California Pacific Coast Trip

[Mersmann]

Hey everybody,
We are planning our very first road trip and we need some help. Neither one of us has ever been to California, but we are planning on flying into San Francisco on May 27th and flying back from San Diego on June 1st (or vice-versa San Diego to SFO). We are then planning on driving from one to the other with the hopes of stopping in L.A./Hollywood and at Yosemite National Park. I was looking more and more at it and I’m thinking it might be too much. I was hoping to get some feedback and see if maybe just going from LA to San Francisco and taking a one day trip to Yosemite National Park is enough for 6 days. Also, what are some recommendations on going North to South vs. South to North?? Any help would be MUCH appreciate it.
Thanks!!

[glc]

North to south is best along the coast because the scenic turnouts will be on your side of the road. I'd plan on 3 days to get from SF to SD if you take the coast road. A day trip from SF to Yosemite is a bit much, plan on spending a night near the park.

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

As pointed out heading South on the PCH has the advantage of the Ocean views and pull outs being on your side of the road.

Starting from SF I would head to Yosemite [an amazing place] and spend a night and then head towards Monterey for another. The following day drive around Big Sur and look to stop over in Cambria, Cayucos or Morro Bay before continuing to LA.

The thing is with just 6 days, and say you want to have 2 in SF and 2 in LA sight seeing, with your 2 remaining days it might be a case of deciding between the coastal route or going to Yosemite and taking the faster inland route to LA.

[campersuzid]

I agree - best to go north to south. If you are thinking to camp, give yourself a huge treat and send a night at Kirk Creek campground in the Los Padres National Forest. Went to sleep there to the sound of surf, woke to sea birds calling, and enjoy my coffee watching sea otters in a floating kelp bed. Best part of that whole trip. If you are planning on doing nothing but drive, 6 days might do it but if you want to relax and absorb the sights, you should probably make a choice: Yosemite or Pacific. Heck, I can suggest enough things for you to do in San Diego to fill a week!