The West Coast
Skyroads,
I don't know if you will be camping, using hotels/motels or hostels, but that may have an influence on your route choice.
I live in Santa Cruz, however, given a choice, the best choice for dramatic ocean views, natural beauty and a top rated twisty road would be southbound on Hwy 1 between Monterey and San Luis Obispo. There are some choices for accommodations on the middle route, but fewer in number and far more expensive than the sections to the north or south, unless you are camping.
It has been very dry so far this winter and some of the foliage is already in bloom with the unusually warm and dry conditions, but the lack of rain has limited the usual annual rain damage to Hwy 1 in the Big Sur area.
In the end, you cannot go wrong with any of the choices, but please note that Ano Nuevo and the elephant seals are located about 20 miles north of Santa Cruz, but there are other elephant seal pupping areas near San Simeon.
Good luck and ride safe,
Motoman
|