Northern CA temps and other questions

[Nina1]

We are returning to CA in July. This will be our second visit. My husband will be working out of his company's Irvine office. We've got our Southern CA itinerary planned. I need some help with Northern CA. We want to see the Sequoias while we are there this time, and plan to spend a weekend exploring. First, what are your recommendations for areas not to be missed? Our son is 6, if this helps. Also, will the temps be much cooler than Southern CA? Will we need jeans or light jackets? Finally, are there any must-sees on the drive up from Irvine? Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[kimkatmom]

The obvious choices in Northern California are San Francisco and Yosemite.

If you want to visit one of the state parks, but don't want to go way up north, Muir Woods is just north of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin. It is truly amazing. You can hike or just walk around and enjoy the outdoors and the breath taking views.

You might like to take your son to Alcatraz or on the Red and White Cruise. That's fun. But if you decide to do Alcatraz, get your tickets now. Don't wait until you arrive in SF.

Golden Gate park is amazing. There's lots to do there.

The Disney Family Museum is amazing as well.

Whatever you do, don't think about going into the wine country. I feel so sorry for little guys that have to tag along with their parents while they taste wine. How boring. There's nothing for kids to do.

I'll subscribe to this thread, so maybe I can help you with your trip to Northern California.

Leslye

 

[kimkatmom]

Sorry, I didn't address your questions about the temps. Our temps in Northern California are as varied as you can possibly imagine.

For example, here in the Napa Valley, three days ago it was a high of 102, low 0f 60. Today, windy, high of 68 and low of 52.

It's very rare that SF or the coast are warm, but the further inland [east] you go into the central valley and north the warmer it gets and it doesn't cool down at night. So, there again, it depends on where you are planning to go.

Leslye

 

[Nina1]

Hi Leslye!

Thanks for responding! I think I may need a geography lesson. We are planning to visit Sequoia National Park. We want to see the redwoods, Moro Rock, General Sherman etc. Is Sequoia not considered northern CA? Do you know anything about Sequoia? Any recommendations of what to see? Is the weather there like Northern CA? I really appreciate your kind offer of help! Thank you so much!

 

[kimkatmom]

Hi Nina:

I think your question re the location of Sequoia is really up to interpretation. It is outside Visalia/Fresno. It's about three hours south of where I live but it will, obviously, be north of where you are. i've never been there, but I have been to Yosemite. LOVE IT!

Here's a link to a great web site: http://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm. Your question regarding the weather is "be prepared for anything." You can have nice warm days, drive to a higher elevation and it will be cooler. Nights will most likely be cool. You could have thunder storms. You just never know with the Sierras. Having said that, it's really not any different than other places in the country.

If you look further on this thread, I noticed some people have posted their future and past itineraries for their California road trips. They all look pretty good. The only thing you must be aware of is when you are planning to go to a tourist destination, plan as far in advance as you can. You could never get ressies in Yosemite now, for example. Completely booked for the summer.

You will have a great time. I love our state.

Leslye

 

[SailorsWife]

I would stop at the Sequoia National Park on the drive up to San Francisco. It is outside Fresno. The temps in July can be high 90's to low 100's in the valley. Up in the Sierra's it will be about 10 to 15 degrees cooler in the day and down right COLD at night. The park is about halfway between So Cal and San Francisco. So not really a day trip distance. It's about 4 /2 hours out of San Francisco.


Some closer to San Francisco suggestions are Santa Cruz and Montery Bay area. North of San Francisco is Marin county. Muir Woods would give you the redwoods. Mount Tam is close by too for hiking. All these are "day trip" distances.

Coast areas are cooler than the Central Valley. The valley can easily be over 100 in July.

Good Luck.