tomfuller

Why Buellton? If you can't get a reservation in Santa Barbara, try one of several in Goleta near the SB airport.

jamie99

I've stayed at that Marriott several times (although not real recently) and it is just fine but was needing a remodel as the rooms were getting a little tired but you could ask them. It is a good location if you were wanting to do some winery tasting - otherwise I'd head down to Santa Barbara - closer drive to LA from there. Have a great trip.

easytraveler

Here's a map that shows the portion of Highway 101 SOUTH OF SANTA BARBARA that will be under construction until 2015.

http://us101-info.com/

Here's a brief article:

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/mar/...tart-north-of/

There's also another smaller project going on right now north of Santa Barbara, but so far as I can see it'll be done by the end of July.

Thank goodness they're doing something about that stretch of 101. Does anyone remember the days when 101 ran through Santa Barbara with all those STOPLIGHTS? Talk about a traffic jam!

winniethepooh

Can someone please confirm the route from Pismo Beach to Santa Barbara? Google keeps showing Hwy 101. I see Hwy 1 running all the way south. If it is Hwy 1 then I will change my stay to Santa Barbara.

The reason I chose Bullerton was that it was cheaper than staying in SB by about $400 a night. I thought I could use a little saving here. But, if Bullerton is not the right place to spend the night, I'll look at places in SB.

easytraveler

Highway i joins Highway 101 at San Luis Obispo, runs down to the ocean, and then splits off in the "beach" cities area - Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, etc.

Highway 101 is a four-lane, fairly fast drive. Highway 1 is a two-lane, more "vacationy", slower drive through some really nice agricultural and pasture lands.

If you want to go to Mission Purisma, then take Highway 1 (it is possible to drive down on Highway 101 to Santa Maria and then branch off to Highway 1, but that means negotiating Santa Maria city streets and exiting onto Highway 135 which connects with Highway 1).

If you want to skip Mission La Purisma, then you can go on Highway 101 all the way south to Santa Barbara.

Hotels in and around Santa Barbara are notorious for being expensive, even the Biltmore ain't all that great, IMHO, but the prices are great.

There's a Marriott in Ventura (I've never stayed, just visited) as well as a few other hotels right on the beach in Ventura, which is just south of Santa Barbara.

There's also a resort (forgot its name) in Goleta, which is home to UC Santa Barbara.

Otherwise, I think you're better off in the Marriott in Buellton. It's not that far from Santa Barbara.

HIghway 1 rejoins Highway 101 south of Buellton, so if you want to stay in Buellton, then you have to go by way of 101.

Check google maps. It's not that confusing.

winniethepooh

Thanks Easytraveler.

I guess my concern is, will I be missing out on anything by being on Hwy 101 for the stretch between Pismo Beach and Buellton. It's a 1 hour drive. I am not sure about Purisima Mission (will probably skip that). Other than Purisima, is there another reason for being on Hwy 1 for this part of the trip.