Drive between San Fran and Santa Barbara

Hi guys!!

Badly need your help....We are 4 20-somethings driving from San Fran to Santa Barbara in August.

We had originally planned to break this drive up by staying in a different city/town for a night. We wanted to spend a day in Santa Cruz and then drive onto Big Sur (where we would stay for a night)and then drive to Santa Barbara early the next day.

However, after reading some reviews on this, we have noticed that Big Sur may not be the lively town with nice bars and good night life that we were hoping for :S

Can anyone suggest a better stop off in-between the two cities that might be better fun?

Thanks a lot for your time as ever,

Fiona :)

Drive between San Fran and Santa Barbara

The only place I can think of might be San Luis Obispo. Since it is a college town, I%26#39;m sure there must be some fun bars and clubs.

Drive between San Fran and Santa Barbara

Big Sur is not where you go to party. It%26#39;s where you go to commune with nature.

San Luis Obispo has several downtown bars/pubs for lively entertainment.

Downtown San Luis Bars:

The Library

Frog %26amp; Peach Pub

Spike%26#39;s Pub

Bull%26#39;s Tavern

Big Sur isn%26#39;t so much a town as a string of various small places along a woodsy road. The community is pretty diffuse. It%26#39;s a great place for natural beauty and peace and quiet.

It%26#39;s too long a drive past Big Sur to San Luis Obispo to do after a full day in Santa Cruz. The road is not one you ought to do for the first time when tired or after dark. You%26#39;ll miss the spectacular scenery, for one, and it%26#39;s not the easiest road to drive. If you headed south after lunch, you%26#39;d make it to San Luis Obispo in time for dinner.

Guys, thanks a lot. That is some really helpful advice.

If we were to stay in San Luis, can you recommend any hotels? We have a budget of about $250 and would like to be central?

Thanks :)

Most of the hotels are located on Monterey Street.

Best Western Somerset Inn

Comfort Inn %26amp; Suites

Holiday Inn Express

Quality Suites

San Luis Creek Lodge

Sands Suites %26amp; Hotel

Peach Tree Inn

Petit Soleil B%26amp;B

Garden Street Inn

This is as central as you%26#39;ll get.