My €0.02

In SLO, also stop on Monterey Street and check out Bubblegum Alley - great gross factor that kids like.

And if a University is in the plans, I of course will pitch for my alma mater, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly - SLO).

While Highway 1 IS a slow way to go North, it is the best route from San Simeon to Monterey. However, take the 101 up to San Luis Obispo from LA (from San Diego, the best is 5 North to the 405 North to the 101 North.)

In San Jose is the Winchester Mystery House - always a favorite of mine.

And I agree with Alex - Hearst Castle and Monterey Aquarium is probably not do-able in one day. While individual tours at San Simeon are two hours, the drive up and down the hill adds another hour or so. And the aquarium requires at least a half day. I doubt you could do both adequately in one day.

That section is a little over 2 hours

Okay, as far as university tours go, Stanford wins hands down. There's a great museum with the largest collection of Auguste Rodin's work outside of Paris. Plus, the architecture is stunning. If you decide to stop by, let me know and I can give you some more tips.

Also, I highly recommend the audio tour for your trip to Alcatraz; it includes former inmates telling their stories. Well worth any extra cost.

Yeah, it's going to be really, really hard to do HC and the MBA in one day. You need about 2 or 3 hours to do HC and about 3 hours to do the MBA. (imho)

When you're in Monterey, try Sea Harvest Restaurant. They have good clam chowder. Or if you're going north, hit Phil's Fish Market (love their chowder, too) in Moss Landing up the 1. I'd avoid the clam chowder in the MBA cafeteria... bleh! But if you do have to eat there, the chicken caesar salads are good. (Ask for Margit, she makes the best salads. If you get the other guy, he puts too much dressing on it...)

I really liked Hearst Castle. There's a book in the bookstore I'd check out. It's called the Golden Days of San Simeon. It talks about all the parties he threw and all the celebs that went for a visit.

:)

Thanks for all the great advice (I'm printing all this out to take with). Our Hearst Castle reservation is for 9:30 AM so we'll see how it goes after that. We can always do the aquarium Wednesday morning.

Hadn't thought of a college tour. I was going to drive her by San Jose State since my parents, myself and her dad all went there. It's not much of a campus though.

Steph my Grandmother is a Stanford Alum, she also taught there briefly. Time permitting we may stop there. My sister's favorite Stanford feature is the Shirley Temple doll collection. We did get the audio tour for Alcatraz.

The munchkin has her own digital camera so she can take her own shots. She's actually pretty good. It's one of the best presents I've ever gotten her. She's spent hours taking photos of her stuffed animals etc and it's a great hit at slumber parties and sleepovers. Keeps them entertained and it's cheap.

In San Simeon we're staying at the San Simeon Lodge.

Thanks again for all the great info.

Are you sure you don't just want to go to DCA instead?

Would be easier. The Munchkin thinks Golden Dreams is very educational and wants to watch it every time.

My condolences.

After missing them at Pier 39 before their Alcatraz trip, I was delighted to meet Katiesue and her gang at the pier when they returned from the ex-prison. What a swell bunch of folks. I'm sure that katiesue will chronicle her trip report on her return - it sounds like they're having fun. Here's a quick snapshot to tide you over:

So nice to meet you. Thanks for coming out. The gang says hello and had a great time meeting you.