USA Trip (Stage 2) - Pacific Coast Highway & San Francisco

Hi All,

As mentioned in my USA Trip (Stage 1) - Hawaii thread I will be heading to the US in a couple of months for a long holiday - after Hawaii I go to Los Angeles and jump in a car to drive up the Pacific Coast Highway, and finish with 2-3 nights in San Francisco (6 days in total). I have been to L.A. (and Vegas) previously, so will be lookign to 'get out of town' immediately and start driving up the coast (I've been as far north as Ventura County previously). I've split up my itinerary into about 4 stages, so will post them separately so as to keep each thread focussed on a particular area.

Obviously there are a couple of obvious places to stop along the PCH (Santa Barbara, Monterey, Santa Cruz) - but as with my Hawaii questions would appreciate any advice from locals or people who have spent time there. I'm interested in scenery & wildlife, historical sites, secluded/serene places to relax, and anything that's a great photography opportunity, etc. Other nice to haves are unique places to eat (e.g. restaurants that may be hidden gems only locals know about), and areas that will have good budget accommodation and such... Basic ally anything interesting or unique...

So if anyone can offer any information on driving the PCH and/or San Francisco and it's immediate surrounds that would be much appreciated.

​Many TIA.

Big Sur is a must. Growing all over the hills of Big Sur are Pacific Bay Leaf trees so be sure to pick a handful or two to take home. South of Big Sur and just north of San Luis Obispo is the Hearst Castle which is pretty cool but only if you have the time. Right there in the town of San Simeon (very small town) just before the Hearst Castle turnoff is a beach that is littered with the semi-precious moonstones. And even though there's a beach named moonstone beach, you'll find more moonstone on the beaches of San Simeon.

Then of course the Monterey Aquarium is world class and worthy of a visit.

I would also suggest stopping at the various missions that follow PCH up the coast. Each mission is a days walk from each other so that the Friars could would have a place to bed down on their trips up north.

Also keep in mind that Yosemite National park is only a couple hour drive from San Fran and there's no reason to visit the area and not see Yosemite.

I'd stop in Cambria, CA. It's about 40 miles south of Monterey, and it's a simple little seaside town right off Hwy. 1. There are motels (legitimate, old-school, drive up in front of your room motels) that sit right across the street (a 2-lane, 25mph street) from the ocean. My fiancee and I went there for several weekends and it always felt like I was stepping back into the 1960's. I actually proposed on the beach there. I only have one shot in my gallery from Cambria (it's the sunset), but I'll try to dig up some more.

While you're there, check out the 'downtown' (really just a main street) with some neat little shops and galleries. I'd also pay the $25 for one of the guided tours of Hearst Castle. It was built by William Randolph Hearst as a private residence and is ridiculously opulent. It's now a museum run by the state of CA. It's also on a hill overlooking the coast, so the views are amazing.

I'd also second Dave's recommendation of Yosemite if you've never been. Ansel Adams chose to live there, and it wasn't because the place is ugly.

I was in the Silicon Valley for a newspaper conference years ago. We took that drive down the coast. All I can say is -- Gorgeous. Get your camera ready for serious photo ops. The drive itself, is a photo op.