Expert: Ernest Tufft - 5/10/2007

Question
Hi Ernest
On monday 11th june - I am driving from Yosemite to carmel. Planning to
leave at 2 How long will that take? are there "must-see" stops on route?  also
- can you recommend another place to stop fro the night between carmel and
santa barbara? Thanks Alastair

Answer
Hi Alastair
I have written several "tips" on both of these routes at Virtualtourist.com (my membername is atufft), which includes images and details I can't provide here.  From Yosemite to Carmel, the best route is through the Pacheco Pass, and completely avoid the San Francisco Bay Area.  This would be: Hwy 140 to Merced, Hwy 152 to Los Banos (through a wildlife refuge) and over the Pacheco Pass (San Luis Reservoir).  Stop at the foot of the mountains on the other side of the Pacheco Pass at Casa De Fruta, then about a mile further, turn left onto Hwy 156 (stop at San Juan Bautista Mission, one of the best and an easy village stop) and head to Hwy 101.  Follow signs to Monterey, and take Hwy 1 to Carmel.  This will take between 4 and 6 hours depending upon how fast you drive and how many times and how long you stop.  Now, between Carmel and Santa Barbara, I assume that you are interested in driving the coastal Hwy 1 route.  I would recommend Morro Bay as a good place to stay the night, but there are plenty of other good places too.  I would avoid staying anywhere north of Morro Bay for a variety of reasons.  I don't recommend touristy San Simeon, for example, although nearby Hearst Castle is a must see attraction that can be part of the trip from Carmel to Morro Bay if you get started early enough in the day (go online and get advanced reservations for late in the afternoon).

Try this MapQuest link (if it doesn't work go directly to MapQuest.com):
http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?do=nw&long=%2d120750702&2n=Monterey%...