Please help ASAP. San Diego to SB or SF? Leaving this Sun, Oct5th, 2014

We booked our tickets (couple) last midnight and have until midnight to change! Our reservations are currently to arrive Sun night, the 5th, in San Diego… return ticket reserved out of San Francisco Thursday, Oct 16. However, we are able to change our return ticket to LAX and aren't sure what to do.

We want to start in San Diego because we're hoping the weather will allow us to enjoy some beach time. We're planning on la jolla, coronado,oceanside, encenitas, Laguna Beach, etc… maybe Venice, Hermosa, etc (first question.. WILL we have beach weather and be able to enjoy the pacific at this time and in LA also?) I ask that because we originally thought we would take our time and go up as far as maybe Santa Barbara and just focus on Southern California… and since we can still change our return, it's an option.

However, when looking & booking we became ambitious & think we would like to go all the way up to SF. We've both been to LA, so we don't need to spend too much, if any, time there. We do want to maximize the beginning part of trip in Southern Cal & then maybe second half to explore the beautiful scenery to SF.

Because we're on a tight schedule before departure (haven't booked any lodging yet!) we want to be sure this trip is doable, without just driving through and not enjoying. We would LOVE a suggested itinerary (with driving distance & instructions) for each day from Santa Barabra to SF. We feel we only need 2-3 days in SF and so if we could get some input on how long, route to take & suggested sites from SB to SF it would really help. I think this is the most intimidating part of including this in our trip as every website suggests different routes and lengths of time. We're thinking to arrive in SF Mon or early Tues, Oct14… since we leave midday Thursday.

ANY & ALL suggestions would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU.

Welcome to RTA!

Take US-101 and CA-1 (the Pacific Coast Highway) from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. Just to drive it would take 2 days, so allot at least 2 more days to stop and enjoy things on the way up.

Things and places to see - Cambria (a charming little beach town), Hearst Castle (you need to prebook tours), Big Sur, Carmel and Monterey, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay.

Well, the good news is (for you) that San Diego County is expecting a heat wave this weekend. (I say "for you" because a lot of us here are tired of the high SDG&E bill we just got slammed with, due to a warm Aug-Sept.) That should equate to some beach time. By Weds., it will go to something more reasonable, but still should be good beach weather. However, I can't speak for the water temperature, because everyone is different in what they find comfortable.


Donna

While in San Fran be sure to take a trip to Alcatraz ! You have plenty of time to enjoy a relaxed trip and depart from SF in my opinion.

I just did the Pacific Coast Highway and it is Truely a Bucket List must do! There are numerous pull offs and the views hundreds of feet below are awesome!

Regarding Alcatraz, book your tickets NOW, if its not too late

In Monterey, book Monterey Whale Watch and take the early trip to see the most whales. This time of year you are guaranteed to see Humpback Whales

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is really neat, spread out among several old cannery buildings. The area is quite historic and a fun place to stroll the waterfront

If you're into wine, the Foxen Valley Wine Trail is worth driving.

http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/w...ad-wine-trail/

Several of the wineries have tasting rooms where for around ten dollars you get to sample a selection of wines.

Take along some nuts and cheese and taste various wines in scenic settings.

It's also fun to drive through miles of vineyards in the valley. Just be sure that you have a designated driver.

Good luck on your trip!