Hit up In-N-Out Burger

Monterey, Carmel Area, (17 mi dr), Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Wineries, Solvang

The wineries that James nc are referring to are in Paso Robles. The rest of the recommended stops are also great especially Hearst Castle.

In la check out la break tar pits if you have kids. Definitely check out Disneyland. Maybe Legoland in Carlsbad, south of Los Angeles, half way to San Diego if you have kids

Following as I want to fo this drive as well someday. I reckon I will constantly be stopping to look at things I never planned on stopping for. I know theres a park nearby with the huge trees.

Little place called Yosemite.

You need campground tickets or a hotel reservation to get into the park, you can’t just drive in

Halfway point is my neck of the woods.

Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach, Cambria and San Simeon are amazing towns to spend time . If you're into wine, Paso Robles is a must.

Beautiful area. Hope you have a blast!

Hearst Castle & The Madonna Inn

Pismo is Great !!
If so inclined rent a quad or sand rail and hit the dunes!

Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Mission

Couple of arcades at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. The boardwalk itself is pretty cool for a couple hours too.

stay awake!

waaaaaaay overated!

Try Fatburger.......the best!
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Don't forget to add an egg......

Just across the Bay Bridge from SF in Alameda you can visit Pacific Pinball Museum. After paying admission they have about 100 machines set to free play. I am not sure when you are traveling, but July 27 and 28 in San Jose is California Extreme Arcade and Pinball Expo.

I am leaving next week with 10 year old granddaughter on the reverse trip. LA to SF. She picked her spots to see. Solvang for lunch and then to San Luis Obispo for night. Hearst castle visit late afternoon and possibly in the morning. Possibly a visit to Madonna Inn for lunch on way out of town to Monterey. She wants to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. So much to do in this area. Visit the wharf area and then head into Carmel. 17 mile drive is a must for me. After a night and most of the next day we're heading to SF.

If you go down I-5,stop at the White Castle burgers at Magic Mountain!! Off the I-5 to the left,and into that little town across from Magic Mountain Park!! Beats the hell autta In-Out

Don’t leave anything of value in your car in SF. The smash and grabs are rampant. I split time this week between SF and Yosemite and I was a victim this afternoon. A few hours ago took one last drive around before going to the airport. Stopped at a beach took a ten minute walk came back and the rear window was smashed and the kids backpacks with laptops and wallets taken. Rental car guy said at least one a day comes back like this which I believe because there is broken glass all over the city streets.

Any pics from Alcatraz? Always wanted to go there...

Did this change recently? Drove through it with no issues around 5 years ago.

What???You can't get a day pass anymore for Yosemite????Wow,We used to go all the time with no reservations!! All you did was go to Camp Curry,and ask for a cancelation,your in!!! You definitely need prior reservation tickets for Alcatraz!!As for SF<park your car in Concord and take B.A.R.T.to SF,and have a little exercise while you tour the City,Bikes are best!! The Cliff House area has become a target for homeless trash that prey on tourists!! Leave NOTHING showing in a car there,put everything in the trunk!! And that goes for everywhere here in NorCal>Beware or be bare,California is no longer a safe place,anywhere!!! I know,I was born here!!

Thanks Jerry Brown.....just remember, Newsome will be twice as bed...

If you venture out of SF to the east, come play pinball at The Flipper Room in Concord, CA.

Sorry. I’m not aware of how they do this now, but years ago (more than five) they wouldn’t allow you in because people without reservations would park on the side of the road and pitch a tent by the river. That made it really hard to drive through the valley.

Probably best to look for a website to confirm rules for day passes, etc. again I’m sorry for that

San Francisco sand

does the ring toss machine still output metal rings?

For big trees you could pop by Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Try to connect with the Monterey Flipper Pinball guys to see if their location is available. They have a great lineup.

Visit AYCE Gogi for good food and pinball when you're nearing LA.

Andersen's even if you aren't a pea soup fan.

Also in Santa Nella on I-5

Ojai valley Inn and the Cold Springs Tavern

Just did the drive last year. If your planing on driving PCH ( HWY 1) all the way, then you are in for some of the most spectacular coastline in the world. Fantastic. Just be prepared that the 1 will take you twice as long as taking HWY 101 with practically no scenery whatsoever due to it being more inland. If you are planning on taking the Pacific Coast Highgway then you have so many options, as others have mentioned, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, etc. I actually love a place called Piedras Blancas in Sam Simeon. I also really enjoy Santa Barbara as its one of my favorite California Beach towns with lots of sights and things to do. But to be perfectly honest, just the drive alone is worth every extra minute invested on HWY 1. Oh and BTW Yosemite , is pretty far out of your way unless you are planning on taking quite the detour.

If you are really fast you can grab 2 rings. Definitely a lot harder than you'd think to hit the clown's mouth.

nice choice.

You can take the 10 dollar receipt for 17 mi dr and they will give you back the credit inside one of the Pebble beach Corp restaurants. So a $18 cocktail will only cost $8 while the view is priceless. If you're going south of LA, I highly reccomend the drive from the Huntington Beach pier to the San Clemente pier down the PCH. A little side trip within could take you to Newport and Balboa piers, the Wedge, and then the auto ferry across to Balboa Island and then back on PCH. Down through Newport Coast, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and then San Clemente. Great restaurant on the pier in San Clemente (Fishermens). Some people refer to this area as the gold coast.

Glad you enjoyed Pismo!

Looks like a fantastic trip, Mike!

I really enjoyed the drive down the PCH too! If you haven't passed it yet, rent some kayaks in La Jolla and check out the caves!

La Jolla, kayaks and the caves are cool .
Probably a bit south for this trip it sounds.

Monterey flipper pinball is in Salinas has 30 + machines check them out on Facebook. Last I looked they were opening in seaside as well.Monterey was my old stomping grounds. Love that area.