Any favorite place to stop between LA and SF?

[Flacht3]

I'll be picking up a new car next month from LA and driving her up to SF.

I've done this a few times before but have typically been extremely utilitarian about the whole thing and just hopped on I5 to get back as quickly as possible in one straight shot.

This time I'm thinking of breaking it up a little bit. I don't want to go TOO out of the way and turn this into a 10 hour, 1,000 mile drive but I'm thinking stopping somewhere 2-3 hours outside LA, stopping for the night, hitting some more scenic roads before eventually getting back towards 101 or I5.

So far the obvious options are SLO, Pismo, Paso Robles. The more northern towns (Monterey, Big Sur) aren't too appealing because by the time I get up that far north I may as well just keep driving instead of staying overnight.

Any other recommendations?

[SunnyD]

What about Solvang? Seems like a fun place to check out.

[RobbyMack]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

What about Solvang? Seems like a fun place to check out.

Not a bad town for sure.

OP I'd probably go LA - Santa Barbara for the night. Then to Solvang, buellton, los Olivos, etc (about an hr away) lots of good wine tasting to do, also could hit up the hitching post and do your own "sideways" tour for the day. Next Maybe shoot up to SLO/Paso and onto Hearst castle, then on up to Carmel and finally up to the bay. I don't think hwy 1 is totally open between paso and Carmel anymore (all that rain a year or two ago took out a couple of bridges, but check with cal trans). That whole big sur drive is fun and worth it if it's open. You could break that up in any number of days and small adventures along the way.

[Corms85]

Originally Posted by RobbyMack

Not a bad town for sure.

OP I'd probably go LA - Santa Barbara for the night. Then to Solvang, buellton, los Olivos, etc (about an hr away) lots of good wine tasting to do, also could hit up the hitching post and do your own "sideways" tour for the day. Next Maybe shoot up to SLO/Paso and onto Hearst castle, then on up to Carmel and finally up to the bay. I don't think hwy 1 is totally open between paso and Carmel anymore (all that rain a year or two ago took out a couple of bridges, but check with cal trans). That whole big sur drive is fun and worth it if it's open. You could break that up in any number of days and small adventures along the way.

No brainer......take the PCH. One of the most scenic drives out there.

[cfm56d7b]

Take PCH to Hurst Castle and then take a tour of the wine country in Paso Robles. It will be difficult to head north after that. The scenery is unimaginably beautiful.

[SunnyD]

If you do go to SLO, be sure to hit up Firestone Grill. One of the best tri-tip sandwiches I've ever had.

[JibSTir13]

If you go to Paso, be sure to stop by Justin for some great wine.

[BzsBimmer]

Fresno or Bakersfield. The scenery and fragrant smell is bovine ...er, divine.

Stop off in the town of Panoche... because it’s fun to say.

[MisterF80M3]

I would go to Santa Barbara. There is a few historic sites that is pretty cool.

Then stop by Solvang. Then continue up north on the 101 to Pismo Beach. Spend the night at SLO. Do some exploration at SLO then continue on the 1. Stop at Big Sur. There are some good pictures opportunities there with your new car. Then spend the night in Monterey.

Approximately 3 days, 2 nights.

[Flacht3]

Thanks all! Some good ideas but can't do them all (I guess I could, but trying to keep this to two days). My tentative plan is:

Day 1: LA to SLO. Stop in Santa Barbara, Pismo, SLO. End in Morro Bay and stay there.

Day 2: Morro Bay to Hearst Castle.
- Option A: Maybe circle back to Paso Robles, then shoot up to SF on 101
- Option B: Just keep going on Highway 1 and cut over to 101 once I hit Monterey.

[rr006rbc]

I'm surprised no one suggested BIG SUR yet. Thank me later.

[Flacht3]

Originally Posted by rr006rbc

I'm surprised no one suggested BIG SUR yet. Thank me later.

If I take the Highway 1 option, which is what I'm leaning towards, I'll stop in Big Sur for sure.

[A4W]

I just did this in August for my M3! I was thinking of doing a more leisurely drive, but ended up having to leave on a trip the next day so I made it short: hit up the Petersen Museum in LA and then took 5 home.

If I had to do it again, I would do SB and Pismo. Bay Area people like us don't need to do Big Sur, Monterey, etc because it's so close we go quite often (or at least I do).

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

What about Solvang? Seems like a fun place to check out.

thats where I live

Santa Barbara is pretty awesome as well. Just walk around State street and then head out to the Pier and beach area. Lots going on all the time.

[GOLFFRR]

if you take the HWY 1 the Monterey aquarium and also Hearst castle are pretty cool places

[Flacht3]

To A4W's point, Big Sur and Monterey are a reasonable distance away for us Bay Area folk so I'm less concerned about hitting these and more concerned about focusing on areas south of Big Sur but they're great suggestions nonetheless.

[MisterF80M3]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

thats where I live

Santa Barbara is pretty awesome as well. Just walk around State street and then head out to the Pier and beach area. Lots going on all the time.

Which one of these homes is yours?

[tpark]

Originally Posted by Chris_DM

If I take the Highway 1 option, which is what I'm leaning towards, I'll stop in Big Sur for sure.

I took a loaner 4 series convertible to do a norcal roadtrip and big sur/PCH was worth every single minute of the drive. Absolutely beautiful scenery.

View post on imgur.com

I mean just look at it

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

Which one of these homes is yours?

haha the little phone booth! I actually live super close to that road, both my golf courses I play everyday are right down the road from there. The Alisal river and ranch course.

[slowpoke247]

+1

so, so good. your taste buds will thank you.

Originally Posted by SunnyD

If you do go to SLO, be sure to hit up Firestone Grill. One of the best tri-tip sandwiches I've ever had.

[MisterF80M3]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

haha the little phone booth! I actually live super close to that road, both my golf courses I play everyday are right down the road from there. The Alisal river and ranch course.

Is it really a must see place? I am hearing mix reviews about the "Little Denmark."

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

Is it really a must see place? I am hearing mix reviews about the "Little Denmark."

being that I have lived here for most of my 35 years of life I don't see the big deal but everyone who comes through loves it. The bigger draw lately is the wineries out here in the Santa Ynez Valley. We are slowly becoming the new top wine destination in the state. Solvang is great to spend a 3 or 4 hours walking around but other then that I dont see the large appeal. but EVERY weekend its slammed