Please Plan My Trip

[momoftwins]

We are looking to do a trip next June to see the SF area down to the DL area. We have stayed at DL so that I can plan (we had done the San Diego to DL route a few years ago).

It is me, DH and DD and DS - age 11. I know I want to do things like the Monteray Aquarium, Winchester House, The Tech Museum...

Also thinking about Hearst Castle, beaches, Hollywood?? etc

DH wants to see one of the national parks, which is fine, but I am not into camping.

I know there is so much to do and see. What are some of your ideas and favorite places to go, things to do, places to eat??

We can go 10 - 14 days. Ok, spend my money!

 

[Belle Ella]

My vote: stop off at Ghiradelli Square in San Francsico Other things to do in the Bay Area I'm not so knowledgeable on though. I don't get out much around here besides school other than Great America, whatever it is they are calling Marine World these days, and the Zoo.

 

[momoftwins]

Ghiradelli!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My kids (and me) will love that!! That's definitely one for the list

Thanks!

 

[Evita_W]

Well, where do I start?

My friend lives near San Luis Obispo...and a little while ago she took me around her area. There is this great place off the 101 freeway (also named the 1 in this area) called Apple Villa Farm I think. It is a family owned farm complete with petting zoo, strawberry and rasberry picking, and a wonderful old fashion market with tons of free samples all freshly made and produced locally.

Do you like Drive-In? They have a good one and good prices. ($6/person and you get two movies)

Weird and exotic??--Try the MADONNA INN...be sure to visit the men's bathroom, even if you are a girl...trust me, it's funny but make sure not to walk in on anyone. The lobby is pretty cool also.

Do you like pea soup??--Even if you don't you should try "Anderson's" in Bulleton, CA. (South of San Luis Obispo, on way toward LA) They are famous for their split pea soup but have so much more! (Check out the sweets) They also have a cute gift shop are and even a history of the resturant.

A little out East of the coast (about 30-40 miles) is Solvang, CA. It is a Dutch community. It has been a while since I have been there.

Santa Barbara, CA is BEAUTIFUL!!!--(Further south on way down 101 to LA) It is right by the ocean, and looks like a cute little beach community.

I live near Los Angeles and Disneyland, so I could on forever about what to do here, but I don't want to post a super long post (too late) hahahahaha

If you want anymore ideas or details (including updates on Disneyland since i have an AP and go often), PLEASE write me and I can help.

ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!!

 

[HungryBear]

Near Monterey is a cute town called Carmel-by-the-Sea. Take the 17-mile drive and see the lone cypress

They boysenberry spread from the Apple Farm is TO DIE FOR! My neighbor and I are asking a friend of mine coming down next month to stop in SLO and get us a case.

Solvang is adorable and Anderson's pea soup is the only pea soup I'll eat.

Are you coming down the coast or going inland too? There are awesome National Parks are on the east side of the central valley. Yellowstone, Sequoia and Kings Canyon are all very worthy of a trip. You don't need to camp, there are lodges/cabins/motels available.

I made a special trip to Sequoia one year just to see General Sherman, the world's largest living thing! On the way up we saw a young bear sitting on a hill near the road. We stayed a mile outside of the entrance in Three Rivers at the Buckeye Tree Lodge. Our room overlooked the river, which was gorgeous! We went next door to The Gateway for dinner in their dining room, which also overlooked the river and adorable bridge.

We drove to Kings Canyon (adjacent to Sequoia) and got the cutest little cabin! It was in Grant Grove Village, where they also had a lodge and tent cabins. There is a lovely grove of Sqeuoia there as well, where we had a nice walking tour with a ranger.

I haven't been inside Yellowstone (yet) but I did once ride the Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad which is outside the park. A real steam engine pulls you in a loop through some lovely trees. It was very cool.

 

[momoftwins]

Some more ideas to add to my list!!!

Ok, I'm looking for more. We love touristy things to do.

 

[RMH]

Weird and exotic??--Try the MADONNA INN...be sure to visit the men's bathroom, even if you are a girl...trust me, it's funny but make sure not to walk in on anyone.

Do you like pea soup??--

I'm sure you didn't mean it like that, but that was how I read it and it was pretty funny.

To the OP - A few of our favorite things in the SF area are Alcatraz (There is a very cool tour and I think your 11-year olds will love it) , Cable Cars (Very touristy but pretty neat), and Fisherman's Wharf.

South of Monterry and Carmel-by-the-Sea, which is definitely worth a stop, is a preserve called Point Lobos. It has lots of hiking trails that go to hidden beaches and lots of shoreline that are fun to play along at low tide. You can almost always find seal and otter too.

 

[RMH]

Are you coming down the coast or going inland too? There are awesome National Parks are on the east side of the central valley. Yellowstone, Sequoia and Kings Canyon are all very worthy of a trip. You don't need to camp, there are lodges/cabins/motels available.

I think you mean Yosemite, not Yellowstone. Both are very cool, but Yellowstone is in Wyoming and not on the way to DL by a long shot !

 

[momoftwins]

down the coast. I guess I need to go to AAA to get a good map. We love drive-ins.

Santa Barbara sounds beautiful.

We did the San Diego/Anaheim loop a few years ago. It was easy to go from the hotel to the attraction and then back for the night.

In SF, I've read the Sheraton on Fisherman's Wharf is pretty family friendly.

I would love hotel ideas also!

 

[Hound 109]

I prefer Cambria, Morro Bay & Pismo far more than Santa Barbara. To paraphrase Yogi Berra....."nobody goes to Santa Barbara anymore....it's too crowded".

(& given a choice....I'd eat a portuguese roast beef bbq sandwich at Jocko's in Nipomo over Pea Soup)

 

[Belle Ella]

In SF, I've read the Sheraton on Fisherman's Wharf is pretty family friendly.

That gives me an idea of somewhere to go soon! I love Fisherman's Wharf. I'm also a fan of Alcatraz myself, although I enjoy it more now than I did as a kid, lol.

 

[HungryBear]

I think you mean Yosemite, not Yellowstone. Both are very cool, but Yellowstone is in Wyoming and not on the way to DL by a long shot !

LOL yes, sorry. This is what happens when your brain is fried and you post quickly before leaving for work.

I don't really get the appeal of Santa Barbara, I find it boring.

 

[wvnative]

Our family had a lot of fun in Monterey and at Fisherman's Wharf in San Fran. My DD also loved the Jelly Belly factory tour in Fairfield.

 

[momoftwins]

looked beautiful. I saw a resort called Sea Crest Resort that looked pretty. I thought the Rubin Fleet Science Center looked good.


Oh yum - Jelly Belly Factory.

Love the ideas. Keep them coming!!!!

 

[DabsandTroy]

I live in Fairfield, and I agree, the Jelly Belly Factory tour would be fun. Just be sure to visit on a weekday when they are actually producing sweets. Otherwise your tour will consist of walking and looking up at videos as if you were in line at disney. And be sure to check out their "Belly Flops" These are HUGE bags of Jelly Bellys that didnt make the cut because they either got stuck together or the colors didnt come out perfect. But they taste just as yummy as they are supposed to!

When we go to the city there are things we LOVE to do.

1. Brunch at the Cliff House. This is an all you care to eat champagne buffet (kid friendly) approx $35 per adult (not sure how much for kids). The food is always very fresh.

if we dont go to the Cliff House, then we go to

2. Moose's - for brunch as well. Lovely cafe with open air seating during nice weather that look onto a park. If they have it when you're there, you MUST have the marscapone stuffed french toast. And the hot chocolate has just a hint of cinnamon and is super yummy. This restaurant was featured in one of Reese Witherspoon's movies, "Just Like Heaven."

3. Drive down the crookedest street - Lombard

4. Head over to Coit Tower and take the elevator to the top for some great views!

5. You absolutely cannot miss Alcatraz. They offer a night tour as well which is said to be phenomenal! (and a little oogely boogley) You can purchase headsets to use that will serve as your guide. I highly advise it. I also highly advise bringing a jacket. It is always cold out there and the wind whips through the building.


6. A fun place for the kids to have some fun would be the exploratorium (which is connected to the Palace of Fine Arts). It's kind of like a museum of science and arts (and human perspective) that is hands on. You might need to do a little research to see if that is something that would interest your son. He might be a little old for it, but then again, maybe not.

7. Another fun thing would be to rent these neat electric carts that talk to you as you drive them through the city streets. I've never done it, but they look like they'd be a blast!!

8. Depending on when you're going, take in a baseball game at ATT park. Maybe Barry Bonds will hit one out of the park for you.


I am sure that I could think of tons more ... but you dont have *that* much time! lol PM me if you have any questions!

Dabs

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

Located on the coast between San Francisco and Monterey, you will find the oldest amusement park in California, The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

100 years old this year, it has two attractions that are National Historic Landmarks: The Looff Carousel and The Giant Dipper (built in 1924, it is one of the great old wooden rollercoasters). There are plenty of other rides, of course, along with midway & arcade games, an indoor miniature golf course, and a laser tag arena. A nice thing about the Boardwalk is that there is no admission fee, so you only need to buy tickets to the rides you want to go on. (There are also ticket packages and unlimited ride wristbands available.)

The Boardwalk has been featured in movies such as The Lost Boys and Sudden Impact and was obviously one of the inspirations for Paradise Pier at DCA.