1

The obvious choice is the AMTRAK train that serves all west coast cities from Los Angeles to Vancouver British Columbia (including San Francisco). Local air carriers often have specials for flying between those cities (check Allegiant, Alaska, Delta, or Horizon). Then there's the bus of course, but I'd take the AMTRAK before the bus.

2

You will not be able to see the spectacular Big Sur area along highway1 by transit, although you can get to Monterey. AMTRAK will take you to Salinas, and you can either continue to Monterey on an AMTRAK bus or else take local transit. Unfortunately, the local bus that goes part way down Big Sur from Monterey runs only in summer.

You might be able to find someone in a hostel in LA or San Luis Obispo who is planning to drive through Big Sur and will take a couple of passengers, although that is less likely in February than July. It can be rather stormy in that area in February and the road is occasionally closed due to mudslides.

Take a look at this map. AMTRAK and the Greyhound Bus run pretty much along highway 101. AMTRAK also has trains that go between SF and LA along highway 99, in the middle of the state.

In fact, when you book AMTRAK, you have to be sure what you are booking. There is only one train a day between LA and SF--that is, there is only one departure that is train all the way. Other departures are a combination of train and AMTRAK bus. Avoid any route that takes you through Bakersfield. That will be down the Central Valley.

Greyhound also does both coastal and Central Valley routes. There are cheaper busses, such as MegaBus, but they are pretty much nonstop LA ot SF, not what you want.

3

The cool part about the Coast Line is that part of it does indeed run right along the ocean. I have seen whales before from the train, and going over Cuesta Grade above SLO is a nice treat.

Nutrax's advice to detrain at SLO is solid. That is your best bet to either find another companion to drive, or to take a day or two and just sightsee.

Depending on the time of year, there can be good deals available from Amtrak on the site. These weekly specials are only available from Tues-Fri. So check them regularly to see if you can get lucky. When they first came out with 'em back in 2002 I got a special from LA to Davis for only 16 dollars! Won't see that anymore now, but still there are bargains to be had.

Formerly known as GP40-2HH but had my handle taken away due to technical issues.

4

Thanks so much for all your advice - it's really helpful!