Please review this California itinerary for me :)

[mrsklamc]

Lake Tahoe
Yosemite
Sequoia National Park
Anaheim (Disney)
San Diego (Zoo and beach.)

We are mostly looking for natural beauty, but we aren't big hikers or anything... Is one day at Disneyland and one at DCA enough? Should I add Monterrey Bay?

When is the best time of year? Does it have to be summer to make sure Tahoe and Yosemite are accesible?

 

[GrandBob]

The big question is: how much time do you have for this vacation? While I'm very partial to Monterey (see my location), you have a very full plate there. With enough time, you could go up the coast on Highway 1 (the most beautiful drive in the world!), visit Monterey and SF, then across to Tahoe and Yosemite, and back down to SoCal. But that may be ambitious unless you have at least two weeks (3 is better).

Winter -- Tahoe is open all seasons, as it's a very popular ski spot in the winter. Still, the roads in and out can close during big winter storms. They move heaven and earth to open I-80 and US50 as soon as possible, though. The main thing about travelling there in the winter is to carry tire chains. They'll be required on all roads in and out if it's snowing.

Yosemite is another story. The valley is open year round, but the higher elevations will be closed from Nov (sometimes late Oct) through May and into June. Those higher elevations include Tioga Road, which is beautiful but many tourists miss, and Glacier Point, which is a definite must-see (amazing views over Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Cloud's Rest). So, while winter there has its own beauty, I'd definitely recommend May-Oct for a first-time visit.

Many people here seem to want to combine a Yosemite and/or Tahoe trip with Sequoia Natl Park. While Sequoia is beautiful too, be aware that you can see the giant Sequoias in Yosemite, and you can see giant Redwoods on a trip up the coast on highway 1. For a time-limited trip, I generally recommend skipping Sequoia and adding the days to Yosemite. But that's a matter of personal preference.

And as far as DLR -- no, I don't think two days are enough. Three is a bare minimum, and with the opening of CarsLand next month, four is better. BTW, don't make the east-coast mistake of thinking of which park for which day. Park hop every day! It makes much better use of your time (you can acquire FPs in each park), and the parks are literally less than 100 yards from each other. Think of DCA as just a bunch of extra Lands in DLR.

HTH,
Bob

 

[mrsklamc]

That IS very helpful, and I think we will skip Sequoia. I don't know of anything specific that we want to see in SF. We can easily do a couple weeks and maybe longer if necessary.

 

[sasywtch]

What time of year are you going? Are you just spending one night in Tahoe and if so, where at in Tahoe?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

IF you go in the summer and have time, a drive through Sequoia would be nice. We did this with my cousins. We had one week, and went to Monterey, San Francisco, Yosemite, and hit Sequoia on the way home (we live in the LA area).

In Sequoia we went to Hume Lake, where we relaxed on the 'beach' there and swam in the lake. It was so relaxing, and we enjoyed some down time while we played in the water. They also have canoes and kayaks that you can rent for a nominal fee. We were there about 2 hours, then drove to the Giant Forest where we saw the General Sherman and Crescent Meadow.


At the end of our vacation this was one of the highlights due to being able to relax in the beautiful Sierras. Just a thought for consideration.

Note that it will get you to LA late, though.

 

[mrsklamc]

What time of year are you going? Are you just spending one night in Tahoe and if so, where at in Tahoe?

I don't know! It's difficult because we like to do things in the off season if possible, & avoid the crowds, but it seems like we will have to be in Disneyland's busy season to make sure we can even access Yosemite!

I haven't really looked into Tahoe yet; I just know I've seen beautiful pictures and thought I would throw it into them mix, but this may end up having to be 2 trips, there's so many things to see!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I don't know! It's difficult because we like to do things in the off season if possible, & avoid the crowds, but it seems like we will have to be in Disneyland's busy season to make sure we can even access Yosemite!

I haven't really looked into Tahoe yet; I just know I've seen beautiful pictures and thought I would throw it into them mix, but this may end up having to be 2 trips, there's so many things to see!

We've done Yosemite in late Sept/early Oct and it's just beautiful then. DLR won't be as busy during the week because of school schedules, although Columbus Day weekend in Oct. is super busy at both Yosemite and DLR. Late April and early May are both nice, too, and not quite into the busiest times at DLR (unless you're there over a holiday weekend). In the spring you'll see more of the waterfalls, which are significantly bigger in the spring with the snow melt vs. in the fall after a summer with no rain. The fall colors are really lovely, though, so there's advantages to both seasons.

I'm also a big fan of Hwy 1 and the Monterey area. It's amazingly beautiful!

 

[mrsklamc]

Is highway 1 - I dunno, intimidating, to drive? I picture a narrow lane with a mountain on one side and a cliff on the other.

I mean, we've driven on some pretty narrow roads in the Colorado mountains.

 

[sasywtch]

Are you flying or driving from your state? If you're flying, I would probably forget Tahoe this time and fly into SF. (pains me to say that as Tahoe is sooo pretty but very good for an anniversary adult trip).

I would probably fly into SF, stay for a few days, drive down toward Monterey, cross over to Yosemite. Then back over to Anaheim then San Diego.

 

[mrsklamc]

We aren't interested in San Francisco though.

 

[GrandBob]

Is highway 1 - I dunno, intimidating, to drive? I picture a narrow lane with a mountain on one side and a cliff on the other.

I mean, we've driven on some pretty narrow roads in the Colorado mountains.

I guess it depends on how squeamish you get at mountain driving. Your characterization can be true in places, though not everywhere. But if you've really done some narrow mountain roads in Colorado, I think you'll be fine on Highway 1. And it truly is one of the most beautiful drives in the country, if not the most beautiful. If you have time to squeeze it in, I think you'd regret not doing so.

-Bob

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

If you feel nervous about driving Hwy 1, heading North on the highway keeps you on the mountain side, while driving South has you on the ocean side. I have a few friends who are nervous drivers on winding roads, and they love the drive but prefer to drive North and be on the mountain side of the road. Personally, I love it, although we do drive it a little slower, too, to take in the sights. There are a number of pull-outs to let faster traffic pass and to enjoy the view.

 

[dshimel]

I have a daughter (25 years old) that lives in Reno. I went and visited her a couple months back. We did a day drive around Tahoe and I was very much.... Meh. Of course, I lived in Colorado for almost a decade (1993-2002).

Far prettier sights to see higher up in the Sierra Nevada, like Yosemite and Sequoia.

I have never been to Yosemite, but have been to Sequoia at least a half dozen times. I LOVE the Sequoia National Park. Again, never been there, but from what I hear, Yosemite is much more built up and accessible... that is, closer to San Fran, and the crowds reflect that.

Sequoia is more "off the beaten path".

I LOVE crystal cave.
http://www.sequoiahistory.org/default.asp?contentid=632

The hike up to Tokopah Falls.... http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/gfdayhikesum.htm


Here are a few pics of my last trip there....

And those pictures I took with my cheap digital camera do not BEGIN to do it justice.



If it were me, I'd do something like....

Fly into San Fran, and at least do a quick drive over the GG bridge, a short harbor cruise, and a ride over to Alcatraz. Can easily do all that in a day.

Then, it is a 2-3 hour drive from there to Monterey.. BEAUTIFUL!


From Monterey, it is about 4 hour drive through the California farm land to the entrance to Sequoia, then a couple more hour drive up into the park... the road can be a tad scary at points, but there is no hurry.


From Sequoia down to Anaheim is probably about 5 hours. You happen to go right past Six Flags Magic Mountain if anyone in your family likes extreme coasters.