Yosemite and Carmel would each be far better with 3 nights each.

In Yosemite-see The Valley Sights. I would suggest hiking The Mist Trail or the Panorama Trail that connects with the Mist Trail. Those may be closed in April though. Panorama Trail starts at Glacier Point and you can take a shuttle there from the Valley. Also see Mariposa Grove. You may have to walk an extra 3 miles or so at Mariposa. They probably won't have that road open in early April either. I don't know what kind of snow year they are having so far.

I would go all the way down to Hearst Castle
and see it.

Take a kayak/canoe trip at Elkhorn Slough near Montery. Seeing sea otters banging rocks on thier stomachs to open clam shells is pretty darn cool. We saw a lot of sea lions up close too.

I don't know where to tidepool at near Monterey. But there is some good tidepooling at Pt. Reyes, which is North of SF. You would need pretty much a full day for there though. McClures Beach is best. Check Tidetable now to see when low-tide is. I am sure you should be able to find some tidepools at Pt. Lobos.

Get your Yosemite Lodging ASAP-they book up a year in advance in some cases.

I doubt Glacier Point Road would be open in early April. I think 2 nights in Yosemite during that time of year is plenty. Many parts of the park hre closed due to snow.

I think your trip sound great though I don't know if I'd do 17 mile drive. Trade that in for some time at Point Lobos instead.

Yosemite Lodging should be in park. www.yosemitepark.com

I thought about editing out either Yosemite or Carmel but that's a tough choice. However, in light of your replies, should we skip Yosemite, split our stay between Carmel/SF and explore the Carmel area at a more leisurely pace? I didn't even entertain heading north of SF but just researched Pt Reyes and my kids would love it with all the tidepools. Plus we would still get to experience a National Park but without as long a drive. It doesn't sound like Yosemite is fully "in" season yet and I was looking into staying at the Ahwahnee (the feedback on this place seems very divided) but they are booked so our 2nd choice would be the Tenaya Lodge which is not in the park.

" It doesn't sound like Yosemite is fully "in" season yet "

Yosemite is 'in season' all year round. I wouldn't skip Yosemite -- but agree w/ suzie that you can see most of the Valley sites w/ 2 nights/1.5 days. But NOT from a base at Tenaya Lodge. If Tenaya is all you can find -- I'd probably skip YNP and concentrate on the coast. Have you tried Yosemite Lodge? It isn't posh or iconic like the Ahwahnee, but it is practically at the base of Yosemite Falls (BTW - People who know what they are talking about are not divided about the Ahwahnee)

I would go all the way down to Hearst Castle and see it.

So would I, and I would stop to see the sea lions a few miles north of San Simeon.

I have never noticed much in Carmel that would be of interest to children.

My routing for the eight nights would be Yosemite (2), Cambria via Paso Robles (1), Monterey via Highway 1 (2), and San Francisco (3).

HTTY

PS In Yosemite, it is the scenic beauty, not the hotel, that attracts me. The rooms at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls are quite motel like, but the lodge is perfectly located for enjoying the park.

HTTY

It seems like a lot to fly from NYC to SFO and then hop in a car and drive to Yosemite the same day. After the hassle of arriving at the airport, flying about 5 hours, gathering luggage on arrival, going to get the rental car, then driving about 3 hours to Yosemite, (the last miles of which will be on very curvy roads)..........whew, sounds like a lot. If you want to save San Francisco for last, perhaps you could change the itinerary and go to Carmel first, then Yosemite, then return to San Francisco. In the Carmel/Monterey area, check to see if the whales are going north, and if so, take an excursion from Monterey.

Yosemite is awesome. I disagree with janis about it being "in season year round". You would be able to do a lot of things, but there would be some things you wouldn't be able to do. That said, in April if there is still some snow around, that certainly makes things pretty too. There really isn't a bad time to visit, but there is a best time and April probably isn't it. Keep in mind that in winter there is snowshoeing and skiing, but in April you are probably won't be doing either of those.
To me, Yosemite and Yellowstone are must must sees for everyone. Far more than the Grand Canyon and more so than San Francisco,IMOP. So, I hate to tell you to skip it on this trip-it is that awesome of a place. So much so, that even if it isn't absolutely the best time, it still beats out anything else.

We like to eat Brunch in The Awahnee, but I had rather stay in a tent cabin at Curry Village. Guarantee you that your kids will talk/remember about that far more than The Awahnee for many years. You can't really go wrong with The Awahnee or Yosemite Lodge though.


BTW, the very best tidepooling we have done was at Patricks Point State Park up by the Redwoods in Northern Californina-specifically at Palmers Point in Patricks Point.
Point Reyes at McClures beach did have a lot to offer. There are many other great trail/etc to do there to. The photo in Fodors California Book of the Lighthouse at Pt Reyes is of my wife going down the stairs-if you happen to have the book.

And if all of this wasn't enough to choose from, there is yet another spot that is worth a visit. Pinacles National Monument, not far from Monterey. I think you may have to make a couple of trips. Any of the spot mentioned will do just fine, don't over plan and I still say don't just rush through a place. Thoroughly explore while you are there. We were suprised at how much we liked the Monterey Aquarium and the area there.

BTW, there are several websites that say that the last two weeks of May and the first two weeks of June are normally the best time for Yosemite. I would agree. If you want to see the higher elevations, probably more into July would be better(TULMN Meadows area). I would avoid Memorial Day weekend though.

Here is one of my trip reports about a short trip to Yosemite in March. It was great -- as it is any month of the year.

http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/yosemite-and-hwy-49-short-getaway.cfm

With your timeframe, 2 nights Monterey, 2 Yosemite and 4 SF will be fine. You can't do everything so you have to pick and choose. Or do as Happytrails advises and add Hearst Castle etc.

Tide pooling around Pacific Grove just past the Aquarium.

My 13 year old son (and all the rest of us) loved Point Lobos.You can ramble around on the rocks and walk down to the water. I didn't see many tidepools but maybe it was high tide. There were seals, seal lions and tons of birds. We stayed at the Carmel Highlands Inn almost across the street. It has the best view I have ever experienced.

I also vote for stopping at Elk Horn Slough on your way back to SF. It will be cold kyaking in March. Instead you can take the boat Elk Horn Safari. It has a two hour slow cruise to see the otters up close. You can see the otters and other critters without taking the boat however. There is a parking area on the left just after you cross the creek (slough). We didn't go to the aquarium, but I think we had a better experience actually seeing the animals in their real habitat.

As for the other sights in Monterey, I don't think the kids would like the 17 mile drive and downtown as much as they would rambling along the coast.

Just to chime in - I think your trip is very doable. And you might first consider going down to Carmel/Monterrey when you arrive - as it's closer to SFO and also - you won't have to face the possible traffic slowdowns going through the Bay Area.

With the Acquarium and the beaches/reefs around Monterrey and Carmel - and the great park/preserve - Pt. Lobos - just south of there, the kids will find plenty to do in the ocean.

see:http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/map.html

You might consider adding a day to your stay in the Monterrey/Carmel area - and as suggested - drive down through scenic Big Sur - to San Simeon (see the huge Elephant Seals at the beach just north of there) and visit Hearst Castle, the only true "castle" in the US. http://www.hearstcastle.org/

And we enjoy staying in tent cabins in Curry Village in Yo - sort of like going back to camp.

BTW - I think 17 Mile drive is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. You see some great beaches, homes and the fabled Pebble Beach golf resort.

Uno Mas: If you went to San Simeon - or even the cute little town of Cambria to stay while seeing Hearst Castle - you cut over toward Paso Robles and head to Yo.

The road from the Coast to Paso Robles also passes along several wineries and their attractive Chateaux/B & B's.

Our nephew stayed at Justin Winery for their Honeymoon, and this page should have a map showing the area in general.

http://www.justinwine.com/

Actually - this is a better map - and look at the Cal state map to see how you could get to Yo via Paso Robles.

http://www.pasowine.com/wineries/map.php

One last thing. Fresno is the closest city to Yo - and gateway to the main entrance if you are coming from the south.

Well if you are there(carmel/monterey), I certainly would drive the 17 mile drive-whether the kids liked it or not.

I wouldn't do the 17 mile drive myself. It is very pretty but there is better scenery elsewhere w/o the cost. It takes a lot of time and is actually fairly boring except for a few iconic photo stops. Driving hwy 1 is better/prettier/more dramatic w/o the houses and condos.

Check the prices to fly to and from either Sacramento, Oakland or even San Jose. You may find that the car rental prices are better at one of them. SFO is one of my least favorite airports.

In years past, SFO was not so great, but with the addition of new terminals, and reorganization, I think it's actually very easily navigated now.

In the numerous times I have visited the Monterey Peninsula in the last 30 years, I have done the 17 Mile drive approximately 3 times (once the first time I visited and twice on request of visitors. On the other hand I have visited Point Lobos and driven down parts of 1 almost every time I have been. So like janis I am not a big fan of 17 mile drive and only recommend going if you are a big golf fan or don't have time to go to Point Lobos.

Ah, it wouldn't be a thread about SFO these days without tomfuller recommending going elsewhere to rent a car!!!

LOL. 17 mile drive is a yawn, especially if you have already done it. If you have the time and have never driven it, then go for it. If you have girl children, they will probably love all the " junk shopping" around Cannery Row and Monterey Wharf. Even though DH and I hated really touristy shops and sites when traveling , our daughter did and we made time for her to have fun too. Just taking in the scenery was interesting to us, but not to her(at least when she was a child/tween).

Also, if you have anyone prone to car sickness , be prepared on Hwy.1 down to Hearst Castle.

17 mile drive is A big yawn even the first time, if you are not a golfer, or enamored of big honking "mansions ". Point Lobos is MUCH more about nature scenery.

~Liz

I think the 17-mile drive is beautiful, with gorgeous vistas, but if you're driving down the coast, it doesn't add anything.

All of you certainly gave us alot to consider. We're leaning towards splitting our trip between Carmel/SF in order go at a more leisurely pace and save Yosemite/north of SF for next time. To blj's post, DH wasn't thrilled about driving 4 hours to get to Yosemite and would rather limit our lodging to 2 places. Carmel looks like to good home base if we head down to to Big Sur/San Simeon. We think our 9 yd DD would really like Hearst Castle - we just spent Xmas break touring some of the mansions in Newport RI and enjoyed it. In regards to Carmel, I'm hoping to find lodging with separate bedrooms/living area/kitchen and was looking on vrbo to see if any place rents by the night. Vrbo and various websites segments it to By the Sea, Highlands and Valley - how far apart are they distance and what factors should I consider in deciding (aside from by the water vs more inland). A big thank you to everyone who's weighed in! I'm definitely noting the airport, car rental, motion sickness tips, etc.

"By the sea" probably means in Carmel itself. Few places are actually on the water buy much of the town is walkable to Carmel beach.

Carmel Valley is a fair bit inland but is a lovely area w/ its own shops and places to eat.

http://www.carmelvalleycalifornia.com/

The Highlands are 3 or 4 miles south of Carmel.

And of the three would be good but it would take longer to get up and down the coast from Carmel Valley

I would not want to fly across the country and then drive 4 or 5 hours to Yosemite. I love Yosemite, but that's an exhausting travel day/night. Your idea to limit your trip to SF and the coastal region is probably wise with children. Sometimes simple is best with kids. I'm not a huge Carmel fan, but I do enjoy walking there along the coastline, and my children always enjoyed the Carmel Beach. I'm thinking staying in Carmel within walking distance of that beach might be the most kid-friendly. I don't recall much in Carmel being that appealing to our children, other than visiting Carmel Mission. We usually stayed in Pacific Grove or Monterey where we enjoyed walking along the bay trail, rode bikes, visited the aquarium, played at various beaches, walked along the wharf and watched the sea lions. Carmel would be fine, though, as you are not far from Point Lobos - a wonderful state park. There is a lot to explore south of Carmel, including Big Sur, Nepenthe and Hearst Castle at San Simeon.

Carmel Valley, while lovely, would probably be inconvenient as it is inland. I'd choose the town of Carmel, Pacific Grove, Monterey or (lastly) Carmel Highlands. The views are fantastic from the Highlands but restaurant choice is very limited and I'm not so sure about beach access in that area.

If you go to Big Sur don't go by the info on your GPS and don't go by the info that Fodors Book provides. They both will point you to the Big Sur area that is by the ocean. The Big Sur area that 99% of the people go to is up in the mountains. Just look on a map before you go.

Note that Monterey and Pacific Grove are adjacent towns (the aquarium straddles the border) and that Carmel (by the sea) is only 5 miles away. Any of those would be good choices for lodging although I agree that Carmel and Pacific Grove are a little more "adult" (meaning fewer tourist sites and fewer knick-knack shops) than Monterey.

"The Big Sur area that 99% of the people go to is up in the mountains."

Huh?

yes, there is definitely a mountain aspect to Big Sur, but I'm pretty sure that what 99% of folks think of by "Big Sur" is the drive down hwy 1, Nepenthe, the ocean views, the cliffs dropping down to the water, etc.

Oh good grief. I don't know what I was thinking. I was think Big Basin Redwoods. LOL SORRY!!!

Hello. We are arriving in SF this Friday and plan to head straight to Carmel after picking up our car in Union Square and would appreciate any recommendations for a place to stop for lunch enroute to Carmel. We are looking for a casual place with tasty food to kickoff our CA coast vacation. I was looking at Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay or Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing and would welcome any other suggestions.Thanks!

I personally just love Phil's and stop there very time we head down to Monterey, but the waterfront view from Sam's is a far better intro to California (even if it is "New England style seafood).