For those who have been both to the Amalfi Coast AND driven the Northern California Coast-can you tell me how?

Question

they are different? What is the difference between the views along the California Coast (around Big Sur) and the Amalfi Coast?

Answer 1

Tthe biggest difference is that the amalfi coast has these great beautiful tiny villages on the cliffs, lots of them do not allow cars, and you walk down into them.  They are stunning add add more character to the view.  In Northern Cal, the ocean view and cliffs are pretty but the towns are older and less charming. There are development restrictions which is not a bad thing to restrict the problem is they are old and dont have any of the character and beauty the amalfi coast towns have.  I live in Nor Cal and hoenymooned on the Amalfi Coast.  Also on the Amalfi coast there are beautiful vineyards and lemon groves along the drive!

Answer 2

Italy is clearly different than the Amalfi coast.  Although many say California drivers are crazy, Italians take the cake.  As with both, caution with driving is urged.  In California, there are multilane highways, while in Italy, most often you will find 2 lane roads.  As well, drivers will often honk when going around blind corners and then go ahead.  Be aware that there is no cell phone use allowed when driving in Italy.  The views are different-the rugged Pacific ocean compared to the calm Mediterranean.  The flora and fauna are also different-lemon and citrus, compared to shrub pines.  Both are beautiful.

Answer 3

You can still tell you're in America when you're driving the Northern California Coast, and it's mostly just water and some houses on beams. But the Amalfi coast is amazing because when you see all the villages built into steep hills overlooking the gorgeous water it just makes you wonder HOW those villages were built and how the people who reside there live daily. For the Amalfi coast, it's even better to take a boat ride along the sea so you can see the marvelous villages from below ( I think there's a fairly cheap ferry ride you can take from place to place along the coast). I stayed in Positano and it was unlike anyplace I had ever been - it was simply amazing. I drove along the coast and looking down to the villages was absolutely amazing. Northern California is pretty, but it just doesn't compare, unless i missed a major part of the N. Cali coast.