Monterey to Glendale

[Moomduck1]

Our first stop in California is Monterey. Spending a few days there and then driving to our airbnb in Glendale. Primary focus is then Universal. We were thinking of hanging out at Citiwalk in the evening after our drive. We will have younger children with us. Any suggestions on restaurants or things to do? Not really looking for big ticket things to do. Just a pleasant way to spend the evening. Or even a stop from Monterey to Glendale I guess would work too. Some adults in our group want to do the Route 1 drive from Monterey. Any thoughts on that?

 

[China Expat]

Route 1 will take you 12 hours with photo stops...IF the road is open. CHeck on the landslide construction. If you drive the inland route, you might hit traffic closer to LA. Just do the drive and if you make it by 7 pm or so, City Walk will be open. Universal is amazing...recommend the front of line pass.

 

[Psymonds]

Route 1 will take you 12 hours with photo stops...IF the road is open. CHeck on the landslide construction. If you drive the inland route, you might hit traffic closer to LA. Just do the drive and if you make it by 7 pm or so, City Walk will be open. Universal is amazing...recommend the front of line pass.

These two closures started last winter/April...

Is closed from 2.1 mi north of Lucia to 16.8 mi south of Big Sur /at Dolan Point/ (Monterey Co) - Due to emergency repairs - Motorists are advised to use an alternate route

The northbound connector to southbound I 280 /in Daly City/ (San Mateo Co) is closed from 2000 hrs each night to 0600 hrs each morning 7 days a week thru 8/30/24 - Due to bridge work - Motorists are advised to use an alternate route

road status is here
https://roads.dot.ca.gov/roadscell.php?roadnumber=1

 

[Moomduck1]

Thank you!!

 

[sndral]

… Some adults in our group want to do the Route 1 drive from Monterey. Any thoughts on that?

Right now you can’t get to Southern California from Monterey via Hwy 1 because of Regent’s slide. Originally estimated to be open by late fall, it sounds like the repairs may take longer than expected. https://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/highway_conditions.html & of course new slides/slips can happen.
It is a stunning drive albeit on a twisty two lane road & not for those afraid of heights.
If time allows a day trip on Hwy 1 from & back to Monterey w/ lunch/brunch by the river at the River Inn or Cafe Kevah at Nepenthe is a lovely excursion & you’ll see some dramatic views of the Pacific (& at times whale spouts) & travel through redwoods. Traffic is much lighter than normal right now even w/ the one lane traffic control currently at Rocky Creek Bridge likely because there’s no traffic heading to SoCal.

 

[Sidney Land]

Twelve hour drive, ugh. Maybe stay overnight in Solvang?

I've heard Jocko's in Nipomo is a fabulous steak house, but that's only feasible if you're not driving the whole distance in one shot.

 

[sndral]

Update, Hwy 1 @ Regent’s slide will not re-open this fall & will remain closed through 2024. https://www.ksbw.com/article/highway-1-slide-reopening-california-big-sur-cracking/62413732

 

[China Expat]

For a pleasant evening near Glemdale, you could stroll around downtown Pasadena. Wonderful shops and restaurants.

 

[meggiebeth]

I’d definitely recommend driving down the PCH a little further if you have time. Carmel is just south of Monterey and worth a visit. There are lots of fun stops to make on the PCH too, like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Pfeiffer Falls. Unfortunately the road was closed about halfway down to LA when we went due to a landslide and we had to turn around and drive all the way back to Carmel to join the inland road.

I’d also highly recommend Cafe Kevah in Big Sur for a breakfast or lunch with a view. Nepenthe is just upstairs but seems to cost a lot more and isn’t open for breakfast.

Have a look at staying somewhere halfway down. We ended up staying in Pismo Beach, but next time would probably choose Solvang or Santa Barbara.

 

[Psymonds]

I’d definitely recommend driving down the PCH a little further if you have time. Carmel is just south of Monterey and worth a visit. There are lots of fun stops to make on the PCH too, like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Pfeiffer Falls. Unfortunately the road was closed about halfway down to LA when we went due to a landslide and we had to turn around and drive all the way back to Carmel to join the inland road.

I’d also highly recommend Cafe Kevah in Big Sur for a breakfast or lunch with a view. Nepenthe is just upstairs but seems to cost a lot more and isn’t open for breakfast.

Have a look at staying somewhere halfway down. We ended up staying in Pismo Beach, but next time would probably choose Solvang or Santa Barbara.

it is basically still closed at that location until next year. Just planning a backpacking trip with the scouts and it's not looking promising, slide was still moving earlier this month.