Carmel: Highway One – Los Angeles to San Francisco

Neptune Pool, Hearst Castle, Highway One

Neptune Pool, Hearst Castle

Given the choice of flying between Los Angeles and San Francisco, or driving the famous Highway One, the decision was easy. Highway One is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the US.

While it is preferable to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles (you will be on the right side of the road to stop and enjoy the views), our itinerary was such that we drove north – it was still spectacular – and we got to stay in beautiful Carmel.

This drive really warrants a couple of days to see the sights, however we had one day to drive from Los Angeles to Carmel for an overnight stop.

To give you an idea of timing, it is about 550 kms between LA and Carmel, or nearly seven hours driving time.

Starting the drive in Santa Monica the road follows the coast. It was frustrating to whizz through Malibu and by-pass Santa Barbara but we were heading for Hearst Castle, a four-and-a-half hour drive away. (more…)