Feedback on West coast trip route

Hi,

I think I've finalized my West coast trip plan, just wanted to get some
feedback / comments on it. Any suggestions or improvements would be
greatly appreciated...

1. Depart from New York, arrive at Las Vegas. Stay for 3 days (2
nights).
2. Flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Rent a car, spend 4 days in LA
(including 1 day of Six Flags).
3. Leave LA in the morning, drive to Santa Barbara, stop there for 2-3
hours.
4. Drive to Hearst Castle, 2-3 hour visit.
5. Drive to Carmel, stay for the night.
6. Leave Carmel in morning, take the 17-mile drive.
7. Drive to Gilroy, stop for some outlet shopping.
8. Drive to San Fransisco (arriving at night), stay an additional 4
full days in SF.
9. Back home

This trip was planned with an average of 12 days available. I can
squeeze another 1-3 days if a nice improvement / addition can be
made...

Thanks in advance to all who can help.

Danny

Driving from Santa Barbara to Carmel will take all day not including
stops. Just as an FYI, I used to stay in King City, CA. We left at noon
to go to Monterey (less than two hours), to drive to Big Sur, and take
Nacimiento-Ferguson and Jolon Road back to King City. It was dark (in
Summer) before we even got to the turnoff to start heading home. Let's
just say it took 10 hours, and we didn't even drive the whole thing.
I'd advise you to ditch a day somewhere and plan one day for Santa
Barbara and Hearst Castle, and stay in San Simeon or Cambria, then
spend one day just driving to Monterey. There's lots to see and do in
Monterey, so if you see the 17 mile drive, visit something else, like
the Aquarium, look at geese at one of the city's many parks, drive up
to Santa Cruz, and plan to be in San Francisco the following day (and
you can leave early enough to do your outlet shopping).

There's lots to do everywhere you are going, but take it from someone
who just did a one month road trip (4200 miles), I have now had the
pleasure of stopping in half a dozen places I need to go back to on the
next road trip. I wasn't in a situation to cut things short because I
was 1500 miles from where I started, and only had five days left to get
back to the rental depot.

Just my input... I've spent many months in California. Another note, if
you're interested in Six Flags, don't bother with Disneyland. It's
crowded (all year round, and I was there in March, after the school
breaks mind you...) it's overpriced. You'll spend 42 dollars or
whatever it costs now, per adult, to wait over an hour to buy lunch,
and you might get about a dozen rides in, if you're lucky... Hollywood
Boulevard is a pretty cool place to go, and Universal Studios isn't too
bad if you're into that stuff. (Not too overcrowded).

That's mostly my suggestions.
Sapphyre

Danny Liberty wrote:
Hi,

I think I've finalized my West coast trip plan, just wanted to get some
feedback / comments on it. Any suggestions or improvements would be
greatly appreciated...

1. Depart from New York, arrive at Las Vegas. Stay for 3 days (2
nights).
2. Flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Rent a car, spend 4 days in LA
(including 1 day of Six Flags).
3. Leave LA in the morning, drive to Santa Barbara, stop there for 2-3
hours.
4. Drive to Hearst Castle, 2-3 hour visit.
5. Drive to Carmel, stay for the night.
6. Leave Carmel in morning, take the 17-mile drive.
7. Drive to Gilroy, stop for some outlet shopping.
8. Drive to San Fransisco (arriving at night), stay an additional 4
full days in SF.
9. Back home

This trip was planned with an average of 12 days available. I can
squeeze another 1-3 days if a nice improvement / addition can be
made...

Thanks in advance to all who can help.

Danny

Sounds good.
I don't want to overwhelm you, but I love the western part of the US and
have lots of links for stops/housing/things to do - comments inline:

Enjoy,
Bobb
==========
"Danny Liberty" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

I think I've finalized my West coast trip plan, just wanted to get
some
feedback / comments on it. Any suggestions or improvements would be
greatly appreciated...

1. Depart from New York, arrive at Las Vegas. Stay for 3 days (2
nights).

If you want to check out Vegas "best of" things to do , where to eat etc
...
http://www.reviewjournal.com/bestoflv
http://www.lasvegastaxi.com/bestin.html

To check shows , events when you're in town:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/neon/showsevents/
http://www.lvshowbiz.com/index.html

To just "hang out at a nice place" - and if you don't order drinks it's
free - go to Bellagio and grab a few seats at a piano bar to either get
'in the mood' or to just rest and people watch. For GREAT Thai food for
dinner only I think - head to the Lotus of Siam - local restaurant in a
shopping center near the LV Hilton at 953 E Sahara Ave . They've won
lots of awards although I've heard to NOT get the buffett - order from
the menu.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations...as/D51887.html

If you've never been, It's nice to go to the top of the Stratosphere
hotel at dusk - you have to pay to get up there but it's worth the $10
or so. Great aerial views of the strip. The traffic helicopter are WAY
below you ! so if you're afraid of heights it might not be such a great
idea, but if not, get there before dusk and you'll see the strip hotels
light up as it gets dark. If you're REALLY not afraid of heights,
there's a mini roller coaster up there too. ( I've never done that -
don't plan to)

If you feel like "getting the most for your dollar" - head downtown for
99 cent Shrimp Cocktail at the Golden Gate (on the corner across from
the Plaza ) Other eating options exclusive to Vegas - near Circus Circus
head to Slots-o-Fun. No you're not there for the slots -you're there to
get a hot dog and a beer for $1 each. Their hot dogs are famous - they
weigh a half pound. Whether they taste great is up to you.

On the other extreme... Sunday morning - nice QUIET brunch /breakfast
(which is often hard to find) head to the basement of the Mandalay Bay
for the "public area" of the Four Seasons Hotel . The FS hotel is really
on TOP of the hotel , but the reception lobby is in the basement. They
have nice quiet areas outside with beatiful flowers/landscaping and
airmist sprinklers near the tables. I'm always there in the fall/winter
so check - you may need reservations this time of year.

2. Flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Rent a car, spend 4 days in
LA
(including 1 day of Six Flags).

Although not needed in LA, if the weather is great , you may want a
convertible driving to Carmel - nothing like doing that drive with the
top down.

3. Leave LA in the morning, drive to Santa Barbara, stop there for 2-3
hours.
4. Drive to Hearst Castle, 2-3 hour visit.

Before buying ticket for Hearst, read over your tour/ticket options as
they have various tours.
http://www.cavalierresort.com/hearst.html I didn't know better and
bought a ticket at Hearst for "the tour that was just starting". When I
got home, neighbors asked " wasn't xyz great ?" My tour didn't include
xyz (I forget what it was now but I guess I should have seen it) I had
bought the basic tour. So check above before buying tickets.

http://www.cavalierresort.com
Across the street (on the water side) stop for lunch at the Cavalier
Best Western - they have great/cheap food. Save room for their APPLE
PIE - it is excellent. If you need a room - this place has a backyard
overlooking the Pacific. They have a few fire pits there to just sit and
relax at night. Not expensive either.
Close up of oceanfront at hotel- big photo - slide to center at down
most of the way - you'll see the benches/ fire pits.
http://www.californiacoastline.org/c...9&year=current

For any pictures along the California coastline :
http://www.californiacoastline.org/c... year=current
and you can either scroll north/south ( use left/right arrows on
screen) or click on the map to move along the coast. Click ON the
picture to enlarge it. Maybe call home and even have family follow along
your route ?

5. Drive to Carmel, stay for the night.

To get you in the mood for that drive:
http://www.earthflix.com/stories/travel.php to preview Big Sur /
California coastline movies
Lots of online video to play "remote tourist" to show your friends where
you're going (need high-speed connection)
Most beautiful part of the country !

We've stayed he
http://www.coachmansinn.com - comfortable motel - TV/VCR/ gas fireplace
in the room. If you want peace and quiet in a cozy room. If it's rainy -
and planning on a quiet restful night - sign out VCR movies for free at
the desk.
http://www.normandyinncarmel.com - more of a European feel - like a
small room in a home. Continental breakfast in the lobby - better if
you're looking to mingle with others.
http://www.coachmansinn.com/Transportation.html = overview of route from
LA - SF. Click on right map for detail of Carmel/ Pebble Beach/Pacific
Grove.

6. Leave Carmel in morning, take the 17-mile drive.

Before leaving Carmel, take a walking tour from the lady who owns an art
store just off Ocean ave - she gives them in the morning before the
store opens. She's lived there a while - knows everyone. She'll show
you a lot of very nice yards, history, famous people's houses, Clint
Eastwood's OLD house ( he moved up to the hills). Ask when you check
into your hotel for her name. I got her name from some local literature
at the Chamber of Commerce ( for others - they always have a list of
discounted rooms available at hotels that night and great maps/info. )
During the walk don't be surprised if you see some famous people just
walking around - playing tourist themselves.
http://www.carmelcalifornia.org/chamber/index.asp

While you're there stop a few doors down at Clint Eastwood's building -
first floor now has a jazz radio station. KRML - It's the set from "Play
Misty for me". He's a big jazz fan . Downstairs is the Hog's Breath - he
used to hang out there when he was in the service. That's when he got to
know/love Carmel - it went up for sale years ago and he bought it

http://www.californiacoastline.org/c...=1& year=2005
Leaving Pebble Beach Resorts, take a left to follow the coastline
through Pacific Grove. To get you in the mood:
http://www.earthflix.com/stories/pg_coast.php for a 5 Minute QuickTime
movie of the coast there. We like a long walk here rather than Carmel
Beach - lots of locals to chat with if you like.
If you're looking for a romantic B&B - we've stayed at the Grand View
Inn - expensive ! but great location/view/house
http://www.pginns.com/

If it's time for lunch and you want seafood - do NOT miss this place:
Monterey's Fish House
2114 Del Monte Avenue, Monterey
Located on the right as you are heading out of downtown Monterey (via
Pacific Grove route) and back towards Highway 1 on Del Monte Avenue.
from local website:
" Locals swear by this place. For dinner it's packed - not too crowded
for lunch. NOTE: the atmosphere is not glamorous at all -- there are no
ocean views and the restaurant looks pretty "plain jane" from the
outside. You might even grab two chairs at the bar and watch them
prepare some of the food. But if you are looking for fresh seafood, this
is THE place to go (and it is not too pricey either). "

7. Drive to Gilroy, stop for some outlet shopping.
8. Drive to San Fransisco (arriving at night), stay an additional 4
full days in SF.

lots of SF info already in this newsgroup.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/de...sco/index.html
For items to stop/see along Pacific Coast hwy too read there.

9. Back home

This trip was planned with an average of 12 days available. I can
squeeze another 1-3 days if a nice improvement / addition can be
made...

Thanks in advance to all who can help.

Danny

Sapphyre wrote:
Driving from Santa Barbara to Carmel will take all day not
including stops.

That's driving at 20mph. Taking the Pacific Coast and Cabrillo
highways between Los Angeles and San Francisco is a twelve-hour trip.


Danny Liberty wrote:
This trip was planned with an average of 12 days available. I can
squeeze another 1-3 days if a nice improvement / addition can be
made...

Nice trip.

If you're in 'Vegas on a Monday, I highly recommend going to the
Monday night Blues Jam in Images Lounge at the Stratosphere.

Here's "A bit of non-gambling Las Vegas" with about a dozen useful
links: http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/LasVegas.html

The "Don't-miss sights in San Francisco" page
http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/Sights.html has enough to keep
you busy for nine twelve-hour days. It includes links to your best
source of advice on where to eat here, the UseNet Group ba.food, and
the quite-good sfSurvey.

The best on-line map of San Francisco is an inter-active PDF:
http://geocities.com/iconoc/Grafix/MuniMap.gif. Click on it to get
the *.PDF. I recommend 150-300% magnification. A creation of the San
Francisco Municipal Railway, it includes all of its routes.

The frequently-updated SPECIAL EVENTS page has irregularly-scheduled
music and dances as well as links to seven calendars of
regularly-scheduled dances, a composite of five of them, and one of
dance cruises and events around the world:
http://geocities.com/dancefest/Specials.html#t

DRIVING DIRECTIONS --
San Francisco to: Pacifica-Half Moon Bay-Santa Cruz-Monterey/Carmel
http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/DriveDir.html

The page includes
Since April 4, the page has included the
NOTE: The Cabrillo Highway between Pacifica and Montara, The Devil's
Slide, on April 2, 2006, slid again; it's closed. Here's the
alternate route to Half Moon Bay

-- __________________________________________________ ______________
A San Franciscan in (where else?) San Francisco.
http://geocities.com/dancefest/ --- http://geocities.com/iconoc/
ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 ------- IClast at Gmail com

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Icono Clast,

I tried to view the munimap.gif at
http://geocities.com/iconoc/Grafix/MuniMap.gif.
clicking on it did nothing for me . I could only save as gif or bmp
I did find a link to the Munimap pdf he
http://transit.511.org/providers/map...8200510805.pdf

Bobb


"Icono Clast" wrote in message
.. .
Sapphyre wrote:
Driving from Santa Barbara to Carmel will take all day not
including stops.

That's driving at 20mph. Taking the Pacific Coast and Cabrillo
highways between Los Angeles and San Francisco is a twelve-hour trip.


Danny Liberty wrote:
This trip was planned with an average of 12 days available. I can
squeeze another 1-3 days if a nice improvement / addition can be
made...

Nice trip.

If you're in 'Vegas on a Monday, I highly recommend going to the
Monday night Blues Jam in Images Lounge at the Stratosphere.

Here's "A bit of non-gambling Las Vegas" with about a dozen useful
links: http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/LasVegas.html

The "Don't-miss sights in San Francisco" page
http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/Sights.html has enough to keep
you busy for nine twelve-hour days. It includes links to your best
source of advice on where to eat here, the UseNet Group ba.food, and
the quite-good sfSurvey.

The best on-line map of San Francisco is an inter-active PDF:
http://geocities.com/iconoc/Grafix/MuniMap.gif. Click on it to get the
*.PDF. I recommend 150-300% magnification. A creation of the San
Francisco Municipal Railway, it includes all of its routes.

The frequently-updated SPECIAL EVENTS page has irregularly-scheduled
music and dances as well as links to seven calendars of
regularly-scheduled dances, a composite of five of them, and one of
dance cruises and events around the world:
http://geocities.com/dancefest/Specials.html#t

DRIVING DIRECTIONS --
San Francisco to: Pacifica-Half Moon Bay-Santa Cruz-Monterey/Carmel
http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/DriveDir.html

The page includes
Since April 4, the page has included the
NOTE: The Cabrillo Highway between Pacifica and Montara, The Devil's
Slide, on April 2, 2006, slid again; it's closed. Here's the alternate
route to Half Moon Bay

-- __________________________________________________ ______________
A San Franciscan in (where else?) San Francisco.
http://geocities.com/dancefest/ --- http://geocities.com/iconoc/
ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 ------- IClast at Gmail com

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Driving from Santa Barbara to Carmel
will take all day not including stops

Are you sure about that? According to Google Maps, the drive is 250
miles and they estimate 4-1/2 hours.

Jim

Didn't they say " Arrive in Carmel in evening", so aren't they planning
for the day ?
No one who's never done that drive is going to do it at 55 miles per
hour ( 250 / 4.5hrs) - no way, no how. But even at 4 1/2 hrs - it still
sounds like a full day.
Hearst Castle is a few hours (especially if you just missed a tour)
Nepenthe is worth stopping for a break and 20 min for the view
Lunch somewhere in there.

wrote in message
ups.com...
Driving from Santa Barbara to Carmel
will take all day not including stops

Are you sure about that? According to Google Maps, the drive is 250
miles and they estimate 4-1/2 hours.

Jim

wrote:
Driving from Santa Barbara to Carmel
will take all day not including stops

Are you sure about that? According to Google Maps, the drive is 250
miles and they estimate 4-1/2 hours.

Jim

If you're going to do it non stop, I'm sure it's possible to get it
done in 4-5 hours... I did the drive, and not the entire route once by
day, and I was hanging out around Lucia (it's on the map, but I don't
know what it is, that's where I started out), and it took about five
hours to drive south on 1 to catch a road to take me to Paso Robles,
and then back home. (So five hours from Lucia to that road to Paso,
then to King City). I just remember it being very long, and getting to
a point of not wanting to stop anymore because it was getting late in
the afternoon. I'm not one to enjoy driving at night.

My dad did the drive from Los Angeles up past San Francisco, but I'm
not sure how far. He said he spent three days driving the coast and it
was tedious to keep changing gears. (The era of the manual
transmission).

My point was not to pack too much into that day, because it's nice to
stop often and look at the scenery and the beach. I took a walk along
the beach at one of the look out points, there was a path and people
were walking down to the shore line. A road trip is more fun when you
don't spend you're entire day in the car.

I suppose I'm looking at this from a photographer's perspective. I
would have to make tons of stops. I'm sure there are people who can do
scenic drives without stopping. I just can't. I stop the car everytime
I see something I like.

Sapphyre

wrote in message
ups.com...
Driving from Santa Barbara to Carmel
will take all day not including stops

Are you sure about that? According to Google Maps, the drive is 250
miles and they estimate 4-1/2 hours.

What route is that? Does it include time on the slower Coast Highway? One
really should drive at least part of the route along the coast, especially
around Big Sur. It's one of the most scenic highways in the country.

To the OP, I agree with the others. You will want to spend more time and
another night on the drive from LA to Carmel. Also there are several things
to do around Monterey/Carmel in addition to the 17-mile drive. Like visit
the Carmel Mission and go to the Monterey Acquarium. And do you like golf?
The 17-mile drive goes through/by Pebble Beach.

Can you reserve ahead of time for Hearst Castle?

Marianne

If you're going to do it non stop, I'm sure it's
possible to get it done in 4-5 hour ...
..

Thanks for the clarification. The drive itself is only about 4-1/2
hours, but I agree that most folks would want to take more time so they
could enjoy the scenic views.

Jim