hetismij2

So we have decided, October will be spent in California. That much (barring unforeseen catastrophes) is certain. We will have probably 26 days, not including arriving and departure days, but could probably manage a day or two more if we have to.
Two fixed places to visit are Pasadena and Fallbrook to see friends. Beginning, end or middle of the trip doesn't matter.

I would like to spend more time in Northern California this trip, but I know having to drive down south limits what I can see on my wishlist.

The wish list includes the Northern California coast, coastal redwoods, Lassen NP, Yosemite (since we have never been!!!) and Death Valley (again, never been). Ideally we'd like to drive over Tioga pass, and see Mono Lake (and maybe even Lake Tahoe) but realise that is very weather dependant. Joshua Tree NP would be a nice bonus. I love the desert you see.
Neither of us are that bothered about Napa valley. PCH between LA and SF would be nice, but other things are probably more important to us. We have spent plenty of time in Los Angeles and surrounds before, but only a couple of days in San Francisco way back in 1980. Though I am not a city person I guess a couple more days there would be nice.

We want to fly in and out of the same airport, either SFO or LAX depending on where we can get the cheapest flights, and how we work out our rough plan.

So Californians, and California experts, can we realistically do all this? We are happy driving long days occasionally, but also want to spend time "smelling the roses". What would you cross off the list to make it work, (apart of course from those two SoCal outliers)?

suze

I grew up in California (love that state!) but am no expert. But it sure sounds to me like what you want to see and do is perfectly reasonable for almost a month's time.

happytrailstoyou

A month is enough time for this.

If you get to Mono Lake, you might enjoy visiting nearby Bodie--one of the best preserved ghost towns: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=509

Also, if you like deserts, drive between Death Valley and Joshua Tree across the Mohave. It can be quite a beautiful drive when the light is right.

HGTtY

utahtea

I think you should be able to do your wish list in 26 days.

Make Lassen either first or near the beginning because road access can be limited in the winter months. They recommend checking road conditions as early as October!

Make Death Valley as late in the month as you can to avoid the heat.

Tioga Pass will most likely be open and the fall color will be noticeable in the mountains and especially on Hwy 395.

I would suggest a circle tour. SF, Lassen, work your way over to Hwy 395 and then south to Reno and there are a couple routes to Lake Tahoe. From S. Lake Tahoe continue down Hwy 395 to Mono Lake and check out the ghost down of Bodie State Historical Park before Mono Lake. Take Tioga Pass in to Yosemite and then back out to continue down Hwy 395 to Death Valley. There are several ways to make it down to Joshua Trees. If you decide that you're itinerary is to rushed...Joshua Trees is where I'd make any cuts. If you do cut Joshua Trees then spend more time in Death Valley. Work your way over to the coast and return to SF.

Utahtea

seetheworld

Good for You!!!

tomfuller

Since you want to see Death Valley you could fly to Las Vegas and go from there. The rental cars are a bit cheaper as well. Go in from Parumph.
Lassen and Joshua Tree are my least favorite California National Parks. If you skip one of them, try to extend the trip north to Crater Lake.

Gardyloo

Given the time of year, I'd start in San Francisco and work north along the coast before heading inland. You want to be done with the north coast before the rains arrive. Tomfuller's idea of extending the trip briefly into Oregon - south coast as far north as Bandon, then across to Crater Lake - is a good idea; it would add a couple of exceptionally scenic days. If it meant missing Lassen, so be it; the southernmost 100km of the Oregon coast are a world treasure IMO.

The north shore of Lake Tahoe is okay; the south shore is full of casinos and not especially attractive. Frankly, if you can visit Crater Lake, Tahoe would also be expendable in my view.

However, I would strongly suggest that after Tahoe (if you go) that you return to the west side of the Sierras and follow California Hwy 49 (aka the "Golden Chain Highway") south to Mariposa before going into Yosemite. SR 49 travels the length of the Gold Rush country, a string of picturesque and historic towns, some of them verging on ghost town status, separated by some of the most beautiful and iconic California landscapes you'll see. In the autumn this is an incredibly rewarding drive - quaint old hotels, terrific new wineries appearing, changing leaves and rushing streams... it's an area too often overlooked by visitors, but I promise you will enjoy a day or two spent exploring the many side roads, little valleys, tiny towns like Murphys or Volcano, Mokelumne Hill and the museum town of Columbia... it's really a magical part of the state. Read some Mark Twain before visiting.

http://gardyloo.us/20120611_21a.JPG
http://gardyloo.us/20120611_63a.JPG

Regarding Joshua Tree NP, it's an easy day visit from Palm Springs, which is a way less cheesy place than many think - lots of terrific ring-a-ding-ding mid-century architecture, numerous very comfortable and surprisingly affordable boutique hotels, great shops and restaurants. You can have breakfast at Sherman's Deli (OMG), go burn off the latkes in Joshua Tree, seeing some of the amazing landscapes and cacti, then cool off with a date milkshake in Indio, and be back in the pool listening to Sinatra before the long desert sunset has faded.

Andalusian Court Hotel, Palm Springs. (Lucielle Ball and Desi Arnaz stayed in the room at top right.) http://gardyloo.us/20110206_18a.JPG

Joshua Tree, 90 min. away - http://gardyloo.us/20110205_56a.JPG

Shanti

October is my favorite month in northern California. The weather is gorgeous. And you should get some nice fall colors

I'll just second the good advise from above. Start north and work your way south. Twenty-six days is a nice amount of time, but there are so many beautiful places to visit in California. And if you add in Oregon, well, you will have to pick and choose.

One possible scenario: Fly into San Francisco and visit for a couple days. Make your way up the coast to Redwood National and State Parks. Possible stops along the way include Point Reyes National Seashore, Mendocino (and the nearby botanical gardens and there's an interesting pgymy forest that's a short hike), Humboldt Redwoods State Park (actually, there's quite a few nice state parks along this coast).

You could drive up to see a bit of the Oregon coast and then head towards Crater Lake, if you like and have the time. Then head south to visit Lassen National Park. And, if you have time, you could stop by McArthur-Burney Falls on the way there. Plumas County is very pretty and the trees should be turning color that month so you'd have a pretty drive south afterwards.

I'm not that big on Lake Tahoe. It's too developed for my taste. If you're interested in mining, you could stop by Empire Mine State Park while you're in the area. Then head down to Yosemite. You could take 88 or 4 to the western side of the Sierra Nevada if you're ok with narrow, steep, and windy roads. In addition to the places that Gardyloo mentioned, I would add Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Nice hikes through sequoia and nothing near as crowded as the sequoia in Yosemite.

Then visit Yosemite Valley and make sure to go up to the Glacier Point area. Definitely visit along Tioga Road in the high country and on your way out you could make a detour a bit north to see Bodie as well as visiting Mono Lake. Then drive south along 395. This also will be an area with great fall colors on the trees. I haven't been to Death Valley yet so can't help with that part of your trip.

Or, if you don't have enough time for all of the above, I'd recommend dropping the trip north to Redwoods National Park, as wonderful as it is. There are some nice redwoods state parks fairly close to San Francisco that you could visit instead (e.g. Henry Cowell State Park).

Happy planning! It'll be a great trip.

ziggypop

Are you planning on bringing home another souvenir?

hetismij2

Thanks everyone, great advice as always.
DH added Tahoe to the wish list, I'll see how keen he really is on it.
Car hire for us is the same price all down the west coast and in Las Vegas, whilst flights to Vegas are more expensive, hence the decision not to fly in there.
Ziggy, no more souvenirs, that one was enough.

hetismij2

Another question. How big a deal is Columbus Day? Does California observe it? I am getting conflicting info on that online.
If it is a holiday do lots of people take advantage of the long weekend?

MichelleY

Columbus Day is not a big deal generally in California.

You have a lot of great info to use. My 2 ¢'s: fly in/out of LA. Head up the coast, taking in Santa Barbara, Big Sur Coast, Monterey Bay, Cowell Redwoods, SF. Then head over to Lake Tahoe, down 395 to the high desert on the eastern side of the Sierra and over to Yosemite on Tioga pass. Then loop back over to Death Valley and So. California to visit friends and finish up your trip.

Momddtravel2

I don't think Columbus day is too big of a deal at all... if you are passing through O.C. I would love to see you Have a GREAT trip!!!

hetismij2

I'd love that too, Dawn. When we've thought things through some more I'll get back to you on that.
I hope you're enjoying being back home in SoCal.

Momddtravel2

heti - very much so! Would welcome you to the S. Cal coast

I completely understand ebbing and flowing of plans etc but it works out would love to see you.
Warmly,
Dawn