San Francisco to San Simeon

We are travelling from San Francisco to San Simeon on August 19th.

We hope to stop off at the Monterey Aquarium.Could anyone give us some tips for the journey and what time should we leave San Francisco on the Sunday morning?

San Francisco to San Simeon

The aquarium opens at 10am. If it were me, I would leave around 6-6:30am and drive down Highway 1. It%26#39;s the most scenic route. If you prefer to leave later in the morning, take the 101 or 280 south toward San Jose and pick up the 17 toward Santa Cruz. You can pick up Hwy 1 south from Santa Cruz to get to Monterey.

Be sure to order your aquarium tickets ahead of time or you%26#39;ll be waiting in massive lines, especially if they manage to acquire another white shark for their Outer Bay exhibit.

You should be able to wrap up your aquarium visit in 2-3 hours. The drive down Hwy 1from Monterey to San Simeon will take approx. 3 hours. I figure that time in because it will be August on a Sunday.... busy time for traveling the coast highway.

When traveling Hwy 1 south of Carmel, use the turnouts to allow faster traffic to pass you. You%26#39;ll enjoy the trip more if you get out of the way of impatient drivers.

This road has very spectacular scenery. Special places to stop would include Bixby Bridge, Big Sur-( Nepenthe restaurant has awesome views and decent food. The Phoenix Shop below Nepenthe is fun to browse)-, McWay Falls (when you see the sign for Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, look for a turn-out with a boulder at the farthest end with a plaque on it and pull over there. The falls can be seen from the fence line), Salmon Creek (nice hike to a waterfall seen from the highway), Ragged Point, Elephant Seal rookery (use the designated parking area to get a closer look at these animals basking on the beach).

You%26#39;ll have to figure in more time to San Simeon if you make these stops, but you won%26#39;t regret it! Part of the experience of traveling this road is to enjoy the sights along the way. See them all or choose a few, but don%26#39;t pass them all up.

Have fun!

San Francisco to San Simeon

Are you planning a visit to Hearst Castle while in San Simeon? If so, do reserve your tour ahead of time.

grotbags wans to go from 芦San Francisco to San Simeon禄

Driving Directions with links to relevant maps and URLs of places passed through: San Francisco to Pacifica-Half Moon Bay-Santa Cruz-Monterey/Carmel geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/DriveDir.html

From there, continue down the Cabrillo Highway (1) to San Simeon. I further recommend continuing to San Lu铆s Obispo going through Big Sur, the Hearst Castle, Morro Bay, and the Madonna Inn. Thence the quick 240-mile return via Highway 101.

Kibblesmom said 芦You should be able to wrap up your aquarium visit in 2-3 hours.禄

Surely you jest!

Driving Directions with links to relevant maps and URLs of places passed through: San Francisco to Pacifica-Half Moon Bay-Santa Cruz-Monterey/Carmel geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/DriveDir.html

Thank you for your input.How long do you suggest it takes to see the Monterey Aquarium? and how would it compare to the aquarium at Fishermens Wharf?

grotbags asked 芦How long do you suggest it takes to see the Monterey Aquarium?禄

My last visit, I think I was there longer than six hours. It%26#39;s expanded since.

芦how would it compare to the aquarium at Fishermens Wharf?禄

It doesn%26#39;t. No aquarium does. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is the San Diego Zoo of aquaria!

I%26#39;m not jesting. I take my aquarium visits quite seriously, especially since I%26#39;m a member!

Glad SwingCha can get 6 hours of enjoyment from the aquarium. There is a lot to see, no doubt about that.

Some stay longer than others, but worth every hour. You can even get your hand stamped and return later in the day, if need be.