Driving from SF to LA
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- sea_sea0
okay Nathan, here's what i would do.
leave SF as early as possible the day before.
take the 101 to the 1 toward Monterey Bay.
keep in mind that HWY 1 is mostly one lane with curves (a big part of the way is at least). if you're not comfortable driving, take it slow, but don't go under the speed limit please, people will freak behind you, even then, don't let inpatient california drivers harass you. simply let them pass you on the road, my opinion.the best part of the drive is that it is the most amazing california scenery available. there are places you can pull over on the side of the road to take in the views. Big Sur is one of the most beautiful places in the world, really, it is.
if you make it out early enough, i would stop at Hearst Castle. maybe spend the night in San Simeon or if it's still day time, drive down to Santa Barbara. next day plan on being in LA area around after 9:30am. you do not want to be stuck in morning traffic.
Tacos? depends on what area you're in, so Yelp it.
- sea_sea0
one more thing... HWY 1 turns into the 101 once you reach San Luis Obispo, follow the 101 to the 405 fwy South to LAX. If you are still early, go to Venice beach. it's off the 405 fwy, on the way to the airport. Santa Monica, 3rd street promenade and that whole area is cool. you can probably find some tacos in that area, if that's what you want. The airport is 20 minutes from santa monica. when in doubt, google it! :) have fun.
- cannonball19780
If you take the 5, roll your windows up at Cowschwitz. Stop in at Pea Soup Andersons and get some pea soup. Get a good audio book for the long stretch of the grape vine. If you leave late there aren't many cops on the road. I make the drive a lot and often go in the dark so I can go 115-120 for most of the way (I'm one of the impatient drivers).
- Nathan_Adams0
Thanks all. HWY 1 is definitely the go-er. Is there much benefit of taking HWY straight out of SF past Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, over taking the 101 to Monterey?
What about staying more around Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay area? Just thinking about trying to get at least more than half the drive done on the first day, so that we have a bit more leeway getting into LA (without pushing ourselves getting as far as Santa Barbara). If we get in early, Santa Monica and Venice Beach definitely sound good, and maybe a drive through Hollywood (more to pop into Amoeba though...)
- You could stay up there. It's quiet and quaint. Find something near the ocean. Morro Bay.monospaced
- Not much in Morro Bay (was there last summer), but the area is pretty.arthur
- Pismo Beach is nice too.sea_sea