stopped at Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Amazing place and I dare you not to say Rosebud (in that silly voice when you are there). http://www.hearstcastle.com. It's nearly equidistant between SF and LA.
Also I enjoyed San Luis Obispo. |
mooewe
Citizen
Username: Mooewe
Post Number: 350
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 3, 2006 - 9:04 am: |
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Be sure to take the 17 Mile Drive between Monterey and Carmel - it costs a bit, but is well worth it.
I've heard the food at Nepenthe is a rip-off, but at least have a drink on the patio and soak in the view.
San Simeon is an absolute must - take the main tour, and a supplemental one; I liked the garden tour. If it's a beautiful day, it will be all you can do to keep yourself from jumping in that pool. And definitely make reservations in advance, if you can (you can do it online). It's extremely popular.
Robin's restaurant in Cambria is excellent. Stay in one of the hotels on Moonstone Beach in Cambria - lovely beachwalk right across the street.
I've done this trip twice in my life, about 25 years apart, and most recently 2 years ago. Definitely a grand slam, near-perfect vacation each time. Each time I wonder why I don't live out there!
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noracoombs
Citizen
Username: Noracoombs
Post Number: 154
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 4, 2006 - 11:06 pm: |
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Thanks to everyone for all the awesome suggestions--keep 'em coming!
We actually will be doing one fancy dinner out (courtesy of my husband's company and the "take your wife out for a nice dinner and it's on us" mini-bonus they recently gave him)--since the trip is actually starting in Berkeley, we were thinking of doing Chez Panisse. Anyone know if it's worth it, or would it be better to splurge on one of the other suggestions? |
davidbuckley
Citizen
Username: Davidbuckley
Post Number: 643
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 4, 2006 - 11:56 pm: |
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Chez Panisse is , deservedly, a temple. The food is superb as is the service and the calm loveliness of the place.
Restaurant is a set menu, dinner only, whatever they are serving, you eat, no choices. You really must make a reservation 1 month in advance of the day you want to go, especially for a weekend and no question if you want weekend prime time. Only reserve on phone, no web. Can not reserve further out than one month, either.
Cafe is lunch and dinner, a menu and wonderful to be able to choose; less hard to reserve but again, weekend prime time, one month out for sure, always answer phone beginning at 9 am pacific time.
When I go to Berkeley, I go to restaurant once for dinner and cafe once for lunch; check out lovely website.
Report back, please.
Dine well, all.
David |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1506
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 5, 2006 - 10:09 am: |
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I wholeheartedly agree with David. Also if you are looking for a restaurant in LA try Lucques or AOC - both owned by Suzanne Goin a protege of Alice Waters. |
Lou Michetti
Citizen
Username: Rexaroo
Post Number: 2
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 5, 2006 - 10:30 am: |
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When planning your trip you should know highway 1 north of Half Moon Bay (about 25 miles South of SF) is closed and you will need to plan an alternate route. It is expected to re-open the end of September.
The best alternate from SF is 280 South to 92 west, then catch 1 in Half Moon Bay and head south on1 from there.
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