LCP

August 20-labor day, we are planning a trip to California. Already booked 4 nights at Yosemite. Thinking of two general options ----interested in your thoughts.

Option one: fly in and out of San Jose. Spend a few days Monterey/Big Sur.
Drive to Yosemite for 8/24-28. Then drove to Lake Tahoe (West?) --drop by Bodie. The drive to San Francisco and area for a few days before returning San Jose.

Option 2: fly into LAX or Orange County airport. Stay southern LA/Santa Monica/San Diego Zoo?/Universal? --then drive up to Big Sur/Monterey -----then to Yosemite and then back to LA and area.

We have relatives and friends in Southern California and am hoping if we do not go south, they will meet us at various locations north in California. My biggest concern is temperture but then I realize Yosemite will be very hot! Not sure if Los Anegeles and area will be unbearable. Thoughts?

Thank you!!

joesorce

If your biggest concern is the heat, then stay north. Los Angeles can be prone to heat waves in August and September, though the coastal areas are usually still pleasant. Definitely not a good time to do Universal/Hollywood.

zornica

It is very hot and are formed in places mists. Is not adequate time for rest

janisj

Either itinerary can be done and have lots going for them -- but the drives are shorter/easier w/ the northern CA option.

I'd do Monterey/Big Sur > Yosemite > Bodie > Tahoe > SF > home.

happytrailstoyou

In this situation, I would list for my son what the sightseeing options are on both itineraries and get his input on which possibility he prefers. The southern coulld include Hollywood, San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, Monterey Aquarium, various movie studios, Orange County beaches, and much more.

HTTY

tomfuller

Option 1 is the best. There is plenty of shade (big trees) and cool waterfalls in Yosemite. It will be a lot cooler than anywhere in the LA area.
Meet your SOCAL friends in Merced and then go into Yosemite together. They will be glad to get out of the dry Santa Anna winds.
If they did not want to drive to Merced, they can ride on the San Joaquin (Amtrak) from LA to Merced

happytrailstoyou

Millions of people live in Southern California throughout the year--including the summer months. If your point is to vacation in a place with cool summer weather, California is the wrong destination.

HTTY

BarbAnn

Born & raised in Southern California. The Santa Ana winds do not come in August. They come in October. Merced in the summer is another subject.

LCP

Thank you! Our family will talk about it today and get more input from my son on what he would like to do. I hear Monterey (or Carmel?) has a good aquarium. Also wondering if there is a place to see whales in august. We love to see animals and wildlife.

Lisa

BarbAnn

The Monterey Aquarium is very good. You can get a whale watching boat trip from the end of the Monterey pier (even in August). You can also see the otters and sea lions that hang out near the pier.

If you love to see animals, Vision Quest Ranch is in near by Salinas (http://www.wildthingsinc.com/html/_w...r_jungle_.html). It is really interesting and we paid the extra money to meet and feed the elephants. I'm sure your son would love this place.

MichelleY

Stick with Option #1. Do Southern Cal for another trip.

november_moon

Actually, California is the right destination for cool summer temperatures - as long as you stay along the coast, hot temperatures are unlikely. Inland, it will be quite hot in August, but along the coast and esspecially in SF, you are likely to need a jacket.

dbdurand

I think the SoCal temperature issue has been over emphasized. LA will have an average high of about 85, as will Disneyland, which will be swarming with people. Santa Monica and other communities near the ocean will be about 78.

Yosemite valley, per the NPS website, will get up to 87 during the day and it too will be swarming with people.

A Santa Ana heat wave is very unlikely in August. See:
http://www.atmos.ucla.edu/~fovell/AS...a_ana_faq.html

Asking your relatives and friends to drive up to 600 miles roundtrip from the LA area to meet you someplace, so that you won't have to drive down there and possibly experience some hot weather, seems presumptuous to me. Therefore I recommend Option 2.

LCP

Ddburand: you hit the nail on the head regarding option 2. I tend to think it will make more sense for us to stay south so we can spend time with more people. Need to put together a reasonable itinerary.


Regardless, I think I will stay away from Disney if we can. My biggest concern is not the heat, as long it is not so oppressive. Sounds like it we stick to the coast, it should be ok.
Thanks

Kim_Winston

Monterrey Bay Aquarium is a must!

SAB

Why don't you check with the friends and relatives you intend to visit and see what they have to say about the weather where they live. I assume they will give you a more accurate picture.

PeaceOut

You could fly into San Jose and leave from San Francisco.

Surfergirl

OK, maybe because I live on the Westside in L.A. that I find it rather surprising to suggest that (some of) the places mentioned in Nor Cal will be cooler than So Cal in August. There are times in August and September when I'm in Yosemite where I can't wait to get back to the milder temps in So Cal -- particularly LA's Westside, Santa Monica, etc, with plenty of cool breezes and dry heat. How many times have we hit Fresno on our way up to or down from Yosemite where I see 106 degree temperatures. Or where the only thing that will cool you down in Yosemite Valley is the frigid (and welcoming!) Merced river that runs through it.

Enough about weather, and aside from that, I agree that Option 1 (with a twist) is the better plan. The twist is a suggestion to add Santa Cruz as a stop. It's 1/2 hour from Monterey (north end of Monterey Bay), and on the way from the San Jose Airport as you head down towards Monterey.

My reason for this suggestion is your 13 year old son. It's summer, he's on vacation, he can wear shorts or swim trunks and have a wonderful day at the boardwalk amusement park and beach next to it. PERFECT age for this.

Then head down and base yourself in Monterey. 30 minutes south of Monterey is Big Sur. So Monterey is sandwiched in between Big Sur and Santa Cruz -- and this whole area is beautiful and packed with things to do. Kayaking in Monterey Bay, especially in summer, is so much fun, and you can rent bikes at the pier and travel along the bike path -- nearly all the way to Carmel if you want!

Surfergirl

BTW, here's a link (I'm a total sucker for historical roller coasters). My son loved the Boardwalk at your son's age.

http://beachboardwalk.com/02_giant_dipper.html

november_moon

My comment about cool temps along the CA coast was meant to address any possible misconceptions that all of CA is hot in the summer. Coastal areas are quite mild. It is also pretty mild at higher elevations.

If the Monterey area is on the itinerary, then I definitely agree with Surfergirl to spend a little time in Santa Cruz. It is a must-see with teenagers - non-teens like it too, of course, but it is esspecially good for them.