2022 DL & California Coast

[MEC004]

Since DCL prices are astronomical right now, we’ve decided to try to hit the road and travel the states. In 2022 we want to go to DL and then travel up the California coast to see the redwoods and Yosemite. A couple of questions?

1.How many days needed at DL? We will be applying for another DAS when we get there due to my DS.
2. Should we rent a car or travel by train up the coast and Uber around?
3.What are some must see attractions? We live in Houston, so it isn’t like we will be back for awhile. We will fly there and back.
4. When is the best time to visit. I’m a teacher and in order to avoid peak times I just take off around a week long holiday. The week before or week after.
5.How likely will we feel an earthquake? Our earth doesn’t move where we feel it here.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Since DCL prices are astronomical right now, we’ve decided to try to hit the road and travel the states. In 2022 we want to go to DL and then travel up the California coast to see the redwoods and Yosemite. A couple of questions?

1.How many days needed at DL? We will be applying for another DAS when we get there due to my DS.
2. Should we rent a car or travel by train up the coast and Uber around?
3.What are some must see attractions? We live in Houston, so it isn’t like we will be back for awhile. We will fly there and back.
4. When is the best time to visit. I’m a teacher and in order to avoid peak times I just take off around a week long holiday. The week before or week after.
5.How likely will we feel an earthquake? Our earth doesn’t move where we feel it here.

Questions:

1. what food do you like? Are you a “foodie” at all? What types of food do you like?

2. Do you like to do active stuff outdoors, such as ocean kayaking (easy, no worries!) on guided tours?

3. What time of year (I can recommend some awesome spots that would be too hot in say June or July).

anything else you usually like to do on a trip..

 

[MEC004]

Questions:

1. what food do you like? Are you a “foodie” at all? What types of food do you like?

2. Do you like to do active stuff outdoors, such as ocean kayaking (easy, no worries!) on guided tours?

3. What time of year (I can recommend some awesome spots that would be too hot in say June or July).

anything else you usually like to do on a trip..

1.We love all types of food. Typically we aren’t ever impressed when we travel since Houston is such a melting pot of cuisine. So best places to eat would be welcome. Just no BBQ!

2. We will go on some trails, but aren’t really outdoorsy. My son is autistic, so getting him to ride Slinky Dog is a challenge. We love finding water falls, ruins, or looking out at scenic points.

3. No summer trips. It’s just too hot!If we did travel then it would be the first week in June. We usually travel in November/December.

4. We all love museums and historical sites. We aren’t lay out at the beach people. Just enjoy the water people.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

I'll have more fo you later, and everyone else can chime in of course, but I'd recommend starting off in Los Angeles/Anaheim (Disneyland area), spending a day in Disneyland, a day at California Adventure, a few days at other SoCal attractions, then head up the coast (Highway 101), stop off in Solvang to get some treats, then head up to either Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, or San Luis Obispo for the night (Collectively, that area is called the California Central Coast, and is often overlooked). Then spend the day exploring around, or head directly over to Yosemite through Paso Robles.

 

[montreid]

I'll have more fo you later, and everyone else can chime in of course, but I'd recommend starting off in Los Angeles/Anaheim (Disneyland area), spending a day in Disneyland, a day at California Adventure, a few days at other SoCal attractions, then head up the coast (Highway 101), stop off in Solvang to get some treats, then head up to either Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, or San Luis Obispo for the night (Collectively, that area is called the California Central Coast, and is often overlooked). Then spend the day exploring around, or head directly over to Yosemite through Paso Robles.

My son is autistic too - we did RV trip up the coast and that was a lot of fun. LAX: DL/Hollywood studios; Long Beach: Aquarium; Queen Mary Solvang: town+ostrich farm! Pismo Beach/Morro Bay - a lot of nice views and fun along the shoreline. - RV friendly all the way up the coastline. Hearst Castle. -- then you get into Central coast/Big Sur -- then into Monterey, but that's outside

 

[Lumpy1106]

Since DCL prices are astronomical right now, we’ve decided to try to hit the road and travel the states. In 2022 we want to go to DL and then travel up the California coast to see the redwoods and Yosemite. A couple of questions?

1.How many days needed at DL? We will be applying for another DAS when we get there due to my DS.
2. Should we rent a car or travel by train up the coast and Uber around?
3.What are some must see attractions? We live in Houston, so it isn’t like we will be back for awhile. We will fly there and back.
4. When is the best time to visit. I’m a teacher and in order to avoid peak times I just take off around a week long holiday. The week before or week after.
5.How likely will we feel an earthquake? Our earth doesn’t move where we feel it here.

1) 3 days to see both DL and DCA should be plenty.
2) If you take the train up the coast you will still need a car when you get to where you are going. The train doesn't really save you any time or money so only go that route if that is something you want to do.
3) What are you interested in? Once you get out of SoCal, the rest of the state is a different world. It would be easier to fill in the blanks if we knew what you really want to see.
4) Any time is great. See below - if you want to see a place like Yosemite, be here when kids are in school.
5) HIGHLY unlikely - but you never know. I've lived in CA my whole life and can count the number of earthquakes I've felt (as in, the ground really shook) on one hand.

OK, now take a look at a map. If your plan is to head up the coastline, you will not see any redwoods until you get to Santa Cruz. There are some there, there are some in Pt. Reyes north of San Francisco, then there is a redwood grove just outside of Yosemite and there are a couple of groves in Sequoia. Those places are a days drive apart. Lots of people travel to CA thinking they will see it all, but the state is so huge it's just not possible. IIWY, I would pick a "zone" then see that. Think Desert, Mountains, Coastline, or City. Even that can be broken down into week-long trips; mountains are great for skiing, but also huge forests and rock formations in Yosemite and Sequoia or even the Gold Country. Coastline can be crowded beaches in SoCal or untouched up on the Central Coast and beyond. I haven't even mentioned the numerous wine regions.

It's easier for me to tell you what to avoid; tourist groups and the things they like to visit (DL and DCA excluded of course). Hollywood Blvd is dirty, depressing and disappointing. Pier 39 in San Francisco and largely the cable cars - same thing. Stay away from Venice Beach and the Santa Monica pier unless you really want a dose of crazy. That goes for the more popular parts of San Francisco too - BUT if you head into the local neighborhoods there San Francisco is pretty great.

If you do decide on the train, I would pick a city or two along the way to spend the day in - don't do one shot up the coast - you'll miss the best parts. Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo are both fantastic. You could do a day-trip down to San Diego on the train and would NOT need a car.

 

[Evita_W]

3 days for DLR and I would rent a car and drive up rather than the train, then you can control when and where you go.

 

[cruisehopeful]

1.How many days needed at DL? We will be applying for another DAS when we get there due to my DS.
2. Should we rent a car or travel by train up the coast and Uber around?
3.What are some must see attractions? We live in Houston, so it isn’t like we will be back for awhile. We will fly there and back.
4. When is the best time to visit. I’m a teacher and in order to avoid peak times I just take off around a week long holiday. The week before or week after.
5.How likely will we feel an earthquake? Our earth doesn’t move where we feel it here.

1.) I would do 3-4 days. If you want to do/see everything - choose 4. If you don't mind skipping stuff, 3 should be fine.
2.) I've done both. Since I do about 90% of the driving and I hate driving, I liked taking the train and uber much better. A lot of the train route is scenic and it has the benefit of having a restroom and access to food right there vs. having to keep getting off the freeway to do either of those things, which can really be a time suck.

If you think you'd want to get out of the car in certain areas to see something, you may be happier renting a car. When we did the car version up the coast, we were really stuck in a lot of traffic jams. It took us a couple hours longer than we planned.
3.) Going to depend on your interests. As you share more about what you want to see/enjoy doing, it will be easier for us all to list some stuff
4.) May and October. I'd avoid spring break and president's week. November can be nice, but we have a lot less daylight.
5.) Extremely unlikely. I usually only find out that we've had an earthquake because someone on the east coast will ask me if I felt the earthquake that was on their local news.

 

[Traver Freeman]

Since DCL prices are astronomical right now, we’ve decided to try to hit the road and travel the states. In 2022 we want to go to DL and then travel up the California coast to see the redwoods and Yosemite. A couple of questions?

1.How many days needed at DL? We will be applying for another DAS when we get there due to my DS.
2. Should we rent a car or travel by train up the coast and Uber around?
3.What are some must see attractions? We live in Houston, so it isn’t like we will be back for awhile. We will fly there and back.
4. When is the best time to visit. I’m a teacher and in order to avoid peak times I just take off around a week long holiday. The week before or week after.
5.How likely will we feel an earthquake? Our earth doesn’t move where we feel it here.

1. My family only needs a day, but we go all the time. I'd recommend 2 minimum, and 3 maximum.
2. I haven't ever taken the train, but a car would likely give you greater flexibility.
3. You didn't mention going DOWN the coast, but San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, plus SeaWorld San Diego are worth your consideration. I live in San Diego and I go to one of those every weekend. Absolutely love it.
4. Avoid summer and Spring Break if possible as SoCal is a major tourist destination during normal touristy times. Best times to visit are September-November in my opinion. January and February are our cold months and rainy season. But don't misunderstand, SoCal hardly gets rain, but if there's a chance of it, it's those two months. If it's an El Nino year, it'll rain a lot in January.
5. Unlikely to have earthquake issues. I've lived here for 6 years and I've been through a few, but every single time they were light rumbles where I had to ask "was that an earthquake" and then I have to Google it or search on social media to verify my suspicions.

 

[MEC004]

Okay I’ve been reading everyone’s posts and have some ideas about what we want to see. Thanks everyone for helping! I’m thinking of March from the 6-17 maybe.

1. Ano Nuevo and the guided Elephant Seal
Tour.
2. Alcatraz
3. Avenue of the Giants

Any historical sites? Should we drive from Anaheim to Yosemite then up to the Avenue of the Giants then back down on Highway 101?

 

[kristensideaoffun]

Okay I’ve been reading everyone’s posts and have some ideas about what we want to see. Thanks everyone for helping! I’m thinking of March from the 6-17 maybe.

1. Ano Nuevo and the guided Elephant Seal
Tour.
2. Alcatraz
3. Avenue of the Giants

Any historical sites? Should we drive from Anaheim to Yosemite then up to the Avenue of the Giants then back down on Highway 101?

For this trip, you will definitely need to drive. It will take about 6 hours to get from Anaheim to Yosemite. 7 hours to get from Yosemite to the Avenue of the Giants. Then 3 hours to get to Alcatraz and about another hour to Ano Nuevo. That’s probably being generous for the last two stops, as it is likely you will hit traffic going through the Bay Area. If you are planning on both stopping and ending your trip in Anaheim/Orange County, it will take another 8 or 9 hours (depending on traffic) to return on the 1, or about 7 hours if you take the 5. So factor in about 3 full days of driving to your trip. Highway 1 is a beautiful scenic drive with lots of fun stops along the way. I highly recommend it.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Okay I’ve been reading everyone’s posts and have some ideas about what we want to see. Thanks everyone for helping! I’m thinking of March from the 6-17 maybe.

1. Ano Nuevo and the guided Elephant Seal
Tour.
2. Alcatraz
3. Avenue of the Giants

Any historical sites? Should we drive from Anaheim to Yosemite then up to the Avenue of the Giants then back down on Highway 101?

Hiking out to see the Elephant seals @ Ano Nuevo is VERY worthwhile. I didn't know they did guided tours - that's cool if not too pricey, otherwise you can see everything on your own and there are plenty of docents along the way if you have any questions.

A BETTER was to see the elephant seals is along PCH, just south of Piedras Blancas. There are usually hundreds of Elephant Seals there and it's right on the road - no hike at all; https://www.google.com/maps/place/E...!3d35.6629798!4d-121.2577343?hl=en&authuser=0

It's in SLO county before the road gets really windy. I say that for two reasons;
1) If you are not up for the long windy drive along Big Sur you can head back south to Hwy 46 and take the 101 north - much quicker and;
2) Hwy 1 MIGHT be closed. They had a big slide there a couple of years ago and another one just recently, both in Monterey County.

Big Sur is amazing, VERY worthwhile seeing DURING THE DAY. Don't drive it at night. Highly recommended but time consuming - it will take you most of the day. Stop in Morro Bay, gas up and grab a picnic lunch if you are going to do it. There are lots of great places to pull over and enjoy the sights, but very few places to actually buy lunch (or gas) along the way.

Alcatraz - you need reservations, usually WELL ahead of time. It's worth seeing though and a nice ride on the bay.

 

[SeaDis]

I read a great trip report (from North to South) that was very helpful. I "thought" it was Disneyland Daily, but this is the only one I could find from her, and is not the one I was thinking of. But I'm wondering if maybe she updated it last year with more stops. Either way, the info on towns might be helpful. And I found another while I was searching.

I've seen a lot of the Coast, but haven't made the entire trip and would like to do the same. I always envision starting at Yosemite though, because 1) I want to end at DLR and 2) I just envision being on the coast side of the road going south would have better views for driver/passengers. But it probably doesn't make much difference.

https://disneylanddaily.com/coastal-california-from-san-francisco-to-san-diego/
https://apassionandapassport.com/california-coast-road-trip-itinerary/

 

[ninergrl6]

I agree with a lot of the other responses (3-4 days, definitely car, October, very unlikely to feel earthquakes). I don't recommend a round trip. Something like this is a good route to follow if you want to visit Anaheim, Yosemite, and San Francisco in one trip.

Based on your aforementioned interests, I recommend seeing the Monterey/Santa Cruz area. Lots of scenic views and family activities. Some places in that region that I frequented growing up:

Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row
Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Wharf
17 Mile Drive
Long Marine Lab
Davenport
Moss Landing
Roaring Camp
The Mystery Spot

 

[chickapin parterre]

Train trip....well it could be relaxing....but is going to be disappoininting in terms of coastal views. not sure how easy it is to find car rental at Jack London square

plus of trip by train.

oil/gas wells in the middle of the ocean
the largest railroad track horseshoe curve in the world
dolphins perhaps
California oak savannah
where they filmed all the old 40s cowboy movies
garlic captial of the world
WW2 camp
seals in their natural estuary habitat .
Vanderberg....last defense against pacific invasion

 

[chickapin parterre]

HWY 1 could be closed....saw a recent article about the closure.

Hwy 101 is a very exhausting drive , as will be most of the trip....especially after disney days. so I would cancel the redwoods and just be happy to see the sequoias

99e pick the busiet parkway/beltway/fareway in your daily living......that will be 99e....but in March I-5 is becomng an agriculure route.

 

[sjmac42]

Hwy 1 is planned to be reopen this summer, should be OK next year as long as there are no more slides of course. In March, there will probably still be snow in Yosemite so some areas may be closed.
Having said that, I agree with the other suggestions to do a one way trip. Fly into LAX (or SNA closer to Disneyland if that’s an option) and fly out of San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose or another airport in that northern area.
So there are plenty of options of course. If you have 11-12 nights, I’d suggest 3-4 nights in Anaheim so you can do 2-3 days at DL/DCA and spend a day at one of the beach areas like Newport, Huntington or even Laguna Beach. Then head north, skipping LA and stay 2 nights in Santa Barbara. Lovely town with some old missions and a great pier area. From there you can head to Yosemite for 3 nights then back to the coast staying somewhere around Monterey for 2-3 nights, visiting the northern end of Big Sur down as far as, say, McWay Falls, and head to whichever airport you are flying out from, maybe seeing some Redwoods on the way if you have a later flight. or from Yosemite, stay around Santa Cruz so you’re closer to some Redwood Forests.
You could go from Santa Barbara through Big Sur to Monterey then Yosemite but that’s a long drive (time wise) so you may want to add an overnight stop in the San Luis Obispo area after Santa Barbara. Or skip Santa Barbara and stay around Pismo Beach/Morro Bay Area (NOT Santa Maria). Adding time in San Francisco (or LA) would need another 2-3 nights.
Hope that helps.