Hi All!!!! We're probably making an impromptu trip out west. Need site ideas!

[jmebonner]

Well, we're likely making an unplanned trip to LA and then up the coast to SF and then up through the redwoods.

We're not exactly sure when we're leaving, but it will likely be a last minute decision due to some health issues in the family. We'll fly from Minneapolis to L.A.

We will hit Disneyland for 2 days and then spend another day in LA doing something and then we plan to head up the coastal highway to San Jose/ Fran and see the Golden Gate, The Winchester house and maybe some other random sites. See some friends in Vacaville and then up the coast on Hwy 1 to go through the redwoods,

Are we missing any huge touristy-type sites that we should see? Who knows when, if ever, we'll get out that way again.

We've got two kids, 4 and 8, but both are awesome travelers, so no issues there.

 

[LavenderPeach]

There's the Monterey Bay Aquarium and then Carmel is right there too. There's also Hearst Castle. Oh and Solvang which is a cute little dutch town that's fun to walk around. Have you thought about yosemite? San Diego is also a great place to visit but that would mean driving in the opposite direction before heading north.

Hope that helps!

 

[lcasa]

Head over the golden gate bridge and visit Muir Woods for some breath-taking giant redwoods.

Santa Barbara is a really cool town about 2-3 hrs north of LA on the coast route. The 17 mile drive around Monterey is gorgeous - you don't even have to do the whole thing. If you a golf nut stop at the 19th hole for lunch or just a drink at Pebble Beach. Hearst Castle near San Luis Obispo is fun - might be a good place to stop on the way up. College town, so nice. Famous hotel there - bright pink - each room is different - some I hear are dumb, but they're all on the website - the Madonna Inn. Pretty famous.

 

[barkley]

if you're going to vacaville you will be near fairfield (one city over-a few minutes down highway 80) which is where the jelly belly factory is. the tour is free and it's a fun place to spend a couple of hours.

depending on how far up highway one you're willing to go-if you go all the way to fort bragg you can take the skunk train which is a great way to see the full beauty of the redwoods. with younger kids i'de reccommend just the halfway turn around trip.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

When I took family up the coast we stopped in Santa Barbara & Solvang, and I think we spent the night in San Luis Obispo. The next day we stopped at the Purísima Mission. I think it's one of the best preserved, and continued on our way up to Monterey.

I also recommend 17-Mile Drive by Monterey.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Definitely stop at the Jelly Bean factory. Santa Cruz is also great. If you are going to go to Santa Cruz, check out Roaring Camp Railways in Felton. They run an old fashioned steam train from the RCR site to the Santa Cruz boardwalk and back. The train runs along privately owned land; and they have redwoods on the property.

OT - i think I hit Mouseketeer status with this post Yay...