graywolf offered, on the US 1 or California SR 1 discussion (describing the coastal route from Los Angeles to San Jose): > US 101, I believe. But then I have only been in California twice, > so could be mistaken.
Not the same. California SR 1 (also known as Pacific Coast Highway for the section just north of L.A.) hugs the coast. For a small part of the route between L.A. and San Francisco SR 1 is coincident with US 101, but for much of the way 101 is one or two valleys inland, so there isn't a view of the Pacific ocean. Not as far inland as Interstate 5 (the shortest route between L.A. & S.J., mind you). [Yes, the US has three distinct road numbering schemes. The main transport routes, or Interstates - limited-access highways rather like the Motorways or Autobahns; the national US highway system for major roads, and the state numbering system for anything else] I'd definitely recommend taking more than a day for the scenic route. You start off with Malibu (which has wonderful beaches; a great way to start the day is breakfast at one of the beach-front restaurants). Then on past the channel islands and Santa Barbara. At this point you lose sight of the ocean for a while, until you get to Grover City and San Luis Obispo. Fill your fuel tank here; there's only one place to fill up your car in Big Sur, and prices are routinely 50% higher than in the rest of central California. Then on to Morro Beach - another nice place for beachfront shots. A little further north is Cambria. This bills itself as an artist's community, and also has some excellent arts and crafts stores for finding nice hand-made souvenirs. Then comes San Simeon - a great example of how American press barons spend their money. It's worth taking at least one of the many different tours - you can probably find one that shows you the parts you want to see, and skips over the parts that interest you less. Also around here, at the right time of year, you can see elephant seals covering the beaches. Don't get too close. Then on through Big Sur itself. A hundred miles of almost unspoilt coastline, with some of the most picturesque seafront in the world. With 2500' mountains just a few miles from the ocean, sweeping sandy beaches, and geologically recent upheavals (courtesy of the San Andreas and other earthquake faults) leaving interesting-shaped boulders everywhere, it's a (landscape) photographer's dream. At the north end of this wonderful stretch you come to the Monterey peninsula and Carmel - another good spot for the arts. And also a very good spot for expensive designer outlets - Monterey is home to the Pebble Beach golf course (and Carmel, of course, is the community where Clint Eastwood served as mayor for a while). It's definitely worth taking the famed 17-mile drive round the pebble beach and other golf courses; these private roads are the only way to get to some of the best viewpoints. Then, just up the coast, is Santa Cruz. Very much a university town (lots of cheap restaurants, music venues, etc.), and the renowned beach boardwalk (not as good as Atlantic City, but worth a visit). Then it's either turn inland and head to San Jose, or carry on up the coast to Half Moon Bay, and on to San Francisco.
