Travelling San Francisco to LA on route 1

top4 · 25 Jan 20, 08:05 PM

How long does it take and where does everyone stop please ? ,just trying to work out coming along the route 1 where to stop and how many days sensibly along the way xx

**cornishfrogboy** · 25 Jan 20, 08:22 PM

If you take the PCH, Then it is 420 miles and 7 hours non stop.
I would be astonished if a person wanted to do it without stopping as it contains some astonishing scenery and great stops. I would suggest that the following stops and overnights are worth considering.
Santa Cruz drive through

Monterey for at least 2 nights.. Cannery Row, Whale watching, Aquarium etc etc.

17 Mile drive past Pebble Beach and Carmel.

Big Sur and its parks plus the chance to see Whales from the shore.

Pfeiffer State Park

Bixby Bridge

Hearst Castle

San Simeon Elephant Seals.

Pismo Beach or San Luis Obispo for an overnight. We really like the Madonna Inn

Santa Monica (North corner of LA).

In addition to the above, there are plenty of other popular DIBB options. For us, It will always be overnights at Monterey and the Madonna Inn with a mix of the above attractions en route.

This Easter it is 2 nights in Monterey, 3 at the Madonna and most of the above attractions. We are flying out of SL Obispo, North to Seattle as we did not rate LA in the slightest other than the Reagan Library at Simi and 6 Flags Magic Mountain at Valencia.

If you look at the Trip report in my signature, you will see some relevant detail and images to your question.

Hope it helps.

ianmilly · 25 Jan 20, 08:23 PM

We did it in two days and stopped off in San Simeon, would suggest a minimum of three or four days to stop off at more places along the way.

400ixl · 25 Jan 20, 08:50 PM

It would depend what time you planned to leave San Fran.

If in the morning then one night can be enough in Monterrey. Having another night further down is advisable to mean you can stop at places like big Sur.

Much depends on what time you have, but 2 nights and 3 days on PCH would be my minimum recommendation.

More if there are specific places you want to spend longer.

jdouds · 25 Jan 20, 08:54 PM

Hi I�m with Cornish on this but would also stop at Santa Barbara

tinytots · 26 Jan 20, 09:49 PM

We stopped off in Monterey and then Solvang ( inland) but only because it was when the landslides happened and we couldn�t travel all the way down.
I would recommend a minimum of either 2 or 3 nights depending on what you want to do,more if you can.

miked1e · 26 Jan 20, 10:01 PM

We stopped at Monterey and San Luis Obispo.

Not much to add to above but stop at the Big Sur Inn and take your drinks down to the river. Beautiful little spot to break up the drive.

All details in my trip report �Suitcase and a Dream�!

**cornishfrogboy** · 26 Jan 20, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by miked1e

We stopped at Monterey and San Luis Obispo.

Not much to add to above but stop at the Big Sur Inn and take your drinks down to the river. Beautiful little spot to break up the drive.

All details in my trip report �Suitcase and a Dream�!

I like 'suitcase and a dream'. It is one of my favorite trip reports!

miked1e · 26 Jan 20, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

I like 'suitcase and a dream'. It is one of my favorite trip reports!

Thank you... one of our favourite holidays and loved writing (and reading back) the trip report.

California is truly... awesome

25 Jan 20, 08:23 PM	#3
	25 Jan 20, 08:23 PM ianmilly Earning More Ears
ianmilly Earning More Ears Join Date: Jun 10	We did it in two days and stopped off in San Simeon, would suggest a minimum of three or four days to stop off at more places along the way.

25 Jan 20, 08:50 PM	#4
	25 Jan 20, 08:50 PM 400ixl Imagineer
400ixl Imagineer Join Date: Mar 12	It would depend what time you planned to leave San Fran. If in the morning then one night can be enough in Monterrey. Having another night further down is advisable to mean you can stop at places like big Sur. Much depends on what time you have, but 2 nights and 3 days on PCH would be my minimum recommendation. More if there are specific places you want to spend longer.