koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

I've had really good advice re. Smoky Mountains, now I'd like some advice on California. We pick up a little Escape campervan from 247 Beach St. Fisherman's Wharf. We want to head to Santa Cruz for the first night of our two week trip. This is daunting for us coming from Australia, though we have driven around South West USA 3 years ago. (My husband drives, not me...no way, I'm the navigator.) I'm thinking if we drive out of Beach St. to Bay St., to Marina Bvd., to Mason St., to Lincoln Bvd. Onto Geary St., then to Ocean Beach and follow coast. That way we don't have to take any left turns lol.. Would this be an easy enough drive? We'll be picking up the van at lunchtime on a Thursday.
I keep reading that the coast road down past Pacifica is hair-raising. How hair-raising? We'd like to go that way to see the coastline and especially Mavericks (famous surf break). Any ideas on good reasonably priced campgrounds near Santa Cruz? I'd appreciate any tips. Jude.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Trust me that drive is not that bad- just pay attention to the suggested speed on the warning signs about sharp curves ahead.
I always stay at Newbrighton Beach/Camp ground on the south edge of Santa Cruz - if you are going to drive down Hwy #1 as far as Moro Bay you are in for a great trip - we have taken 5 days to make that drive,

twowindsbear

What other sites do you intend to visit? Will you be arriving 'soon?' Or visiting during the spring or summer? Did you 'drive' your proposed route on Google Earth?

I'm sure you'll have a GREAT trip & visit!

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Dear Jude,
I know I can be of some help to you, having last driven a route from S.F. to Santa Cruz in July '14 and having lived in S.F. for a year some 23 years ago.

I won't comment on your route out of S.F. other than to recommend that you take I-280 (a Federal Interstate highway known for being one of the prettiest in the U.S.) south towards San Jose, Santa Cruz, etc. You will need to get your map out for the exit # you take to get to state (or is it county?) road 17, which is the most expedient means of getting from the South Bay to S.C.

I've driven rte. 17 a number of times; one of my college roommates lives in a small town on it, and not by coincidence, he had what could have been a fatal accident on it a couple of decades ago. It's worth noting since this road is known to be hazardous! It basically goes through mountains and has lots of grooves and curves in it, perfect for people who use cellphones while driving or o/w don't pay attention. My friend got side-swiped off the road by a truck and was rendered unconscious for a time. I recommend you especially give trucks a wide berth on that road.

Then in Santa Cruz, there's the beach, there are surfers in wet suits, there's UC Santa Cruz, the local state university, and an active poetry community there. It's been used for a few feature films, such as The Lost Boys and Sudden Impact.

Have a good trip!
lev29

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Do the coastal drive!!!
Drive a comfortable speed. The little cars will probably drive faster. Just pull over when you can to let them by.
Main thing is for you two to enjoy the drive.
If you drive in the afternoon where the sun is out over the ocean, watch the waters for possible whale blows. They are easy to see if the sun is out far enough. If they are out there stop at a good lookout. You might get to see a breach or two.

Just north of Santa Cruz is a little town called Felton on Hwy 9. Just south of the town there are several rv parks.
The wife & I stayed at Santa Cruz Redwood RV Park. The other rv parks are right there in the redwoods.

In Felton, there is a very nice steam train ride to enjoy. It's called Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad. Very nice ride in one of the open cars.

And send me a post card!!!!!! Post images, too!
Pat

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT think of going on HWY17- Stay on HWY #1 -HWY 17 is a commuters race track and is by no means a tourist rout.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I would defiantly recommend following this fellows advice I have been following his posts from his recent extensive road trip here to CA and the No. West- they match my knowledge and experiences to a "T".

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Definitely take Hwy 1 and be sure to go to Carmel, which is not far south of San Francisco. There is a 17 mile stretch of road along the ocean out of Carmel that you should not miss which is private road but available to the public. It is not part of Hwy 1. It ends in Pebble Beach where you'll come across a famous tree that is copyrighted, so you can take photos of it, but cannot publish it for advertisement purposes.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

I sincerely defer to your knowledge & that of Jay Pat. That's why I wrote "a" route down. Yes, the PCH (rote 1, I believe, with curvy triangle surrounding the numeral,) is a pleasant scenic drive, too; it just takes longer. I'm glad others are giving feedback on this and thank them.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Yes- 17 mile drive is good- the other is getting off the hwy on one of the first off ramps into Montery and following the streets along closest to the bay past Cannery Row and the world famous Aquarium - find "Lovers Point" with it's beach/bayside drive (lots of otters in the kelp beds there) follow it along the beach front for a few miles- this road comes out on HWY 1 just a few mils from 17 mile.

koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

I should have mentioned the campervan is a Ford E150. So not too big, can't even stand up in it. Bed in the back, open the back door and there's the 'kitchen'. We pick it up on 5th May, so springtime. Just to clarify we wouldn't be driving that coastal road with one of those huge gung-ho pullout rigs. Our plan is to head east after Santa Cruz,or Monteray, but that's the next leg of the trip.
Thanks all for your help, food for thought.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Excellent point! The 17-mile drive, as it is known, is beautiful and connects 4+ golf courses in the area. There is a one-day entrance fee to pay, I think $10 - $12. Also on the drive, you'll see beautiful wind-swept Cypress trees, and there's a large rock formation in the water just yards from the share where lots of real seals hang out. Seabirds galore, too! I also took a few pics there of a deer there once.

Outside of the 17 md and just south of it there's the little city of Carmel, and just south of that is Point Lobos Reserve State Park, worth visiting and has some good photo opps, too.

koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

I did "drive" the route out of San Francisco on google earth, looks ok I think. We will be travelling 5th to the 19th May. Our plan after Santa Cruz is to head east, towards Lake Tahoe and Reno. Then across to Susanville and Mt. Lasser Volcanic Park, and Lake Shasta. Then the coast road back. That's the rough plan.

koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

Thanks. Sounds good. Whether we'll go further south than say Monteray I'm not sure. We only have two weeks and intend going to Lake Tahoe/Reno, then north east to maybe Eureka and down the coast. Jude.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

The Monterey Bay Aquarium was recently featured in a 3 part (3 hour) program. Being right on the ocean it's pretty fantastic. It's on my list for the next time I do Hwy 1. I would also suggest one other stop....The Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Talk about a real photo op. Google it and you'll see what I'm talking about. Google photos of it.