The fishing town of Monterey is a great place to stop for a day or two, with an excellent aquarium, a pretty harbourfront and a National Marina Sanctuary waiting to be explored. California’s historic Spanish and Mexican roots are also evident here.

South of Monterey is upmarket Carmel, a pretty town with a genteel pace of life - perfect for a spot of well-heeled people-watching.

South again and you enter Big Sur, a classic stretch of Pacific Highway 1 and superb fly-drive territory. The 100 miles of craggy coastline offers dramatic views at every twist and turn, with no towns to speak of but an atmosphere all of its own.

Monterey, Big Sur & the California Coast

The California Coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles is spectacular, and lends itself perfectly to a driving itinerary. South of San Francisco the coastal scenery kicks in and the drive is superb.

Getting to Monterey

Primary airport San Francisco
Flight time approx 11 hours
Time difference GMT -8

Driving times (approximate)

Monterey to San Francisco

- 2 hours 15 mins / 120 miles

Monterey to San Simeon

- 2 hours 30 mins / 95 miles

Monterey to Pismo Beach

- 3 hours 15 mins / 150 miles

Monterey to Yosemite Valley

- 3 hours 45 mins / 200 miles

Suggested places to stay

Victorian Inn Monterey

Monterey

***

Intercontinental Monterey The Clement Monterey

****

Suggested Itineraries

San Francisco, California Coast & Los Angeles Fly-Drive holiday

San Fran, Cali Coast, Los Angeles, Palm Springs & San Diego Fly-Drive holiday

LA, California Coast, San Francisco, Yosemite, Death Valley & Vegas Fly-Drive