Northern CA Vacation Plan... is this crazy?

[mchames]

I posted this on the "CA & the West" board a few days ago, and while I've gotten a few responses the traffic over there is very slow so I was hoping I could get a little more input if I posted here.

This is my original post:

SF, Yosemite & Redwood Nat'l Park... Is this doable?

My knowledge of CA geography is quite pitiful, so please forgive me if this is completely nuts!

My DH and I have been discussing taking a family vacation out west this summer. It would be me, DH, DD9 and DD7. We are really up in the air about where to go, when to go, and how long to stay. The girls get out of school in late May and return in early August, so we were leaning toward sometime in June/July... just like everybody else .

One of the scenarios we have been considering is flying into San Francisco, spending a few days there, visiting Point Reyes Nat'l Seashore, Redwood Nat'l Park and Yosemite (not necessarilly in that order). Is this doable? We would probably have about 10 days. At this point, we are flexible in number of days and when during the summer we would travel.

How many days would you suggest staying at Yosemite? I've checked availability, and there seems to be very limited accommodations still available, though our dates are pretty flexible. Tenaya Lodge seemed to have the most open availability. Is that a good place to stay?

Any other suggestions on must see places to visit in Northern CA?

Thanks.
Mary

PS- DH laughed uncontrollably when I told him that the DIS had a board dedicated to CA vacations. He then asked if there was anything I couldn't find out on the DIS!!!!
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[PlutoPony]

We did San Fran to Yosemite and as I recall it was a 4-5 hour drive. Our mistake was getting off the plane from DC and immediately making the drive to Yosemite with a 4 1/2 year old ... what were we thinking ?? Next time we'll spend a day or two in San Fran first before hitting the road. We actually stayed at Tenaya and found it to be very nice, although that was 7+ years ago. Much nicer than most of the lodging in Yosemite, with indoor and outdoor pools and decent food options, albeit pricey. At the time they also had some good family activities, I remember a flashlight tour to see creatures at night that the kids loved. The drive from there to the south edge of Yosemite was easy, and then I'm thinking maybe 30-45 minutes to Yosemite Village over winding road (with great views). Yosemite is mostly hiking and rock climbing with spectacular scenery (waterfalls to die for) but very few animals except bears (you can't keep food in your cars overnight in the park, especially at the campsites). Overall, I wouldn't necessarily take a young child there as we did, but your kids should be a better age to enjoy Yosemite. BTW, there are giant redwoods in the southern part of Yosemite so if time's an issue you might be able to skip Redwood National Park...
Have a good trip!

 

[minniecarousel]

Totally do-able! You'll want to spend 2-4 days in and around SF, take a day to drive to Yosemite, spend a few days there, then even drive to the Monterrey coast (south of SF) and visit the great aquarium there and take in quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea. There's also Great America in Santa Clara - near San Jose. There is plenty to do in the SF Bay Area. Get one of those travel books specializing in SF with kids. We haven't been to Yosemite in years, but I hear the Tenaya is terrific. Summer weather is great - no humidity here, but we had a horrendous heat wave last July of 100+ temps for a whole week (113 in my neighborhood, which is too hot when it's not expected!)

Have fun on your NorCal vacation

 

[teacups]

DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!
I am originally from N. California. LOVE IT! Can you squeeze in a drive thru the Napa Valley for the scenery? OMG, BEAUTUFUL!
My parents moved from the Sonora area recently and could maybe tell me a few pointers on where you could stay... if you are that interested. (Yosemite). They lived right there. Literally.

10 days? Oh, you lucky duck. That will be a vacation you will never forget... Robert Louis Stevenson National park is awesome also, since you will be right there! Your kids will love it. One thing: do talk to someone who knows the places you should see. DO NOT just go to the overly touristy palces, or you will miss the real gems. For instance, Muir Woods! GOTTA GO THERE!!!! There are SO MANY places...

Just talking about it makes me want to go back...
this is one home-sick girl, let me tell you.

Final thought:

GO!

 

[teacups]

drive to the Monterrey coast (south of SF) and visit the great aquarium there and take in quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea.

ok.. this girl is pouring salt in my wounds!

GREAT IDEAS SHE GIVES HERE!!!!!!

GO!
GO!

 

[NCRedding]

I'm glad I saw this thread. I had posted about doing something similar. We are staying at Tenaya Lodge. OUr plan if to fly into San Jose, and sleep there the first night. Then we'll drive to Monterey, then over to Yosemite (I can't decide if we should stay in Monterey or drive over towards Yosemite for the second night. Then we're heading up to Santa Rosa and then down to San Fran.

I hope it works out. I have discovered that most of the good rental car coupons are not valid in San Jose (not sure why).

I would love to hear about the aquarium--is it really nice, something a 14 year old would like, or will be want to speed through it??

 

[teacups]

Dont speed thru anything. (except SF... that part I wouldnt spend long on. But, Im more of a nature lover than a city sights lover. If you are a city sights lover, then its great!)

 

[laurie31]

Oooh, we're also planning a trip to Yosemite We're going next June (2008) DH wants to stay in the park. We will have 9-10 days.

Our plan is to fly into Fresno and then head for the park, but I have a friend in Monterey who wants us to visit her and DH has been saying it's too far

So...we could fly into San Jose and it wouldn't be too out of the way to take a day for Monterey? I'd like to spend a day in SF as well (DH isn't into big cities, but I've been to SF - back in 1985 - and I think the kids would love it).

I'd love to hear recommendations for lodging in the park and anything else Our girls will be 10 and 12 by then.

 

[luvflorida]

I posted this on the "CA & the West" board a few days ago, and while I've gotten a few responses the traffic over there is very slow so I was hoping I could get a little more input if I posted here.

PS- DH laughed uncontrollably when I told him that the DIS had a board dedicated to CA vacations. He then asked if there was anything I couldn't find out on the DIS!!!!
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We are vacationing in California in April, and I posted on the Southern California board, but then posted over here. This board does tend to receive more replies. And, I just have to say, your husband sounds like mine!

teacups: We are flying into SF and spending a few days, then heading down to LA. We plan on visiting Muir Woods. How far a drive is it from SF? Would an afternoon be enough to allow for a trip to Muir Woods?

Thanks for any info!

 

[minniecarousel]

An afternoon trip to Muir Woods from SF is what most people do.

Flying into San Jose, driving into Monterrey takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hours (depending on traffic!) The drive from Monterey to Yosemite would probably take a few hours (3-5?) not sure of the route. The Ahwanhee (sp?) is an elegant old hotel inside Yosemite. Not sure of the price, but the Yosemite Lodge is fine too. I'd spend a few days in the Monterey & San Jose area before heading up to Yosemite. Ya gotta see the Pacific Ocean if you're coming this way!

Checking airfares into the smaller airports is a great idea (Fresno for Yosemite) My brother got a better fare flying into/out of Sacramento from Louisiana. We tend to fly out of Oakland or SF, but have been known to check on fares from San Jose as well.

 

[mchames]

Thanks everyone!

Keep the ideas and suggestions coming! I've gotten more responses in 3 hours on this board than I did in 3 days on the CA board!

Is it worth doing both Yosemite and Redwoods Nat'l Park? Would a better plan be to skip Redwoods and go to Monterey? Any other places we should be considering?

Thanks.
Mary