San Francisco to Laguna Beach

dad911 · 08-13-2015, 04:58 PM

A few days in San Francisco, then driving to Laguna Beach with the Family... Wife and kids 22-28yo, we have a few unplanned days on the way.

Any suggestions for things to do, places to go on the way?

rusnak · 08-13-2015, 05:00 PM

Try Las Brisas in Laguna Beach, or Greeter's Corner. Or Tutto Mare in Fashion Island Newport Beach.

I recommend Balboa Island. Lots to do there. I could go on and on.

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

Hwy 1 to Morro Bay/San Luis Obispo.

What kind of activities are you looking for?

Cooper911SC · 08-13-2015, 05:15 PM

Nice little "secret" just outside of Laguna is Crystal Cove beach. Park on the North side of PCH and walk through the tunnel under PCH (South East corner of the parking lot trail head) easy walk on pavement.

Enjoy a meal or just cocktails at the Beach Comber Cafe. You're right on the sand. This enclave is where many movie stars from the 30s and 40s had little beach "shack" getaways. They raise and lower the happy hour martini glass flag daily.

The shake shack, now a Ruby's, is also right there.

Hope you have a nice trip down!

Cooper

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Las brisas is good. This place has a good breakfast, has a cool view from the balcony. They have awesome pastries, coffee, and crepes.
C’est La Vie - 349 Photos - French - Laguna Beach, CA - Reviews - Menu - Yelp

Be prepared to walk everywhere in Laguna beach on the weekend. Parking sucks nuts down there.

We are heading there this weekend.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Crystal cove is awesome. Lots of cool stuff in the tidal pools.

Steve Carlton · 08-13-2015, 05:39 PM

Stop at Nepenthe Restaurant, Big Sur on your way down the coast. Hearst Castle ain't bad, either.

tevake · 08-13-2015, 05:43 PM

Monterey Bay Aquarium is neat, there are some redwood areas inland from Santa Cruz.

I drove thru some redwoods on a nice little drive on Ca 84. Crossing from 101. Heading to the coast . At San Gregorio. Just because I missed turning on to 1 in S F.

Hearst Castle in San Simeon is just south of the big Sur drive on 1.

Napenthe sp? Restaurant on big sur coast. Has great views , nice stop.

Avila Bch. And Pismo Bch are cool little beach towns.

Once south of Santa Barbara it's mostly freeway driving and thickening traffic.

Have a fun trip!

Cheers Richard

Danimal16 · 08-13-2015, 06:32 PM

Coast Highway to Neptune's Net?

john70t · 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flieger

Hwy 1 to Morro Bay/San Luis Obispo.

Coming from NJ, and the first time in CA?
I would highly second that recommendation.

The landscape and lookout views are phenomenal. Tight twisty road with rocky mountains to the left and ocean below. You will have to fight the kids for the wheel. Gas stations and resources may be sparse in some areas. The drive itself may eat up a lot of trip time though. You will want to stay longer.

Monterey(and aquarium) is beautiful area and the Redwoods are a very unique experience.

look 171 · 08-13-2015, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Las brisas is good. This place has a good breakfast, has a cool view from the balcony. They have awesome pastries, coffee, and crepes.
C’est La Vie - 349 Photos - French - Laguna Beach, CA - Reviews - Menu - Yelp

Be prepared to walk everywhere in Laguna beach on the weekend. Parking sucks nuts down there.

We are heading there this weekend.

Drive up about three to four blocks away from the main drag and parking should be plentiful.

look 171 · 08-13-2015, 07:42 PM

You will like the restaurant call The Cliff Restaurant. Nothing fancy, everyone's in shorts and Tee shirts. This place sits on the cliff over looking the ocean. Food's very good. We almost always have lunch there when we go down to Laugana.

look 171 · 08-13-2015, 07:43 PM

577 S coast Hwy, Lagana Beach

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

You will like the restaurant call The Cliff Restaurant. Nothing fancy, everyone's in shorts and Tee shirts. This place sits on the cliff over looking the ocean. Food's very good. We almost always have lunch there when we go down to Laugana.

The shops at the cliff are cool. Some neat little artsy crap....

And yes we always find a street parking spot a few blocks up.

john70t · 08-13-2015, 08:07 PM

fwiw, there is also a cliff house in San Francisco https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_House,_San_Francisco
It used to be my favorite place when I was there 20 years ago, but it was redesigned and now feels like an abandoned columbian drug lord mansion. Sterile and cliche.

dad911 · 08-13-2015, 09:32 PM

Thanks everyone. I'm really looking forward to this trip, tough to get away with the kids when they get older....

look 171 · 08-13-2015, 10:02 PM

At 22, and they still want to go across the country with you? That's great. When I was 22, I was gone, neither working or traveling somewhere in the world. I will say this, my sister and I took some time off in our late 20s to make sure we travel overseas with our folks just like we did as a family when we were young. That was one of the best trips. Enjoy it.

I suggest spending a day or two in places like Carmel/Monterey. If you can make it far enough, stick around for a day in Big Sur. We used to go up there for a few days just to do nothing when the before and after the kids came. Not they are 8 and 10, and they need entertainment instead of sitting or walking around. Are you planning to drive hwy 1 down?

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Big Sur and Hearst's Castle are something to see, reservations required for the latter generally.

rusnak · 08-14-2015, 10:48 AM

Crystal Cove is not a secret. Try Corona Del Mar.

Hearst Castle takes a full day. The night tour is great, I'm told. I skipped that one, but the bedroom tour is awesome. I liked the kitchen too.

If you find yourself on Balboa Island, stop in at the Balboa Beach Co and maybe grab a t-shirt. Ruby's on the pier for hamburgers and a shake.