A Feast for Foodies Along California's Coast

SAN FRANCISCO (TheStreet) -- Fall is one of the best times to travel along the California coast, after kids have returned to school and international tourists have headed home. You're also more likely to find better prices at hotels and high-end restaurants.

Here's a highway adventure for foodies that goes from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. It's one of the country's most picturesque drives, offering many stops for dining and gazing. Ideally, you would take six days to make this trip, but here's one you could do in four.

Road trippers will find sweeping views and high-end restaurants on California's Highway 1.

Day 1 - San Francisco: Arrive in San Francisco as early in the day as possible. Check in to the Clift Hotel near Union Square. Part of Morgan's Hotel Group(MHGC), the historic property offers trendy luxury that's walking distance to art hotspots like Hang Art and the Hespe Gallery.

Afterwards, hit Zuni Cafe for its menu of locally grown Italian and French cuisine. After lunch, you'll explore nearby Hayes Valley and its newly gentrified strip of cafes, yoga studios and trendy shops. Plan for a late dinner at Coi Restaurant, which has earned two Michelin stars, which offers fine dining with an organic twist.

Day 2 - Santa Cruz: The next morning, you'll leave the city and head for historic Highway One. One of your first stops will be Half Moon Bay, a former cattle and agricultural settlement for the Mission San Francisco de Asis in the 19th century that's now known for its surfing. It's also home to Pasta Moon, an Italian restaurant that serves treasures like ahi tuna with linguine, goat cheese gnocchi and pizza with prosciutto and pear. Order your meal to go and find a spot on the beach.