Somewhere between Yosemite and Pismo Beach

[Sandieb]

Where can we stop that would be fun, either for a couple of hours or even an overnight, to break up the 7 hour drive?

Its DH, DS15 and I. We like photography, history, shopping, the usual holiday stuff.

[smedley]

We went from Yosemite to Monterey and spent a night there, walked along canning st, took an early morning whale watching trip and then spent a leisurely afternoon driving down the Pacific coastal highway to Pismo

[jdouds]

Hi as above Monterey and definately go whale watching the highlight of our first west coast trip. The aquarium, 17 mile dr, Carmel and pebble beach all worth a visit. If you can we would suggest 2 nights there.

[Disney Wishing]

Another vote for Monterey. Beautiful place with great scenery for photography. The coastal trail up around Pacific Grove and Lovers Point is lovely with seals and otters to spot. There is also the aquarium there which is very good but can but pricey. Then the drive down through Big Sur is stunning with lots of pull ins to enjoy the view.

[landandword17]

Consider Carmel for an overnight. It’s very close to Monterey but has nice shops and restaurants and a storybook feel to the architecture. A lovely white sand beach there for a morning stroll and fire pits on the beach are a fun way to spend the evening making s’mores. Big Sur is so stunning I think it would be a shame to whizz through it on the way to Pismo. If you can’t spare the overnight I’d still take my time doing Big Sur and not get into Pismo until sunset. Pismo isn’t much to write home about and you won’t miss much of you just use it as a sleep stop.

[AlexE]

We did Fresno Zoo on the way to Templeton. It would mean going cross country instead of taking in the PCH.

[Sandieb]

Thanks everyone. I think we're going to the whale watching, and then carry on down the coast rather than taking the cross country route.

[jdouds]

Hi again would definately stay Monterey o night, you could the do some of the other things there the next morning and then drive down. Don't underestimate the drive, not for the distance but just the amount of times you wil stop to see various things. Ie elephants seals at San Simeon .