[GK3]

When I went to Stanford for the first time, my parents and I did the trip in the opposite; we drove up to Stanford from San Diego on highway 1.

BC

If you are a little adventurous, there used to be a way to bypass the closed sections of Hwy 1, but a 4wd is advised. If anyone is really interested in a pretty but rather long trip, let me know and I will share directions. Sometimes the route is complicated by the fact it goes through Ft. Hunter Liggett and passage is not always available at least back in the day. You also get to visit Mission San Antonio de Padua which is also on Ft. Hunter Liggett. Long ago I spent a year at the Army Language School in Monterey, now known as the Defense Language Institute.  Between playing the golf courses at Fort Ord for $2 per round, we would a couple of times of month load up our rucksacks and head for some steep trails that climbed from the ocean to the ridge overlooking Hunter Liggett on one side and the Pacific in a foolish misguided attempt to stay in shape while we sat on our rears all day every day. 
While Highway 1 from San Luis to Monterey is a fabled drive, if you are a hiker, I strongly suggest considering the Lost Coast Trail: https://www.shedreamsofalpine.com/blog/b...california
If that is too easy then I suggest: https://www.backpacker.com/trips/trips-b...state-park

[GK3]

When I went to Stanford for the first time, my parents and I did the trip in the opposite; we drove up to Stanford from San Diego on highway 1.

BC

If you are a little adventurous, there used to be a way to bypass the closed sections of Hwy 1, but a 4wd is advised. If anyone is really interested in a pretty but rather long trip, let me know and I will share directions. Sometimes the route is complicated by the fact it goes through Ft. Hunter Liggett and passage is not always available at least back in the day. You also get to visit Mission San Antonio de Padua which is also on Ft. Hunter Liggett. Long ago I spent a year at the Army Language School in Monterey, now known as the Defense Language Institute.  Between playing the golf courses at Fort Ord for $2 per round, we would a couple of times of month load up our rucksacks and head for some steep trails that climbed from the ocean to the ridge overlooking Hunter Liggett on one side and the Pacific in a foolish misguided attempt to stay in shape while we sat on our rears all day every day. 
While Highway 1 from San Luis to Monterey is a fabled drive, if you are a hiker, I strongly suggest considering the Lost Coast Trail: https://www.shedreamsofalpine.com/blog/b...california
If that is too easy then I suggest: https://www.backpacker.com/trips/trips-b...state-park