Here we go
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If its still open, start with a visit to the Petersen Auto Museum on Wilshire and Fairfax. They are scheduled to close in October for a major remodel, so check their site first. If open, spend a couple hours there and then get down to the 10 freeway west till it ends on Pacific Coast Highway. Follow PCH with a stop at either the Malibu Market center and/or Trancas Beach (small fish fry shack there).
Keep on PCH up thru Oxnard to the 101 north. Take the 101 north thru Santa Barbara and you have two options : San Marco pass (saves about 30 minutes over 101) or stay on the 101. Consider visiting Solvang , which is past Lake Cachuma off San Marcos. Or to the east off the 101. Danish community which is good for a coffee break.
Continue 101 north. Choices: Exit towards highway 1 in San Luis Obispo, or continue to 46 West in Paso Robles. If you have some extra time and want to explore some great sports car roads, check out the following to make loops from the 101 continuing north.
Roads to consider : Santa Margarita : Highway 58 to Highway 229 left to Highway 41 left to 101 north again Your head will be spinning for days wondering what drugs the highway department enjoyed laying down asphalt on 229
Paso Robles: Visit the Estrella Warbird Museum and Woodland Car collection at the airport off 46 (east of the 101 by a few miles)
Check out the maps for G14, G15, lake nacimiento, Indian Springs road, 198, 25 to Gilroy. Plan a visit to Canepa in Scotts Valley (near Santa Cruz)
Also towards the coast - Fort Hunter Liggett is an active army base, but there is public access through the fort to highway 1. From G14, past Jolon, you can enter the fort , visit the mission there, then head west to the coast on a VERY interesting road. Extremely scenic.
At Highway 1 go north thru Big Sur to Carmel/ Monterey. If overnight in the area, go to Baja Cantina on Carmel Valley Road (about a ten minute drive from the coast) and visit this motorhead's restaurant. Good food for lunch or dinner.
Once you get past Canepa's you have a lot of civilization to contend with. Check out Skyline Blvd, Alices Restaurant , stop at the park north side of the golden gate bridge. There are tons more roads north of there, but highway one is pretty spectacular . Fort Ross is interesting to visit. It was built by the Russians for protection of their colony there !
Others here can suggest other loops and roads
have fun !
Dave