Planning a CA family vacation!

[foolish-mortal]

My daughter has picked, for her high school graduation trip, a CA family vacation. I've been to several places in CA, but mostly for work, so just a day here or there. Not a lot of really great exploring. My daughter came with me to Laguna once and fell completely in love with it. My husband and son haven't really been anywhere in CA. There are a couple things that we absolutely know 100% that we want to do. But, I'm open to feedback in case we're missing a great option somewhere.

We know we can't do it all and see it all in 11 days. There are some things that I just have to be at peace with missing so we don't stretch ourselves too thin. But, here's our current itinerary. Thanks for any feedback!

Fly into San Francisco and stay 3 nights. Maybe stay near Fisherman's Wharf? We want to be able to walk to as many places as possible. Definitely want to hit Chinatown and Alcatraz. Possibly doing a day tour to Muir Woods to see the trees.

Rent a car in SF and drive down the Coast on Highway 1. Stop for 1 night in Monterey. Stop for 1 night in Santa Barbara.

Stay in Laguna for 3 nights. This is very near and dear to our hearts. We LOVE Laguna and have been excited to take my husband and son on a trip there. Not sure if we're going to stay in Dana Point or rent a cottage in downtown Laguna near the shore. I'm leaning toward staying in Laguna. We just want to stay close, explore, enjoy dinners on the water, etc. Not too much planned for these 3 days.

Go to Disneyland Hotel and stay for 3 nights. 3 day park hoppers. I've been do DL a few times but just for a day at a time. My daughter once. My son and husband have never been. Fly out of John Wayne.

Thanks for any input or feedback!

 

[Ross Kratter]

Monterey is only 2 hours from San Francisco, so maybe your first overnight stop should be a little further south?

 

[foolish-mortal]

Monterey is only 2 hours from San Francisco, so maybe your first overnight stop should be a little further south?

Thank you, Ross! That's good to know. I just read someone else's trip report and they stopped at Henry Cowell State Park between SF and Monterey (I believe). Maybe that will take up some of the day if we stop there as well. Otherwise - do you have any recommendations on other places to stop besides Monterey?

 

[sndral]

I can’t offer much advice about SoCal, but I am pretty familiar w/ the central coast. While you can get to Monterey from SF in 2 hours via Fwy 101 then Hwy 152 depending on traffic, I’d recommend that you opt for the far more scenic drive along the ocean on Hwy 1 as you leave SF which takes you through the towns of Pacifica, Half Moon Bay & nearby hamlets, through Santa Cruz, Moss Landing, and then into Monterey. Actual driving time is 3+ hours, but there are so many things to see & do on the way you can easily spend a full day on that drive. Here’s a couple links about things to see/do in the first 45 miles from SF to Santa Cruz -
https://apassionandapassport.com/san-francisco-to-santa-cruz-road-trip/https://openspacetrust.org/blog/highway-1/Of the places mentioned w/ limited time I probably wouldn’t detour over to Pescadero unless it was still fairly early & much as I love Ano Nuevo (I volunteered there for several years) it is a hike to get out to where the elephant seals are likely to be molting in the summer & you’ll probably see them from nearer the road later in your trip at Piedras Blancas near San Simeon.
How much or little time you spend in Santa Cruz depends on whether you want to spend time on the Boardwalk and/or the beaches. My family used to spend a week there every summer enjoying the various state beaches, the Boardwalk, Capitola, & Aptos. If you find yourself in nearby Capitola - a nice place to stroll & shop a bit - Shadowbrook Restaurant is really really good & the little cable car to get to the restaurant is fun. https://www.shadowbrook-capitola.com/
After Santa Cruz it’ll take maybe 45 minutes to get to Monterey depending on traffic. On the way Moss Landing & Elkhorn slough are interesting stops, Elkhorn slough takes some time. You usually see otters at both places & lots of shorebirds.
It’s hard to know what to suggest regarding Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel w/out knowing your family’s interests. If you like nature, biking, kayaking, hiking, etc. there are so many options. Whale watching is popular. For shopping I prefer browsing Carmel rather than the more touristy Cannery Row & Fisherman’s wharf - although both are worth a visit & the Aquarium anchors one end of Cannery Row. I’ve spent time in the aquarium, then strolled down cannery row, past the coast guard pier & then on to Fisherman’s wharf & back. There is wine tasting in Carmel Valley. Because the area has a lot of visitors there are many dinning choices.
On your way out of Monterey as you head towards Big Sur you’ll drive by the entrance to Pt. Lobos state reserve which is worth a stop, but get there early as it’s popular and they shut the parking lot down once a certain number of cars are in.
South of Carmel lies the Big Sur coastline which is simply stunning. When I last drove down to Big Sur on 1/1/22, we saw whales spouting both going & returning to Monterey, I’ve also spotted them during the summer. You’ll also drive through coastal Redwoods. The River Inn is a nice stop for a meal especially on a nice day on the deck near the Big Sur River, but my favorite brunch spot is Cafe Kevah @ Nepenthe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepenthe_(restaurant)

 

[foolish-mortal]

I can’t offer much advice about SoCal, but I am pretty familiar w/ the central coast. While you can get to Monterey from SF in 2 hours via Fwy 101 then Hwy 152 depending on traffic, I’d recommend that you opt for the far more scenic drive along the ocean on Hwy 1 as you leave SF which takes you through the towns of Pacifica, Half Moon Bay & nearby hamlets, through Santa Cruz, Moss Landing, and then into Monterey. Actual driving time is 3+ hours, but there are so many things to see & do on the way you can easily spend a full day on that drive. Here’s a couple links about things to see/do in the first 45 miles from SF to Santa Cruz -
https://apassionandapassport.com/san-francisco-to-santa-cruz-road-trip/https://openspacetrust.org/blog/highway-1/Of the places mentioned w/ limited time I probably wouldn’t detour over to Pescadero unless it was still fairly early & much as I love Ano Nuevo (I volunteered there for several years) it is a hike to get out to where the elephant seals are likely to be molting in the summer & you’ll probably see them from nearer the road later in your trip at Piedras Blancas near San Simeon.
How much or little time you spend in Santa Cruz depends on whether you want to spend time on the Boardwalk and/or the beaches. My family used to spend a week there every summer enjoying the various state beaches, the Boardwalk, Capitola, & Aptos. If you find yourself in nearby Capitola - a nice place to stroll & shop a bit - Shadowbrook Restaurant is really really good & the little cable car to get to the restaurant is fun. https://www.shadowbrook-capitola.com/
After Santa Cruz it’ll take maybe 45 minutes to get to Monterey depending on traffic. On the way Moss Landing & Elkhorn slough are interesting stops, Elkhorn slough takes some time. You usually see otters at both places & lots of shorebirds.
It’s hard to know what to suggest regarding Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel w/out knowing your family’s interests. If you like nature, biking, kayaking, hiking, etc. there are so many options. Whale watching is popular. For shopping I prefer browsing Carmel rather than the more touristy Cannery Row & Fisherman’s wharf - although both are worth a visit & the Aquarium anchors one end of Cannery Row. I’ve spent time in the aquarium, then strolled down cannery row, past the coast guard pier & then on to Fisherman’s wharf & back. There is wine tasting in Carmel Valley. Because the area has a lot of visitors there are many dinning choices.
On your way out of Monterey as you head towards Big Sur you’ll drive by the entrance to Pt. Lobos state reserve which is worth a stop, but get there early as it’s popular and they shut the parking lot down once a certain number of cars are in.
South of Carmel lies the Big Sur coastline which is simply stunning. When I last drove down to Big Sur on 1/1/22, we saw whales spouting both going & returning to Monterey, I’ve also spotted them during the summer. You’ll also drive through coastal Redwoods. The River Inn is a nice stop for a meal especially on a nice day on the deck near the Big Sur River, but my favorite brunch spot is Cafe Kevah @ Nepenthe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepenthe_(restaurant)

Thank you so much! This is incredibly helpful! We definitely want to take the coastal, scenic drive along Hwy 1.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Agree with sndral, there's more to do in the Monterey area than just Monterey and Cannery Row. Surrounding Monterey is PG (Pacific Grover, Carmel ....which there is Carmel by the Sea, Carmel Highlands, and Carmel Valley and Pebble Beach.. After Carmel there's Big Sur. Carmel by the Sea has on of the most beautiful beaches, Carmel Beach. It's also known for its quaint shops and restaurants. If you go, check out the Tuck Box. Carmel Highlands has beautiful state parks for outdoor activities. At Pebble Beach Lodge you can have a drink outside by the fire and if you time it right, see and listen to the lone bag piper. Not much to do in Carmel Valley, some wineries, not a lot by any means (if they are still open). My daughter went to school in that area, not too much going on. Not much to see or do in PG. It's known for its Victorian homes. Nothing beats the scenery in Big Sur. Breathtaking. Just keep posted on weather and road status in Big Sur. There has been a recent wildfire in Big Sur and it does effect the roads because of the possibility for rock and mud slides.

 

[RogueX]

I highly recommend Alcatraz night tour. It's not as crowded and the atmosphere feels different. We went in 2011 when my daughter was 5 and she loved it, though she referred to it as "the timeout place"

 

[sndral]

… At Pebble Beach Lodge you can have a drink outside by the fire and if you time it right, see and listen to the lone bag piper. Not much to do in Carmel Valley, some wineries, not a lot by any means (if they are still open)...

I too have enjoyed watching the bag piper at sunset, best to get there early if you want to grab a seat by one of the fire pits, FYI the bag piper plays at the Inn at Spanish Bay not the Pebble Beach Lodge (both are part of the Pebble Beach Resort I believe, but are located near different golf courses) - the nearest gate for the Inn is the Pacific Grove gate, the entry to the Inn at Spanish Bay is the first right after the gate - save your receipt & they’ll refund your $10 PB car entry fee when you leave PB https://www.pebblebeach.com/dining/the-lobby-lounge/bagpiper/
Carmel Valley is certainly nothing compared to say Napa - here’s a link to what’s on offer https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attract...Carmel_Valley_Monterey_County_California.html of these I’ve visited Cowgirl Winery, but not being much of a wine drinker I can’t offer an opinion about how the wineries rank

 

[foolish-mortal]

I highly recommend Alcatraz night tour. It's not as crowded and the atmosphere feels different. We went in 2011 when my daughter was 5 and she loved it, though she referred to it as "the timeout place"

This sounds amazing!! Thank you.