Going to be in LA next month. Like to go up to SF and stay for a few days. Not sure if I should fly or drive when I go up there, or take a train. What's the most easy, fun, efficient, practical way to go about this? Just try to avoid doing something stupid. Figured I would ask the locals for their advices. Thanks in advance.
Fly! Do not take the train. Unlike the east coast, west of the Appalachian mountains , trains are for freight! Plus L.A. to SF is about 6 hrs...... Fly out of john Wayne..... Unless you just like road trips, if you do rent a convertible and drive up the coast
If you've got a place to park in SF, have some free time and like driving through beautiful scenery, then take Highway 1 along the CA coast. It is truly a beautiful strip of America to behold. It's about an 8 hr trip, but so worth it. You'll see the gorgeous Pacific coast for much of it, eventually driving through some majestic redwood trees. Along the way are plenty of cool little towns and restaurants to hit. I've done it by car and motorcycle several times and never regretted it.
If you're debating flying or driving up through the quicker, central valley route, then I say screw it, fly.
If you're not in a hurry and want to take in the scenery drive or take the train. I haven't taken train trips very often, but I've always enjoyed them when I did.
http://www.amtrak.com/coast-starlight-train This line will take you from L.A. to S.F.
If you like to drive, you'll never regret going through Big Sur on the 1. Unbelievable natural beauty. You'll definitely want to stop to take pictures and you might recognize some areas from car commercials. It's not a mind blowing as seeing the Grand Canyon, but it's up there.
Traffic and 6hr driving gonna wear you out and a potential speeding ticket gonna ruin the trip.