San Francisco to LA, help please

satrdayboy_2

Planning on visiting California in October. Picking rental car up on a Sunday from SF and plan to be in LA on two days later on the Tuesday afternoon. I would like help on planning an itinerary, Travelling with 2 children so would definitely like to visit monterey aquarium. Any help appreciated.

richardw

I think there is more to do between SF and LA, 2 days seems a bit short, can you adjust the trip for more days?

Spursman180

satrdayboy wrote: »

Planning on visiting California in October. Picking rental car up on a Sunday from SF and plan to be in LA on two days later on the Tuesday afternoon. I would like help on planning an itinerary, Travelling with 2 children so would definitely like to visit monterey aquarium. Any help appreciated.

It is one of the things I like Google maps for, drop pins for each activity or location you identify and get the map to plot the route using the locations, it helps me clarify what I can do rather than what I want.

The other way is to mark up those items I absolutely want to do and see how the route plots up. I can then see what's easy to move things about and guage the impact, hopefully without zig zagging around the state and putting a lot of extra miles on the clock.

My last jaunt in March was about 1,500 miles, but I did put in Vegas and the Colorado river before ending up in LA Starting in SF and Reno. I did it over 2 weeks though.

As much as people on here say they like driving (and I do) there is still something of a culture shock when you turn onto an interstate after driving about 40 miles to get there for the satnav to tell you to turn right in 96 miles, the mind tricks start you wondering if that is in fact the next right turn. We did bail out at some point and end up in Peggy Sue's.

jackieblack

satrdayboy wrote: »

Planning on visiting California in October. Picking rental car up on a Sunday from SF and plan to be in LA on two days later on the Tuesday afternoon. I would like help on planning an itinerary, Travelling with 2 children so would definitely like to visit monterey aquarium. Any help appreciated.

richardw wrote: »

I think there is more to do between SF and LA, 2 days seems a bit short, can you adjust the trip for more days?

I agree, Monterey Bay Aquarium is fantastic and with 2 children you will want the best part of a full day there.
Two days is simply not enough time.

satrdayboy_2

Unfortunately have booked accomodation in LA on Tuesday so need to be there on that day, but arriving in evening is not a problem.

Vikki_74

I've pulled together a lot of info and previous threads on this type of trip here which you might find useful in your planning:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/43873680#Comment_43873680

Derwent

Don't forget to stop at the Big Sur, absolutely stunning scenery.

dickydonkin

Derwent wrote: »

Don't forget to stop at the Big Sur, absolutely stunning scenery.

The 'marine layer' tends to occur more often and takes longer to burn off in October - especially being so near the coast - just something to bear in mind if you are visiting coastal sites in the morning.

Than said - last November in LA, the temperatures reached a rare 100 degrees.

satrdayboy_2

Changed plans now allowing 3 days between SF and LA

jackieblack

Good call, that'll give you much better options.
When on the Sunday do you anticipate collecting the rental car?
SF to Monterey is a 2-3 hour drive, depending on traffic.
Regular opening hours for the Monterey Bay Aquarium is 10-6, If you can get there by about 1pm you should be able to see all the major exhibits before it closes.
Maybe think about staying that night in/around Carmel (which can be on the pricey side) or I've read good reviews of this place about 45 mins drive down Rt 1. (We thought about stopping here on one of our trips but was no availability for the night we wanted.)
That'll give you two full days to do the remaining 300-ish miles. There is LOADS to see on the way, and with 2 children I'm guessing you'll want a few stops.
There are lots of Vista Points where you can pull in to get a better look at the spectacular coastline on the way.
There are elephant seals on the beach just north of Cambria, Hearst Castle (not our cup of tea, but I know other people who loved it), San Luis Obispo is a lovely town, as is Santa Barbara (they do great fish & chips on the pier), Solvang is pretty too (scandanavian style).

satrdayboy_2

Planning on picking car up about 10am, thanks for advice, my brother has been to Solvang he recommends visiting there to.