[earthian]

We ( My wife and i) plan to visit US during April. One of the activities planned is a drive from SF to LA via the coast road. It is supposed to be very picturesque.

1. We have a lot of time and want to do the drive by stopping at local attractions, if required for a day or two.
2. That begs the question as to what would be the recommended stopovers?
3. We would like a two bedroom Airbnb facility wherever possible.
4. Our son would be accompanying us and yes, doing most of the driving.
5. I enjoy landscape photography, night photography and wildlife; whereas my wife enjoys sampling local customs, shopping and sightseeing.

Would appreciate advice.

[indianv2]

Originally Posted by earthian

We ( My wife and i) plan to visit US during April. One of the activities planned is a drive from SF to LA via the coast road. It is supposed to be very picturesque.

This route is one of the most recommended drives in the US. I and a couple of friends had travelled this route in 2006 - It is called Route 1/Highway 1 as it touches the left-most periphery of the US border and runs along the coast for most parts. It is a drive that stays etched in memory till date.

We planned a trip from San Diego (SD) to San Francisco (SFO), using the regular highway on our way to SFO (taking a total of 8+ hours). On our way back from SFO to SD, we took this route. It took a total of 14+ hours but let me tell you - it was worth every extra bit of time. In hindsight, we felt we should have spent a few hours more. While we took turns while driving, none of us wanted to let go of the wheel . A few sections feel like a crawl with speeds less than 10-20 mph but the view on offer makes you go slower.

There are some local joints along the way for refreshments and several way points, where you can stop, alight, and take some photos. Some travellers, with the right mode of transport (like a Mini Van, RV, etc) spend the night/weekend on the highway itself.

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by earthian

One of the activities planned is a drive from SF to LA via the coast road. It is supposed to be very picturesque.

I have done the reverse drive: LA to SF some years back. I'd asked for suggestions here and received very good advice on how to do the CA1. The SF-LA journey via CA1 can take a seriously long time, due to a much lower speed limit (25 to 45 mph on most stretches). I was told, rightly so, that it can get repetitive and boring.

I took the advice mentioned below, driving on I5 until the Big Sur area (about half way), and then joining CA1. Do consider if you'd prefer this.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route...ml#post3430459 (Queries about a trip to the Grand Canyon & West Coast, USA)

Here's what you can do / points to see as you set off from SF:

1) Do the 17-mile drive trail
2) Monterey bay / shore
3) Pismo beach - there are elaborate sand dunes here, and you can rent dirt motor bikes / two-seater cars that you can bash the dunes with
4) Bixby bridge

Depending on your interest (and how you plan your drive), you can even visit

1) Half Moon Bay - very high possibility of sighting whales here. This is very close to SF so can be your first place to visit. Note that this place is very windy and chilly - and can often have rolling clouds. Quite a beautiful sight.

2) Santa Cruz beach front

CA1 can be a photographer's delight. You'll eventually grow tired of stopping to admire the view and click pictures. You can stay/camp in Big Sur if you want to do night photography.

For your wife's shopping: I'd suggest Pier 39, SF. Otherwise, I doubt there's a lot of local customs/shopping as such alongside CA1.

[SR-71]

If you can spare time, I would recommend driving to LA via the scenic route 1 instead of taking 101. Route 1 is one of the most scenic drives in the world, IMHO, not just the US. However it can easily add an additional 3 hours compared to 101 even without stops. What would be ideal is if you take an additional day or two so that you can spend time in Monterey Bay, Bixby Creek, McWay Falls & Morro Bay.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur

[dean5545]

The Pacific coast highway between San Francisco and Los Angeles is one of the most scenic drives in the world. I had done it in May 2019.
You will find yourselves stopping every 5-10miles in order to enjoy the vistas.
You can go through my travelogue :Link (Exploring the United States of America) for some information.

I would suggest to use Yelp to find reviews about Hotels, restaurants and Local attractions, they were extremely useful.

The drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is equally scenic and I would highly recommend you doing that as well.

[SR-71]

Originally Posted by dean5545

The drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is equally scenic and I would highly recommend you doing that as well.

...and dangerously boring to drive in the dead of the night! if I ever came close to wrecking my car at high speeds, it was this stretch. Lack of sleep, arrow straight roads, pitch dark horizon, zero traffic and powerful engine, perfect cocktail for a disaster!

[earthian]

Originally Posted by indianv2

This route is one of the most recommended drives in the US. I and a couple of friends had travelled this route in 2006 - It is called Route 1/Highway 1 as it touches the left-most periphery of the US border and runs along the coast for most parts. It is a drive that stays etched in memory till date.

Yes, everyone raves about this. It seems that the rail route is also good, but obviously a car gives you more freedom.

Here's what you can do / points to see as you set off from SF:

1) Do the 17-mile drive trail
2) Monterey bay / shore
3) Pismo beach - there are elaborate sand dunes here, and you can rent dirt motor bikes / two-seater cars that you can bash the dunes with
4) Bixby bridge

Thank you for that

CA1 can be a photographer's delight. You'll eventually grow tired of stopping to admire the view and click pictures. You can stay/camp in Big Sur if you want to do night photography.

Any idea if there is a dark zone?

Originally Posted by SR-71

If you can spare time, I would recommend driving to LA via the scenic route 1 instead of taking 101. Route 1 is one of the most scenic drives in the world, IMHO, not just the US. However it can easily add an additional 3 hours compared to 101 even without stops. What would be ideal is if you take an additional day or two so that you can spend time in Monterey Bay, Bixby Creek, McWay Falls & Morro Bay.

Thanks. Time is one commodity i have in plenty. ( fingers crossed!!)

Originally Posted by dean5545

The drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is equally scenic and I would highly recommend you doing that as well.

Let me put it across to my son. Hopefully we should be able to hire a car at SF and return it at Las Vegas?

Originally Posted by SR-71

...and dangerously boring to drive in the dead of the night! if I ever came close to wrecking my car at high speeds, it was this stretch. Lack of sleep, arrow straight roads, pitch dark horizon, zero traffic and powerful engine, perfect cocktail for a disaster!

Yes, we shall not be driving at night.

[SR-71]

Originally Posted by earthian

Hopefully we should be able to hire a car at SF and return it at Las Vegas?

Yes, one way rentals are common, though rental companies may charge you a small additional fee under certain circumstances like different state drop off in your case. The best answer for this is to reach out to the respective rental company and get it clarified upfront. I will encourage you to visit websites of rental companies like hertz or national and plan your route using their tools. It will give you a fair idea of charges. Additionally if you or your son have preferred accounts with them, you get a good deal with rentals with lot of pesky charges disappearing magically.

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by earthian

Hopefully we should be able to hire a car at SF and return it at Las Vegas?

Easily. All rental companies allow one way rentals. Tip: rent from an airport lot, you get a better selection of cars, possibility of an upgrade, and generally slightly lower rate than an in-store lot. You can choose from San Francisco or San Jose. In our trip, we rented at Phoenix (PHX) and returned at SFO. Our trip was Phoenix - Grand Canyon - Las Vegas - Hoover Dam - San Diego - drive-by LA - San Francisco.

I'd highly recommend that you add San Diego. LA is a terrible let down: horrible traffic, dirty streets and in general, not much to do unless you want to party on the beach.

San Diego is a very beautiful town, and lots to see there. Las Vegas is an experience worth indulging in once. Do add Grand Canyon as well, since you have time.

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by earthian

Hopefully we should be able to hire a car at SF and return it at Las Vegas?

You can. As mentioned already rent from an airport for better rates, variety. One thing you need to make sure is if the rental includes unlimited miles. On two occasions I overlooked that detail and was charged per mile after first 600 or so miles and the final amount came out way above what we had planned. I had to pay full amount once (Hertz) while second time they waived off because I had garnered "goodwill" with them. This was Enterprise btw. Also noticed that on both times the car was not typical rental like Impala/300C - first time it was Jeep Wrangler while second time Dodge Challenger. Not trying to scare, just make sure to check all the details and generally go for unlimited miles car.

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by amol4184

One thing you need to make sure is if the rental includes unlimited miles.

Good advice.

Also, ensure you take complete insurance for the driver. If you feel you might be tempted to drive the car as well, get yourself added on the insurance. Car insurance in the US is driver-based, not vehicle-based.

If you plan on driving on the Golden Gate Bridge (which you totally should), ensure you pre-pay toll. Pre-pay works out cheaper than a post-use invoice. If you don't pay, your car rental will add it to your invoice at the time of returning the car / few days later, and it will be higher than the toll amount + can be a hassle to keep a track of.

This is the website: https://www.goldengate.org/bridge/tolls-payment/

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

If you plan on driving on the Golden Gate Bridge (which you totally should), ensure you pre-pay toll. Pre-pay works out cheaper than a post-use invoice.

Right, and for fuel never buy it from rental agency- always tell them that you will return the car fully topped up (or whatever level the car had while starting the journey). They ask this question at the counter while filling out rental form. Say you will refill on your own. Never return it empty and ask them to charge you. They will refill the car at much higher rate than market rate and charge it on your credit card. Back when fuel was sub $2~ in WA, Enterprise fuel rate was $2.5-2.75. In today's times, in CA they will charge you $6.5-7/g for regular gas.

[GTO]

This is easily one of the most scenic roads in the USA . BHPians have already given you enough advice. My 2 paisa:

- Rent a really nice car for this drive. It'll be one for the memory bank. I had rented a Corvette off Turo for Highway 1.

- Don't have a fixed / rigid plan. The best part of this drive is just the...drive & experience. You'll see cute little beaches with surfers. Stop and enjoy. You'll pass charming small towns with local restaurants. Stop and enjoy.

[Amrik Singh]

I will be more than interested as it is in my bucket list. Already missed doing this route this year due to fear from prevailing Covid conditions. Hopefully, would make it in next trip

[landcruiser123]

That is one great road! You can check out my TL here:
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...route-1-a.html (Twisties, mountains, woods and the Pacific: California State Route 1)

If you want to stay one night, I'd recommend staying in San Luis Obispo (like I did). If you want to stay 2 nights, I'd pick Monterey/Carmel-by-the-sea and San Luis Obispo/Pismo beach.

Try spending time in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and the areas next to the coast (around Bixby bridge) are wonderful for astro photography due to very low artificial light. Do note that the area is remote and fog can block all views.

Originally Posted by earthian

We ( My wife and i) plan to visit US during April. One of the activities planned is a drive from SF to LA via the coast road. It is supposed to be very picturesque....
Would appreciate advice.