California Dreamin'-A 14 Day Odyssey to San Fran,Yosemite & DL! 8/2013 COMPLETE!1/9!!

[podsnel]

Well, hello again travel peeps! It's time for another TR, this time chronicling our BIG trip to California from NJ! We started in San Francisco for 4 nights, then headed east for 3 nights in Yosemite, and after a brief overnight stop, finished off with 5 nights at GCV. This was our first trip to DL and Yosemite, but for DH and I a revisit to San Francisco- just, this time, with our two teenage sons, Tyler (16) and Timmy (14) along for added enjoyment (most of the time- but they ARE teenagers, so..yea...there's THAT). Our time in Disneyland was EXTRA magical, because it included a reunion with my Cali DISmom, anewmac, and DISmeets with some AWESOME DISwomen I have been wanting to meet forEVER- not to mention that these DISmeets took place in some very special venues- 1901 and Club 33! Plus, we got to see an old dear friend from NJ who had become a Californian years ago- really, it was a fantastic trip! I'll be back soon to start reliving our adventure with you all!



TABLE OF CONTENTS


DAY 1 August 13th
Flying in- http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49545934&postcount=3

9/16 updates
Surprises, Commercials, Pier 39 & Scomas, thank you Tricia!!!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49578563&postcount=60
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49579234&postcount=61
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49579335&postcount=62
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49579742&postcount=65
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49580347&postcount=69

DAY 2- August 14th

9/20- Regency Club Brekkie, Muir Woods http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49616678&postcount=96
9/22- Muir Woods
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49636522&postcount=109
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49637761&postcount=110
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49638098&postcount=111

10/1- Yank Sing http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49714194&postcount=140

10/28- 4 hour Tour with Silver Lion Service http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49943430&postcount=163
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49943800&postcount=164
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49943919&postcount=165
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49944394&postcount=166
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49944411&postcount=167

10/31 Sotto Mare, Ferry Building
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49968494&postcount=195
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49968546&postcount=196

DAY 3- August 15th

11/1 Alcatraz
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49975274&postcount=207
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49975353&postcount=208
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49975495&postcount=209

11/9 In n Out Burger
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50037171&postcount=237

11/11 GGB Family Biking Debacle of Epic Proportions
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50048445&postcount=252
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50049179&postcount=255

11/22 make mine a Double in Sausalito http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50132884&postcount=299

11/25 Regency Club Happy Hour and Pier 23
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50151140&postcount=312
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50151370&postcount=314

DAY 4 August 16

11/27 Giants Stadium Tour http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50165511&postcount=332
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50165766&postcount=333
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50166100&postcount=334

12/2 Golden Gate Segways Tour http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50191664&postcount=346
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50191674&postcount=347

12/10 Boulevard Restaurant
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50240572&postcount=362
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50240705&postcount=364

DAY 5- August 17th

12/11 Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50245861&postcount=369
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50245935&postcount=370
1/14 Lands End Hike, Sutro Baths http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50474229&postcount=399
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50474801&postcount=400
Heading to Yosemite
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50475425&postcount=401
Groveland- Hotel Charlotte, Bistro, Iron Door Saloon
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50475932&postcount=402

DAY 6 August 18th

2/9 Yosemite!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50680100&postcount=442
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50680228&postcount=444
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50680763&postcount=445
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50681174&postcount=447

2/22 Yosemite!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50780735&postcount=478
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50780744&postcount=479

2/28 Ahwahnee Dining Room dinner
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50827239&postcount=503
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50827255&postcount=504

DAY 7 AUGUST 19th

4/22 Mist Trail
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51252735&postcount=522
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51252870&postcount=523
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51252963&postcount=524

4/30 Ahwahnee, Yosemite Village
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51317834&postcount=566
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51318803&postcount=567
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51320330&postcount=570
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51320550&postcount=571

DAY 8 AUGUST 20th

5/13 Room Service, Glacier Point
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51423726&postcount=595
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51424292&postcount=596

5/15 Glacier Point
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51439473&postcount=601
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51440182&postcount=602

6/18 Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51675040&postcount=627
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51676271&postcount=628

6/19 Leaving Yosemite
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51684695&postcount=638

DAY 9 AUGUST 21st

6/19 Checking in at VGC
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51685251&postcount=640

VGC 1 Bedroom Villa with a WOC view!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51687039&postcount=648
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51687122&postcount=650

6/23 1901
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51709225&postcount=676
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51709322&postcount=677

6/24 Powershopping with Fran and DL!
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51716625&postcount=691
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51720369&postcount=701

DAY 10 August 22

6/26 Whitewater Snacks and CA
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51732454&postcount=707
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51732572&postcount=708

6/27 Plaza Inn, DL
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51739871&postcount=723
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51739879&postcount=724

7/8 Pool, Napa Rose Chef's Counter
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51780744&postcount=739
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51815031&postcount=751
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51815855&postcount=752

DAY 11 AUGUST 23RD

7/9 & 7/10 Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51821287&postcount=759
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51821287&postcount=759
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51830242&postcount=769
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51830573&postcount=770

7/23 I touched IT
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51918320&postcount=789

8/4 DL Classics
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52006022&postcount=808

8/5 CATAL
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52013986&postcount=821
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52013990&postcount=822

DAY 12 AUGUST 24th

8/5 Radiator Springs
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52014809&postcount=823

9/25 DCA & DL & Trader Sam's and Ralph Brennan's
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52344377&postcount=853
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52344725&postcount=856
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52345127&postcount=858
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52345323&postcount=859

DAY 13 AUGUST 25th

9/25 DCA, DL
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52345759&postcount=863
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52345869&postcount=864

9/26 Club 33
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52349289&postcount=872
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52349483&postcount=873
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52349618&postcount=874
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52349806&postcount=875

1/9 Partners in Crime
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52865584&postcount=896

WOC from the back-side
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52868336&postcount=901

DAY 14 AUGUST 26th

Storytellers Breakfast, EoS lunch, and heading home...
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52868713&postcount=902
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52868922&postcount=903




Alison's AMAZING Walt Apartment Pics! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52044740&postcount=840

 

[kid-at-heart]

WOW! I am here and on first page. I do not believe it.

 

[podsnel]

So, how did we end up in california this summer? Well....I was dying to see Disneyland. It made me crazy that I had never been. But a trip JUST to DL is probably not enough for a full on vacay with the boys, so something had to be added. Pods (my DH) said, "Where's Yosemite? Could we go there?". After a bit of research, I saw that yes we absolutely could, people go to DL & Yosemite all the time! I ALSO saw, that people go to Yosemite and San Francisco all the time! So....why not do all three? It seemed to make sense. This planning, by the way, began much more than a year in advance (yes, it's true, I am one of THOSE people, the UBER planners )- at one point, I was figuring out last year's Hawaii trip at the same time as this Cali trip- and at times it felt like my head was going to pop off! But, in the end, what we ended up with what an AWESOME trip, so all worth it. Although at one point we switched dates entirely because I realized D23 would be going on when we were in DL (and although I would have LOVED to attend that event, I was 100% certain I wouldn't have a prayer of getting 5 nights at GCV at the 7 month mark then), we ended up flying out to San Francisco out of Newark on United (because when you fly out of Newark, that is who you usually fly) August 13th, arriving at 12:30 pm. We were able to use miles! Awesome! Then we would stay at the Hyatt Regency for 4 nights- it is located on the Embarcadero, and I really wanted this location, because it looks at the water and you can walk along the water to get to alot of the places we wanted to see. After that, we would move on to our Yosemite adventure- one night outside the park in a little town called Groveland you may have seen on the news recently- it was where alot of the pics of the fire in Yosemite came in from. We stayed at the Hotel Charlotte, right on the 120, so we could start Sunday morning early to arrive inside Yosemite for 2 more nights, this time inside the park in the valley, at the renowned and historic Ahwahnee Hotel. Following that slice of heaven, we headed south towards Disneyland, stopping overnight in Santa Clarita at the nicest Hampton Inn. A little further from there was our 5 nights at GCV in a 1BDRM (which I had no problem getting at the 7 month mark). We ended up flying out of LAX (couldn't get Orange County on miles when we booked) on August 26th and arrived home in the wee hours on August 27th. SO......

Our oldest son, Sean, was not coming on this trip with us- hiking in Yosemite on the edge of a cliff with a 19 year old severly autistic (and beautiful) young man just is NOT possible- so he was staying home with cousin Sheree and attending summer camp while we traveled. (We DID all go to Ft Walton Beach, Fla, the first week in September together- and Sean was SOOOOO happy there-









It was really a great time......

But back to Cali! We had clear skies on our flight, and it was really beautiful to look out the window to see the diversity in our country from one coast to the other-



Although that was not the east coast- that was actually Wisconsin.







The flight was easy- and it was so nice to have our OWN SCREENS UNITED!!! (Because we did not have them on 5 other planes we were on this summer...just sayin...).



We would not have a car in San Francisco- public transportation is great in the city, and parking a car at the Hyatt is $60 a NIGHT! So we had Abiano limousine service pick us up- they were prompt, courteous, and reasonable. In about half an hour, we were checking in at our hotel! While the boys wrestled with our MASSIVE amounts of luggage, I was at the front desk, getting the cards to our Balcony Bayview room that included Regency Club (at $25/night- it was offered in an email a couple of days prior to our trip. Normally, this is $75/night- and at that price, I wouldn't do it- at 25 or 50, I was in!). And -oh yeah- we had something to pick up from Bell services, too. Oh look, I thought, Marilyn (our Travel Agent who is mourning my decision to become a TA myself) sent us a thank you gift. But wait! there was another box with that wine! So we said thanks, and brought it all upstairs.

Or up elevator, actually.

Here we are!





The room was larger than most other rooms I had considered in San Francisco. Which was important to us, because as you can see in that first photo, we are all adult sized now.

I know. I HATE it.

The room gets a lot of knocks on Trip Advisor for being somewhat dated- but say what you want about the decor, it was fine by us, the beds were comfy, there was decent water pressure in my morning shower, we had the regency Club access (Hyatt's Concierge level), and best of all, we had a HUGE balcony to enjoy the view from! Here is the rest of the room-









But enough about the room- what about the box? What about the wine? What generous soul had sent them to us, and what was inside that big box anyway?????

These answers, and my dazzling new career as shoe TV spokesmodel, NEXT!

 

[wiigirl]

Following along.

 

[podsnel]

WOW! I am here and on first page. I do not believe it.

Wow- you're quick! I haven't advertised or anything yet! Thanks for finding me so fast Kate!

 

[podsnel]

Following along.

You too! Thanks for coming along again!

 

[luvslikepi]

Subbed!! Of course!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Oooh, this sounds like fun! I've never toured San Fran or Yosemite, so I'll be taking lots of notes!

 

[KristiMc]

Loved seeing your trip pictures on FB. Looking forward to reading the report.

On a side note - only 107 days till NYE on the Fantasy! We are almost to double digits .

 

[15isto2]

Was not expecting another report so soon but I am glad to be reading

 

[Luv2trav]

I love your reviews....I can't wait to hear about this trip...

 

[franandaj]

Subbing in! I can't wait to hear about the beginning of the trip, because I know about the end of the trip!

 

[jedijill]

I'm here! Dying to know what was in the box!

Jill in WET CO

 

[lisaviolet]

WT H?

I just asked for a TR on the other thread.

YEAH!

Now I have to go actually read it.

 

[lisaviolet]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Lovely of you. That colour is gorgeous on you.

And so happy to hear about all the time with friends, Ellen.

So great of Sean, Ellen. Makes me happy to see him thrilled! Why do think he was so content and happy? I'm curious. The laid back environment?

And the one of the boys - SIGHING - just lovely. Ellen, I'm emotional sitting here taking it in. It's just nice to see.

Can't wait to hear about all of it. Especially San Francisco. My niece goes to university there. I've been to California and DL but never San Francisco - CAN'T WAIT.

 

[NMW]

Subscribing

 

[mefordis]

Yay! Bring it on!

 

[rentayenta]

I'm here and can't wait for my cameo.

Great room, we love Hyatts. And nice view sister!

Sean does look so happy at the beach.

 

[RGirl]

Hi Ellen!!!! I am so excited for this TR! I mean, my old home town - San Francisco! Yosemite where I have never been! And DLR - maybe my favorite place on earth! Couldn't be better!

Love your SF view! And I think the hotel room looks just fine and very spacious, which is obviously pretty dang important with those big boys of yours. I am looking forward to what the concierge level service will mean at this particular hotel.

Can't wait for more!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hello Ellen! I'm so excited to read about your trip to the West! Too bad my plans to see you there went by the wayside, but it will be fun to read all about it !

Your plans look great! I love the pics of the ground throughout your flight - it is amazing how vastly different the US regions can be!

I love the pic of all 3 boys at the beach! So fun to see Sean so happy there! Love the Regency club! I'm sure with two boys you made good use of ut!