California coast trip. Any special spots & tips before I go?

[Alex]

<p>Hi everyone. I'll be driving up the California coast in 10 days. Since I'm going with the family (Wife, a 4 yr and 7 yr old kids) I wont be able to stop and park on every place I feel like it without being murder.<br>

I live in Palmdale CA so my first consideration is where to join the coast. Santa Barbara area is one option but I have to drive South from home to go back up north, or I can go to Santa Maria driving the 166 ( I never did this one ) sounds more appealing. I like to get to a great spot to take sunset pictures and spend the night and drive up to Monterrey for the day, San Francisco the next one and since we never been to the wine country I like to include a day there as well. <br>

Any must go places/spots that you can recommend for great views. Also if anyone can think of kids friendly places even better, (I've heard about Jelly Belly factory tour, and that is a go)<br>

Last. I'm thinking about taking a 5D Mark III with a EF 24/70 f 2.8 EF 70/200 f2.8i s and a EF100 macro f2.8. Or I can take a 7D with those lenses plus an EF-s 10/22<br>

<br />Thanks for any tips or ideas<br>

Regards,<br>

Alex</p>

[David_Cavan]

<p>Great trip - hard to say how a 4 & 7 yr. old will react, but it should be good for a day at least. I would go with your idea of starting north in Santa Maria if I only had a day or two on the #1. You won't miss much on the 101 south of there except traffic, and the 166 is a pleasant enough drive. Think carefully about where you'll overnight on your plan. After San Simeon there's precious little as far as places to stay. There are some beautiful places to stop north of San Simeon for sunset shots, but you may need to get setup in San Simeon and then drive up the coast a few miles for some sunset shots, and then back to your hotel (or campground). Also, check that the road is open - I haven't heard lately but its always a day-to-day thing.</p>

<p>The Monterey Aquarium is good for kids, as is the Exploratorium in San Francisco. I see you're a baseball fan - that new stadium in SF is the best in the country right now. And wine country is wonderful for photography and wine, you'll need to figure out how to keep the kids occupied. Hot air balloon ride? </p>

<p>I'm envious already. One of my favorite drives.</p>

[Norma Desmond]

<p>Aquarium in Monterey.</p>

<p>Santa Cruz boardwalk, with rides for the kids.</p>

<p>Walk along Big Sur Pfeiffer Beach. Google where to turn off Rte 1, it's tricky. Bring windbreakers.</p>

<p>San Francisco area view. Spectacular views from above the hills above the Golden Gate Bridge. When you go over the GG Bridge into Marin, take 2nd turnoff to Sausalito (first turnoff is for Vista Point, which is also worth it for a low view of the bridge and San Francisco from across the bay). Immediately following is exit for Sausalito. Get off exit and follow road, staying to the left, following signs to 101 S. San Francisco. I know it sounds weird, but it's the only way. Before you get back on the bridge (which you obviously don't want to do) you will make a right turn on the road that goes up the side of the hillside. It goes quite a ways up and, at the end, there will be an opportunity to either turn around and come back down the same way, or you can continue down the other side and then make your way back to 101. The road going over the Golden Gate and that you'll be on for a while is 101, not Rte. 1 at that point. If you have good maps or a GPS, you should be fine, but these are the best directions, and the views of the bridge and the city directly behind it as well as Oakland and Berkeley are worth it. There are lots of places to pull over and stop and take pictures. Stop a few times on the road, because the views get different and you'll want several opportunities. </p>

<p>Not positive about the ages of your kids being appropriate, but if you spend time in the city, they should enjoy Pier 39 at the Wharf and the Exploratorium, which is a hands-on and very fun science museum kids seem to love. Also, House of Air at the Presidio, a super duper jumpy house, etc. If you're in San Francisco itself at night, drive up to the top of Twin Peaks, again google maps or ask people. If it's a reasonably clear night, the view of the city is great, you can see both bridges, and the lights are impressive.</p>

[Mike D]

<p>The link below will take you to some of my images taken along the coast Monterey and south to Big Sur. This might give you an idea of the types of images that are possible.<br>

<a href="http://www.mdougherty.com/100-THEPHOTOEXPERIENCE/110-LOCATIONS/11-monterey/00-loc-monterey11-intro-110620-htm.htm">http://www.mdougherty.com/100-THEPHOTOEXPERIENCE/110-LOCATIONS/11-monterey/00-loc-monterey11-intro-110620-htm.htm</a></p>

[Mattman944]

<p>For kids, I recommend a stop at the Seymour center, just north of Santa Cruz. The have a huge whale skeleton mounted outside. It is free to see the whale, there is a charge for the inside exhibits.</p>

<p><a href="http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/visitor_information.html">http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/visitor_information.html</a></p>

[Spearhead]

<p>In the Santa Cruz area, the area just north of Santa Cruz on 1 is spectacular. In San Francisco, go to Alcatraz, by far the best and most unique tourist destination and kids love it. At this time of year, you will need advance reservations. Take the first boat out, the island will be the least crowded. For "wine country," go to Sonoma, especially during the summer. It is far less crowded than Napa, the wineries are less commercial. You may need to make reservations for the ones that are the most fun to visit, but you can also go up to Healdsburg area and along the Russian River.</p>

<p>I recommend against Pier 39. I spend a fair amount of time there due to my wife's business, and there is nothing there that you can't find in any made-for-tourist location except sea lions.</p>

[luis_g]

<p>One stop to consider that has a long photographic history is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Make sure you're there at low tide for Weston Beach, so everyone can enjoy wading around the rocks and starfish. Some of the rocks will look familiar. Take the trails, and bring water, snacks, and real food. I love that place.</p>

<p>http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=571</p>

<p> </p>

[frank_skomial]

<p>Hearst Castle is on your way. Not a nature type, but very interesting to see. Paintings, sculptures, art, architecture....nice area and the ocean view from the top.</p>

[Alex]

Wow. Great tips everyone. I'll have to seat in front of a map and do some research.

Has anyone driven the hwy 166 from the 5 Frwy to the pacific ocean.

[KyleE]

<p>The Big Sur area is beautiful and has great camping (if you are into that) Pfeiffer state park is great for camping. Or there are several nice places to get a cabin to stay from really fancy: Ventana, Post Ranch, to the more rustic like Deetjens (Where my mom works), Glen Oaks(My cousin owns), Ripplewood. I haven't seen it but apparently all the cabins at Glen Oaks have been completely renovated recently and are very nice. </p>

<p>I would recommend visiting Pfeiffer Beach, Julia Pfeiffer Burns has the great waterfall that goes into the ocean, Esalen is a nice place to stop for a hot spring bath and Molera beach on the way out. Molera beach is a 1 mile hike from the parking lot area through some fields and along the Big Sur river out to the beach but it is really worth it. Once you get to the beach if you feel like walking a little bit further there is a trail head that leads up the ridge above the beach and once you get to the top you can look north to see the whole Lighthouse flats area with the lighthouse in the distance. There is also a frog pond up there with lots of green tree frogs that is fun for macro photography if you are into that sort of thing.</p>

<p>If you catch Pfeiffer beach or Point Lobos during low tide you will get some great tidal pools. </p>

<p>On the way up the coast it is definitely worthwhile to stop at Point Lobos as mentioned. </p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>The link below will take you to some of my images taken along the coast Monterey and south to Big Sur. This might give you an idea of the types of images that are possible.<br /><a href="http://www.mdougherty.com/100-THEPHOTOEXPERIENCE/110-LOCATIONS/11-monterey/00-loc-monterey11-intro-110620-htm.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.mdougherty.com/100-THEPHOTOEXPERIENCE/110-LOCATIONS/11-monterey/00-loc-monterey11-intro-110620-htm.htm</a></p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>Mike I took a look at your photos they are really great. But I thought it might be worth mentioning you have a bunch of them labeled Julia Pfeiffer Burns but they are actually from Pfeiffer Beach, Julia Pfeiffer Burns is much further south from where those photos were taken. I grew up on Pfeiffer Ridge which is the hill right above that beach.</p>

<p>Also in Big Sur the coast and beaches are nice but don't underestimate a good hike into the redwood forests. If you go into Pfeiffer State park there is a hike back through the redwoods to a waterfall that is popular as well as the Pine Ridge trail. Be sure to catch the early morning fog in the trees for some great lighting. </p>

<p>Further south of Big Sur closer to the San Luis Obispo area are some very nice beaches like Sand Dollar Beach and Willow Creek Beach that I like to visit when I can. </p>

<p>And if this is your first visit to that area dinner at Nepenthe restaurant can be a real treat for the eyes. </p>

<p>Another tip is that the drive on hwy1 from San Luis Obispo to Monterey is very beautiful and can be really distracting for a driver. Keep in mind that it is a full highway with a 55 mph speed limit so if you see something interesting pull off the road and enjoy but slowing down to a crawl creates unnecessary traffic for the poor locals and can be a hazard around blind corners. And if you do pull off the road pull all the way off. </p>

<p>It was stated before but check the road status, Hwy 1 often has closures due to slides going south of Big Sur. </p>

[Mike D]

<p>Thanks Kyle, I'll make the change. I just remember driving down a really neat little road to the beach. It is kind of hidden from the main highway and is only a short distance after passing the entrance to the Big Sur Park. </p>

[daverave]

<p>There's a cool beach just north of San Simeon that is often jam-packed with seals and elephant seals. It's right on Hwy 1 and there's parking and a boardwalk between the road and the seal beach. Kids will love it! Personally I'd skip Hwy 1 from SS to Big Sur with two young kids. While the scenery is incredible the stress may not be worth it unless you have a lot of time to linger and a hotel waiting in Big Sur. The #1 between Santa Cruz (great boardwalk and coaster) and SF is a lot easier and very scenic also. Don't miss Pigeon Point lighthouse. There's a high-end tent camping area near there called Costanoa and a scenic state park at Ano Nuevo with more seals.<br>

<img title="2011_11_24_4746-PS" src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/15243655-sm.jpg" alt="2011_11_24_4746-PS" width="200" height="132" border="0" /><img title="2010_11_26_4506-PS" src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/12163665-sm.jpg" alt="2010_11_26_4506-PS" width="200" height="133" border="0" /></p>

 

[greg_campbell1]

<p>Here's a slightly slow, but rather scenic route to the coast. http://goo.gl/maps/qHzm<br>

166 is stark, yet pretty, with little traffic. The mountain passes are cool.<br>

Rent a canoe at Morro Bay State Park and paddle the estuary.<br>

Montanya de Oro has a nice campground, if you're into that sort of thing. Great hiking along the cliffs, beach, and into the eucalyptus groves. <br>

Hike Cone Peak: http://goo.gl/maps/K9la You can see forever.<br>

IMO, Fisherman's Wharf is next to useless, except for the Maritime Museum and nearby WW2 submarine tour. <br>

Walk across the GG bridge at sunset or after dark.<br>

Wander the Marin Headlands in late afternoon. Check out the old gun emplacements and see if the Nike Missile Museum is open. </p>

<p> </p>

[Monophoto]

<p>Some good suggestions. Here are a few more:</p>

<p>The Computer History Museum in Mountain View is a great place to spend a few hours. The younger child might not be as enthralled, but the older one probably knows enough about computers to really enjoy the museum.</p>

<p>Marin Headlands is a great place for photography, and the old fortifications and tame deer are fun for kids. After crossing the GG Bridge (Northbound), take the first right, and then follow Conzelman Road. Shortly after going under 101 there is a parking area on the left - pull in, and the follow the path. That will lead to Battery Spencer which offers the most dramatic view of the bridge. Continue along Conzelman Road to Battery 128 - this is a series of tunnels that lead to batteries that were constructed in the runup to WWII - good photography opportunities, and fun for the kids</p>

<p>In Napa Valley, look for Bale Mills in Bolhe-Napa State Park (in St. Helena). This is a functioning water-powered grist mill. </p>

<p>Also, a winery that the kids will get a kick out of is Castelo de Amoroso - it's a recreation of a European castle.</p>

<p>As you are working your way back south on 101, immediately after crossing the GG Bridge, look for the signs for Fort Point. (Open only Friday - Sunday). This is a Civil War era fortification that is immediately beneath the southern end of the bridge. Again, great for photography, and the kids will love it.</p>

<p>Head south on Rt 1 and turn right on Geary Street. Continue on Geary until you get to the Cliff House. Park and spend some time wandering around. The Camera Obscura behind the Cliff House may be interesting to the kids, and if you are lucky, you may be able to see whales from the observation deck. You can also wander over to the ruins of Sutro Baths (just to the North of the Cliff House). Then, continue along the Great Highway for a few blocks until you see the Dutch indmill. Find your way into GG Park, and let the kids wander around the windmill.</p>

[User_2000406]

<p>The drive to the top of Mt. Tamalpais is very scenic and offers the best views of the North Bay accessible by auto, though to see the best you have to hike the last couple of hundred feet of elevation up a steep trail which is well worth it. Also, while on the drive up park at the Pantoll parking area and hike west for a mile or so on the Matt Davis Trail for tremendous views of the coastline. This is an easy hike for the first mile+, but on this trail the slope below you down to the ocean is so steep it feels like being in an airplane. You may even see a hang glider flying overhead. The park brochure is at http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/471/files/MtTamalpaisSP041310.pdf. Most of the photos at http://www.patricksmithphotography.com/marin-county-landscapes.html are from this location including #s 1, 3, 4, and 5; if there is no fog you will be able to see the ocean far below you.</p>

<p>The kids should be able to enjoy both hikes as long as they have sun protection and water- you may be above the fog and it can get warm. Be sure to bring both lenses on both hikes! </p>

<p>Then take Highway 1 north to Tomales Bay and if you have time, to the Point Reyes peninsula. You could spend days exploring the area, but if time is limited at least take the Limantour Road out to the coast and after your return stop by the visitor center in Bear Valley. From Pt. Reyes Station you can head to Novato or Petaluma and then to Sonoma fairly directly to enjoy the wine country there.</p>

<p>Minor point to a previous post- it's Bothe-Napa State Park.</p>

[SteveH]

<p>I agree with poster above about Hwy 1 south of Monterey/Carmel - guaranteed to make your kids barf. A possible route is I-5 to 46 - paying Homage to James Dean at Cholame. Then on to Paso Robles. I usually stop at the Mission in San Miguel for a touch of California history. Cut over to Hwy 1 around Salinas. Then up thru Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz to SF on Hwy 1 is very picturesque - Ano Nuevo state park has elephant seals as well, but you need to walk a mile or so out to them. Definitely stop at Pigeon Point Lighthouse. Pescadero has several food options for lunch and/or dinner (Duartes, Pescadero Store, and Los Amigos at the gas station). There's plenty of lodging in Half Moon Bay, which would put you in close striking distance of San Francisco. Costanoa near Pigeon Point has high end camping, and hotel rooms and a pretty good restaurant all in one - just across from Franklin Point and Gazos Creek Beach. You can also turn inland on Gazos Creek road and go to Butano State Park for some really nice redwoods. Do what everybody suggests and you could take 3-4 weeks for this trip. Have fun. </p>

[craig_gillette]

<p>Take the Antelope Valley Freeway (14) to I-5 and then the 126 to the coast at Ventura. The other roads that cut across from the 99/I-5 area to the coast may be interesting, if not even enjoyable, during spring and flower season but will be hot, slower, and not very picturesque this time of year. From Ventura north, you've got the beach to see. At Santa Barbara one can always see the big Moreton Bay Fig tree next to the railroad station. Since this is early in the day and you have somewhat limited time, you can probably skip the missions, Santa Barbara zoo, etc., and save them for another trip. But the coast is more interesting, I'd think, than cross country for the kids. At Buellton, you might consider a quick side trip to Solvang. I'd suggest getting to Morro Bay for the evening. Lots of things that will capture kids interests and sunset potential.</p>

<p>Face it, the inland portion from Gaviota through Santa Maria, etc., until you hit San Luis and head to the coast at Morro Bay isn't very interesting for kids for long. Pretty rolling hills, live oaks brown grass, etc. More hills, more oaks, more grass, etc.</p>

<p>Going north from Morro Bay you depart from the coast a bit past Cayucos but then hit the coast again at Cambria. Check San simeon info for Hearst Castle (kids may not appreciate it as much as adults) and for the elephant seals - you'll see them if there. There's a little pier at San simeon if a stop is needed. </p>

<p>At Salmon Creek, a big horsehoe curve near the Monterey County line (IIRC) there is a waterfall about 10-15 minutes walk on a fairly mild trail. Water may be limited though. Watch for poison oak, it's common all along the coast. McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns state Park is a spectacular fall, dropping 80 feet directly to the ocean.</p>

<p><br />Along with the other suggestions in the Monterey area, consider Dennis the Menace Park in Monterey. Close to the wharf area. It's one of the earliest play structure based parks and it seems they are slowly moving away from concrete and rebar, etc., but it's still a lot of fun for kids. It's right next to El Estero so there's some light birding potential while the kids play.</p>

<p>Near Santa Cruz, at Felton, there is the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad. A narrow gauge steam train through the redwoods.</p>