San Fransisco to Disneyland...should we go?

[Kanga1]

Hello to all you Disney aficianados and people of great Disney knowledge!

Here's our situation:

DH has a business trip next May to San Fransisco. How feasible would it be to attach a side trip to Disneyland? We live in WV, so the opportunities of going to California are rare; DH's plane ticket would be paid for and I have $99 tickets that would cover me and our DD4; and this would be a chance to see Disneyland for its 50th.

I also need to add that part the money to be used for this possible trip is earmarked to finish our upstair's bonus room (to be used as a playroom for DD and a 2nd guest room) and that we already have an 11-day trip planned to WDW next June.

What do you guys think? Too much? Spend the money on our upstairs or take this chance to see Disneyland? Is San Fransisco too far out of the way?

Any and all advice is appreciated!!! Thanks!

 

[MareSINY]

You don't plan on doing SF to Disney and back in one day, do you? If your plan is to drive down, do Disney and head back in a day or so that's definitely do-able. If you take the main highway you can do it in one day. I love the ride on the California Coast Highway, which takes a bit longer to get there, but the views along the way are worth the ride.

I happen to love California, I say take this chance and go for it!!

 

[Kanga1]

You don't plan on doing SF to Disney and back in one day, do you? If your plan is to drive down, do Disney and head back in a day or so that's definitely do-able. If you take the main highway you can do it in one day. I love the ride on the California Coast Highway, which takes a bit longer to get there, but the views along the way are worth the ride.

I happen to love California, I say take this chance and go for it!!

No, we wouldn't do it in one day. Drive down and spend a day or two at Disney. How long IS the drive between the two?

 

[paladin]

According to Yahoo Maps, it is about 410 miles, 6 1/2 hours.

 

[mrslur]

According to Yahoo Maps, it is about 410 miles, 6 1/2 hours.

6 1/2 hrs can't be taking into account traffic. I would count on at least 8 hrs drive time.

 

[MareSINY]

6 1/2 hrs can't be taking into account traffic. I would count on at least 8 hrs drive time.

I agree, more like 8 hours.

 

[snowbunny]

San Francisco is a beautiful, beautiful city and there is so much to see and do right in that area. I'd say get a guidebook and take advantage of being there instead of spending two days driving down and back to Anaheim. I love Disneyland, but it's something to do on a trip to Los Angeles.
HTH.

 

[IandGsmom]

San Francisco is a beautiful, beautiful city and there is so much to see and do right in that area. I'd say get a guidebook and take advantage of being there instead of spending two days driving down and back to Anaheim. I love Disneyland, but it's something to do on a trip to Los Angeles.
HTH.

I agree. There will be enough fun things to keep to from getting bored in S.F. Driving to DL is totally doable but draining.

 

[kmsandrbs]

How often are you likely to get out to California?

This is one of those questions that is really tough to answer.

For example, if you are traveling to Italy from the states for a week, you can easily stay that entire week in Rome, but you could also spend the week dashing around the country to several different cities. If you think you will never be back, even though the latter will be draining and will provide only a meek glimpse, it might be better than spennding your one trip to Italy in one city. Or it might not.

The 50th celebration is great. If you do decide to go, I would make sure you go when you can appreciate some of the best parts (read: fireworks). You could choose to take the long road down the coast (which is a beautiful trip, but much longer). San Francisco is great ... but probably will be the next time you come, and the main 'tourist' parts probably won't have changed that much, whereas after next year some time, the 50th celebration will be gone.

If you never got back to California, what would you and your family regret missing more? If you are pretty sure you will be back ... when? To what part?

Also, if you really want to go ... could you do a circular ticket (fly from WV to SF to LA and back to WV? This would cut down on travel time, and may not even cost as much as renting a car and paying for gas down and back.

Either way, have a great trip!

 

[camouseketeer]

I would agree with the previous poster that it would more worth trying if you could fly home from LA. That way you would only be driving one way. Yes, the trip is doable, and yes, it is about 8 (pretty boring) hours each way if you drive. The drive down and back plus two long plane rides (to and from WV) would be a lot for my four year old. If your DD is an easy traveler, then it's no problem. If she's not, you might want to wait until another opportunity comes along.

Also, I would be more inclined to say yes, go for it if you weren't traveling to WDW a month later. Yes, DL and WDW are two totally different places, but for those of us needing any kind of Disney fix, perhaps you can just wait another month for yours.

Either way, best of luck in your decision!

 

[minniecarousel]

I'd only do it you could fly. The fastest way to get there from here is Highway 5 -which is BOOORRRING! The Coast Highway is beautiful - but what a long drive! Yeah - if you won't be out on the West Coast for a long time, it might be worth it. But, if you think you'll be in LA sometime, I'd wait 'til then.

 

[peoplemover913]

I live in SF and there is much to do here. Disneyland can be done, but it is a haul...at least an 8 hour drive with traffic. I have done it in 6 but it was in the middle of the night and I don't recommend it. I have even done a crazy trip where we drove down in the middle of the night, stayed at the park all day, then drove home. I am way too old for that now!

 

[Kanga1]

Thanks for all the great replies! Flying into one city and departing from another is impossible for us due to the restrictions on the 2 $99 tickets I have. DD is a GREAT traveler, but even this seems too much. I think we've decided to soak up the sights in SF and hope we get to DL some other time.

OT: What are the "must-sees" in the SF area?

 

[kmsandrbs]

How long do you have, how far are you willing to travel from SF, and what things do you like to see/visit?

Icons: Golden Gate Bridge (easy to park on one side and walk across)
Alcatraz (best to purchase tickets in advance)
Fisherman's Wharf (very touristy shoping and food)
Chinatown
Cable Car Ride

(I'm probably missing some)

Not surprisingly, SF and the Bay Area has a lot more then this.

You also might check out sfgate.com as they have an events calendar.

 

[snowbunny]

Definitely boat ride under the Golden Gate and around Alcatraz - I still remember doing this as an 8 year old (a long time ago)!

Go to the Mark Hopkins Hotel and have a drink at Top of the Mark, the view of the bay and islands is incredible.

Cable car ride - a must.

Chinatown, especially if you love Chinese food and gifts.

Many great restaurants to suit every budget and taste. Wolfgang Puck's restaurants, the ones that came before his DTD cafe, are all in San Francisco.

Neighborhoods - also depending on your interest - so much history. The Haight, the Painted Ladies historic houses, I could go on and on. There are guidebooks galore about San Fransisco, I'm sure you could find one at your local library. Have a great time!

 

[hambirg]

San Francisco is nice. Definitely see Alcatraz, the Golden Gate bridge, China town and ride the cable cars. I was not impressed with the Pier in SF, but it's hard for me to judge because I am from the Seattle area and it's very similar here. If you don't think you will make back to California in a long time. I would drive down the coast to Carmel/ Monterey. It's amazing along the coast.