Best Route from Bay Area?

[jane of the jungle]

Quick Question for you DL Buffs. My DH and I are flying into Oakland and Traveling down the coast to end our trip with 4 days in DL. I would like some input on our route.
What's the best way to get to DL from the San Fran Bay Area?
How long of a trip?
Any other thoughts on where to stay on that journey would be appreciated.
We have 3 travel days.

Thanks!!!!

 

[WDW2002]

Hwy 5 (from Oakland take 580 east to hwy 5 south)

Hwy 101 (I believe you need to take 580/80 west to 101 south?)

Or Hwy 1,which takes you down the coast (not sure on route never done this)

Hwy 5 is by far the quickest, but least scenic, Hwy 1 the longest but most scenic.


The trip down Hwy 5 (my recommendation) takes about 6-7 hours, depending on traffic and stops. Hwy 101, I would take 8-9 hours. If you want to take the 3 days getting down there and see the coast take Hwy 101. Stops I would make include Santa Cruz, Pismo Beach, and Santa Barbara.

 

[preshi]

I agree take 5 it takes us about 6 hours.... I am so used to it now though.. I don't think I could stand a longer drive DOn't forget to stop at the Oasis (Harris Ranch) LOL

 

[minniecarousel]

We've never stopped at Harris Ranch. Somehow, passing the stockyards - then trying to eat steaks has never appealed to us! ('course coming up from the South - you pass the stockyards AFTER you eat!) I agree, we like to just get the drive done - we always take "5". Last time we drove down we left our home at 6 AM and parked in the parking garage at Disneyland at noon. We usually make one stop for fast food, gas, etc.

 

[jane of the jungle]

Thanks for you input all. Tell me some more about this Harris Ranch place please. Any other places not to miss on the drive down? We have three days to stop and enjoy the coast.

 

[WDW2002]

Not sure about the Harris Ranch but there is also a Anderson Pea Soup place.

Just a note: HWY 5, the best route from SF to Anaheim does not travel along the coast.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

If you've got plenty of time, I would recommend taking 880 north from the Oakland Airport, then 80 west (over the Bay Bridge) into SF. Then take 280 south to 85 south to 880 south, which turns into 17 south into Santa Cruz. From Santa Cruz, take 1 south to Moss Landing, then take 183 to Salinas. From there take 101 all the way to Southern California. When you hit 5, turn south and follow the signs to Disneyland.

Great places to stop along the way - San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Gilroy (outlet shopping), San Luis Obispo, Solvang, Santa Barbara.

Of course, you could just go south on 880 from Oakland to Santa Cruz and avoid SF and the Pennisula to save time, or skip Santa Cruz as well by turning south onto 101 when you hit it.

Nice stops a little off the track - Monterey and the Aquarium, Hearst Castle, Morro Bay. Once you pass Ventura on 101, you could take 1 south and see the So. Cal coast.

You could take 5 on the way back north. Besides Harris Ranch, which is a steakhouse located at the 5/198 junction, Pea Soup Anderson just north of the 152/5 junction is a good stopping place. Both have several fast food surrounding them. There's not much to see along 5. Most of the larger towns of the west side of the valley (which aren't very large) are located a few miles off five. For a more scenic route, you could go up 99 and cut over on 152 or 120. This would add an hour or two to your drive however.

I've been all over central california, so feel free to ask any specific questions. I could also recommend several restaurants to eat at in various locations.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Along the Hwy 1 coast route:
<li>Santa Cruz - <a href="http://www.beachboardwalk.com" target="new">Great coaster and boardwalk</a> on the beach if your there in-season, cool hippie surfer town, great seafood, <a href="http://www.shadowbrook-capitola.com/Shadowbrook.html" target="new"> Shadowbrook Restaurant</a> in Capitola
<li>Monterey - <a href="http://www.mbayaq.org" target="new">fantastic aquarium</a>, shopping at <a href="http://www.canneryrow.com">Cannery Row</a>.
<li>Big Sur - <a href="http://www.bigsurlodge.com" target="new">lodging</a>, State Park, Redwoods, beach
<li>San Simeon - <a href="http://www.hearstcastle.com" target="new">Hearst Castle</a>
<li>Morro Bay - seaside town, good clam chowder
<li>San Luis Obispo - <a href="www.applefarm.com" target="new">Apple Farm Inn</a>, <a href="http://www.madonnainn.com" target="new">Madonna Inn</a>
<li><a href="http://www.solvangca.com" target="new">Solvang</a>/Buellton - <a href="http://www.peasoupandersens.net">Pea Soup Andersens</a>, Danish food, shopping
<li>Santa Barbara

 

[preshi]

The only thing about taking 1 is that it takes twice as long to get there! Yikes.....but I live here so my biggest concern is getting there the fastest!