isabel

I have eight days (last week in March). I want a minimum of two nights (part of three days) in Yosemite, and two nights (one full day) in Eureka. I'm starting from Berkeley on a Saturday morning and have until 8pm the following Saturday (when I need to be at SFO for a 10:30pm flight). So - I have 7 nights and 8 full days. I was thinking go the coastal route one way and 101 the other? My questions are - how many days for Yosemite, how long to allow for the trip up to Eureka. Pt Reyes Seashore looks like it would take a half day all by itself.

I was thinking if I stuck with the two nights (part of three days) in Yosemite (I have reservations for two nights at this point but can change them if I want more, or if I want to flip the week and do Yosemite at the end instead of the beginning) that I would have more time than I want for the trip up to Eureka and back. I could add on something else (maybe go down to Monterey for one night)? Or add another night to Yosemite? Other suggestions. (Not Nappa).

Obviously we'll have a car. It will be myself and my daughter who is at UC going up to visit the other daughter who just moved to Eureka. The week before all this I will be in San Francisco (staying at my son's who lives in Lafayette).

Thanks for any suggestions.

janisj

In March you will only be able to visit Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove (and Badger Pass if you want to ski or snow shoe) since the back country will be shut down.

So 2 or 3 full days will be enough. But you could easily stay longer - between Yosemite and Eureka is a LONG drive and March weather can be very iffy (both in the mountains and on the coast). The good thing is except for Yosemite, you really wouldn't need to pre-book accommodations. So I might make my choices based on weather. If it is nasty on the coast, you could spend a couple of days in the Sonoma Valley area and then maybe one night in/near Garberville and then head on up to Eureka.

But if the coastal weather is at all decent, I'd consider 3 days in YNP, 1 night in Sonoma or Healdsburg, 2 or 3 nights on the coast (general Ft Bragg/Mendocino/Little River area) and then head up to Eureka.

Eureka to SFO is about a 5+ hour drive down 101 so you could easily do it your departure day w/ time to spare.

Connie

I was just in the San Francisco/Sacramento area and did a lot of touristy driving. Everything takes much longer to drive than expected. To get to a lot of places you have to go down two lane, curvy roads with lots of traffic. The coast highway is even worse as far as being twisty and slow.

I think I would spend plenty of time in Yosemite and then make a bee line north taking I-5 up to Redding and head across the mountains to Eureka. There is plenty to do in that area with the coast and redwoods (much bigger than the SF area redwoods).

I wasn't all that impressed with the Sonoma/Napa area. I'm sure it's prettier in the summer but it didn't do much for me. Just my opinion of course.

Tomsd

While you are visiting your son in Lafatette - you are closer to Monterrey/Carmel (2? hours south) - and you might consider driving down for lunch - and/or staying overnight.

And as suggested - spending a little time driving up the North Coast could be fun - such as heading over to Mendicino - but you might also enjoy just getting up to Eureka (zipping up I-5 to Redding and over to Eureka) - and using that for a base of exploration while spending more time with your daughter there.

As for the Coast drive - it takes a little work to get over there (hiway 101) from I-5 - with I-5 more or less going up the center of Northern California. Here is one page that shows info for the Mendicino area: http://www.mendocinocoast.com/directions.htm

Michael

You have time to drive from Yosemite via Lake Tahoe and near Lassen National Park (the road through it is probably closed in March) to get to Eureka. In other words, the most scenic road up will have you cut across the Sacramento River valley up north by Redding.

Michael

Or, if not going to Lake Tahoe, take CA 49 (guess why the number) through Columbiaville to Downieville and to Quincy and on to the Lassen area.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7624516613985/

isabel

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I like the idea of putting Eureka at the end. Since I was in Monterey and Nappa areas on my last visit I think I'll skip them this time. My son is home for Christmas and just showed me his photos of Monterey Aquarium which looks great and which I didn't do last time but you can't do everything.

How does this itinerary look?

Saturday - drive 4 hr Berkeley to Yosemite, pm in park, night at Yosemite View Lodge
Sunday - in park all day, night at Yosemite View Lodge
Monday - in park all day, night at Yosemite View Lodge
Tuesday - morning in park, late pm drive to about San Rafael (3 1/2 hr)
Wed - Pt Reyes National Seashore in am, drive about as far as Mendocino
Thursday - Mendocino -Eureka (3 hr, longer if take Ave of Giants), night in Eureka
Friday -day and night in Eureka
Saturday - morning in Eureka, pm drive to SFO (about 5 hours)

I want to keep it as loose as possible so am I safe to have no reservations for the San Rafael and Mendocino areas? (we are willing to stay in Ft Bragg if necessary).

I would like to see the Mariposa Grove when in Yosemite but the info on the roads from there to Yosemite Valley is confusing. Is Rt 41 from the south entrance to the valley open year round? Is it just the 2 mile spur road to the grove that is closed in winter? And can you still walk to see the trees even if the road is closed? Rather than doing this area as a sort of 'day trip' from the valley, would it make sense to spend Monday night (for which I currently do not have a reservation) down near Oakhurst and see the Mariposa Grove Tuesday morning before driving back to San Rafael?

Thanks again for the help.

janisj

You can get to the trees from El Portal -unless there is a huge/unusual storm. I would NOT stay in oakhurst.

You plan looks fine and pre booking shouldn't be necessary, especially if you are OK with Ft Bragg.

I think I would book the night in Marin county though. Your choices there are more limited. You could stay in tiburon, Sausalito, or San Rafael.

dmelo1

I may have missed it, but what is the reason to drive up to Eureka? I live is SF and recently did the drive up 1/101 along the coast all the way to WA. The CA coast is nice, but if I didn't have to go all the way up to Eureka I really wouldn't do it again. Have you pt reyes is great, so is Healdsburg and as others have mentioned, the Monterey area.

Leely2

Why Eureka?

Leely2

Oops, I see your daughter is there. I get it. I had a relative up there too at one time. Love Avenue of the Giants and the north coast but Eureka itself...well...

Michael

I would NOT stay in oakhurst.

Why not? for full service splurge or just a meal, this would do: http://www.chateausureau.com/restaurant.html

janisj

Because it is a long drive from the Valley, and not enough closer to Wawona than is El Portal, where the OP is already booked. It would save 30 minutes to Wawona - but the extra packing/moving wouldn't be worth it - just me . . .

MichelleY

Oakhurst is the wrong direction, coming and going, for OP.

isabel

Here was my thinking: Already have res for Sat and Sun nights. Would spend Sat afternoon and all day Sun in the park and spend those nights up in El Portal (or I may try to get a last min cancellation at the Lodge inside the park). Then all day Monday in the park till dark. But at that point, drive down to Oakhurst to be closer to Mariposa Grove for Tuesday morning. Of course that does mean driving in the dark which is probably not a good idea. Just that the after dark period we would only be hanging around the room anyway so getting the hour or so drive down towards where we want to be the next morning out of the way sounded like a good idea. No?

And on a slightly different note.... Any suggestion for footwear? I'm from New England, my snow boots are waterproof and good to 25 below which I certainly hope would be overkill for this trip. Looking for something that would work for the other places I'm going as well (Pt Reyes, Redwoods Natl Park).
Thanks

janisj

I wouldn't bother moving (and ending up farther from the North Bay) - I'd visit Wawona from your base in either El Portal or at the Lodge.

Just good water proof walking shoes (or hiking boots if you plan major treks) would be adequate.