Pacific Coast Highway with Teens
May 22nd, 2019, 07:10 AM
#1
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Pacific Coast Highway with Teens
Hello.
I have 16 and to be 14 sons and we are looking to go down Pacific Coast Highway. I am looking at 10 days from San Diego to San Francisco and A Jaunt to Palm Springs to see my Sister for 2 nights.
I am thinking this might work, but I am mostly interested in seeing the coast and San Fran...we want to see things we can not see in Florida but find some down time somewhere in there. (good luck to me on down time.).Not big on LA due to traffic and we have Disney World, Universal, Sea World, Busch Gardens, Aquariums, all things tourist and beaches in my area of FL and been to them all multiple times. Our sea water is also warm and my 6'5" son thinks he is too tall for learning to surf. I do not think so, but I am not the one doing it, nor will I try that.
Arrive June 4 late 11pm or June 5 10 am and leaving 13th or 14th overnight flight-about to buy tickets based on your answers. We are late having to wait to decide due to my son getting into leadership at school.
Itinerary and main questions (Q) below. Thanks so much in advance for your help!
Q; What, if any, is really not to be missed in LA that we should consider. My son does not want to do the back lot. Big City is not his thing.
Q: Considering a camper van from LA to San Fran, cars before and none after in SF. Take it for 3 or 4 nights to stay in parks. Do you recommend this or just hotel it and keep the car?
Q: Does this seem doable and enjoyable or too much and we should skip San Diego? Is there MUST SEE in San Diego?
Phase 1: San Diego 5th and 6th, 7th to Zip line in Mountains on way to Palm Springs over night for 2 nights leaving Sunday day. See Tram and what ever in Palm Springs-leave that to sis
Phase 2: Sunday go to either Santa Barbara or Pismo Beach. for over night. See Solvang somewhere in there. Maybe Hearst Castle on way out.
Q: for teens, is there more they would like in Pismo and surrounds or Santa Barbara?
Phase 3: Then head to Monterrey and Santa Cruz, seeing Pfeiffer State Park, Falls, Seals (somewhere on this stretch LA to SF) boardwalk, redwoods, maybe aquarium, Carmel and Cannery Row-maybe beach.
Q: Which is better to overnight, Monterrey or Santa Cruz? I have seen I need 2 days in these places.
Phase 4: Then to San Fran to do Wharf, Ghiradelli, Lombard Street, Cable Cars, Golden Gate, China Town, what ever else you suggest. I enjoyed Sausilito 20 years ago, but not sure we can make it work.
Q: Not sure if Alcatraz is worth it. I have no interest, but not sure if most kids like it. Suggestions on that?
Thank you for your help.
I have 16 and to be 14 sons and we are looking to go down Pacific Coast Highway. I am looking at 10 days from San Diego to San Francisco and A Jaunt to Palm Springs to see my Sister for 2 nights.
I am thinking this might work, but I am mostly interested in seeing the coast and San Fran...we want to see things we can not see in Florida but find some down time somewhere in there. (good luck to me on down time.).Not big on LA due to traffic and we have Disney World, Universal, Sea World, Busch Gardens, Aquariums, all things tourist and beaches in my area of FL and been to them all multiple times. Our sea water is also warm and my 6'5" son thinks he is too tall for learning to surf. I do not think so, but I am not the one doing it, nor will I try that.
Arrive June 4 late 11pm or June 5 10 am and leaving 13th or 14th overnight flight-about to buy tickets based on your answers. We are late having to wait to decide due to my son getting into leadership at school.
Itinerary and main questions (Q) below. Thanks so much in advance for your help!
Q; What, if any, is really not to be missed in LA that we should consider. My son does not want to do the back lot. Big City is not his thing.
Q: Considering a camper van from LA to San Fran, cars before and none after in SF. Take it for 3 or 4 nights to stay in parks. Do you recommend this or just hotel it and keep the car?
Q: Does this seem doable and enjoyable or too much and we should skip San Diego? Is there MUST SEE in San Diego?
Phase 1: San Diego 5th and 6th, 7th to Zip line in Mountains on way to Palm Springs over night for 2 nights leaving Sunday day. See Tram and what ever in Palm Springs-leave that to sis
Phase 2: Sunday go to either Santa Barbara or Pismo Beach. for over night. See Solvang somewhere in there. Maybe Hearst Castle on way out.
Q: for teens, is there more they would like in Pismo and surrounds or Santa Barbara?
Phase 3: Then head to Monterrey and Santa Cruz, seeing Pfeiffer State Park, Falls, Seals (somewhere on this stretch LA to SF) boardwalk, redwoods, maybe aquarium, Carmel and Cannery Row-maybe beach.
Q: Which is better to overnight, Monterrey or Santa Cruz? I have seen I need 2 days in these places.
Phase 4: Then to San Fran to do Wharf, Ghiradelli, Lombard Street, Cable Cars, Golden Gate, China Town, what ever else you suggest. I enjoyed Sausilito 20 years ago, but not sure we can make it work.
Q: Not sure if Alcatraz is worth it. I have no interest, but not sure if most kids like it. Suggestions on that?
Thank you for your help.
May 22nd, 2019, 08:06 AM
#2
Well, welcome to Fodor's!
Could you do the trip in reverse? You could get by without a car in SF, and the parts along the coast would have you on the water side, rather than the land side, of the road.
Anyway, here are the places I'd try to visit, north to south (reverse if you keep south to north.) Google away...
- In SF - really too many places to list; others will chime in. For me, Fort Point (under the Golden Gate Bridge) is a don't-miss spot for its combination of awesome scenery and history. What about a ball game? One of MLB's best ballparks.
- Big Basin or Henry Cowell Redwoods State Parks - in the hills north of Santa Cruz.
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - an old-fashioned beachfront amusement park with all the iconic features - roller coaster, etc.
- Monterey Bay aquarium - really special, on Cannery Row
- Carmel (Spanish) mission - lovely and historic
- Point Lobos State Park, just south of Carmel. This is absolutely a "don't-miss" stop. Hikes, wildlife, amazing scenery.
- Big Sir area - The Pfeiffer redwoods are fine, but IMO the Henry Cowell groves further north are more impressive. Maybe have lunch at Nepenthe and pretend you're Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth, or maybe Liz and Dick. Bring money.
- Piedras Blancas elephant seal colony, just north of the Hearst Castle visitor center.
- Hearst Castle itself. Amazing what you could do as an oligarch back then.
- Pismo Beach - for me, kinda meh, but I get the idea. If you're heading all the way to San Diego, I'd probably stop for a burger but then keep moving.
- Santa Barbara Spanish mission - the "Queen of the Missions" and yet another gorgeous reason to stop in Santa Barbara, IMO the most beautiful town on the California coast.
- LA - again, too many things to mention. Two areas I'd recommend (out of hundreds) are the old Pueblo area in downtown LA - Union Station, Olvera Street, Pico House, LA City Hall, Philippe's diner... and the South Beach towns of Manhattan and Hermosa Beach. Have breakfast at Martha's on 22nd in Hermosa, then walk off the carbs along the Strand... ultimate LA beach experience. If you can manage, head down the coast to Newport Beach and visit Balboa Island and the Balboa peninsula. Frozen banana time.
- Palm Springs - ride the aerial tramway up to the top of Mt. San Jacinto, and take a day to drive the loop through Joshua Tree National Park, ending with a date shake at Shields Date Garden in Indio. If you have family there they'll point you in the right direction. Have breakfast at Sherman's deli which ought to make you homesick, a little.
- San Diego - use your judgement. The zoo is famous as is the wildlife park. Hit the beach at the Hotel Del (Coronado) or visit the Old Town. Eat Mexican food.
Map 1 - https://goo.gl/maps/XCg5Y91kfu19MMtL9
Map 2 - https://goo.gl/maps/X7wzsVjoeR8m99Tz7
Happy planning, and again, welcome!
Could you do the trip in reverse? You could get by without a car in SF, and the parts along the coast would have you on the water side, rather than the land side, of the road.
Anyway, here are the places I'd try to visit, north to south (reverse if you keep south to north.) Google away...
- In SF - really too many places to list; others will chime in. For me, Fort Point (under the Golden Gate Bridge) is a don't-miss spot for its combination of awesome scenery and history. What about a ball game? One of MLB's best ballparks.
- Big Basin or Henry Cowell Redwoods State Parks - in the hills north of Santa Cruz.
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - an old-fashioned beachfront amusement park with all the iconic features - roller coaster, etc.
- Monterey Bay aquarium - really special, on Cannery Row
- Carmel (Spanish) mission - lovely and historic
- Point Lobos State Park, just south of Carmel. This is absolutely a "don't-miss" stop. Hikes, wildlife, amazing scenery.
- Big Sir area - The Pfeiffer redwoods are fine, but IMO the Henry Cowell groves further north are more impressive. Maybe have lunch at Nepenthe and pretend you're Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth, or maybe Liz and Dick. Bring money.
- Piedras Blancas elephant seal colony, just north of the Hearst Castle visitor center.
- Hearst Castle itself. Amazing what you could do as an oligarch back then.
- Pismo Beach - for me, kinda meh, but I get the idea. If you're heading all the way to San Diego, I'd probably stop for a burger but then keep moving.
- Santa Barbara Spanish mission - the "Queen of the Missions" and yet another gorgeous reason to stop in Santa Barbara, IMO the most beautiful town on the California coast.
- LA - again, too many things to mention. Two areas I'd recommend (out of hundreds) are the old Pueblo area in downtown LA - Union Station, Olvera Street, Pico House, LA City Hall, Philippe's diner... and the South Beach towns of Manhattan and Hermosa Beach. Have breakfast at Martha's on 22nd in Hermosa, then walk off the carbs along the Strand... ultimate LA beach experience. If you can manage, head down the coast to Newport Beach and visit Balboa Island and the Balboa peninsula. Frozen banana time.
- Palm Springs - ride the aerial tramway up to the top of Mt. San Jacinto, and take a day to drive the loop through Joshua Tree National Park, ending with a date shake at Shields Date Garden in Indio. If you have family there they'll point you in the right direction. Have breakfast at Sherman's deli which ought to make you homesick, a little.
- San Diego - use your judgement. The zoo is famous as is the wildlife park. Hit the beach at the Hotel Del (Coronado) or visit the Old Town. Eat Mexican food.
Map 1 - https://goo.gl/maps/XCg5Y91kfu19MMtL9
Map 2 - https://goo.gl/maps/X7wzsVjoeR8m99Tz7
Happy planning, and again, welcome!
May 22nd, 2019, 08:38 AM
#3
I agree with Gardyloo whatever vehicle you pick, north to south is best. If you do a one way trip, make sure you know what if any drop off fee is involved.
Check on flying to Oakland, San Jose or even Sacramento as alternatives to SFO. You don't want or need a car or camper in downtown San Francisco.
There is a nice zoo in Santa Barbara if you decide to skip San Diego.
I think that you or your son will find the ocean water too cold to surf without a wet suit.
Check on flying to Oakland, San Jose or even Sacramento as alternatives to SFO. You don't want or need a car or camper in downtown San Francisco.
There is a nice zoo in Santa Barbara if you decide to skip San Diego.
I think that you or your son will find the ocean water too cold to surf without a wet suit.
May 22nd, 2019, 02:05 PM
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Thank you. I assumed on the wet suit. LOL
I did check into fees. The car rental is charging more for one way then the whole week. Amazing-but they know they can with tourism. We have the same issue here in FL.
I have looked at the airports and its much more expensive to fly into then out of right now. Having short notice is not helping us.
Thanks much for your input.
I did check into fees. The car rental is charging more for one way then the whole week. Amazing-but they know they can with tourism. We have the same issue here in FL.
I have looked at the airports and its much more expensive to fly into then out of right now. Having short notice is not helping us.
Thanks much for your input.
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May 26th, 2019, 10:46 PM
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Agree with Tom about adding San Jose as a second airport to fly into. Disagree about Oakland. I think it can be a lot of traffic getting across the bay. I doubt you will get enough savings there to be worth it.
I do like Alaska Airlines if you see a good price. They offer a lot of flights out West. And you could also opt to fly home from San Diego or Orange County. See if the different airports impact your car rental cost.
Look for a coupon for the car online. I think I got one from the Entertainment Book online.
Going to San Francisco first may get you a better price on a hotel.
I do like Alaska Airlines if you see a good price. They offer a lot of flights out West. And you could also opt to fly home from San Diego or Orange County. See if the different airports impact your car rental cost.
Look for a coupon for the car online. I think I got one from the Entertainment Book online.
Going to San Francisco first may get you a better price on a hotel.
Last edited by 5alive; May 26th, 2019 at 11:25 PM.
May 27th, 2019, 05:28 AM
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On our last trip out to SF, we flew into Oakland and then took BART. It was quite convenient and the car rental rate was favorable, as we took BART back to pick up a rental car when leaving the Bay Area. However, there was indeed a lot of traffic in that area.
May 28th, 2019, 04:35 AM
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Just a note - while BART is convenient, it’s also expensive from Oakland airport to San Francisco -$11 for BART, plus the shuttle from the airport to the BART station. For 4 people, Uber/Lyft might make more sense.
May 28th, 2019, 06:12 AM
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Shuttle from the airport to the BART station? Not anymore, they have completed the connection all the way to the airport a few years ago. We just walked out from the car rental and hopped on BART. https://bartable.bart.gov/featured/o...t-now-bartable
May 28th, 2019, 06:14 AM
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