Expert: Steve Summers - 9/27/2004

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hey Steve.
You are the MAN!  You are being such a big help I dont know how to thank you.  If I begin to be a pain in the tush just cut me off!
ok, through all your help Ive started mapping it all out...
Starting in San Fran, going to stay two nights too much to see in one night....
then were going to travel as you suggested to monterey/carmel stopping along the way to see the winchester mystery house in San Jose, I think we will first set up camp in monterey/carmel its about a 123 mile drive from Sa Fran do you think its too long without stopping?  You didnt mention any camsites in that area (monterey/carmel) and I'm having a hard time with that, remember preferrably something on the beach.  going to stay one night, do you think one night will give enough time in that area?  We plan to goto the aquariam and cannery row is in that area as well correct?   Then we will head off drive about 90 miles all along big sur to camp in Morrow Strand which you also suggested, is this near elephant seal colony and what is elephant seal colony, We dont need to see Hearst castle if were seeing the winchester house.  One night here as well.  driving on from Morrow strand through san luis obispo, you mentioned pismo beach we will I guess stop there for a couple hours and continue driving about 113 miles to camp in Carpinteria, during this drive we will pass through Santa Barbara and check out state street as you also suggested.  Carp will be our last stop for one night then off to Vegas.
Does this all sound right too you, would you change anything to better the trip?  Can you answer my questions I asked along the way?  This is so difficult to plan, my office is filled with maps and guide books and you name it its hysterical, if anyone were to stop over and see my office they would think I was going for good!
Again, so many thanx to you!
My husband and I are so appreciative for all your doing for us, you are such a great help, I'm fortunate to have found someone as helpful as you.
What more can I say, we just thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Kell
Answer -
Thanks for the compliments, Kell. I really appreciate it.

If you spend two nights in SF, then see the Winchester house in SJ, you will want to take Highway 17 to Santa Cruz. Highway 17 is very pretty as you approach the summit, and also has a wonderful ocean view as you drive down into SC. Just for giggles, you may want to stop at the Santa Cruz boardwalk for a couple hours. Just a note: People in Santa Cruz are , er, a bit "different". Kind of like Venice Beach boardwalk. In any case, it's not too far to drive straight from San Jose to Monterey in one shot.

From there, it's about an hour to Monterey. But it is a pretty nice drive. There is RV camping at Moss Landing, but that's not exactly on the beach. There is also New Brighton, but that's north of Santa Cruz. The nearest camping is in the Big Sur area, south of Monterey about 20 miles. You can camp at Big Sur Campground & Cabins (nice tree-covered area), Fernwood campground (also nice trees), Andrew Molera State Park (walk-in campground), or Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (another campground among the trees). None of these are on or near the beach, but Big Sur Creek does run through them.

I would say your best bet is to hotel it in Monterey, since there aren't any campgrounds on the beach. We like the Victorian Inn (just a couple blocks from Cannery Row), the Best Western Monterey Inn just off of Munras Ave (BIG king rooms), or the Best Western on 5th & San Carlos in Carmel.

For Monterey, I highly recommend going to the aquarium first thing in the morning (check out the web site for opening times), and to get your tickets ahead of time. We live in Orange County, but we are actually members of the aquarium, mainly because we don't want to waste precious time standing in the LONG lines to buy tickets. Then you can enjoy the rest of Cannery Row at your leisure. If you want to go to Bubba Gump's, plan on putting your name in early, then spend a bit of time wandering on Cannery Row.

From Monterey, it takes about 3 hours to Piedras Blancas, which is north of Hearst Castle. In June, you should be able to see plenty of pups. It's easily spotted along the right, just look for a parking lot in the middle of nowhere, just past the lighthouse. You can check it out at www.elephantseal.org. They have pictures, so you can decide if you want to stop. Hearst Castle is another 10 miles, on the left. It makes a nice stop, if only to use the restroom and get a quick bite to eat.

Morrow Strands is what I call "parking lot camping", just a parking lot and then the sand. But it's right on the beach! http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=2041&mode=sequential&

I recommend having a meal at the Apple Farm (www.applefarm.com) in San Luis Obispo. It's a cute hotel and restaurant.

The trip sounds great. Don't forget to make your campground reservations the first day they become available. Call right at 8 AM and don't stop until you get them. Send me an email after you get back at stevepcguy-at-adelphia.net. Substitute the @ for the -at-. I do this to stay off of spam mail lists.

Have fun,

Steve

O.k. Morrow strands you call a "Parking lot campground" that dosent sound too good. we are tent camping too, I dont know If I ever mentioned that, so do they even have tent camping there, is it not a nice campground?  You have me worried now.  Its only for one night.  Tell me what you think.
Also, no campgrounds in Monterey kind of stinks, let me ask you do you think it is unwise to stay at a camground like you mentioned about 20 miles away from Monterey, and just drive up in the morning, or is it drive down? :) None of the ones you mentioned though are on the beach I need SUN!  hmmmmm, this is a problem...
If I buy tix online for the aquariam before we go, do we have to wait in a long line that day?
Here's another one for ya, we need a hotel in San Fran for two nights upon our arrival, I have been told that there are areas in San Fran that are not safe areas, can you tell me, is there a certain street we shouldnt look beyond.  As far as Fishermans wharf goes, I'm guessing we dont need to be right near it because we will have a car plus there is plenty of public transportation and not staying right on top of the wharf will save us some money as well.
Oh, and another thing I know you do the RV thing but would you happen to notice when you camp, do the tent sites usually have fire rings at them with picnic tables on each site?
Once again a BIG thank you!
xo
Kell


Answer
Hi Kell,

I mentioned Morrow Strand because it's not the greatest. There aren't large tent areas there. You can pitch a small tent in the sand next to your car, but not everyone likes that. I used to do that, but now that I'm married with kids, it's not really for me anymore. I highly recommend San Simeon State Beach instead. It's a short walk to the beach, but the camp sites are nice. Make sure you get the main campground, and not the Washburn campground, which is the "overflow" area with no showers. If the sun is out, you can get some there.

If you buy tickets for the MBA online, you can avoid the long line of people waiting to buy tix. Just walk right up to the turnstile and show them your tickets. The long line is for ticket buyers.

If you are not staying in the wharf area, then you can stay around Lombard & Van Ness. Leave your car in the parking lot, since parking in SF is very difficult to find, and very expensive. We like to stay at the Vagabond on Van Ness, or at the Comfort Suites on Lombard & Van Ness. Expect to pay extra $$ at any SF to park your car overnight. I definitely would not take my car to the Wharf area unless you get there really early. I have parked for a couple hours just north of Ghirardelli Square, but make sure you have a lot of quarters. Best bet: Leave the car at the hotel and take a MUNI bus to the wharf. Or, you could walk. It's only a 6 blocks from Van Ness/Lombard to Ghirardelli Square. Most of the areas in North Beach, Pacific Heights, Fisherman's Wharf, the Marina District, and Chinatown are tourist-safe. I would avoid the Mission District, and South of Market Street.

Most sites in the state park system have picnic benches and fire pits. Some of the "Primitive" ones do not. Check the descriptions at reserveamerica.com to be sure.

Have fun,

Steve