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Places to go in Santa Cruz? It's an hour and three quarters to drive from SF to Santa Cruz via Hwy. 1 (the interesting coastal route). There's not much you can see between 1:45 and 3:00. If you had longer, I'd recommend the Beach Boardwalk, a classic oceanside amusement park. I might even recommend stopping at the tide pools in Moss Beach, especially if you'll be passing close to low tide. But you're leaving yourself enough time only for lunch and a bathroom break.
You should not. If you're not a gambler, one day to wander through a couple casinos to see their vulgarity is about all Vegas deserves. Instead of replacing it with another day of driving, replace it with another day staying put at one of the other destinations already on your list.
Not so. Geez. I gotta defend my town from these guys at least a half a dozen times a week.
Book at The Motel 6 or the Santa Barbara Tourist Hostel.
And FYI, you can regularly see the Channel Islands especially in summer after the Grey days. There are tonnes of things to do out there too!
For a good deal on food, Lazy Acres has daily specials on good eats at their hot food bar. And there are some really great Happy Hours, Take your pick. My fav is Happy Hour at Casa Blanca.
If you want some really good Mexican food that the locals eat, check out Super Cucas.
Think about a wine tour, there are many companies to choose from, a friend of mine owns DeeTours so try her, and tell her Mark from C&C sent you.
You can also get out on your own and stretch your legs (you're going to need to with your driving schedule) and get in some hiking on our local trails.
BTW, the "sand artists" next to the SB Wharf are mainly homeless drunks collecting money for beer who can be quite verbally abusive if you don't throw them a coin or two for appreciating their work.
PM me if you want more on the real low-down.
MM
Well that is 15mi/25km south of the city ... even further to Fisherman's Wharf. At least you're not far from the Airport.
On your first afternoon, you could check out the Golden Gate Bridge, Presidio, Fisherman's Wharf maybe. When we walked through this nearby area (Fort Mason) - there seemed to be plenty of parking available (but I can't recall if it is all metered).
The next full day, you might do better just getting the train into the city, and leave the car at the motel, so you can safely party. And it may not be your thing, but the big Farmers Market at the Ferry Building on Saturdays is very good - great food available. There is another small one over at Berkeley too, but you don't have time for that, I reckon.
As #23 points out, South San Francisco is a completely different city from San Francisco. It doesn't even border San Francisco. You'll be needing that car from Day 1 after all.
Your whistle-stop tour sounds absolutely terrible--a wonderful way to travel a lot of miles and see next to nothing. But you are young and will know better next time around.
Should we visit lombard street? And do we have to Pay for the golden gate park and the museums? Is there a lake where we can do some kayaking? That will be nice.
Is there anything to visit at Monterey as well? Since we will be reaching there approx evening, it will be awesome if there is a sunset view point. We will be staying for the night there as well before continuing on the road for San Luis, Santa Barbara and carpinteria.
For the two full days in LA. I'm thinking of spending Tuesday walking around Hollywood, Beverly hills, Santa Monica pier and visit the staples center. Is that possible? And are there any basketball/baseball/soccer games that we can catch at the moment? It will be good if there are matches at night. Otherwise, we may hit some clubs. Any recommendations for that as well?
Wednesday, we will try to drive along the coast and hop from manhattan beach to long beach and to Huntington beach before heading back to our hostel in culver city. Is this feasible?
As for thursday, we will be on our way to las Vegas. But is it possible to visit Joshua tree park on our way?
We have whole of Friday and sunday(reach airport at 9pm) at Vegas. Maybe we can use Friday to visit some other places in Arizona? Which would be a better place? Bryce or Zion or could we do both?
Thank you everyone for your comments! We are already on our way and reaching San Francisco soon. All the comments have been very helpful! Really appreciate that :)
Monterey has a very famous aquarium and waterfront. However, it doesn't sound like it will be open during the very limited hours you have in Monterey.
You could visit Joshua Tree on the way to Las Vegas from Los Angeles.
http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/directions.htm
You could also visit Zion from Las Vegas, but you need to find overnight accomodation.
http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/directions.htm
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15
12pm: Depart San Francisco to Santa Cruz - any recommendations on what places to go?
3pm: Santa Cruz to Monterey and have dinner - any recommendations on what places to go?
3pm: Santa Cruz to Monterey and have dinner - any recommendations on what places to go?
Places to go in Santa Cruz? It's an hour and three quarters to drive from SF to Santa Cruz via Hwy. 1 (the interesting coastal route). There's not much you can see between 1:45 and 3:00. If you had longer, I'd recommend the Beach Boardwalk, a classic oceanside amusement park. I might even recommend stopping at the tide pools in Moss Beach, especially if you'll be passing close to low tide. But you're leaving yourself enough time only for lunch and a bathroom break.
Not too sure if we should spend so many days at LV since we won't really be gambling.
You should not. If you're not a gambler, one day to wander through a couple casinos to see their vulgarity is about all Vegas deserves. Instead of replacing it with another day of driving, replace it with another day staying put at one of the other destinations already on your list.
16
"Santa Barbara is exclusively for the rich".Not so. Geez. I gotta defend my town from these guys at least a half a dozen times a week.
Book at The Motel 6 or the Santa Barbara Tourist Hostel.
And FYI, you can regularly see the Channel Islands especially in summer after the Grey days. There are tonnes of things to do out there too!
For a good deal on food, Lazy Acres has daily specials on good eats at their hot food bar. And there are some really great Happy Hours, Take your pick. My fav is Happy Hour at Casa Blanca.
If you want some really good Mexican food that the locals eat, check out Super Cucas.
Think about a wine tour, there are many companies to choose from, a friend of mine owns DeeTours so try her, and tell her Mark from C&C sent you.
You can also get out on your own and stretch your legs (you're going to need to with your driving schedule) and get in some hiking on our local trails.
BTW, the "sand artists" next to the SB Wharf are mainly homeless drunks collecting money for beer who can be quite verbally abusive if you don't throw them a coin or two for appreciating their work.
PM me if you want more on the real low-down.
MM
17
MarkMark - we are staying in Santa Barbara for a day - I was looking at the Toro Canyon Park for our hike - would you recommend any others over this one?21
We are staying at 800 EI Camino Real South San Francisco - All Seasons Lodge!Well that is 15mi/25km south of the city ... even further to Fisherman's Wharf. At least you're not far from the Airport.
On your first afternoon, you could check out the Golden Gate Bridge, Presidio, Fisherman's Wharf maybe. When we walked through this nearby area (Fort Mason) - there seemed to be plenty of parking available (but I can't recall if it is all metered).
The next full day, you might do better just getting the train into the city, and leave the car at the motel, so you can safely party. And it may not be your thing, but the big Farmers Market at the Ferry Building on Saturdays is very good - great food available. There is another small one over at Berkeley too, but you don't have time for that, I reckon.
22
Re #22, Park in the structure near to then go explore The Santa Barbara Courthouse, walk over to State Street, then walk down hill to Stearns Wharf for some seafood, then hunt out some wine and/or beer. Take the $0.50 shuttle back up State Street to your parking garage across from the Court House and be on your way.23
We are staying at 800 EI Camino Real South San Francisco - All Seasons Lodge! Yup, thanks for the advice on the car. Will try to get it on early sunday morning instead for our departure,
As #23 points out, South San Francisco is a completely different city from San Francisco. It doesn't even border San Francisco. You'll be needing that car from Day 1 after all.
Your whistle-stop tour sounds absolutely terrible--a wonderful way to travel a lot of miles and see next to nothing. But you are young and will know better next time around.
24
Oh no, I have already heeded the advice in #14 and gonna pick up the car only on Sunday 12pm. So we have another morning to spare at San Francisco before we leave! Any recommendations for that Sunday morning?Should we visit lombard street? And do we have to Pay for the golden gate park and the museums? Is there a lake where we can do some kayaking? That will be nice.
Is there anything to visit at Monterey as well? Since we will be reaching there approx evening, it will be awesome if there is a sunset view point. We will be staying for the night there as well before continuing on the road for San Luis, Santa Barbara and carpinteria.
For the two full days in LA. I'm thinking of spending Tuesday walking around Hollywood, Beverly hills, Santa Monica pier and visit the staples center. Is that possible? And are there any basketball/baseball/soccer games that we can catch at the moment? It will be good if there are matches at night. Otherwise, we may hit some clubs. Any recommendations for that as well?
Wednesday, we will try to drive along the coast and hop from manhattan beach to long beach and to Huntington beach before heading back to our hostel in culver city. Is this feasible?
As for thursday, we will be on our way to las Vegas. But is it possible to visit Joshua tree park on our way?
We have whole of Friday and sunday(reach airport at 9pm) at Vegas. Maybe we can use Friday to visit some other places in Arizona? Which would be a better place? Bryce or Zion or could we do both?
Thank you everyone for your comments! We are already on our way and reaching San Francisco soon. All the comments have been very helpful! Really appreciate that :)
25
That's a terrible choice of accomodtation for someone who only allows one day in San Francisco.Monterey has a very famous aquarium and waterfront. However, it doesn't sound like it will be open during the very limited hours you have in Monterey.
You could visit Joshua Tree on the way to Las Vegas from Los Angeles.
http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/directions.htm
You could also visit Zion from Las Vegas, but you need to find overnight accomodation.
http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/directions.htm
29
Hey guys! Today has been a long day! Visited union square, Chinatown and fisherman wharf :) weather here is really really cold. Hopefully we will get to visit golden gate bridge sausalito and the park tmr. Most likely we will rent a bike so we can commute faster. And what are the popular clubs to party on a Saturday night at mission?ADVERTISEMENT
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