Pacific coast highway

We are coming over from the UK in july for a few days in San Francisco before picking our hire car up and making the journey down the pacific coast highway with the first nights stop at Pismo beach, what I would like to know is should we pick up the route 1 near to San Francisco or are would it be easier to travel down to Santa Cruz and pick up the highway 1 heading south from Santa Cruz.

Pacific coast highway

Depends on how much time you want to devote to seeing as much of the coast as possible or saving a little time. Personally, I enjoy the drive down Hwy 1 starting in Pacifica through Half Moon Bay, etc. and don%26#39;t really think the time savings is worth giving up the coastal views, but that would be my choice.

Of course, you%26#39;ll see some of the best coastal views from Carmel southward, but that section between SF and Monterey is still a nice drive.

Pacific coast highway

As you can probably see, I live in Santa Cruz. The time savings by doing Hwys 280, 85, 17 rather than Highway 1 all the way is only about 30 minutes.

If you have never driven this road, I would do it, because, with the rest of your trip you will have a good sense of the California coast all the way down. The road from San Francisco to Santa Cruz is not as spectacular as that from Carmel on, but is interesting and an easy drive. There are also lighthouses and elephant seals to visit along the way.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=533

Allow some time to see them.

Thank you Kibblesmom and Puter for your replies, I will take your advice and travel down from SF on highway 1 and if we have time we would like to call in and see the elephant seals. We will be traveling from SF on a monday , how long will it take to drive from SF to Pismo beach so I can guage how long we can stop off at various points.

You%26#39;ve missed the Elephant Seals, they only come on land for a few months a year from November-March. The rest of the year they%26#39;re at sea.

We have California Sea Lions and Harbor Seals, but they%26#39;re heading down south to breed too. So you%26#39;re timing isn%26#39;t so great for pinnipeds, but I have heard there are still whales heading up the coast.

Neil

You%26#39;ll need to check the California Highway Patrol or Caltans web sites during your visit to see if Hwy 1 south of Carmel has been re-opened by the time of your visit. Unfortunately, a fire is burning near Big Sur and they%26#39;ve closed the highway to fire personnel only.

I%26#39;m also doing this route setting off from San Francisco and heading to Pismo Beach, and just like yourself my girlfriend was wanting to see a seal beach... what other places are recomended stop off points along Highway one just to break the day up? great views, nice places for lunch etc? we%26#39;ll be setting off around 7/8am and hoping to be in Pismo by 6pm ish

bono1712

You can see seals at the elephant seal rookery just to the north of San Simeon near the Piedras Blancas lighthouse. There won%26#39;t be as many as you would see from Jan.- Apr., but there will still be some hanging around.

You don%26#39;t say when your trip is, but hopefully, the highway will be re-opened so you can drive through Big Sur. It%26#39;s closed due to fire in the area.

BTW, bono1712 - If Highway 1 is open, then be sure to have lunch at Nepenthe in Big Sur. While the food is only fair, it%26#39;s the views that impress!

thanks... we%26#39;re arrivin in san francisco on 3rd of july travelling south the morning of the 7th

There are usually some elephant seals at Ano Nuevo year %26#39;round, just not the impressive numbers and activity that you get during breeding season or with all the babies.

Another vote in favor of Highway 1 all the way down is that it avoids Highway 17. Even with the concrete divider between the north and southbound lanes, it%26#39;s a bit of a hairy drive for those unfamiliar with winding mountain roads.

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