Vacation destinations in CA?

[hmwnick]

We weren't planning to take a vacation this summer but now I am trying to see what I can find. We've visited the San Francisco , Sonoma, & Monterey areas & would like to check out the central coast.
Looking for ideas of places to visit & stay that won't completely break the bank. We are a family of 5 & plan to travel in June. Also, does CA have year-round school? Thanks in advance!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

ummm I HAFTA say it

DISNEYLAND!!

But San Diego is a great place to visit- Heck almost everywhere in CA is a great place to visit

Some are year around others arnt...

-em

 

[Melora]

Central California has the Hearst Castle of course and the very neatest amusement park in Gilroy that has these trees called "Circus Trees".

http://www.bonfantegardens.com/trees/trees.html

It has rides and the most interesting trees made by this millionaire who developed this technique to make them grow in the weirdest shapes ever....

We are planning on going up there this summer.

Yes California does have year round school in certain areas.

 

[Judy from Boise]

when I think central CA, the only beauty spot that remotely comes to mind is Yosemite !

 

[SeaSpray]

My DH, for SOME reason, really wants us to take a trip out to CA so he can see the giant redwoods. LOL Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they're beautiful, but I am not going to take a trip just to see them. The only problem is, when I did some research, I saw that this area was several hours away from all other parts of CA that I'd be interested in. I'd love to go to San Francisco, or the LA area to Disneyland.

Have any of you ever been out to see the giant redwoods? We are not a camping and backpacking family, so we'd want to see the trees for a day or two, then head off to see something else. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[hmwnick]

Seaspray,
2 years ago we flew to Sacramento, rented a car and saw alot of CA. 1st we headed to the Santa Rosa area via Napa Valley. Then we drove north to see the Redwoods (drive thru trees) & the north coast. (3days). Next came San Francisco for 3 days. Then we headed down to Monterey for 2 nights before returning home. We saw SOOO many things. Everything was really beautiful. We covered many a mile but our 3 kids enjoyed every minute. You can see why we want to go back. Let me know if you need add't info. I am hoping to have just as much fun in a new area of CA.

 

[WilmaBud]

I know it's southern California, but the San Diego area can't be beat for a family vacation. Have you been there before? I used to live there, and I'd go back in a heartbeat. There's the Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, Sea World, SeaPort village, Coronado, beaches, lots of military stuff, and Disneyland is only about an hour to an hour and a half north.

 

[Magix]

SeaSpray -
If you're in the San Francisco area, you can take a nice drive down the coast (about 1hr to 1.5 hrs) to Santa Cruz to see the redwoods. Off Hwy 9, you can see them at Henry Cowell State Park (which also has a narrow-gauge train to ride) or, even better, you can drive up into the heart of the Santa Cruz Mtns to Big Basin State Park (which was CA's first state park) and really get a great look at the deep, wonderful heart of the redwood forests. I highly recommend staying in Santa Cruz, as well. If you need any guidance, let me know - I've been visiting there pretty regularly (from So CA) since I was a little kid. I know some great places to shop, eat and have fun. The redwoods might not sound like much to make a trip for, but I can guarantee you'll be awed when you see them. What an amazing forest to spend time in. You can travel Hwy 1 between SF and SC, or travel the 101 to San Jose and cut across on the 17. There's another route that's really beautiful out of SF, through the mtns, into SC that I could give you info on, if you want it (I'd have to look at my maps to get the right Hwy numbers). Out of SC, you can easily travel to SF, Monterey, San Jose, Santa Clara (Paramount's Great America), Gilroy (Bonfante Gardens) and a variety of other wonderful cities, all within 1.5 hours or less.

hmwnick -
If you want to stick with the central coast area, you might try going a little further south to the San Luis Obispo area. Great places to stay and shop and beautiful surroundings. You can also take a short drive to Avila Beach and Pismo Beach (I know a KILLER steak place in Shell/Pismo Beach), plus you'd be close to Morro Bay and not too far a drive to Hearst Castle. And like Disneyland_emily said, year-round school depends on the district.

If either of you would like any details, PM me and I'll give you all the scoop!

 

[dumboiu]

SANTA BARBARA!!!!!!!

 

[Mishetta]

If you have time, try to hit Palm Springs! Such a beautiful little town!! (I sooooo miss living in So. California!!)

 

[Kismetdreams]

I live in the center of what they call the central California Coast. I live 45 minutes north of Santa Barbara and 45 minutes south of San Luis Obispo. San Simeon and Big Sur (Hearst Castle) are abour an hour to an hour and a half north of me, depending upon how you travel to get there. LA is 2 hours south and DL is 2 and a half hours to 3 hours south.

I absolutely LOVE SB and this area! It's very pretty! There are lots of beach towns around here, Pismo, Morrow Bay, Oceano, etc., but the water is typically way too cold to go in without a wet suit. If you are more interested in trying to get in DL and LA, then this area is too far north to be able to commute.

Feel free to PM me if you would like more info about this area. I have lived here for 3 years and am fairly familiar with the areas on the central coast, LA, Monterey and San Diego. I have never been north of Monterey, tho.

HTH!

 

[SeaSpray]

Wow, thanks so much everyone, for all that info! I'm going to forward this thread to DH so he can take a look at the different options. I am really bad with CA geography...so this might be a stupid question, but I'll ask it anyway. LOL Is there an area of California we could fly into a major airport (I really will want non-stop flights) and then be within a few hours drive of giant redwoods, Disneyland, and some nice beach scenery?? I know you've all mentioned towns but I'm not sure where they are, in conjunction with each other If we could take a trip that included those 3 things, then we'd all be happy

P.S. Now that I think about it, when I went to California in 1995, I flew into LAX and was able to go to Disneyland, Venice Beach, and Universal Studios as day trips. So maybe my question should simply be, are there giant redwoods in this vicinity as well??? Thanks!

 

[*Flower*]

Sorry, Southern California has no giant redwoods. They're all in central and northern california.

And, as CA is one of the longest states, (it's over 300 miles from LA to SF) you can't really do a day trip to see redwoods and DL in the same day.

It's a great state though....... have fun planning!!!

 

[*Flower*]

You could catch a commuter flight from San Fransisco to Los Angeles though........

Just a thought.