Hi,

I am planning a summer family road trip, flying in and out of San Francisco and driving in a loop for 10 days. My wife and I will be joined by our three kids, ages between 9 and 15.

I need some ideas for stops. Yosemite, Carmel-by-the-sea? We've been to San Fran, so would like to spend most time away from the city.

Thanks,

Steve

Steve, we just came back from doing the SF-LA coastal route. We really enjoyed the Carmel and Cambria areas (great hiking, wildlife, you'll be there for beach weather). I'll turn my blog entries into a trip report of our very fast week, and in the meantime you can read my planning notes and daily trip diary here.

Steve, I was going to suggest San Diego and we could meet you but then realized we will probably be in Italy . But........even without us, San Diego is a great family place and beautiful.

If you are going to skip SF since you have been there, then I think 10 days in Northern/Central CA would make for a really nice driving trip. Unless you are going north of SF, then this is pretty much central California. One question would be to decide how far south you want to go. My suggestions would include following Highway 1 south to Santa Cruz (beach town, great boardwalk for kids) and around Monterey Bay to Monterey (don't miss the aquarium), then Carmel for the mission, the cute town, etc. If you go farther south as Amy did, you could see the sea lions and the Hearst Castle before cutting across to the east to get to Yosemite. The word of caution about Yosemite is that places in the park fill up very quickly for the summer; we used to make our annual reservations at the Lodge a year in advance. But you can stay outside the park and make day trips into it as well. Here's is where Mapquest comes in handy, so you can start plotting out the miles.

Thank you everyone for your help.

Well, this whole driving trip turns out to be a bit challenging to plan, because the places I want to go are either too close or too far apart.

I think I want to see Napa, Big Sur/Carmel, and Yosemite.

Napa and Carmel are on either end of San Fran, and neither is closer to Yosemite than San Fran, which means doing a big round driving trip ain't gonna gain me much in saving time and distance.

So it seems to me I should probably "concentric" myself in San Francisco and do two day trips (Napa, Carmel), then tack on an overnight trip to Yosemite.

Does this itinerary make any sense? Also is there an attractive location to make a stop on our way to Yosemite?

Thanks,

Steve

A daytrip to Napa is not a bad idea, because kids are not usually fond of spending a few days watching their folks go to wineries. But I think you are going to miss a lot if you don't consider a night or two in the Monterey area. And I would say the same for Yosemite, in terms of spending two nights there. How much time do you want to give to San Francisco?

About Yosemite: don't be discouraged if the places in the park are full when you first call. They get cancellations all the time so keep trying. We were able to get into the Wowona last May with one day's notice. There's nothing like staying down in the park and not having to trek in every day, even though that drive is lovely.

Thanks NP and Marcia.

I plan for six nights in San Francisco (2 nights for arrival + departure, plus a couple of days touring around the city and a trip to Napa and maybe another day trip destination (beach, state park?), two days/one night in Monterey, and 2 nights Yosemite. For a total of 10 days.

The plan is slowly forming :-)
Steve

I think that sounds pretty good, though you might think about adding a night to Monterey so that you could perhaps go a little further south on Highway 1. There are also some really nice wineries in the Santa Cruz and Monterey areas, which are not as crowded as Napa.

I agree with NP about trying to stay on the valley floor in Yosemite, so if things are full, make a cancellable reservation outside and keep trying. We have stayed at the Tenaya Lodge, though since you would be coming from the Bay area, it's at the entrance closer to us in Los Angeles.

Steve

One more Yosemite recommendation: have breakfast at the Ahwanee. You clearly will want to go have a look around as it's an amazing historic landmark lodge and the dining room is expensive but the breakfast (in my opinion) is worth it. The food is good and the setting is spectacular.

quote:

I agree with NP about trying to stay on the valley floor in Yosemite

Note that the Wawona, mentioned above, is nicely located and is insde the park, but it's not on the valley floor. It's a few miles inside the South Entrance. The Tenaya Lodge is a couple of miles outside the same entrance. Unless things have changed (which they may have), there's no park shuttle from the Wawona to the valley floor. Actually, the town of El Portal, outside the park entrance of the same name, is closer to the valley floor than the Wawona, so if you're really concerned about driving distance and you can't get valley lodging, you might bear that in mind.

These are excellent suggestions!

I have been looking into lodging at Yosemite. The availability isn't too bad for July, but I'm still absorbing the sticker shock at Ahwanee

For a family of five, 2 nights in Ahwanee would cost more than the RT airfairs. So for now I plan to either stay at Curry Village, or outside of the park. (thanks for the tip on El Portal)

Also, we're going to be driving from Montery to Yosemite. Is there a preferred driving route? It's hard to tell on the Google map since there's no interstate linking these two locations.

Thanks!

Steve

I totally agree with you about sticker shock at the Ahwanee; for over a decade we had family reunions in Yosemite and stayed at the Lodge (which is also gone way up in price IMHO). One evening during our stay the adults would go over to the Ahwanee for dinner which was pricey but absolutely fabulous, with the candlabras lighting the dining room. If you can swing a meal there, I would highly recommend it.

I will look at a map for you re: driving from Monterey to Yosemite, or ask Mr. CA Driver, my DH of decades. You're right in that there is no east-west interstate.

Editing to say I just looked at Mapquest - it looks right to me, and would be a rather scenic route across the central part of CA, as least in parts - rural, rolling hills. If you wanted to be at the southern part of the park (Fish Camp, Wawona) you can see where you would drive south on the interstate and take Highway 41 across to the park. I think Mapquest takes you to the park entrance, and then it's another 30-45 minutes driving to the valley floor (just a guess here).

SteveS,

If you are driving to Yosemite from Monterey, let me make a suggestion:

Take Hwy 156 through San Juan Bautista (very small town, easy to navigate) and stop and see Mission San Juan Bautista, very interesting, kids should enjoy old Calif. history.

By going through San Juan Bautista and Hollister, you will avoid the traffic in the Gilroy area. Hwy 156 joins Hwy 152 near Casa de Fruita, another fun stop.

Hwy. 152 merges into Fwy 99. You'll then take Hwy 145 through the town of Madera (12 miles North of me) and on to Fwy 41 to Yosemite.

As you will be traveling during the summer, please note that central CA is very hot and dry, not green.

Your return trip to San Francisco will take you out the other entrance of Yosemite, thus you'll see a different area of the park and CA.

Let me know if I can help with any other questions.

Denise

Steve, DLSC has given you a very good route to follow and soome great suggestions for stops.

I don't come to this part of the forums often and know I miss a lot of conversations about this area, and a lot of visitors from ST, too.

If I can help please PM me, or now that I have chimed-in I will stay posted.

Some other suggestions:
1-tide-pooling along the Asilamar beach area
2-walking in charming Carmel and go down Ocean Ave to the beach. Wonderful soft white sand and good sandcastle building ops.
3-Aquarium is a must
4-Taking a drive through Pebble Beach
5-Kayaking - rent through "Adventures by the Sea"
6-Walking the path in Monterey, which will take you along Monterey Bay, Fisherman's Warf, Cannery Row and the Aquarium
7-Pacific Grove - "America's last small town"
8-Eat, eat, eat.

PS- remember during the summer months we are going to be mostly fogged in - the same with SF. But Yosemite will be warm and beautiful - not to say we won't be beautiful - and as said above the inner valley, where you will be driving, will be HOT. W.

Thank you so much everyone. This is most helpful.

After reviewing the dates, my wife and I have decided to fly from Boston to SFO on August 15 instead of in July because of a work schedule conflict. I don't think the weather around San Fran and Montery will be all that different between July and August, but I am guessing Yosemite might be drier and perhaps less pretty.

Since we are coming from New England, I wonder how the beaches around Carmel might compare to that of Maine. Would it be warm enough to swim? Because only very brave souls, or children, dare to swim in those Maine waters in August


Steve

August is tourist season too (in August in SF the Germans, Brits and Italians show up), so some of the interesting places become crowded. The Monterey Aquarium is one of them. Check their website to see how to book reservations in advance. The line at the door in Summer can be really long.

I've dived many times in the Monterey area, but I never once thought that I might want to swim on the beaches. Plenty of folks surf it or boogey it, in light wet suits.

Instead of swimming, put the kids and yourself into kayaks, and cruise the kelp beds and meet the sea otters. There is nothing like it, as far as I know, in New England. The recommended kayak rental shops will know the Elkorn Slough and you might want to check that out. The Slough, a state park not far from Monterey, has a web site.

The driving distance between Monterey and Yosemite is about the same as Boston to Bangor, except that the Yosemite drive is all non-freeway. So it takes a while. The Central Valley is (imho) flat, broiling hot in Summer, hazy and there is absolutely nothing to see on the main roads that you will be using. If you get stuck behind a cattle truck on a two lane road, add some time to your schedule.

In Yosemite, defintely have a drink and hang around the Ahwanhee, but there is no reason to sleep there, the rooms themseles are not worth it. But the giant fireplaces in the huge public rooms are unforgetable, as is the dining room.

Yosemite in July looks the same as in August with one exception: waterfalls. August-Semptember is the dry season in the Sierra, so the monumental waterfalls may be reduced. So far, this year's snow pack is below normal (our Governator is ranting about it); but in August, even in a dry year, there is at least some amount of water falling off the walls in Yosemite. If you are up for a work out, hike to the top of Yosemite Falls. It is steep and long (half day round trip), but worth every step when you get to the top. And everyone knows that a tough hike justifies a feast later that night. If you and the kids are really up for an adventure hike, take a look at the hike to the top of Half Dome. This is not for the faint of heart - although little old ladies and men do it - and it takes all day. In no event miss Glacier Point, it is a drive and a parking lot. If you take photos, Glacier Point will give you a chance to be Ansel Adams for a few minutes.

The drive fron Yosemite back to the Bay Area is about the same experience as Monterey-Yosemite, except that a lot of it is on the freeway. You might want to plan your descent into the Bay Area so as to avoid rush hour(s) which clog the freeways, begining at Livermore and extending all the way to the Bay Bridge.

Steve, our waters' temp. averages 54-56 year round - our currents come fro Alaska. Kids won't mind, as they are impervious to cold, but it certainly isn't true swimming temp. (We have great surfing here, but with wetsuits and booties.)

One more Yosemite suggestion. If you have road snacks in the car on the way to the park, and if you stay in the park, make sure to clean out your car of all food, wrappers etc. The bears are highly skilled burglars and any scent of food will invite them to trash your car.

I would like to suggest that you try Sonoma County over Napa. It is kid friendly and you cannot only visit great wineries but there is a lot for kids to do. The wineries aren't as crowded ( Napa roads can be bumper to bumper) . Sonoma is a lovely town with a mission and Spanish garrison to visit, Jack london Park is great for hiking and there is a train town. Santa Rosa has the Charles Schulz Museum (Snoopy). There are things to do all over during the summer. Also it is close to Bodega Bay and the ocean. Also I would suggest a hike at Angel Island with its vistas of the bay area.

There are some beautiful State parks in the Santa Cruz mountains, especially Big Basin SP which has a grove of really ancient, old-growth coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). When we lived in Silicon Valley we always took visitors there instead of Muir woods as it is much less crowded and, to my mind, more impressive.
The Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad (steam train)is a nice side trip from Santa Cruz too - that one is in Henry Cowell SP, very close to Santa Cruz.
There are sealions that haul out under the pier in Santa Cruz and you can peer down and watch their antics close-up, which is fun.
If you go south on 1 to Big Sur, have a cup of tea or coffee up on the terrace at Nepenthe. and then drive a bit further to Juliet Fyffer Burns SP and walk out to the overlook. A much-photographed spot.

quote:

Also is there an attractive location to make a stop on our way to Yosemite?

Mariposa old gold town also cheaper than staying in park
There are three ways to get into Yosemite.
1. From Modesto area via the Big Oak Flat road you drop down into the park and you can then exit either through Mariposa or go further south and exit through Coarsegold ending up in Madera.
2. From The Merced Area up to Mariposa, and exit either back towards SF via the Big Oak Flat Rd and Modesto area or south to Coarsegold Fresno area.
3. From Fresno Area up through Coarsegold and exit then either through Mariposa or Big Oak Flat Rd.
There is a major problem in that there is tons and I mean tons of road work going on. Many stops and delays. Mariposa area is suffering from major slides in fact one that they build a bridge around has just taken another dump and taken the bridge out but it’s refixed. You should check with:
[YOSEMITE NAT'L PARK]
FOR YOSEMITE NAT'L PARK ROAD INFORMATION CALL 209-372-0200 varies
SR 140
[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA]
VEHICLES OVER 45 FEET ARE PROHIBITED & 1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC FOR ALL
OTHER VEHICLES 20 MI EAST OF MARIPOSA (MARIPOSA CO) 24 HRS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK
- DUE TO SLIDE REPAIRS


Posted 27 February 2009 10:57 AM Hide Post
SteveS,

If you are driving to Yosemite from Monterey, let me make a suggestion:

Take Hwy 156 through San Juan Bautista (very small town, easy to navigate) and stop and see Mission San Juan Bautista, very interesting, kids should enjoy old Calif. history.
By going through San Juan Bautista and Hollister, you will avoid the traffic in the Gilroy area. Hwy 156 joins Hwy 152 near Casa de Fruita, another fun stop.
Hwy. 152 merges into Fwy 99. You'll then take Hwy 145 through the town of Madera (12 miles North of me) and on to Fwy 41 to Yosemite.
So if you have problems between Casa d F and 99 call me at Phoenix Books Los Banos my ranch runs alongside 152 east of Los Banos between the canal and Britto Rd all on the south side Los Banos is well known as break down city.
As you will be traveling during the summer, please note that central CA is very hot and dry, not green.
She is right it is very hot if your not use to it and very dry. From Los Banos going through Madera is about 3 hours, if you take the highway 59 cut off off HW152 to Merced then to Mariposa its about 2 1/2. The Madera route gives you the big trees area just inside the park at the south end

We're recently back from spending the winter in Napa, and I can recommend two wineries that might be good to visit with kids. One is Castello Di Amorosa, an amazing Italian-style castle (complete with torture chamber). We thought it was a fascinating tour, and they do cater to kids, with juice tastings. The other is Sterling Vineyards, which has a tram that you ride to the winery at the top of the hill with spectacular views across the valley (including a great view of the castello).

You definitely need an advance reservation for the Castello. If you have a chance to get to the Napa visitor center, you can get a discount coupon for that and many other wineries. Or maybe they'd send you some coupons if you write to them.

- Roz

I just spoke to Yosemite and they do have some openings for the summer but they are limited. Some people make group reservations and then must cancel for anyone not coming within a month of the reservations. So it does pay off to keep calling as people do cancel 4-6 weeks before the reservation.

The Central Coast of California is beautiful. Santa Cruz is a laid back beach town with an amusement park on the beach. Carmel and Monterey have beautiful scenery, interesting shops, golf courses, an aquarium, and pretty beaches.

Further south you will find lots of great wineries in the Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo areas. There's Hearst Castle, small beach towns. South of San Luis Obispo is Pismo Beach another laid back beach town known for the sand dunes where you can rent ATVs or take a guided hummer ride over the dunes.