halmow

I will have a 5 and 3 year old and a 4 month old baby. Grandparents are coming with us so we will have lots of help. We would like to do a road trip with lots of stops and fun between San Francisco to San Diego. Here's what I have. Too much? Are we missing something big or is there a better route?

I really need hotel recommendations too. We are trying to stay in a budget of $150 or less a night for a hotel if possible.

Day 1 Fly into San Francisco in the Morning
Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, China Town

Day 2 San Francisco
Alcatraz Tour ( Good with kids??) , Golden Gate Bridge

Day 3 Drive from San Francisco to Monterrey
Stop Big Basin Redwood State Park for a hike or two ( Short )
Then stop at Henry Cowell State Park and do the Roaring Camp Railroad train ride
Moss Landing

Day 4 Monterrey
Aquarium, Dennis the Menace Playground, Monterrey Peninsula Recreational Trail Walk

Day 5 Monterrey to Santa Barbara
Lots of stops along the way ( what shouldn't we miss ) 17 Mile Drive etc..

Day 6 Santa Barbara to Los Angeles
See the Pier and State Street
Beach Day ???

Day 7 Disneyland/ CA adventure ( Only need one day, went there last year for 4 days but can't bear to just pass it by haha )

Day 8 Los Angeles to Carlsbad
Beach Day ???

Day 9 Lego land then Drive to San Diego

Day 10 Mission Beach

Day 11 Sea World

Day 12 Fly Home

Patty

When is your trip? That can make a big difference in terms of hotel rates. I would skip Big Basin and just hike at Henry Cowell on Day 3. Skip 17 Mile Drive on Day 5 and visit Point Lobos, McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns, the Piedras Blancas elepant seal rookery on your way through Big Sur.

janisj

Just time for one quick comment -- Since you are going to Henry Cowell anyway I wouldn't detour to Big Basin. Both parks are great but you don't need to do both and it is quite a detour in to Big Basin. You'll see lots of redwoods at Henry Cowell. And doing that will save you quite a bit of car time.

janisj

we were posting at the same time . . .

halmow

We are planning on going the first or second week of October 2017. Thanks for the help and advice! I really appreciate it!

MichelleY

I would skip Hwy 1 and the Big Sur portion with kids that small, particularly if anyone gets car sick. And perhaps skip Santa Barbara and use the time in the San Diego area. I also don't think Alcatraz would be appropriate with such small children. Either mom & dad go, or grandparents.

NewbE

I agree that Alcatraz, while a wonderful historic site, has little of interest for kids that small, and loads of stairs to boot. It would be a shame for all of the adults to miss it, but I just think hauling the kids through it would be a pain. OTH, they might enjoy the boat ride to and fro--maybe just do a Bay cruise?

I also agree that 17 Mile Drive isn't all that--skip it. If weather permits, tide pooling on Asilomar beach is fun for littles. If that's too windy, the beach in Carmel is flatter and more protected--not for swimming, of course, but just for walking and fooling around in the sand. Point Lobos (in Carmel) has easy trails and the kids can see otters in the kelp forests. (Although they will see them at the Aquarium, too, and close up.)

Monterey has one "s", by the way.

sf7307

Ha ha - I believe NewbE means there's one "r" in Monterey! Monterrey with two r's is in Mexico.

NewbE

Ha, yes! Thanks, that was clear as mud, lol.

jamie99

It is too early for 2017 info to be up yet, but October in San Diego is normally Kids Stay Free month where young kids get free admission to attractions like Legoland, the Zoo and many other places as well as discounts on meals and lodging.
$150 is a pretty low budget for hotels in larger cities and with that many people you will need two rooms. LA for example has a nightly 15% room tax on top of posted rates. Anaheim I believe is 17%.

AustinTraveler

Monterey to Santa Barbara with lots of stops along the way is going to be one LONG day. Definitely skip 17-Mile Drive and get an early start if you want to get to SB at a decent hour. It's doubtful you will find a hotel for $150 in SB, especially in October. That is a very popular month for tourists. Also, try and time your drive from Monterey to SB on a week day. It gets really busy during the weekend.

Patty

There are motels along Munras/Abrego in Monterey that will be within that budget if you stay midweek. Also look at places in nearby Pacific Grove.

november_moon

I agree with skipping Big Basin (detour and redundant) and 17 mile Drive (residential neighborhood with famous golf courses). Henry Cowell and Roaring Camp are great though, and will give you plenty of time in the redwoods. Definitely include Point Lobos. Lovers Point in Pacific Grove has a nice sheltered beach that is fun with kids, so if you want to play in the water, this is a good spot.

The drive through Big Sur is iffy with kids - as mentioned. Lots of twists and turns, lots of time in the car.

nanabee

Sounds like a good plan.

As far as San Diego I would recommend La Jolla Shores over Mission Beach (but that -MB - is still a fun beach - it is more geared to college age kids with more bars, etc).

La Jolla Shores is a very small community (within the larger La Jolla town) and is quieter. The beach has a large park with room to run and play on the grass and equipment. The town has tons of kayak, surf, snorkel and dive shops that take people out for ocean adventures.

https://www.lajollakayak.com/

https://bikeandkayaktours.com/snorke...orkeling-tour/

These are just two examples but there are many others that are all equally good.

nanabee

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Di...nderwater_Park

This explains a little more about the La Jolla Shores/Cove which is an ecological reserve as well. There are caves (you can explore with guides) and at the Cove you can see and swim with the sea lions and take a snorkel and mask and you can see many reef fish just a few feet into the water.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Jolla_Cove

The La Jolla Shores and The Cove are all part of the same area. But to access each beach you have to get directions from someone in the area, or GPS!