San Jose to Carmel

We%26#39;re arriving in SJ 9:30 PM Friday, have to be in Carmel by 3:30 PM Sat. Any suggestions for what to see on the way, where to stay Fri night before getting to Carmel?

San Jose to Carmel

Stay at an airport hotel for convenience (sorry, don%26#39;t know of any off hand). Carmel is so beautiful I would just drive down there directly, however here%26#39;s some suggestions. If you enjoy the redwoods, stop in Felton about 8 miles north of Santa Cruz and go to Roaring Camp Railroad. If you like the surfing scene, head to West Cliff Dr by the lighthouse. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is down the road. Best to arrive in Santa Cruz by 11am as the traffic into town is very bad by noon. The city of Capitola is having it%26#39;s Begonia festival next weekend, I believe they will have a sand sculpting contest on the beach this Saturday. Capitola is 4 miles south of Santa Cruz off hwy 1. Lastly, you could head directly to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, then Carmel is just a few miles south of Monterey.

San Jose to Carmel

I agree you will probably want to stay near the airport if you are arriving that late into San Jose. We like the Airport Holiday Inn Express on 4th street. It%26#39;s very comfortable, reasonably priced, quiet, and they offer a pretty good free breakfast including warm cinnamon rolls that I just love. Since you are coming from the east coast I%26#39;m guessing you%26#39;ll be up early.

There is so much to do it%26#39;s hard to decide. The Begonia Festival is great, but it doesn%26#39;t start until Saturday, Sept. 3.

I might drive to Santa Cruz over Hwy 17 (it%26#39;s called 880 in San Jose) and follow the signs from the Ocean St. exit to the Santa Cruz wharf. Park on the wharf and get views of the historic Beach Boardwalk buildings on one side and the surfers at ';Steamer Lane'; on the other. You can get a great look at sea lions that rest on the pilings under the wharf. There are viewing ports at the ocean end of the wharf, and you can usually get eyeball-to-eyeball with them by going down the stairs to a boat ramp on the Boardwalk side. If the surf%26#39;s up and you want to get a close look at the action, drive up the hill next to the wharf and stop at the little lighthouse surfing museum. That%26#39;s West Cliff Drive and it%26#39;s very scenic.

Then I%26#39;d head south to Monterey via Hwy 1. Most of that part of Hwy 1 is a little inland with only occasional views of the ocean. It will take you less than an hour to get to Carmel.

You don%26#39;t say how long you%26#39;ll be in Carmel and whether you%26#39;ll have more time to see that area, but I hope you will because it is wonderful. Be sure to drive Hwy 1 at least a few miles south of Carmel because the grandeur of Big Sur is right there. If you like aquariums, Monterey Bay%26#39;s is the best. The walk (or drive) along Ocean View Blvd. in Pacific Grove (it starts just one block up the hill from the aquarium) is beautiful beyond description. Enjoy!

Sorry, I see you will be in Santa Cruz on Saturday, so the Begonia Festival Sand Sculpture contest will be on starting at 8:30 AM. The sculptures are supposed to be finished by noon. Parking could be a big issue, but there is a parking lot just off the Park Avenue exit with a shuttle bus that takes you to the village. If you are there early enough, that would be a good option.

There is a Doubletree Hotel just outside the airport if you want to check that out. I think all the other advice you got here is good. It%26#39;s definitely worth taking 17 (aka 880 S) because it%26#39;s a beautiful drive. If you like small, quaint towns with cute shops, you might stop in Los Gatos, which is just south of San Jose. Take the Los Gatos East exit off of 17. Stay in the left lane as you get off the exit to avoid getting right back onto 17. Then get in the right lane and go right at the light. You%26#39;ll go a mile or two and then you%26#39;ll be in downtown Los Gatos. There%26#39;s a pretty park with a fountain and lots of small shops and restaurants. The others have given good advice about stopping in Santa Cruz. There%26#39;s plenty to see in Carmel if you want to get there early, or a drive along the 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach would be nice, especially if it%26#39;s a sunny day.