California road trip

Question

Looking advice for part of a road trip booked this October, have a route planned out and accommodation booked but able to be flexible and change it, hadn’t took in to consideration big sur still being closed so needing advice on where to stay.

- Flying in to San Fran staying 4 nights before getting a car

-Yosemite NP for 2 nights

- drive back to the coast heading south staying in :

- Santa Cruz 1 night

- Pismo Beach 1 night

- Santa Monica 1 night

- San Diego for 2 nights

Then on to Vegas/Utah/Arizona for the remaining 8 nights

Flexible with changing the 3 nights in between Yosemite and San Diego if anyone has any suggestions

Thanks

Answer

Since Big Sur is still partially closed in October, the classic Pacific Coast Highway drive from Monterey/Carmel down through Big Sur may not be fully accessible. You’ll need to adjust your stops along the coast, but there are plenty of great alternatives that still offer scenic views and a nice balance of driving and relaxation.

Here’s some advice for the segment between Yosemite and San Diego:

Santa Cruz (1 night): This is a good first stop after Yosemite. The town has a classic beach boardwalk, great coffee shops, and a nice coastal vibe. Staying here is fine; if you want more nature, consider checking out nearby state parks like Wilder Ranch or Natural Bridges.
Pismo Beach (1 night): Perfect for a beach stop along the Central Coast. If Big Sur is closed, consider skipping Monterey/Carmel and taking the scenic US-101 along the coast through Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and Pismo. It’s less dramatic than Big Sur but still very scenic with ocean views.
Alternative coastal options: If you want to make the drive more scenic, you can stop in Morro Bay or Cambria instead of Pismo. Both towns have charming coastal scenery, restaurants, and easy access to hiking trails or beaches. Cambria, in particular, has Moonstone Beach Boardwalk for a short, relaxing walk.
Santa Monica (1 night): Staying here is perfect for a stop near Los Angeles before heading further south to San Diego. It’s easy to reach beaches, restaurants, and the Santa Monica Pier. The drive from Pismo Beach or Cambria to Santa Monica is roughly 3.5–4.5 hours via US-101 or I-5.
San Diego (2 nights): No changes needed; this works well as your southern coastal stop. You can relax, enjoy beaches, and explore the Gaslamp Quarter or La Jolla.

Additional tips:

Consider US-101 instead of CA-1 for part of the drive if Big Sur closures are still an issue. You’ll miss some of the cliffs and classic Big Sur stops, but the drive is still scenic and safe.
Check local closures before leaving each town, as road conditions can change quickly in the fall.
If you want to add more “Big Sur-like” scenery without staying in Big Sur itself, consider spending a night in Cambria or near Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, then continue south.
Plan for flexibility: With a couple of coastal stops, you can adjust the itinerary based on traffic, weather, or closures.

Overall, your route from Yosemite → Santa Cruz → Pismo (or Cambria) → Santa Monica → San Diego is practical and scenic, even with Big Sur still partially closed. Adding Cambria instead of Pismo is a nice alternative if you want slightly more coastal charm and scenery.