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PCH (CA1) in March
"Graham Harrison" wrote in message ... If you were going to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles during late March where would you stop? I'm thinking of taking in Pinnacles as well. My first thoughts were Day 1 drive to Monterrey We've been to Monterey before and done the 17 mile drive and the aquarium. http://gocalif.ca.gov/region.php?key=central_coast So how about Pacific Grove instead ... lots of nice B&B's on the water. ( they are not on the ocean side of street ( sheer drop) but across the street - water VIEWS from some rooms) Last time we stayed he http://www.pginns.com/index.html Very nice - comfortable - definitely NOT cheap. or maybe he http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/lodging.html For cheap, I stay in Seaside ( next town to Monterey). here 's a link I had saved: http://maps.google.com/maps?near=211...&t=h&z=16&om=0 Across from Roberts Lake ( a big puddle) there is a Doubletree/Holiday Inn/ Comfort Inn right off Highway 1 south . Eat at the Monterey Fish House on Del Monte Ave- see past postings for recommendations by me and a LOT of others. It used to be ' Bring your own alcohol' . ?? http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...alifornia.html Day 2 day trip to Pinnacles returning to Monterrey for the night but I'm wondering if staying night 1 in Soledad might be a better bet. Day 3 wander down the PCH to San Simeon. It seems to be about a 2 and a half hour drive so we can do that in the morning, have lunch and then book a Hearst Castle visit for the PM. Spend the night in San Simeon or move on to San Luis Obispo? There is a Best Western "Cavalier" across the street from San Simeon. Excellent - on the water. Firepits out back to sit at night ( March will be cool so cuddle). Excellent restaurant there - basic food - done very well. AND... the apple pie is the BEST I have ever had (Trust me I know my desserts... and I stop there every spring to get it) so save room for dessert ( or get some to go). Reasonable prices. Can you tell so far - I can tell you where to get a good meal ?!!! Day 4 I was then thinking of a night in Santa Barbara before finishing in Santa Monica on day 5 for a couple of nights before flying back to the UK. http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/3...tabarbara.html Used to be a big Best Western on the water. Prices in that town can vary a whole lot so check first. So, all pretty relaxed. We're not gourmets or inclined to stay in really upmarket places. Best Western is about our level. I plan to visit Travel Town and the miniture railway in Griffith Park in Los Angeles (even if Santa Monica isn't *the* most convnient location for that. We'll pick the car up the day we leave San Francisco - Muni will do while we are in the city. Total trip time including time in San Francisco and Los Angeles is 11 nights. Questions: I'm tempted to stay around Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco. When we've visited previously we've stayed with family in San Mateo/Foster City but we fancy the city this time. I've seen adverts for B and B on some of the boats moored in the wharf area - anyone ever used them? If we went for one of the chain hotels down there anyone got preferences? Any other suggestions? Do eat at Scoma's - on the water - very good seafood. I've stayed at several hotel chains - each at end of wharf- down near Ghiradelli's. Not cheap - average rooms. Nothing memorable. Stopping places other than those I've outlined. We like gardens/landscapes, hiking, railways (tourist/steam and modern and I already know about the Roaring Camp and its' neighbour down to Santa Cruz), airplane museums (is the one just south of Foster City still open? and I've been to Moffett). I'm thinking maybe somewhere just to sit and contemplate the ocean, or a short hike to the ocean. If anyone knows the Fish Market on Norfolk in San Mateo are there any places like that en route? Not familiar with Norfolk, but just south of Carmel . as Hwy 1 bends to the left, there is a hotel up a sharp -turn driveway .. nice place to watch the sunset. Then back to your hotel . NEXT day start the Big Sur drive. On the way to San Simeone, stop at Nepenthe on the right hand side of Hwy one for lunch/drinks. As with Pebble Beach, if EARLY in day, views will be foggy, so ask at hotel .. how long to get there ? ... you want to arrive at 12 noon or a bit later and on a clear ( brisk) day, sit outside and have a coffee/drink/lunch. Enjot the views. ( I think it use to be owned by Orson Wells ). In general, http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/3.../2006/sanfran/ http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/3...tabarbara.html pick your city from left column for "things to not miss". Notes are inthe right column. Also note - some of the articles ARE dated, so check before making concrete plans. I have a lot of area travel books that I bought at national bookstores .. look there for more specific ideas. Bobb |
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