California Family Road Trip
Feb 26th, 2014, 07:16 PM
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California Family Road Trip
I am trying to confirm a few last details before finalizing the bookings for a family trip to California this summer. I need help thinking through a few decisions. I am open to any feedback that would help my family have a better trip.
We will be spending 2 weeks in CA, flying in/out of San Francisco. We are a family of 5 (kids age 6,4,2)....I know we are kind of crazy. We will likely focus on outdoor activities and spend the last 2-3 days in SF seeing the sights. I am thinking about driving south down the coast, spending time in Monterrey, driving through Big Sur, then over to Sequoia and Yosemite. We would also like to see the giant redwoods. Here are the things I am grappling with:
1) RV or rental car/SUV: I like the idea of the RV, but I am worried it will be too restrictive in some of the parks. We like doing off the beaten path type of stuff and I'm afraid that will be limited in a medium sized RV. If we rented a car we would likely do hotels and prob bring a tent and camp at a few places. What would be my major concerns here with the RV? From my initial research the cost seems to be about the same so it comes down to convenience. I like the room provided in an RV, I worry about mobility in some places. Is that warranted?
2) Would it be worthwhile to drive North to the Redwood National Forrest? Or would this take too much time? I'm not sure if that is vastly different than what we would see/experience in the other parts of the state we plan to be in. I am guessing it would use roughly 3-4 days of our vacation to do that. Is it worthwhile relative to the commitment of time needed?
3) mid-June vs. mid-July. We can go either time. Is there any big factor that would make big difference that I haven't thought to consider? (i.e. weather, crowds, atmosphere, etc.).
4) How far south should we go? No interest in hitting LA/San Diego. I've been there before and just not interested in what they offer for this trip.
5) Any proposed itineraries? My intuition is get into SFO-go north to for 3 nights (or not based on feedback)- Santa Cruz/Monterrey/Carmel for 3 nights-Sequoia 2 nights-Yosemite 3 nights- SF 2 nights. If we don't go north it just gives us more time to wander and pick random places to sleepover. Do these time frames seem reasonable and give us enough time at these locations?
Any help is appreciated. We are from Florida and traveling is a passion for my wife and myself. We are always up for an adventure! We hope to instill that into our children as well. I know it can be difficult traveling with children this young, but I am confident that if planned correctly a great time can be had by all and its worth the investment of time/money. Thanks for reading.
We will be spending 2 weeks in CA, flying in/out of San Francisco. We are a family of 5 (kids age 6,4,2)....I know we are kind of crazy. We will likely focus on outdoor activities and spend the last 2-3 days in SF seeing the sights. I am thinking about driving south down the coast, spending time in Monterrey, driving through Big Sur, then over to Sequoia and Yosemite. We would also like to see the giant redwoods. Here are the things I am grappling with:
1) RV or rental car/SUV: I like the idea of the RV, but I am worried it will be too restrictive in some of the parks. We like doing off the beaten path type of stuff and I'm afraid that will be limited in a medium sized RV. If we rented a car we would likely do hotels and prob bring a tent and camp at a few places. What would be my major concerns here with the RV? From my initial research the cost seems to be about the same so it comes down to convenience. I like the room provided in an RV, I worry about mobility in some places. Is that warranted?
2) Would it be worthwhile to drive North to the Redwood National Forrest? Or would this take too much time? I'm not sure if that is vastly different than what we would see/experience in the other parts of the state we plan to be in. I am guessing it would use roughly 3-4 days of our vacation to do that. Is it worthwhile relative to the commitment of time needed?
3) mid-June vs. mid-July. We can go either time. Is there any big factor that would make big difference that I haven't thought to consider? (i.e. weather, crowds, atmosphere, etc.).
4) How far south should we go? No interest in hitting LA/San Diego. I've been there before and just not interested in what they offer for this trip.
5) Any proposed itineraries? My intuition is get into SFO-go north to for 3 nights (or not based on feedback)- Santa Cruz/Monterrey/Carmel for 3 nights-Sequoia 2 nights-Yosemite 3 nights- SF 2 nights. If we don't go north it just gives us more time to wander and pick random places to sleepover. Do these time frames seem reasonable and give us enough time at these locations?
Any help is appreciated. We are from Florida and traveling is a passion for my wife and myself. We are always up for an adventure! We hope to instill that into our children as well. I know it can be difficult traveling with children this young, but I am confident that if planned correctly a great time can be had by all and its worth the investment of time/money. Thanks for reading.
Feb 26th, 2014, 10:45 PM
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I would skip the north of SF part to give you more time for the other parts of your trip. There is no need to spend any nights any farther south than Monterey or Carmel because Big Sur is only a day trip from there. I would then drive east from Monterey to Yosemite. Make reservations for Yosemite lodging ASAP because they book up many months in advance. The road to Big Sur and the road getting you into Yosemite are very winding. Not much fun in an RV.
Feb 28th, 2014, 02:03 PM
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Hi ajint0011,
My wife and I did a 10 day California trip last May where we made stops at Monterey / Carmel, Big Sur, Sequoia National Park and Yosemite.
1. I would pick the car especially if you plan to go to Sequoia. The switchbacks going up to the main sequoia groves can be unnerving in a car let alone an RV.
2. As others have mentioned, I would focus your time south of SF. You'll have the opportunity to see redwood and sequoia's if you visit the parks.
3. I think the crowds will be about the same in June or July. Timing is important though as waterfalls are at their peak in Yosemite in May / early June.
4. We only we to Sequoia and didn't go any furthest south that we went was down in the Big Sur area. We then cut over to Sequoia National Park.
5. Here's a link to our full itinerary: http://triptwitch.com/trip-itinerari...ure-itinerary/
Also, here's a link to all of our California posts so far: http://triptwitch.com/tag/california/
I hope this helps decision making process.
NickB
triptwich.com
My wife and I did a 10 day California trip last May where we made stops at Monterey / Carmel, Big Sur, Sequoia National Park and Yosemite.
1. I would pick the car especially if you plan to go to Sequoia. The switchbacks going up to the main sequoia groves can be unnerving in a car let alone an RV.
2. As others have mentioned, I would focus your time south of SF. You'll have the opportunity to see redwood and sequoia's if you visit the parks.
3. I think the crowds will be about the same in June or July. Timing is important though as waterfalls are at their peak in Yosemite in May / early June.
4. We only we to Sequoia and didn't go any furthest south that we went was down in the Big Sur area. We then cut over to Sequoia National Park.
5. Here's a link to our full itinerary: http://triptwitch.com/trip-itinerari...ure-itinerary/
Also, here's a link to all of our California posts so far: http://triptwitch.com/tag/california/
I hope this helps decision making process.
NickB
triptwich.com
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