jayjap

My boyfriend and I are planning a 2 week trip to CA, arriving March 26th in San Francisco. We are having some trouble deciding on a route, especially with the Highway 1 closure at Big Sur. We want a mix of city, NP, coast, vineyard and desert (not much to ask!!). It is slightly difficult to plan from a London lounge with a map! Help, please!

Here is my proposed route: (we are returning to London from SanFran)

3 nights San Fran

2 nights Sonoma

3 nights Yosemite

Then we have a problem- as I note that the Tioga pass is closed, and I'd love to travel the 395. Is it too ambitious to travel south from Yosemite on 99, then across to the 395 somehow, then up through Lone Pine and Mono Lake towards Lake Tahoe. We could then cross on the 88 (or 50) back towards San Fran. We would have 6 nights to complete this circle. Or possibly spend the last couple on the coast (??Santa Cruz maybe).

Is this too much? Is it a risky route in early April? Should we just head back to the coast after Yosemite, and forget the inner circuit..

Any recommendations gratefully received!!

tomfuller

I'll let StuDudley be your guide to San Francisco. The rental cars are somewhat cheaper in downtown than at the airport. You can ride BART into the city.
There are other areas besides Sonoma in California that have wineries.
The safest route from Yosemite is to turn in Mariposa onto California route 49 north and up through the gold country to Placerville. In Placerville turn east on US 50 through South Tahoe to Carson City Nevada. If you have the time, Go as far as Mammoth Lakes on US 395. Leaving Mammoth Lakes, go all the way north on US 395 to Reno Nevada to get on I-80 west over the Donner Pass. Consider spending 1 night in Sacramento. To get to the coast, go south on US 101 from San Jose through Gilroy to Salinas and 68 into Monterey.
Return to San Francisco on Route 1.

TravelingMan76

I think your plan is not realistic at this time of the year. After Tioga Pass opens, no problem. And, there is no Trans-Sierra route south of Tioga unless you head WAY South.

TravelingMan76

I second tomfuller's suggestion. At this time of the year, the Mother Lode country should still be green; very pretty drive

elnap29

We're still having lots of rain in California, so that means a lot of snow in the Sierras.

mlgb

Note that you will probably have to carry chains in order to go to Yosemite Valley. Are you prepared for that? You may need to purchase them on arrival.

If you have to drop Yosemite for weather related conditions don't forget that Death Valley is in California. You find that a drive down to Bakersfield and across is the best route this time of year.

janisj

Sorry - but taking 49 to 50 to 395 south from Carson City and then turning around and taking 395 back north to Reno and 80 west is about the most convoluted mish mash I've seen on here.

Sort of like going from London to Bath by way of Canterbury.

I would unfortunately forget about 395, Mammoth, and Tahoe. We are having a very wet season this year (which is a great thing drought-wise but not so great for visitors) There has been one storm after another -- just yesterday there was a massive wreck on I-80 due to snow and icy conditions, 45 cars/trucks were involved, 1 fatality, 20 moderate to major injuries, and the road was closed for several hours.

Right now it is blowing gale force and there it is white out conditions over the summit. Next week could be better -- or not. The storm door is definitely open. My rubbish bins just blew three doors down the street -- and they are BIG suckers . . .

Yosemite Valley is not as high elevation as Tahoe and it might be just fine - but you'd need to carry chains and most rental cars do not allow chains.

I was in Yosemite at this exact time last year and it was glorious. This is one of the few times of year that Yosemite doesn't book totally solid. So you could wait until you get to SF and see what the conditions are and then book a room at Yosemite Lodge or in El Portal.

As plan A, I'd do SF, Napa/Sonoma (though some of the rivers in that area are flowing at high levels - no flooding yet that I've heard of) and Monterey/Carmel. The hwy 1 closure is far enough south that you could still get to some beaches/parks.

Then IF the weather cooperates - Plan B could substitute Yosemite for Monterey/Carmel. Just be sure that any place you book has a reasonable cancellation policy.

Parrothead

I agree with janisj's Plan A/Plan B concept based on the actual weather we will have for your 2 week window. No matter what, if you travel to Yosemite and are able to get weather clearance for Mammoth/395 you must carry chains and/or have a 4 wheel drive and be prepared for snow and road closures over the summits.

Given that, I think IF,IF,IF!! weather cooperates and you are coming so far to get here you should do the 395 piece of the trip you desire, especially since you have 6 nights...it is spectacular. If you exit Yosemite on 120, you could go north on 49 to 88 east to 395 south to Mammoth. Then head back, north on 395 towards your ultimate goal of SF taking either 50 or 80 west. You'll do some backtracking but, if open for passage, all of these routes are incredibly scenic; and with 6 days it's doable. If you take 50 you'll go through Lake Tahoe, if 80 you'll go through Truckee, both worth at least 1 night stop. This trip covers about 6 summits so you'll need some luck since we're experiencing a long wet winter. But it could change any time now. Caltrans posts up to the minute road conditions on www.dot.ca.gov but getting short term and 1-2 week forecasts takes more diligence to get the info you'll need.

jayjap

Thank you everybody. It seems unwise for us to attempt to access the 395, as we only have a standard rental car with no snow chains permitted.

In my naivety, I've already booked a cabin in Foresta in Yosemite. The owner told us that we wouldn't need snowchains to see the main low level sites in Yosemite next week. But it seems this was wrong. Any thoughts?

What's the best way to travel from Yosemite to the coast, if we do get lucky and manage to visit the NP? I have to say, I'm always a bit nervous on the right hand side, so quiet, straight roads are always appreciated!!

Finally, where exactly is Highway 1 closed (to and from)- Big Sur seems to be a fairly large area, and I need to plan a detour.

Thanks for all your help!

mlgb

SR120 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/sr120

FOR YOSEMITE NAT'L PARK ROAD INFORMATION CALL 209-372-0200

Big Sur is closed in several places today...never travel this route in a storm! The serious closure is at the Bixby Creek Bridge 12 m north of Big Sur State Park.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/sr1

mlgb

Here is the recommended detour

Travelers are advised to take inland Highway 101 to Highway 46 to access Big Sur from the south. That adds about 3 1/2 hours to the trip.



Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...#ixzz1H9tkIeX8

jayjap

Thank you for the advice mglb! That weblink was really useful. I think we will just have to be flexible depending on conditions etc.

Our plan for the fortnight is now:

-3 nights San Fran
-2 nights Sonoma
-3 nights flexible- Yosemite if weather permitting; otherwise 3 days around Carmel/ Monterey
-then drive south on 101
-1 night Paso Robles vineyard (Brits can't drive more than 4hrs!)-
-Following day- drive across on 46, then north up to Big Sur
-Spend 2 nights in Big Sur
- Return south for 1 night Cambria or San Luis Obispo
-2 nights spare (possibly Monterey if we went to Yosemite earlier)
-return for evening flight in San Fran

I've abandoned all plans of the 395, as we just dont have the equipment (or skill!) for the high Sierra with possible snow. We were considering Death Valley, but I think it is too far for a 2 week break.

Does this plan sound reasonable??

California has such a huge amount to offer- it's difficult to find a balance between seeing a fair amount, and not being overambitious!