Thanks for that Bob!
I should have said in my first post that we want to drive down via Big Sur.
Oh. Ouch. In that case, you're in for a long drive one of the two days. See my previous post about the best route. From Monterey, take Highway 1 down the Big Sur coast. It merges into US 101 at San Luis Obispo. Take that through Santa Barbara and then LA. Then take I-5 to Anaheim.
The problem is where to stop for the night. There's almost nothing between Carmel and San Simeon. There are a few places in the town of Big Sur, 26 miles south of Carmel. E.g.,
Ventana Inn starts at $550. Sound good?
Seriously, option 1 is to stay in Monterey after visiting the aquarium. Your first day is a short drive, with a pleasant stay in Monterey. Your second day is to drive the whole Big Sur coast, followed by the drive past SB into LA and then Anaheim. If you take any time at all to enjoy the sights of the Big Sur coast, I can't imagine it taking less than 9 hours or so. Maybe more depending on sightseeing and traffic in SB and LA.
Option 2 is SF to Monterey, 2 hours at the aquarium, and then drive the Big Sur coast as far as San Simeon (or Cambria, depending where you find better rates). Day 2, from there to Anaheim, is an easy 5 hour day. But day 1 is pretty long. Let's see -- 2+ hours from SF to Monterey, 2 hours at the aquarium, and let's say you don't dawdle too much on the scenic Big Sur drive, so you do it in 3 hours. OK, that's doable. Just make sure you leave Monterey with enough daylight left to take advantage of the drive. It would be a shame to do that drive in darkness; as well as being a stressful drive if you can't see.
I guess I'd take option 2. But get an early start, and leave Monterey with enough daylight left. Be aware that there are very few services on the Big Sur drive. The town of Big Sur will have gas (probably $4+), food and lodging. If you want a meal with the view of a lifetime, but pricey, eat at
Nepenthe's just south of the town of Big Sur. The only other services are at the "town" of Gorda. A gas station (probably $1 higher than Big Sur) and an old motel. You'll get back to civilization once you hit San Simeon and then Cambria.
Enjoy! HTH,
Bob