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Trip List by CT50

California Central Coast Road Trip

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Oct 9, 2006  “5th Wedding Anniversary”
4.0 of 5 stars based on 22 votes

Fun and relaxing road trip - a great week away for a couple. Try this itinerary- we had a wonderful time with it and wouldn't change a thing!

  • 1. San Francisco
    San Francisco, California

    Start this trip with an early-morning flight to SF, or fly in the night before. Rent a car and head south. Don't worry, you'll be back!

  • 2. Lunch in Monterey
    Monterey, Monterey Peninsula

    Walk around, check out the ocean, have lunch at one of the many great restaurants, and check out the aquarium if you have time.

  • 3. Big Sur
    Big Sur, California

    Drive down the incredible Big Sur coastline. Give yourself plenty of time, because youl'll be stopping at every turnout to take pictures.

  • 4. Treebones Resort
    Treebones Resort, Big Sur, California

    Wow, what a wonderful place! Enjoy your own private yurt with a view of the Pacific. Great dinners and waffle breakfast, wonderful staff. Spend a couple of nights here!

  • 5. Sand Dollar Beach
    Sand Dollar Beach, California, United States

    Go for a walk on Sand Dollar Beach. The Treebones Resort staff can give you lots of other hiking and exploring suggestions.

  • 6. Limekiln State Park
    http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=577

    Three quick and easy hikes through a redwood forest.

  • 7. Hearst Castle
    Hearst Castle, San Simeon, San Luis Obispo County

    Head south from Big Sur for a visit to Hearst Castle. Get your tickets online before your trip to avoid standing in line at hearstcastle.com. The waiting area and gift shops are a bit cheesy and overblown, but the tour itself is amazing.

  • 8. J. Patrick House Bed and Breakfast
    J. Patrick House Bed and Breakfast Inn, Cambria, San Luis Obispo County

    Head down the highway in to Cambria for a night (or two!) at J. Patrick House. Wonderful hosts, fascinating guests, fabulous breakfast, milk & cookies before bed, and a hosted wine & cheese hour.

  • 9. Cambria
    Cambria, San Luis Obispo County

    Explore the great shops in town and take a walk on the East West Ranch trail. Ask a local how to get to it.

  • 10. Robin's
    Robin's Restaurant, Cambria, San Luis Obispo County

    Have dinner here while in Cambria. (Your B&B host will also have many suggestions.) Sit in the semi-outdoor dining area, which is sort of like a giant bird's nest. Great food.

  • 11. Pismo Beach
    Pismo Beach, California

    Drive to Pismo Beach and spend some time exploring.

  • 12. Hummer Tour on the Dunes
    http://www.xtremehummeradventures.net

    Call up Extreme Hummer Adventures (or Pacific Adventure Tours - they have the same owner) and reserve a one-hour hummer tour near Pismo Beach. It's a wild, exhilerating ride with a very skilled driver - you won't regret it.

  • 13. Kon Tiki Inn
    Kon Tiki Inn, Pismo Beach, California

    Amazing views and beach with motel prices. Great value!

  • 14. Paso Robles
    Paso Robles, California

    Head north up the valley into the Paso Robles wine counry.

  • 15. Grapeline Winery Tour
    http://www.gogrape.com/reservations/index.mv?action=display_tours&fran...

    Take the Grapeline's Vineyard Picnic Tour. They'll pick you up from your hotel (we stayed at the Paso Robles Inn) and take you out wine tasting for the day. Picnic lunch included. Make your reservations (and choose your lunch options) before your trip. This was a great way to spend the day.

  • 16. Paso Robles Inn
    Paso Robles Inn, Paso Robles, California
    Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d80373?&src=GoListDetail&fromServlet=GoListDetail&Action=QC_Button
    Avg price: $199

    Ask for a room with a natrual hot springs tub. For a treat, request a hot springs room in the old ballroom building. Your hot tub is on your own private balcony! (Might want to bring noseplugs for the sulphur smell.) This is a large inn with a motel-ish feel, but has beautiful grounds and an interesting history.

  • 17. Pinnacles National Monument
    Pinnacles National Monument, Paicines, California

    Drive north to Soledad, and head up to the west entrance of the Pinnacles NM. Bring a flashlight if you want to do a cave hike (we forgot one). You can get some amazing views with only an hour or two of hiking (although some of it is a little steep).

  • 18. San Francisco
    San Francisco, California

    Finish your trip by spending a couple of days in San Francisco. There's so much to do here, I won't even begin to make suggestions. Search TripAdvisor for ideas.

  • 19. Comfort Inn By the Bay
    Comfort Inn by the Bay, San Francisco, California
    Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d80930?&src=GoListDetail&fromServlet=GoListDetail&Action=QC_Button
    Avg price: $235

    Great value and great location near the warf. (Check out kayak.com for the best rates.)

  • 20. See our pictures!
    http://www.kodakgallery.com/stepinhere/main/california_road_trip

Explore locations featured in this Trip List: San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur, California, San Simeon, Cambria, Pismo Beach, Paso Robles, Paicines