rjgfam

Hi,
I'll be visiting my daughter in Palo alto the third week of February. I need something to do for two and a half to three days. I would like to explore within three hours of Palo Alto and overnight stays are perfectly fine. I'll arrive Monday around noon and should make it back to Palo Alto by 3 on Thursday. I LOVE nature and taking pictures. I'll rent a car and will be traveling by myself.

Can anybody suggest a nice schedule?

Thank you so much!

rjgfam

tomfuller

See the Coast Redwoods at Big Basin and or Henry Cowell.
Drive Rt. 1 at least as far as Big Sur.
North of Santa Cruz, the best place I've found for a solo traveler is the Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel.
http://www.norcalhostels.org/pigeon
There is also a HI Hostel in Monterey.

happytrailstoyou

San Francisco is a photogenic place, and it is a great city for walking.

Half Moon Bay is near Palo Alto. Drive there and down Highway 1. Very scenic. Check out of historic amusement park in Santa Cruz. Drive back to Palo Alto on CA 236 and check out Big Basin Redwoods State Park. (Or vise versa.)

HTtY

janisj

I'd head south to Carmel/Monterey/Pacific Grove for two nights. You can visit Henry Cowell park either on the drive south or on the way back to Palo Alto.

From the Carmel area (staying in any of the 3 towns I listed) you can visit Big Sur, Point Lobos, a CA Mission, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Monterey etc etc.

janisj

Oops -- meant stay Carmel/Monterey/Pacific Grove all 3 nights (or 2 nights and one night in either Santa Cruz or Half Moon Bay)

sf7307

All good suggestions, except be aware the amusement park rides won't be open (weekends only in winter). The boardwalk might still be interesting.

rjgfam

Thank you so very much for all your suggestions. I'm ready to plan!