tjw61

Hi,

We are a family of 4, kids 22 and 19. We're doing 4 nights in San Francisco, plan on taking an overnight to drive to LA, where will be for 5 nights. We are staying at Wyndham Canterbury at San Francisco. We have tickets to Alcatraz and are hoping to see also go to Muir Woods as they are the most convenient redwood trees I have found. We're hoping this trip will also give us time at the Golden Gate. We're planning to go to the wharf. Anything else there a can't miss?

Then we're planning on driving the coast to Los Angeles, taking an overnight somewhere down the coast. Any recommendations on this would be appreciated.

Lastly we have 5 nights in LA. We are staying at Dolphin's Cove Resort. We have family so that may eat one of the days. We are planning Disneyland for one of the days. Our kids love Disney World and want to see what this one is about. They want to see Beverly Hills and the Hollywood sign. What would you suggest for the rest of our time there? We may use a day to go to San Diego if it fits in, but it is not definite.

Thanks for any suggestions,

tj

Surfergirl

When will you be going?

Since the "kids" are not exactly kids anymore (both can vote and one can drink), what are their interests and do they plan on doing anything outside the scope of the family?

Does the family enjoy art, music, swimming, walking, hiking or something else?

Happy to help . . . just need a little insight as to when and interests.

MichelleY

Are you staying at Worldmark resorts? If so, the resorts in Pismo Beach or Solvang may work out for overnights.

tomfuller

Butano State Park is south of San Francisco. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=536
Are you paying a significant drop off fee for dropping in LA?
It is possible to take an Amtrak train (Coast Starlight) from Emeryville to Santa Barbara or Los Angeles.
Muir Woods is nice but it is often very crowded.

StuDudley

I recommend finding another day to enjoy the unbelievable Hwy 1 between Carmel & San Simeon. Spend 1 night in Carmel & explore Carmel. Then visit Pt Lobos just south of Carmel, and then head south on Hwy 1. Stop at Nepenthe in Big Sur for lunch, and then continue south. I would overnight in San Simeon and try to fit in a visit to Hearst Castle the next morning. Growing up in LA, I enjoyed Hearst Castle a lot more than the Hollywood sign. As an adult in the San Francisco area, I enjoy about a thousands "things" more than Fisherman's Wharf. Here are some of the thousand things.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

clarkgriswold

Dolphin's Cove Resort is not in L.A. it's in a different county.
It's a 50 minute drive to Hollywood, 60 or 70 minutes to Universal or Beverly Hills or other sites, and if you are not REALLY careful about what times of day you hit the road, more like 90 minutes in 10-15mph traffic.

starrs

I agree that it would be good to spend another night along the coast drive. But if you don't, we really liked Cambria and Moonstone Beach and it's about at your midway point - 232 & 264 miles

http://www.pacificahotels.com/firesideinn

ltt

another vote for taking a night off of LA and spend it on the drive down the coast. one night in carmel or monterey and one night further south..maybe cambria. doing san diego for a day trip is really not a great idea. there is so much to do in san diego, it deserves a separate visit for many days and if you fun into traffic problems, you could spend many hours of your day in the car.

marvelousmouse

We did a "mixed" age trip (oldest "kid" was 24, while the youngest was 10) several years ago. Oldest thought she'd love Disneyland as she'd never gone, but DL got old after one day; she really, really enjoyed San Diego as did the adults. We were rather sorry we split the time between Disney and SD evenly, so SD would be my vote!

tjw61

Wow, thanks for the input! We are traveling in early June, the 5th through the 15th.

MichelleY

Pacifica Hotel Group is having a promo for summer:

http://www.pacificahotels.com/specia...ifica-20150505

suze

I love the www.winchestermysteryhouse.com in San Jose

San Luis Obispo is at the midway between LA and San Francisco
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/tr...ispo.html?_r=0

jamie99

Try for two overnight stays on Hwy 1