LA To Santa Cruz road trip advice

Backbiter

We are planning to drive up the coastal highway, which we've always wanted to do but have never had the chance till now (well, by now I mean late August this year). We have three days to make the journey, so need to build in two stops. Any suggestions where? I was thinking maybe Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo/ Morro Bay for the first night, but wasn't sure about the second night.

And any advice regarding the possible delays caused by the recent landslides and bridge closure would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

PeacefulWaters

1. Do it north to south if you haven't already booked flights.

2. Google daily to check the thing will be open. There's a hell of a lot of stuff crashed down over the highway and even if they clear it how will they repair the damaged road AND ensure the cliff is stable?

3. Morro Bay and Monterrey/Carmel are probably ideal.

4. Have a plan for if it's closed.

WAYT

http://www.borgsoceanfrontmotel.com is a good place to stop.
Accommodation simple, location amazing. Met some friendly sea otters and other sea life just in front the property.
Carmel was as dull as dishwater in comparison. Overly expensive and touristy. There is a Whole Foods Market in Carmel. You can stock up on goodies there.

jackieblack

I strongly second the north to south recommendation

Info on road closures here http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/highway_conditions.html

John259

Another source for road information throughout California is CalTrans (California Department of Transportation):
http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi

For the coastal highway, enter 1 as the highway number.

HHarry

We preferred Santa Barbara to Morro Bay. That said if it's just a quick overnight stop then Morro Bay is a good choice - you could walk around most of it in a few hours, and carry on with your trip without feeling like you'd missed something.

Further up we stayed in Carmel - another nice little town.

Backbiter

It's got to be North to south as we are flying into LA but home from SFO. Why the the other direction better? Is it that you are on the ocean side of the highway as you head south?

John259

Some people prefer north to south as it's then easier to pull in and out of the stopping points.

Some people prefer south to north as then you don't have the sun in your eyes.

A few people say they prefer south to north because then they're on the inland half of the road which (they say) makes them feel safer. But IMHO the road isn't at all scary.

John259

If the coastal highway is still closed, bear in mind that an inland route taking in Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks is an excellent alternative.
Rough map to show the idea: https://goo.gl/maps/hVc3Lb59rxr

PeacefulWaters

Backbiter wrote: »

It's got to be North to south as we are flying into LA but home from SFO.

That's south to north. Not a disaster.

Why the the other direction better? Is it that you are on the ocean side of the highway as you head south?

Exactly. No need to fly across oncoming traffic to park up at the vistas and take photos