[Griffins78]

If you have the time, try to take 101 through Santa Barbara and then also drop over to Monterey.

Make the time. I grew up in Santa Barbara (SB) and you should definitely go through there:

1. Exit Hwy 101 at East Cabrillo Blvd/Hot Springs Road and turn LEFT and drive along the palm tree lined Cabrillo Blvd along the beach, checking out the Beach Volleyball, Stearns Wharf, the Harbor and the SB City College football stadium along the way. Then up Shoreline Drive and the hill to Shoreline Park, park and look back onto the Harbor and SB.
2. Then head back to The Brewhouse mini-brewery, dive, great restaurant (http://www.brewhousesb.com/) and order the filet mignon enchilada!
3. Start at lower State Street near Stearns Wharf and the ocean and make your way up State St. stopping at bars, restaurants (The Palace Grill, Bucatini's, Joe's, Pascucci's, etc.), and clubs along the way.
4. Lots of other sights and things to do - pick up the SB Indepedent Newspaper to check them out - but you've got a lot of territory to cover.

If you need a break along the way - San Luis Obispo downtown is a great place. College town. Check out Madonna's Inn for some crazy rooms. This is where you would head towards San Simeon, Hearst Castle and the Hwy 1 route through Big Sur towards Monterey, Carmel OR you can continue up Hwy 101 to Monterey. (I would recommend that since you've got a lot of beautiful coast line to see between L.A. and Vancouver).

btw - you may be coming up the coast on Hwy 1 from Santa Monica (a must see while in L.A.) which will take you through Malibu and some of the most filmed roadway and beaches along the way to Santa Barbara.

[Griffins78]

If you have the time, try to take 101 through Santa Barbara and then also drop over to Monterey.

Make the time. I grew up in Santa Barbara (SB) and you should definitely go through there:

1. Exit Hwy 101 at East Cabrillo Blvd/Hot Springs Road and turn LEFT and drive along the palm tree lined Cabrillo Blvd along the beach, checking out the Beach Volleyball, Stearns Wharf, the Harbor and the SB City College football stadium along the way. Then up Shoreline Drive and the hill to Shoreline Park, park and look back onto the Harbor and SB.
2. Then head back to The Brewhouse mini-brewery, dive, great restaurant (http://www.brewhousesb.com/) and order the filet mignon enchilada!
3. Start at lower State Street near Stearns Wharf and the ocean and make your way up State St. stopping at bars, restaurants (The Palace Grill, Bucatini's, Joe's, Pascucci's, etc.), and clubs along the way.
4. Lots of other sights and things to do - pick up the SB Indepedent Newspaper to check them out - but you've got a lot of territory to cover.

If you need a break along the way - San Luis Obispo downtown is a great place. College town. Check out Madonna's Inn for some crazy rooms. This is where you would head towards San Simeon, Hearst Castle and the Hwy 1 route through Big Sur towards Monterey, Carmel OR you can continue up Hwy 101 to Monterey. (I would recommend that since you've got a lot of beautiful coast line to see between L.A. and Vancouver).

btw - you may be coming up the coast on Hwy 1 from Santa Monica (a must see while in L.A.) which will take you through Malibu and some of the most filmed roadway and beaches along the way to Santa Barbara.