San Simeon way - good enough?
Jul 27th, 2004, 06:42 PM
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San Simeon way - good enough?
On the way to LA (to fly back to Asia) from Fish Camp, Yosemite, we are thinking of making a detour to see the Pacific Coast Hwy, as we have heard so much about it. But time is limited as we only have two days and a night to spare. Is it possible to drive from Yosemite to San Simeon (how long will it take?), stay overnight at SanSimeon and drive down then to LA the next day. Would we be seeing the good bits of PCH this way? Any alternatives?
Jul 27th, 2004, 08:12 PM
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Fish Camp to Carmel, then down to San Simeon would be the dramatic coastline trip....but would add 4 hours to the Fish Camp-San Simeon way.
San Simeon to LA is a nice drive, stop in Santa Barbara or Summerland for a walk on the beach and a meal. Santa Barbara to LA is very nice at sunset if you can do it (don't drive it on a Sunday though, traffic!)...and you don't want to come in to the LA area between 4:30 and 7:30pm because of the traffic snarls. What time is your flight from LAX?
San Simeon to LA is a nice drive, stop in Santa Barbara or Summerland for a walk on the beach and a meal. Santa Barbara to LA is very nice at sunset if you can do it (don't drive it on a Sunday though, traffic!)...and you don't want to come in to the LA area between 4:30 and 7:30pm because of the traffic snarls. What time is your flight from LAX?
Jul 27th, 2004, 08:27 PM
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Thanks T2C, yes I realise Carmel down would be great but are constrained for time + small child so dont want to do the whole route, looking for smaller sized bite to get the flavour 
. We do Yosemite-SanSimeon on a Wednesday, and thinking maybe drive north some distance towards Big Sur on Thursday before turning back and going down to LA. Our flights only Friday evening, but staying with friends Thursday night, can reach late.
. We do Yosemite-SanSimeon on a Wednesday, and thinking maybe drive north some distance towards Big Sur on Thursday before turning back and going down to LA. Our flights only Friday evening, but staying with friends Thursday night, can reach late.
Jul 27th, 2004, 08:58 PM
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Just a thought, you might consider taking the 41 to the 101 and heading north a bit until you get to Jolon Road. Taking that to Nacimiento Ferguson Road will take you through the "real" California. Nacimiento Ferguson Rd. is only about 17 miles long but takes about an hour because it's so windy, descending downward to Hwy 1 where you can head south to San Simeon in no time. I once saw a double sunset at the ridge where hang gliders take off from: one sunset over the cloud layer, then another sunset over the water. It was one of the most spectacular moments of my life!
Also, off of Jolon Road is Hearst's original hacienda that he kept before building the castle. He used to have all the big parties there. The Mission San Antonio de Padua is within walking distance of the hacienda which would be a very special treat. The missions were not our proudest moment, but offer an important glimpse into our history, and you'll experience some early CA architecture.
Also, off of Jolon Road is Hearst's original hacienda that he kept before building the castle. He used to have all the big parties there. The Mission San Antonio de Padua is within walking distance of the hacienda which would be a very special treat. The missions were not our proudest moment, but offer an important glimpse into our history, and you'll experience some early CA architecture.
Jul 27th, 2004, 09:18 PM
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Sorry -- take the 41 west to the 46 west to the 101 north to Jolon Road. This will take you to an army fort -- the hacienda and the mission are on the Fort Hunter Ligget grounds, but you'll have access no problem. Unless something has changed since 9/11... You can call their info line to verify access (831) 386-3000.
Some nice info about the mission:
http://www.pelicannetwork.net/mission.san.antonio.htm
Same site has info about Nacimiento Ferguson Road:
http://www.pelicannetwork.net/nacimientoroad.html
I strongly recommend you go this route for the full Big Sur/California Coast effect.
Some nice info about the mission:
http://www.pelicannetwork.net/mission.san.antonio.htm
Same site has info about Nacimiento Ferguson Road:
http://www.pelicannetwork.net/nacimientoroad.html
I strongly recommend you go this route for the full Big Sur/California Coast effect.
Jul 31st, 2004, 10:55 AM
#7
I drove from Mission San Antonio to hiway one on Saturday, July 24th. The Nacimiento Ferguson Road was an unforgetable experience.
Make sure you have all proper driving documents, registration, insurance and license. The guard will not let you enter without.
I have always been uneasy on mountain roads with no guardrails. Although beautiful, I was very scared much of the time.
Make sure you have all proper driving documents, registration, insurance and license. The guard will not let you enter without.
I have always been uneasy on mountain roads with no guardrails. Although beautiful, I was very scared much of the time.
Gooooo slooowwwww 
