Suggested itinerary for sightseeing with an elderly mom
Sep 8th, 2011, 09:17 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Suggested itinerary for sightseeing with an elderly mom
Hello, I've just moved to Alhambra, CA, and I'm new to California in general. My elderly mom and my sister are planning to visit and to do some sightseeing as well. We are all from outside the US, so we'd like to get a unique and memorable American experience. The main problem is that my mom has difficulty walking long distances, and therefore any sightseeing involving a lot of walking/climbing inclines is out of the question. I will be driving, so therefore can you guys suggest an itinerary for us? This is for a one-week-ish holiday. An ideal itinerary would involve a couple of days in the L.A. area, another couple in the Bay area, and maybe even a couple of days in a neighboring state. I HATE fighting traffic and trying to find parking, so please suggest "easy" driving trips (keep in mind Mom can't walk too much, so parking has to be readily available and close by).
I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. Thanks in advance!
I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Sep 8th, 2011, 09:50 PM
#2
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"(keep in mind Mom can't walk too much, so parking has to be readily available and close by)."
My first thought is regarding your requirement above. Having parking just where you want it can be difficult in those places you hate, cities. But since your sister will be along an alternative to needing parking where you want it is finding places for Mom and Sister to sit while you get the car. That, as well as taking buses, cable cars, taxis between the car and places you might like to see would expand the possibilities.
Or, if you choose more rural or suburban places to visit parking would be readily available. For instance, Santa Barbara instead of Los Angeles. Sonoma Valley instead of San Francisco. Those 2 stops and the drive between and return would account for a week at a civilized pace.
My first thought is regarding your requirement above. Having parking just where you want it can be difficult in those places you hate, cities. But since your sister will be along an alternative to needing parking where you want it is finding places for Mom and Sister to sit while you get the car. That, as well as taking buses, cable cars, taxis between the car and places you might like to see would expand the possibilities.
Or, if you choose more rural or suburban places to visit parking would be readily available. For instance, Santa Barbara instead of Los Angeles. Sonoma Valley instead of San Francisco. Those 2 stops and the drive between and return would account for a week at a civilized pace.
Sep 9th, 2011, 02:54 AM
#3
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you plan carefully, you can have a beautiful trip. Get out of LA and head up the coast road. There are pull offs for views all along the way and places to spend the night. Depending on the time of year, traffic/parking will not be a problem. When you get to SF, do as joanny suggests, park the car and use public transportation.
On the way back, come down through the Valley, or head over to Yosemite or some of both to get back to LA. In LA, perhaps take a tour.
Look at the weather, and do the loop in the opposite direction if it looks nicer.
On the way back, come down through the Valley, or head over to Yosemite or some of both to get back to LA. In LA, perhaps take a tour.
Look at the weather, and do the loop in the opposite direction if it looks nicer.
Sep 9th, 2011, 05:10 AM
#4
I agree with a drive up the coast, a night in Carmel, staying near the Ferry Building if you stop in San Francisco, continuing up to Muir Woods, maybe driving around Sonoma or Napa valleys, and Yosemite if there's time on the way back home.
Sep 9th, 2011, 06:30 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Using public transportation in San Francisco is not adivisable for someone with limited walking abilities. Walking to the nearest stop on a bus or Muni route or the nearest BART station (and then down the staris to the platforms) from whatever sights you intend to see and enjoy can involve a LOT of walking. I know my mother couldn't handle that aspect, not to mention the hilly terrain itself within San Francisco. That said, parking is a nightmare in the city. I would advise skipping SF as a destination.
Sep 9th, 2011, 06:46 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Spending a night in Yosemite would be great! http://www.yosemitepark.com/accommod...mitelodge.aspx or if money is not an object, the Ahwahnee. At least have lunch or an early dinner at the Ahwahnee,when it's still daylight, the views are awesome!
Sep 9th, 2011, 06:52 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also, as starr's suggested, Muir's Woods is beautiful! I copied this from their site:
Muir Woods has 1.5 miles of paved or boardwalked trail which is mostly flat. Loops of half a mile, one mile, or two miles are easily achieved on this trail. It also features many benches in both sun and shade for resting. For those with a little more mobility, a dirt fire road to Camp Alice Eastwood provides a relatively easy graded additional trail. The café, gift shop, and restrooms all meet ADA accessibility standards, and six parking spaces are reserved in the main parking lot for those with disabled parking placards or license plates. There are two wheelchairs and two strollers available to borrow on a first-come, first-serve basis at the visitor center.
Muir Woods has 1.5 miles of paved or boardwalked trail which is mostly flat. Loops of half a mile, one mile, or two miles are easily achieved on this trail. It also features many benches in both sun and shade for resting. For those with a little more mobility, a dirt fire road to Camp Alice Eastwood provides a relatively easy graded additional trail. The café, gift shop, and restrooms all meet ADA accessibility standards, and six parking spaces are reserved in the main parking lot for those with disabled parking placards or license plates. There are two wheelchairs and two strollers available to borrow on a first-come, first-serve basis at the visitor center.
Sep 9th, 2011, 07:51 AM
#11
Okay, this is what I'd do - starting as you leave LA
Drive up the coast. If you have any interest in seeing the Hearst Castle, spend the night in Cambria. Stop at Nephenthe for a meal and the view. There are stairs, but it would be worth it. Spend the night in Carmel. In the evening, go to the beach to watch the sunset (parking lot is right there).
Distances using Google maps -
La to Cambria - 222 miles, about 4 hours
Cambria to Nepenthe - 60 miles, about 1.5 hours
Nepenthe to Carmel - 30 miles, about 45 minutes
Enjoy the 17 Mile Drive and Monterrey. Drive on into San Francisco.
Stay near the Ferry Building. It's basically flat there and she can enjoy the market in front of the building, the stores and restaurants in the building and the vendors in the plaza area. Get on a street car and ride up to Union Square and over to the Fisherman's Wharf area. From Union Square, wait in the line for the cable car and ride the cable car back down to the Fisherman's Wharf area. You can use the streetcars and cable cars to "see" the city without a lot of walking.
The next day drive on to Muir Woods. As cd says, the path is relatively flat, she doesn't have to walk far and may be able to use a wheelchair if need be. After an hour or so, continue on to Napa or Sonoma (the Sonoma Valley should be less crowded, but the driving will be beautiful. Stop at a small winery or two (we can give you recommendations if you like). If you go to the small ones, she won't have to walk a lot. Spend the night in the area.
Continue on to Yosemite (see cd's posts above) and then back to LA.
Carmel to SF - 122 miles - about 2 hours (longer for sight-seeing)
SF to Muir Woods - 16 miles, 30 minutes
Muir Woods to Sonoma - 37 miles, 58 minutes
Sonoma to Yosemite - 206, 4 hours 20 minutes
Yosemite to LA - 312 miles, about 6 hours
Drive up the coast. If you have any interest in seeing the Hearst Castle, spend the night in Cambria. Stop at Nephenthe for a meal and the view. There are stairs, but it would be worth it. Spend the night in Carmel. In the evening, go to the beach to watch the sunset (parking lot is right there).
Distances using Google maps -
La to Cambria - 222 miles, about 4 hours
Cambria to Nepenthe - 60 miles, about 1.5 hours
Nepenthe to Carmel - 30 miles, about 45 minutes
Enjoy the 17 Mile Drive and Monterrey. Drive on into San Francisco.
Stay near the Ferry Building. It's basically flat there and she can enjoy the market in front of the building, the stores and restaurants in the building and the vendors in the plaza area. Get on a street car and ride up to Union Square and over to the Fisherman's Wharf area. From Union Square, wait in the line for the cable car and ride the cable car back down to the Fisherman's Wharf area. You can use the streetcars and cable cars to "see" the city without a lot of walking.
The next day drive on to Muir Woods. As cd says, the path is relatively flat, she doesn't have to walk far and may be able to use a wheelchair if need be. After an hour or so, continue on to Napa or Sonoma (the Sonoma Valley should be less crowded, but the driving will be beautiful. Stop at a small winery or two (we can give you recommendations if you like). If you go to the small ones, she won't have to walk a lot. Spend the night in the area.
Continue on to Yosemite (see cd's posts above) and then back to LA.
Carmel to SF - 122 miles - about 2 hours (longer for sight-seeing)
SF to Muir Woods - 16 miles, 30 minutes
Muir Woods to Sonoma - 37 miles, 58 minutes
Sonoma to Yosemite - 206, 4 hours 20 minutes
Yosemite to LA - 312 miles, about 6 hours
Sep 9th, 2011, 09:01 AM
#12
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,760
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you hate traffic, do your local touring in L.A. on Saturday and Sunday mornings when traffic is manageable. This time of year a drive up the coast can be relaxing and lovely, maybe leave Alhambra Monday after 10am with stops in Santa Barbara, Solvang, Shell Beach, the Apple Farm Inn in San Luis Obispo?...how would mom feel as a passenger hugging the coast up to Carmel and Monterey? Some find it scary. (My mom didn't like the scary bus ride up to Hearst castle and I think the tour is a lot of walking, can't remember regarding stairs etc).
So, at San Luis Obispo you could turn around and head back to ALhambra...just make sure you are not heading past Santa Barbara and into Los Angeles county during traffic hours. Do it on Sat or Sun morning, or weekdays between 10am and 2pm or after 8pm.
Another plan would be to rent a car one way from Alhambra/Pasadena up to an easy airport like San Jose, and just fly back to Burbank Pasadena airport. Your plan sounds a bit ambitious,a week isn't a lot of time for travel when you have an elderly person along who wants to check into the hotel at 3pm every day and rest, etc. Also, is she from a city, used to traffic and lots of people? If not she may not enjoy getting out and about in Los Angeles. When my elderly aunt and uncle visited there, my sister always packed them up and headed out of the city, they just never enjoyed the high-octane atmosphere and hustle bustle of the traffic etc. Perhaps your mom is more adventurous, just not entirely mobile?
USA is generally well equipped for the mobility-impaired, with wheelchairs available at museums, etc, so be sure and ask. If you see stairs,inquire about the nearby inclined access etc.
So, at San Luis Obispo you could turn around and head back to ALhambra...just make sure you are not heading past Santa Barbara and into Los Angeles county during traffic hours. Do it on Sat or Sun morning, or weekdays between 10am and 2pm or after 8pm.
Another plan would be to rent a car one way from Alhambra/Pasadena up to an easy airport like San Jose, and just fly back to Burbank Pasadena airport. Your plan sounds a bit ambitious,a week isn't a lot of time for travel when you have an elderly person along who wants to check into the hotel at 3pm every day and rest, etc. Also, is she from a city, used to traffic and lots of people? If not she may not enjoy getting out and about in Los Angeles. When my elderly aunt and uncle visited there, my sister always packed them up and headed out of the city, they just never enjoyed the high-octane atmosphere and hustle bustle of the traffic etc. Perhaps your mom is more adventurous, just not entirely mobile?
USA is generally well equipped for the mobility-impaired, with wheelchairs available at museums, etc, so be sure and ask. If you see stairs,inquire about the nearby inclined access etc.
Sep 9th, 2011, 09:14 AM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lighweight wheelchair!
As my mother aged and her mobility declined, I continued to take her on trips adjusted to fit her abilities. We visited California twice. The first time we were on our own, with me driving a stick shift in SF (I also dislike city traffic and parking woes). The second time I had both parents, but also my husband (and you will have your sister), which is a BIG help. On later trips, I found that many tourist destinations such as museums, aquariums, even national park sites, have wheelchairs for free use. I made my mother use them whenever available so she would save her strength for places they were not available or practical. Then I found out that some medical supply and even drug stores rent wheelchairs, so I would rent one for the week and take it along. The key is to find a lightweight/small one or you won't be able to lift it in/out of vehicle and it will take all your luggage space. My sister even bought one from a thrift store for use when my mother visited family.
My father had a handicapped parking hang tag that he brought along on trips that allowed me to use the space to drop them off and get them settled, then I would move the car so a disabled driver could use the space.
You mention the cities, but as everyone is suggesting, the natural sites are real highlights and much easier to manage traffic-wise. I will agree that a drive up the coast is good. I don't think Hearst Castle may be worthwhile for mobility impaired--I would check with them directly. A lot of the coast can be enjoyed from the car or overlooks. My mother enjoyed the wharf and aquarium at Monterrey as well as the drive around Big Sur.
A way to "drive through" redwoods is to stop in Big Basin State Park SW of San Francisco. Some viewing very near the road and the park is relatively uncrowded. Muir Woods is great (my parents loved it and found the flat trail easy).
I bit the bullet and drove my mother around some in SF tourist areas, over the Golden Gate Bridge, etc. early on a Saturday or Sunday when the traffic was minimal, then parked down by Fisherman's Wharf. Then we took a trolley tour that she loved because she could just sit for the hour and sightsee. I think it was open air. When my husband was with me, I dropped them off at Fishermans Wharf, then parked in an Embarcadero parking garage (we were never overnighting in the city) and from there they would walk the wharf area, ride the trolley tour, take a ferry ride, etc. I didn't get them on a cable car because they could not stand in line long enough.
We also went to Yosemite. Once again, the sites are quite visible from the drive in the valley. I took my mother on the ride through the Mariposa Grove of sequoia trees. Again, another highlight because she didn't think she would be able to get out among the trees.
Assuming you are not traveling in Winter, all these sights are doable with your mother.
As my mother aged and her mobility declined, I continued to take her on trips adjusted to fit her abilities. We visited California twice. The first time we were on our own, with me driving a stick shift in SF (I also dislike city traffic and parking woes). The second time I had both parents, but also my husband (and you will have your sister), which is a BIG help. On later trips, I found that many tourist destinations such as museums, aquariums, even national park sites, have wheelchairs for free use. I made my mother use them whenever available so she would save her strength for places they were not available or practical. Then I found out that some medical supply and even drug stores rent wheelchairs, so I would rent one for the week and take it along. The key is to find a lightweight/small one or you won't be able to lift it in/out of vehicle and it will take all your luggage space. My sister even bought one from a thrift store for use when my mother visited family.
My father had a handicapped parking hang tag that he brought along on trips that allowed me to use the space to drop them off and get them settled, then I would move the car so a disabled driver could use the space.
You mention the cities, but as everyone is suggesting, the natural sites are real highlights and much easier to manage traffic-wise. I will agree that a drive up the coast is good. I don't think Hearst Castle may be worthwhile for mobility impaired--I would check with them directly. A lot of the coast can be enjoyed from the car or overlooks. My mother enjoyed the wharf and aquarium at Monterrey as well as the drive around Big Sur.
A way to "drive through" redwoods is to stop in Big Basin State Park SW of San Francisco. Some viewing very near the road and the park is relatively uncrowded. Muir Woods is great (my parents loved it and found the flat trail easy).
I bit the bullet and drove my mother around some in SF tourist areas, over the Golden Gate Bridge, etc. early on a Saturday or Sunday when the traffic was minimal, then parked down by Fisherman's Wharf. Then we took a trolley tour that she loved because she could just sit for the hour and sightsee. I think it was open air. When my husband was with me, I dropped them off at Fishermans Wharf, then parked in an Embarcadero parking garage (we were never overnighting in the city) and from there they would walk the wharf area, ride the trolley tour, take a ferry ride, etc. I didn't get them on a cable car because they could not stand in line long enough.
We also went to Yosemite. Once again, the sites are quite visible from the drive in the valley. I took my mother on the ride through the Mariposa Grove of sequoia trees. Again, another highlight because she didn't think she would be able to get out among the trees.
Assuming you are not traveling in Winter, all these sights are doable with your mother.
Sep 9th, 2011, 06:59 PM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great suggestions! I'd like to get out of the city if possible, so I love the idea of a coastal drive. We are planning an October or November trip, so the weather should be beautiful! Mom is mobile, just that knee and back problems limit her ability to walk long distances. Walking in San Francisco is definitely out of the question for her, the inclines will wreck her knees!
My family is from a bustling city back home, so visiting national parks, wineries and places like that would be a good break away from the stresses of downtown. Again, I love all the suggestions. Thanks again!
My family is from a bustling city back home, so visiting national parks, wineries and places like that would be a good break away from the stresses of downtown. Again, I love all the suggestions. Thanks again!
Sep 10th, 2011, 07:05 AM
#15
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Depending on the type of experience you want, Santa Cruz and the surrounding area could be a fun place. Downtown Santa Cruz is easily walkable and full of fun shops, restaurants and a great place to find a bench and people watch. October is the most beautiful month, it's the best of our "summer" and the waves are great. From there, as suggested above, you could drive north through Big Basin or stay even a little closer and go through the Henry Cowell state park, just as beautiful and much less crowded and crazy than Yosemite. Also from there you can drive south to Monterey and do the aquarium, which is pretty amazing (I think it's one of the biggest/most extensive aquariums in the US). Santa Cruz gives you sort of a beach town feel, but a little more "lived in". It's a nice drive from San Jose, over highway 17 (beautiful redwoods and amazing views from the passenger seat) and it's a nice base to do some central coast activities.
Sep 10th, 2011, 04:28 PM
#17
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I absolutely recommend renting a lightweight wheelchair! Your mom may not be accustomed to using one, but in these circumstances it would improve her experience a lot! And even on inclines, you and your sister can take turns or push together. And when we took our granddaughter to Disneyland we rented one of those battery-powered scooters, because my knees were bad. (now I have two knee replacements -- something else I highly recommend for your mom, though not in time for this trip : )
Sep 10th, 2011, 06:18 PM
#18
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We found that a 'transport chair' was much easier to handle than a wheel chair. The weight is lighter; I could manage putting it in and getting it out of the trunk of the car. I (or someone else) had to push Mom in it; she was not able, of course to use it by herself. Until Mom had her own transport chair, we would rent one from the medical supply shop or a drugstore where our travels took us.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mabella101
United States
20
May 4th, 2014 10:32 AM
