Road trip from LA to Cambria and then San Francisco in Dec

Question

Need some help, am planning to drive from LA to Cambria, stay a night then and then continue to San Francisco. But will break the long drive with another night at Monterery or Carmel? Should i go on to big sur? i need some help here on where to stay the second night. The idea is to do the scenic costal drive but i know that there are road closure so the driving is not so straight forward.

Answer

Driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco via the coast in December can be a gorgeous but somewhat tricky trip due to potential weather-related road closures along Big Sur, especially around Bixby Creek Bridge and other landslide-prone areas. Your plan to break up the drive is wise.

Here’s a suggested approach for your road trip:

Day 1: Los Angeles to Cambria – This is about a 4–5 hour drive without stops. Cambria is a charming coastal town with art galleries, boutique shops, and great restaurants. Staying here allows you to explore Moonstone Beach and enjoy a relaxed evening.
Day 2: Cambria to Monterey/Carmel – The drive from Cambria to Monterey or Carmel takes about 2–3 hours, but you can extend it by taking the scenic route along Highway 1 (the Big Sur section) if the road is open. Even a partial drive through Big Sur offers dramatic coastal views. Stopping in Monterey or Carmel is a good choice because both towns are picturesque, have plenty of lodging options, and allow easy access to the 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach area.
Day 3: Monterey/Carmel to San Francisco – This is about a 2-hour drive along Highway 1 and/or Highway 101. You can enjoy more scenic views along the way, including Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, before reaching San Francisco.

If the Big Sur route is partially closed, you can still enjoy scenic coastal stretches near Cambria (like Ragged Point) and around Monterey/Carmel. December typically has fewer crowds, so accommodations in Monterey or Carmel will be easier to find compared to the summer months.

Cambria – quiet coastal town, good for an overnight stop.
Monterey – convenient for breaking up the drive, historic Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Carmel-by-the-Sea – charming village, walkable downtown, cozy inns, art galleries.

In summary, your plan of one night in Cambria and one night in Monterey or Carmel makes sense. If Big Sur is open, take as much of it as safely possible, even if just for a few hours of scenic driving. This route balances coastal views with practical driving times and enjoyable stops.

Road trip from LA to Cambria and then San Francisco in Dec

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