First Trip to California with Family of 6
Jan 22nd, 2015, 07:51 AM
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First Trip to California with Family of 6
Hi!
I am attempting to plan a trip to California in late July. I have a tentative schedules, but I am looking for feedback specifically regarding places I might be missing, not staying long enough or staying too long, maybe visiting places that would be better on another trip. Planning a trip to CA is daunting! Any tips/suggestions are appreciated.
I will be traveling with my husband and 4 children ages 19, 15, 9 and 5 (the only boy).
Plan for now is to:
Day 1: Arrive in San Francisco on a Thursday. Stay there for night to rest.
Day 2: Get up early and drive to Yosemite. Check in to a place (suggestions that are cheap(er). We don't anything fancy, but there are 6 of us!
Day 3: All day in Yosemite and stay the night again.
Day 4: Leave Yosemite and head to King's Canyon/Sequoia. Check in to a place and stay night.
Day 5: Leave KCNP and drive to Hearst Castle (don't have to go, wasn't sure what to add). Tour Hearst and then drive to Monterey area. Check in to a place (suggestions for large family?)
Day 6: Monterey area (aquarium??) and stay the night.
Day 7: Drive up coast, making stops along way (Big Sur) heading to San Francisco. Find place to stay in SF (but where?? so huge.)
Day 8, 9, 10: we have this time to visi SF, but I am not sure we need all of this time there Maybe it would be better spent doing something else??
Day 11: Fly out of SF
I am attempting to plan a trip to California in late July. I have a tentative schedules, but I am looking for feedback specifically regarding places I might be missing, not staying long enough or staying too long, maybe visiting places that would be better on another trip. Planning a trip to CA is daunting! Any tips/suggestions are appreciated.
I will be traveling with my husband and 4 children ages 19, 15, 9 and 5 (the only boy).
Plan for now is to:
Day 1: Arrive in San Francisco on a Thursday. Stay there for night to rest.
Day 2: Get up early and drive to Yosemite. Check in to a place (suggestions that are cheap(er). We don't anything fancy, but there are 6 of us!
Day 3: All day in Yosemite and stay the night again.
Day 4: Leave Yosemite and head to King's Canyon/Sequoia. Check in to a place and stay night.
Day 5: Leave KCNP and drive to Hearst Castle (don't have to go, wasn't sure what to add). Tour Hearst and then drive to Monterey area. Check in to a place (suggestions for large family?)
Day 6: Monterey area (aquarium??) and stay the night.
Day 7: Drive up coast, making stops along way (Big Sur) heading to San Francisco. Find place to stay in SF (but where?? so huge.)
Day 8, 9, 10: we have this time to visi SF, but I am not sure we need all of this time there Maybe it would be better spent doing something else??
Day 11: Fly out of SF
Jan 22nd, 2015, 08:25 AM
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For Yosemite - July is high season, so lodging will be in short supply. For a large family on a budget, here are my suggestions:
Yosemite Valley: Curry Village tent cabins - you may have to rent 2, but this will put you right in the valley to maximize your time.
Yosemite West: This is a neighborhood of privately-owned vacation rentals - it isn't technically in the park, but you access it from inside the park, and it isn't far from Yosemite Valley. You could rent a house large enough for everyone.
El Portal or Mariposa: Both of these towns are outside the park on Hwy 140. There are motels in each of these towns, which may work for you.
For the CA coast portion, as sf7307 mentioned, you have your itinerary slightly out of order. I would do something like this:
Day 5: Drive from Sequoia to central coast - stay in Cambria, Morro Bay, or Pismo Beach. Your kids would probably like Pismo Beach the best - it is a classic CA beach town with a wide, sandy beach, a commercial area right off the beach with small shops and casual restaurants - classic CA beach town. The drive will take about 4 hours, so I would drive in the morning and then spend the afternoon hanging around the town and the beach. They also have dune buggy rides on the sand dunes just south of Pismo Beach.
Day 6: Drive up the coast through Big Sur to Monterey. Plan on about 4 hours of driving - even though the distance isn't long, once you get north of Cambria, this is a curvy road, so you'll probably average about 35mph. You'll also want to stop and see the sights, have lunch (I recommend packing a picnic), maybe hike around a bit. If you want to see Hearst Castle, this would be the day to do it - it is just north of Cambria at San Simeon. Overnight in Monterey.
Day 7: Spend the morning and most of the afternoon in Monterey - see the aquarium and other sites, then drive up to SF later in the day.
For SF itself, I think 3 days is great - I wouldn't reduce that at all. There is plenty to see and 3 days will allow you guys to relax and not rush to see everything. There are some motels in the Cow Hollow neighborhood that people recommend for families on a budget - larger rooms, better prices than downtown, good access to public transit.
It would be nice if you had another day on the coast between Pismo Beach and SF - then you could spend a full day in Monterey and maybe see Santa Cruz on the way to SF - Santa Cruz is a neat town and usually a big hit with kids. The beaches are wide and sandy, there is a historic seaside amusement park, strong surfing culture, eclectic downtown.
Depending on the interests of your family (ocean vs. mountains), you could skip Sequoia NP and head straight for the coast from Yosemite, which would give you that extra day. Sequoia is a great park though, so either option is good - just a matter of how you want to organize your time.
Yosemite Valley: Curry Village tent cabins - you may have to rent 2, but this will put you right in the valley to maximize your time.
Yosemite West: This is a neighborhood of privately-owned vacation rentals - it isn't technically in the park, but you access it from inside the park, and it isn't far from Yosemite Valley. You could rent a house large enough for everyone.
El Portal or Mariposa: Both of these towns are outside the park on Hwy 140. There are motels in each of these towns, which may work for you.
For the CA coast portion, as sf7307 mentioned, you have your itinerary slightly out of order. I would do something like this:
Day 5: Drive from Sequoia to central coast - stay in Cambria, Morro Bay, or Pismo Beach. Your kids would probably like Pismo Beach the best - it is a classic CA beach town with a wide, sandy beach, a commercial area right off the beach with small shops and casual restaurants - classic CA beach town. The drive will take about 4 hours, so I would drive in the morning and then spend the afternoon hanging around the town and the beach. They also have dune buggy rides on the sand dunes just south of Pismo Beach.
Day 6: Drive up the coast through Big Sur to Monterey. Plan on about 4 hours of driving - even though the distance isn't long, once you get north of Cambria, this is a curvy road, so you'll probably average about 35mph. You'll also want to stop and see the sights, have lunch (I recommend packing a picnic), maybe hike around a bit. If you want to see Hearst Castle, this would be the day to do it - it is just north of Cambria at San Simeon. Overnight in Monterey.
Day 7: Spend the morning and most of the afternoon in Monterey - see the aquarium and other sites, then drive up to SF later in the day.
For SF itself, I think 3 days is great - I wouldn't reduce that at all. There is plenty to see and 3 days will allow you guys to relax and not rush to see everything. There are some motels in the Cow Hollow neighborhood that people recommend for families on a budget - larger rooms, better prices than downtown, good access to public transit.
It would be nice if you had another day on the coast between Pismo Beach and SF - then you could spend a full day in Monterey and maybe see Santa Cruz on the way to SF - Santa Cruz is a neat town and usually a big hit with kids. The beaches are wide and sandy, there is a historic seaside amusement park, strong surfing culture, eclectic downtown.
Depending on the interests of your family (ocean vs. mountains), you could skip Sequoia NP and head straight for the coast from Yosemite, which would give you that extra day. Sequoia is a great park though, so either option is good - just a matter of how you want to organize your time.
Jan 22nd, 2015, 08:37 AM
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FYI for planning purposes admission to a tour of Hearst Castle is going to run you about $124 for the six of you and admission for the Monterey Bay aquarium is going to run around $180. I don't know what your budget is but if it is tight I would skip Hearst in favor of the Monterey Bay aquarium.
! And very helpful. Thank you!
Jan 22nd, 2015, 09:21 AM
#7
Definitely check Yosemite West . . . and do it NOW since you will be in the highest of high seasons.
Yosemite West is privately owned homes and condos - won't be 'cheap' but likely the cheapest you will find both large enough for your family AND convenient to Yosemite Valley. You do NOT want to stay farther out than El Portal because you'll waste an hour or more just driving to/from Yosemite Valley. So in order 1) in Yosemite Valley (Curry Village), 2) Yosemite West, 3) El Potral.
I agree w/ everything in November_moon's post. I'd seriously consider dropping Sequoia/King Canyon. Not that they aren't terrific - they are. But you aren't giving them much time and that is a lot of extra driving. I'd add that day to the coast because you really need more time for San Simeon/Big Sur/Carmel/the Aquarium etc.
Driving from Yosemite Valley to Sequoia National Park takes more than 3 hours.
Yosemite West is privately owned homes and condos - won't be 'cheap' but likely the cheapest you will find both large enough for your family AND convenient to Yosemite Valley. You do NOT want to stay farther out than El Portal because you'll waste an hour or more just driving to/from Yosemite Valley. So in order 1) in Yosemite Valley (Curry Village), 2) Yosemite West, 3) El Potral.
I agree w/ everything in November_moon's post. I'd seriously consider dropping Sequoia/King Canyon. Not that they aren't terrific - they are. But you aren't giving them much time and that is a lot of extra driving. I'd add that day to the coast because you really need more time for San Simeon/Big Sur/Carmel/the Aquarium etc.
Driving from Yosemite Valley to Sequoia National Park takes more than 3 hours.
Jan 22nd, 2015, 09:33 AM
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If I had been born in KY, I would have been a 6th-8th generation Kentuckian. However, I was born in San Francisco.
My cousin from Denmark (not the KY side of the family) is visiting the US for the first time with his 8 year old daughter. We'll drive them around for 2 days to visit the sites you can't get to easily without a car. Then we'll put them on BART to explore SF by foot. This is what I planned for them on the "on your own" walking day.
Walking tour of downtown San Francisco
I've planned a "suggested" walking/visiting itinerary for you. The suggested walking routes are marked in "red" on the map of downtown San Francisco that I will give to you. We will get you started on the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) commuter train into downtown San Francisco. If you do not complete this entire walk on this day - you can continue it on another day.
1. We will drive you to our local Millbrae BART station & show you how to use your BART ticket - which we will have for you. We'll pick you up after your "walk”, at the same place where we let you out of our car to get on BART. The BART train only goes in one direction - so get on it as soon as it arrives.
2. Get off BART at the Powell Street Station. See "A" on the map. The Powell station is one stop after the Civic Center station. If you miss the Powell stop - get of at the next station - which will be Montgomery St, and walk back to the Powell Station (see the map).
3. Your first site will be the huge Westfield Shopping Center. See "B" on the map. http://www.westfield.com/sanfrancisco/ . It opens at 10:00. BART is underground, but I think there is an exit to the Westfield/Nordstroms from the underground BART station. If not, emerge from the BART station and look for the Westfield Building. There is a sign above the entrance doorways. Stand on Market Street - which is the extra-wide street with trolley tracks and many buses running down the street. Stand with your back to the Cable Car turnaround (you'll see it easily) and look to your left all the way down Market St and you should see the giant Ferry Building with the clocktower at the far east end of Market St. The Westfield Center should then be just in front of you on Market St. It is easy to spot.
4. Exit the Westfield Center at the Market St Exit. There is also an exit on 5th St. Market has more bus/trolley traffic than 5th, & Market is also a wider Street. Follow the map and walk one block to your right (east - towards the Ferry Bldg), and at 4th St, cross Market St to Stockton St. Proceed straight (north) on Stockton (passing Macys department store) to Union Square.
5. Wander around in the Union Square area. Follow the suggested walking itinerary indicated on the map. Don't go past the yellow line I put on the map. Visit Macy's. Your father purchased some pearl earrings (or a necklace) for your mother at Macys.
6. Leave the Union Square area before 12:00 noon. You'll be back in this area later in the day. So if you did not see enough of the Union Square area - you'll have another chance to do so.
7. Follow the route east on Bush St (which I have indicated on the map). You are now headed to the Financial District. At Grant street, turn left and walk 2 blocks to California Street, turn right on California St. and walk 2 full blocks to Battery Street. Turn left on Battery St and walk 1 1/2 blocks to the Embarcadero Center ("C" on the map). The Embarcadero Center is a set of 4 similarly styled buildings over 4 different blocks. They are tall and flat buildings. Turn right into Embarcadero One to the middle of the commercial center of the street level floor. Lots of shops. Find the escalator going up - and ride up as far as you can go. Find the "skyway" walkway/bridge (indicated on the map) and walk two levels above the street through Embarcadero Two, Three, and Four.
8. On the upper pedestrian shopping level at the extreme east end of Embarcadero Four, you can look down on Justin Herman Plaza ("D"). This is a large open area and will be quite active at lunchtime with all the office workers wandering around and eating lunch outside - if the weather is nice. Walk down the stairs to the Plaza. There are many different places to purchase lunch and eat it on the plaza while you "people watch". Lunch on this plaza is quite fun - this is why I suggested leaving the Union Square area by 12:00. When I took Ellinore to this plaza many years ago, there was as "Country Band" playing.
9. Walk to the right towards Market Street and you'll find lots of sidewalk vendors. Then go visit the Ferry Building ("E" on the map). There are many good views of the San Francisco Bay from the piers behind the Ferry Building.
10. After 1-2 hrs exploring the Justin Herman Plaza and Ferry Building, follow the walking route I indicated on the map and proceed west on Washington Street. After 1 block on Washington, turn right on Drumm, then left on Jackson. You will now visit the Gold Rush era Jackson Street Historic District. See the description in the "supplement". Turn left on Jackson and proceed west. Walk down & back on Hotaling and also Balance and Gold. After leaving the Historic District at Montgomery, continue east on Jackson for two full blocks to Grant Street.
11. Turn left on Grant and you will be in the "tourist" area of Chinatown. Continue south along Grant to Sacramento, turn right on Sacramento, then on the next full block turn right (north) onto Stockton. Stockton Street is the "Chinese" area of Chinatown. This is where the Chinese spend their time shopping. Walk through a few of the groceries and meat/fish markets. Unusual smells. It really doesn't matter which side of the street you walk on. Continue along Stockton until Broadway.
12. Turn right on Broadway and then left onto the diagonal Columbus Av. You are now in North Beach or Little Italy. Walk northwest on Columbus as far as Filbert, then walk back on the other side of the street to Vallejo Street. This is an interesting area to wander in. Have an Ice Cream at one of the many shops. When you have returned to Vallejo St (after walking down and back on Columbus), turn left and walk north on Grant St as far as Filbert St. This is an interesting street. Explore some of the side streets too.
13. Now follow the route I have indicated in red on the map along Filbert to Kearny to Union to Montgomery to Vallejo to Davis to Broadway to the beautiful Embarcadero. Cross Embarcadero and walk to the "public access and "fishing pier" ("F") for some interesting views of the Bay - Alcatraz to your left and Angel Island/Yerba Buena Island with the Bay Bridge to your right.
14. Return to the Embarcadero and walk northwest to the touristy Pier 39 ("G") and Fisherman's Wharf area ("H"). There are lots of shops on Pier 39 that the tourists seem to like. Walk to the Ferry Terminal (see the map) and try to find the seals lounging on the piers. Continue on to Fisherman's Wharf.
15. Fisherman's Wharf is a popular tourist attraction - but the "locals" don't go there. It has some interesting stuff for kids (your daughter might like it) but "seasoned" travelers find it schlocky (this last word may not translate into Danish) and full of overpriced trinkets & food. The architecture of the Cannery and Ghirardelli Square is interesting. Two attractions that we like at Pier 45 are the Musee Mechanic, and the Jeremiah O'Brien Liberty Ship that was used in World War II. The Musee Mechanic won't take much time to visit, and as long as you don't put a quarter in the machines - it can be free.
http://museemecaniquesf.com/
The Jeremiah O Brien is fascination - if you like ships and history. The engine room was uses in the movie "Titanic". The cost of a visit is $18 for you and your daughter, and takes about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs.
http://www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/ See "I" on the map.
16. The Cable Cars are a treat. Even after over 50 years of riding them - we still get a thrill. The best Cable Car run goes from Fisherman's Wharf back to Union Square. This is another reason to visit Fisherman's Wharf. The fare is $5 per person. You board the cars at the turn-around (marked "J" on the map). Purchase your tickets ahead of time. Make sure you get on the left/east side of the car for the best views. After buying your tickets and standing in line, wait until the car is turned around and board the left side of the car - I think this is the side opposite the waiting line. If the left/east side of the car is already occupied, either speak your best Danish/broken English and hold your daughter's hand (to get sympathy), or get back in line and wait for the next car to depart.
17. Ride the cable car back to Union Square. Now visit anything you did not visit this morning. After you have "seen everything" in the Union Square area, walk into the Westin Hotel ("K") - which is on the west side of Union Square. Find the elevators and take them up as far as you can go. The elevators have glass windows and you can see out over Union Square, downtown, the Financial District, Bay Bridge, etc. The view is towards the east, and is not good in the morning when the sun will be in your face. That's why I have you going there as the last part of your trip into Downtown San Francisco.
END OF WALK
Here are some other ideas of what to do in the San Francisco area.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm
Stu Dudley
My cousin from Denmark (not the KY side of the family) is visiting the US for the first time with his 8 year old daughter. We'll drive them around for 2 days to visit the sites you can't get to easily without a car. Then we'll put them on BART to explore SF by foot. This is what I planned for them on the "on your own" walking day.
Walking tour of downtown San Francisco
I've planned a "suggested" walking/visiting itinerary for you. The suggested walking routes are marked in "red" on the map of downtown San Francisco that I will give to you. We will get you started on the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) commuter train into downtown San Francisco. If you do not complete this entire walk on this day - you can continue it on another day.
1. We will drive you to our local Millbrae BART station & show you how to use your BART ticket - which we will have for you. We'll pick you up after your "walk”, at the same place where we let you out of our car to get on BART. The BART train only goes in one direction - so get on it as soon as it arrives.
2. Get off BART at the Powell Street Station. See "A" on the map. The Powell station is one stop after the Civic Center station. If you miss the Powell stop - get of at the next station - which will be Montgomery St, and walk back to the Powell Station (see the map).
3. Your first site will be the huge Westfield Shopping Center. See "B" on the map. http://www.westfield.com/sanfrancisco/ . It opens at 10:00. BART is underground, but I think there is an exit to the Westfield/Nordstroms from the underground BART station. If not, emerge from the BART station and look for the Westfield Building. There is a sign above the entrance doorways. Stand on Market Street - which is the extra-wide street with trolley tracks and many buses running down the street. Stand with your back to the Cable Car turnaround (you'll see it easily) and look to your left all the way down Market St and you should see the giant Ferry Building with the clocktower at the far east end of Market St. The Westfield Center should then be just in front of you on Market St. It is easy to spot.
4. Exit the Westfield Center at the Market St Exit. There is also an exit on 5th St. Market has more bus/trolley traffic than 5th, & Market is also a wider Street. Follow the map and walk one block to your right (east - towards the Ferry Bldg), and at 4th St, cross Market St to Stockton St. Proceed straight (north) on Stockton (passing Macys department store) to Union Square.
5. Wander around in the Union Square area. Follow the suggested walking itinerary indicated on the map. Don't go past the yellow line I put on the map. Visit Macy's. Your father purchased some pearl earrings (or a necklace) for your mother at Macys.
6. Leave the Union Square area before 12:00 noon. You'll be back in this area later in the day. So if you did not see enough of the Union Square area - you'll have another chance to do so.
7. Follow the route east on Bush St (which I have indicated on the map). You are now headed to the Financial District. At Grant street, turn left and walk 2 blocks to California Street, turn right on California St. and walk 2 full blocks to Battery Street. Turn left on Battery St and walk 1 1/2 blocks to the Embarcadero Center ("C" on the map). The Embarcadero Center is a set of 4 similarly styled buildings over 4 different blocks. They are tall and flat buildings. Turn right into Embarcadero One to the middle of the commercial center of the street level floor. Lots of shops. Find the escalator going up - and ride up as far as you can go. Find the "skyway" walkway/bridge (indicated on the map) and walk two levels above the street through Embarcadero Two, Three, and Four.
8. On the upper pedestrian shopping level at the extreme east end of Embarcadero Four, you can look down on Justin Herman Plaza ("D"). This is a large open area and will be quite active at lunchtime with all the office workers wandering around and eating lunch outside - if the weather is nice. Walk down the stairs to the Plaza. There are many different places to purchase lunch and eat it on the plaza while you "people watch". Lunch on this plaza is quite fun - this is why I suggested leaving the Union Square area by 12:00. When I took Ellinore to this plaza many years ago, there was as "Country Band" playing.
9. Walk to the right towards Market Street and you'll find lots of sidewalk vendors. Then go visit the Ferry Building ("E" on the map). There are many good views of the San Francisco Bay from the piers behind the Ferry Building.
10. After 1-2 hrs exploring the Justin Herman Plaza and Ferry Building, follow the walking route I indicated on the map and proceed west on Washington Street. After 1 block on Washington, turn right on Drumm, then left on Jackson. You will now visit the Gold Rush era Jackson Street Historic District. See the description in the "supplement". Turn left on Jackson and proceed west. Walk down & back on Hotaling and also Balance and Gold. After leaving the Historic District at Montgomery, continue east on Jackson for two full blocks to Grant Street.
11. Turn left on Grant and you will be in the "tourist" area of Chinatown. Continue south along Grant to Sacramento, turn right on Sacramento, then on the next full block turn right (north) onto Stockton. Stockton Street is the "Chinese" area of Chinatown. This is where the Chinese spend their time shopping. Walk through a few of the groceries and meat/fish markets. Unusual smells. It really doesn't matter which side of the street you walk on. Continue along Stockton until Broadway.
12. Turn right on Broadway and then left onto the diagonal Columbus Av. You are now in North Beach or Little Italy. Walk northwest on Columbus as far as Filbert, then walk back on the other side of the street to Vallejo Street. This is an interesting area to wander in. Have an Ice Cream at one of the many shops. When you have returned to Vallejo St (after walking down and back on Columbus), turn left and walk north on Grant St as far as Filbert St. This is an interesting street. Explore some of the side streets too.
13. Now follow the route I have indicated in red on the map along Filbert to Kearny to Union to Montgomery to Vallejo to Davis to Broadway to the beautiful Embarcadero. Cross Embarcadero and walk to the "public access and "fishing pier" ("F") for some interesting views of the Bay - Alcatraz to your left and Angel Island/Yerba Buena Island with the Bay Bridge to your right.
14. Return to the Embarcadero and walk northwest to the touristy Pier 39 ("G") and Fisherman's Wharf area ("H"). There are lots of shops on Pier 39 that the tourists seem to like. Walk to the Ferry Terminal (see the map) and try to find the seals lounging on the piers. Continue on to Fisherman's Wharf.
15. Fisherman's Wharf is a popular tourist attraction - but the "locals" don't go there. It has some interesting stuff for kids (your daughter might like it) but "seasoned" travelers find it schlocky (this last word may not translate into Danish) and full of overpriced trinkets & food. The architecture of the Cannery and Ghirardelli Square is interesting. Two attractions that we like at Pier 45 are the Musee Mechanic, and the Jeremiah O'Brien Liberty Ship that was used in World War II. The Musee Mechanic won't take much time to visit, and as long as you don't put a quarter in the machines - it can be free.
http://museemecaniquesf.com/
The Jeremiah O Brien is fascination - if you like ships and history. The engine room was uses in the movie "Titanic". The cost of a visit is $18 for you and your daughter, and takes about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs.
http://www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/ See "I" on the map.
16. The Cable Cars are a treat. Even after over 50 years of riding them - we still get a thrill. The best Cable Car run goes from Fisherman's Wharf back to Union Square. This is another reason to visit Fisherman's Wharf. The fare is $5 per person. You board the cars at the turn-around (marked "J" on the map). Purchase your tickets ahead of time. Make sure you get on the left/east side of the car for the best views. After buying your tickets and standing in line, wait until the car is turned around and board the left side of the car - I think this is the side opposite the waiting line. If the left/east side of the car is already occupied, either speak your best Danish/broken English and hold your daughter's hand (to get sympathy), or get back in line and wait for the next car to depart.
17. Ride the cable car back to Union Square. Now visit anything you did not visit this morning. After you have "seen everything" in the Union Square area, walk into the Westin Hotel ("K") - which is on the west side of Union Square. Find the elevators and take them up as far as you can go. The elevators have glass windows and you can see out over Union Square, downtown, the Financial District, Bay Bridge, etc. The view is towards the east, and is not good in the morning when the sun will be in your face. That's why I have you going there as the last part of your trip into Downtown San Francisco.
END OF WALK
Here are some other ideas of what to do in the San Francisco area.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm
Stu Dudley
Jan 22nd, 2015, 11:27 AM
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I agree that staying in the town of Mariposa is definitely the least-favorable choice. It is far from the park, but it is also the most likely to have budget lodging available. Depending on your overall budget, and considering the high prices for lodging in general, it is an option if you need to compromise location for budget.
Jan 22nd, 2015, 01:35 PM
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"It was 25 cents when we moved here."
Yes, but that was before we learned how to gouge the tourists without upsetting the locals. Love, MUNI which tried to do this with the F line before locals protested!!
Yes, but that was before we learned how to gouge the tourists without upsetting the locals. Love, MUNI which tried to do this with the F line before locals protested!!
Jan 22nd, 2015, 02:08 PM
#13
I didn't notice the mention of Mariposa. So I guess I agree w/ almost everything in november_moon's post. 
Mariposa id not at all convenient. Mariposa to Yosemite Village takes about 1 hour 20 mins each way
What IS your budget? We can tell you if it is realistic.
Mariposa id not at all convenient. Mariposa to Yosemite Village takes about 1 hour 20 mins each way
What IS your budget? We can tell you if it is realistic.
Jan 22nd, 2015, 04:08 PM
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You people are so amazing! I really can't thank you enough for this info. Well, this is as far as I have gotten, but I felt this was a priority-booked a few nights at Curry Village in July. I felt I better do it now! Anyone stay there before? We love camping and have camped in Yellowstone, Bryce, the Badlands and other places, so I definitely want the camp feel, but we can't haul our gear on a plane
.
Someone mentioned not visiting Sequoia National Park-I cannot imagine visiting CA and not seeing sequoias. Should I really skip that? Also, should I skip Hearst or is it worth it?
I am sure I will have more questions!
Oh, here is one-would I be better off renting from AirBNB or VRBO for three days in SanFran? I can't afford two hotels for the 6 of us. What are best areas? Or maybe-what areas do I avoid? Do I even need a car in SF?
.Someone mentioned not visiting Sequoia National Park-I cannot imagine visiting CA and not seeing sequoias. Should I really skip that? Also, should I skip Hearst or is it worth it?
I am sure I will have more questions!
Oh, here is one-would I be better off renting from AirBNB or VRBO for three days in SanFran? I can't afford two hotels for the 6 of us. What are best areas? Or maybe-what areas do I avoid? Do I even need a car in SF?
Jan 22nd, 2015, 04:51 PM
#16
Join Date: May 2003
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You don't need a car and in fact, it would be expensive to keep it. Ditch it and use public transit or walk; SF is a super walkable city.
I don't think you are better using aribnb or VRBO. They are both good, use your common sense, gut reaction, pictures, reviews etc
I don't think you are better using aribnb or VRBO. They are both good, use your common sense, gut reaction, pictures, reviews etc
Jan 22nd, 2015, 07:38 PM
#18
Keep the car for SF in case the family wants to head out to Muir Woods on afternoon, or Stinson Beach or Napa or.......
www.columbusmotorinn.com (rates include parking)
www.columbusmotorinn.com (rates include parking)
Jan 22nd, 2015, 07:47 PM
#19
Monterey also should be booked soon for July. El Castell Motel has one suite that sleeps 6, and is cancellable if you want to lock something in while you continue to think about it. The suite has 3 queen beds but only one bath...breakfast included. It's $220 per night but it's the lowest priced option on booking.com right now for late July.
Jan 22nd, 2015, 08:37 PM
#20
Join Date: Nov 2014
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I have a plan to explore the California after my lower oneonta falls trip. I need you help regarding hiking trail in California because I have no idea about it? Any suggestions please?
