Disneyduck--Disneyland is much smaller in size than Disney World. Even if you do both Disneyland and California Adventure you would need at the most two days max (not three as you had in your original plan).

Disneyworld as you already know has more parks (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot which needs two days for future world and world showcase, and MGM). Not to mention the water parks, Downtown Disney and non disney Seaworld etc.

Disneyland is much much smaller even when including California Adventure and it has a lot less places to eat. It has basically the same stuff as Magic Kingdom except one of the boat rides which is unique to Disneyland only. The California Adventure part has the Tower of Terror from MGM and some other roller coaster type rides.

I think San Francisco deserves more days. StuDudley outlines a great list of things to see and do. Highlights include Alcatraz, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, many art museums, etc. The list really goes on.

Beach Blanket Babylon is an instituion (a really fun show to see at night). We can't go this time because they don't let kids in to see it. You have to be 21 and over. Since you don't have kids yet, go now-it is a hoot.

If you could add 2 days and omit Napa & coastal route you could easily do SF, DL and YNP.

Days 1-3 San Francisco
Days 4-6 Disneyland
Days 7-8 Yosemite
Day 9 early drive back to SFO, book a flight after 4 PM to be safe; approx. 250 mile drive.

Both Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp and Evergreen Lodge at the 120 entrancce to Yosemite have availability for your time frame.

I think Parrothead's plan works for an overview of California, particularly if you don't mind driving. You would have more time if you could fly into SF and out of LA (or vice versa). Just plan to do the straight, long drive down the 5 from SF to LA and not do the coast this trip. As for Yosemite, we stayed at Tenaya Lodge for several nights a few summers ago and thought it worked great (it is at the southern entrance which makes for an easier drive from LA). Be sure to plan a meal at Awahwanee to bask in its splendor. On one of the Disneyland days you could head over to the beach for an afternoon at the ocean (morning at park, be there when it opens, take a break at the beach and head back for evening dinner, fireworks and World of Color) or relax at the pool or spa. You could also reverse the trip, start in LA with two or 3 nights at Disney, drive to Yosemite, 3 nights, and end with three nights in SF.

Also, if the coast drive is really important, we have done it in one really long (it's about the drive) day. But do check traffic reports as part of Hwy 1 washed out recently.

FYI-any of the 3 Bay Area airports could work for you; SFO is nearest SF downtown but Oakland and San Jose are not too far away to be a deal breaker. As for open jaw through SoCal, Orange County is best for Disneyland whereas LAX, Burbank and Ontario are all in the 35-40 mile range from DL.

Also, if you opt for open jaw, then do Yosemite in the middle of the trip...SF-YNP-DL

Coast drive (Hwy 1) is closed indefintely between Carmel and Big Sur. They don't know how long it will take to fix but it's a pretty big slide and they don't expect it to open any time soon. http://www.mercurynews.com/central-c...nclick_check=1

europeannovice, doesn't Beach Blanket Babylon have one show (Sunday matinee, maybe) that allows under-21s in?

I am going on a trip to yosemite myself next month and i will be spending one night at a groveland hotel and 2 nights in the park. That being said it is much better to stay in the park.Do not miss Yosemite! People are cancelling thier reservations all the time so if you work on it you can get a room.One hike I love in Yosemite is downhill all the way and you also get to see the high country.Take the bus from curry village to Glacier point and walk the trail back down to the valley. It takes "around" 3 hours and is spectacular all the way.

<i>Take the bus from curry village to Glacier point and walk the trail back down to the valley. It takes "around" 3 hours and is spectacular all the way.</i>

Given the amount of snow we've had this year, this hike might not be possible until June at the earliest.

I grew up in the Bay Area and went to school/now live in Anaheim. Trust me...CA is huge! Can't do it comfortably in 9 days. Best bet...fly into SFO. Spend the night in Union Square some place (heart of most everything). Take Day #1 to rest and enjoy walking around. You'll be tired and jetlagged. Have a nice dinner, etc. Do the Fisherman's Wharf thing, Pier 39, Golden Gate Park, De Young museum, etc on day #2, day #3...travel down the 101. It will take longer (7-8 hours then the 5 (6 hours), but you're closer to it. Get settled and rest/go to D-land that night. Day #4= DLand, Day #5= Dland. Day #6= Travel back up the coast (leave early and maybe u can stop at hearst castle or monterey). Day #7- Visit napa or try for the redwood forest instead. Day #8-continue visiting SF. Day #9- go home. Bottom line= skip Yosemite. Also...better to fly into SFO and make 1 trip down and leave from Orange County. Not LAX!

assuming that the coast highway is reopened by then I am not sure I would take it both ways. if you followed Laetoli's plan through day 2.
Day 3:drive to Yosemite 4hrs but consider traffic
Day 4:Yosemite
Day 5:drive to D.L. 6 1/2 hrs but consider traffic You would probably want to visit the redwood forest as you are leaving Yosemite going south.
Get settled and rest/go to D-land that night-or not.
Day 6:D.L.
Day 7:Travel back up the coast (leave early and maybe u can stop at hearst castle or monterey or you will be passing through some famous wine country and you might want to explore that.You could spend the night in Monterey or go no to S.F.
Day:8 Use the remainder of the day visiting S.F.
Day:9 Go home
I have lived in and traveled all over Ca. and I will admit Yosemite is very near the top of my list.We are just trying to give you ideas so "you"can plan what you want to do.

The drive straight through from Anahiem to Monterey is a little over 7hrs consider traffic so you would probably want to drive north a ways after Disney land on day6 0r take Days 7&8 traveling from D.L. to S.F.

They are projecting mid April for completion of temporary repairs on Hwy 1.

sf7303~BBB does have Sunday matinees, and children are permitted, probably because they do not serve alcohol. I took my daughter when she was about 8; a lot of the politcal satire was a complete fly-by for her, but she loved the costumes and the hats.

Great recommendation by europeannovice to see BBB~it's worth it if you have the time, DisneyDuck!

I have stayed at both the Marriott Union Square and the Marriott Marquis on 4th Street. I found both to be convenient to public transportation. Keep in mind that parking is limited and expensive in San Francisco......there is usually a hefty overnight parking fee at most hotels.
Find out ahead of time so there won't be any ugly surprises when you check in.

Enjoy your visit to California........ :)

sf7307 and tenthumbs,

You are right! I didn't realize the Sunday matinee allows kids to see it. The costumes, hats and the antics were hilarious.

We haven't heard back from DisneyDuck in a while to hear how she finailzed her plans.

It's a great recommendation that often gets overlooked, and it truly is something you can experience ONLY in San Francisco. I've been to the evening show, where the satire is a little racier, and to the matinee, where there is cleverly disguised adult humor...........but the hats!!! Now I want to go again...... :)