Recs for the California coast

[Deleted]

We're looking to take a 4day, 3night trip to the coast for our anniversary, and we are having trouble deciding where to go.

We're looking at anything north of Santa Barbara up to the Lost Coast/Mendocino county, but not SF. We like outdoorsy stuff ( hiking, kayaking, etc), wandering through shops, wine tasting, etc

We'll be driving, so we have quite a bit of flexibility. TIA!

[emilyinchile]

Carmel would give you wandering through shops. I would definitely look at spending a day or two there and in Big Sur.

[Deleted]

Are you going up and back in 4 days or starting in SB and ending up North??

This is what I would do;

Day1 - Santa Barbara, stay the night
Day 2 - Breakfast in SB then head up to Solvang for wine tasting and Danish treats. Have lunch and do a winery tour ala "Sideways".. www.solvangusa.com/listings/index.cfm?action=display&listingID=593&menuID=276&hit=1
After your tour and you sober up you could head up to San Luis Obispo for dinner and over night.
Day 3- Breakfast in SLO and then head up the HWY1 to Big Sur. www.bigsurcalifornia.org
Have lunch at the lodge at the national park and spend the afternoon hiking. Once you are done then head back up the HWY 1 to Carmel. Stay the night in Carmel.

Day 4- Breakfast in Carmel and then do some exploring. Head out to Point Lobos for a late morning early afternoon hiking and exploring. www.pointlobos.org. From here you could head into Monterey for dinner and more exploring and then fly home from Monterey.

[rootbeerfloat]

Are you looking for a single destination or stopping along the way? I enjoyed Santa Barbara, Monterey and Mendocino on separate trips. Mendocino had both outdoorsy stuff and wine, especially if you drive through the Alexander Valley (not sure where you're driving from).