Trip Plans / geography HELP!

[SueWC]

Planning familes first trip to West Coast for 10 nights and need as much help as possible. Traveling with 2 children 13 and 14. They are very interesed in seeing Sequoia NP and Disneyland. Thought about flying into San Fransico early August and spend 3 days and try to catch Phillies game againts the Giants or Dodgers since they are out there that week and then head out to Seq.NP which I think is 5 hr ride and stay maybe 2 nights but not sure then how to get to Disney from there. Can you cut over and drive Pacific Coast highway or is that completely out of our way? I think my son(and husband) would love to see Venice Beach, hollywood is it worth going how far out of the way? We have been to DisneyWorld about 8 times so don't want to stay more than two days just want to check it out and then fly home from burbank. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I'm not sure about from Sequoia, but Yosemite is a must see while you are in California. The parks are relatively close to each other. I know you can drive (about 3.5 to 4 hours) from Yosemite to Monterey, where you can connect with the pacific coast highway. Make sure you stop and see the Aquarium and drive the 17 Mile Drive (Pebble Beach Golf Course). You will also want to see Big Sur.

If you're going to Disneyland last, you may want to consider flying out of SNA (John Wayne airport) instead of driving all the way back up to Burbank.

 

[GrandBob]

First, yes, Yosemite NP is a much better choice than Sequoia NP. If your family wants to see the giant Sequoias, they can see them at the Mariposa Grove near the south entrance of Yosemite. In the mean time, they can also see the amazing geology of Yosemite -- El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Vernal Falls, etc.

Second,while you could go from Yosemite to Monterey and then down Highway 1, it's pretty far out of the way. I mean, if you definitely want to visit Monterey and the Big Sur coast, do it. But if you want the shortest route, nope.

Yosemite Valley to Disneyland via Fresno, 99, & I-5 - about 6 1/2 hours.

Yosemite Valley to Monterey - about 4 to 4 1/2 hours.

Monterey to Disneyland - 6 hours on US101 (boring), or 7 to 8 hours on Highway 1 (most beautiful drive in the US, IMHO).

HTH,
Bob