San Diego to San Franciso

Have a few questions regarding our upcoming trip to California.

dates are Sep 2 - 14 into SAN and out through SFO.

Basic itinerary
Sep 2-5 - SD
Sep 5-9 - LA (Santa Monica or possibly West Hollywood)
Sept 9-10 - drive along coast with stopover in SLO
Sept 10-13 -SF
Sept 13-14 - Napa-Yountville then fly out...

Now the questions...

-between LA and SF, we would like to drive through Malibu, Santa Barbara, SLO and Monterey. We don't necessarily need long stops at each , but would like to see Hearst Castle and the Monterey Aquarium. Is the one night stop in SLO sufficient enough?

-From Napa or possibly Santa Rosa how many hours would it take to get to SFO. Flight out would be at 12:30pm. We're just not sure how to account for traffic.

-What's the weather like in early september, woud like to rent a convertible for the drive, but if it's too hot.. not sure the premium for a convert would be worth it.

thank you kindly to anyone that can help!

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Originally Posted by thegreatfoodhunt

Now the questions...

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Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! Since, by your member name, I am assuming you are interested in unusual and off-the-tourist-path-food spots -- I would certainly nominate -- Phil's Fish Market at Moss Landing!

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-between LA and SF, we would like to drive through Malibu, Santa Barbara, SLO and Monterey. We don't necessarily need long stops at each , but would like to see Hearst Castle and the Monterey Aquarium. Is the one night stop in SLO sufficient enough?

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A two day trip up the coastal route is about right.

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-From Napa or possibly Santa Rosa how many hours would it take to get to SFO. Flight out would be at 12:30pm. We're just not sure how to account for traffic.

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It really depends on the day and the time of day. But to make a departure of 12:30 pm from Santa Rosa, it is about 70 miles, and you need to allow three hours for travel (rush hour traffic in-bound) and a couple of hours for checking in and dropping off the car. If it were me, I would be on the road, by 7:00 am.

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-What's the weather like in early september, woud like to rent a convertible for the drive, but if it's too hot.. not sure the premium for a convert would be worth it.

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It should be nice along the coast, -- chillier as you make your way north. 65 to 85 (F) degrees during the day.

Mark

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Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist

I would certainly nominate -- Phil's Fish Market at Moss Landing!

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Thanks very much for the suggestions, will definitely check it out.

also thanks for your replies to my question.

Looks like it might be easier to comeback into SF for one night.

Another question...

Is it safe to drive at night on Highway 1... lets say somewhere between San Simeon and Carmel?

From what I've found online.. sunset is somewhere between 7-8pm in mid September.

Won't be driving much past sunset, but just wondering what conditions are like.

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Originally Posted by thegreatfoodhunt

Is it safe to drive at night on Highway 1... lets say somewhere between San Simeon and Carmel?

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You can certainly do it, -- but you would be missing out on the scenery! About 30 years ago, I was driving along that road in the dark, in the fog, it was raining, and going slow.... came around a bend and.... there was no road. The road had collapsed into the ravine. But that a VERY rare situation.

Mark