If you had 10 days in California (and if it was your first trip) and you were flying into the San Fran airport and out of LAX (or vice versa) what would you do those 10 days and when? Please no wine trips. Also, trip would be around Thanksgiving if that makes a difference. And yes, you would have a rental car.

I can't wait to see some responses!

I'd make a side trip to Yosemite for 2 or 3 nights then back track and drive down the coast.

Utahtea

thanks - anyone else?

I don't drive so can't advise much, but I'd make a short stop at Solvang, (Dutch Village), for a "european fix".

i'd just rent a car and drive the pacific coast highway, stopping along the way when i felt like it.

i'd probably include stuff like old downtown Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, the old Winchester mansion, Hearst Castle, a couple missions, Santa Cruz, etc. (i'm sure that's not in the proper order of things).

I'd make sure to see San Francisco,Carmel, Santa Barbara and LA. (and with any extra time, Yosemite.) I'd start in San Fran.
Thanksgiving should be a fine time to visit...

I agree with Frankie's suggestions, start in SF and go south. Mainly I would stay on the coast (I'll add Big Sur, San Simeon and Morro Bay to Frankie's list). Yosemite would be a detour inland, well worth it weather and time permitting.

wonderful ideas - anyone else?

ttt

I agree with the plan to start in San Francisco and then take the Pacific Coast highway south. If you drive from north to south, your car will be on the right side of the road for better views of the ocean, and also easier turnoffs to park at viewpoints. It is a wonderful drive.

The only thing I would add to the suggestions already given is a visit to Muir Woods, a beautiful redwoods forest up a mountain in the San Francisco area.

San Bernadino Mountains for snow and peaks, including a ride to the top.
Getty Museum.
We have 3 weeks to do just such a trip in March/April , but are going north to Seattle up the coast, and back to LA via the desert and Las Vegas.
Love the Mojave Desert - fantastic scenery, no cars yet you are only half an hour from the freeway.

You should definatly drive across the Golden Gate Bridge (it is about $4.00 more or less).

Sorry~ I forgot about somewhere else you may want to go in SF. Primo Patio is one of my favorite resturaunts in the city! Best Jerk Chicken, yep that's really what its called !!!

We did an 8 day trip in July of 2001, flying into SF and out of LA. Had our kids with us, who were 8 & 11. We spent 2 days in SF, 1 in Yosemite, 1.5 days driving down the coast, 2.5 days in LA, 1 day San Diego Zoo. If I had two more days, I would add one to Yosemite. SF was cold in July, so it will be real cold in November.

Interesting thing about SF and weather. Fall is often warmer than summer. That applies to the central coast as well. More Sept and October, although I was there in early Nov. this past year, and it was mostly mild. Although the breeze and fog can cool off things anytime of year.

Sausalito is beautiful too, when you go over the Golden Gate from SF hang a right and see the hillside homes.

I just booked a similar first time trip for July. My husband and I are flying into San Fran and spending 3 days, then onto Napa for 2 days, then we will drive to Cambria on PCH and stay 2 nights and visit Hearst Castle. Our last stop will be 3 nights in Santa Barbara. We will fly out of Santa Barbara and connect in LA for our flight home. We are really looking forward to all of the different experiences that California seems to offer.

Here is the itinerary I'm thinking of doing:

thursday - fly in am or pm, depending if can take day off of work - if am, do DisneyLand in pm
friday - DL
saturday - wb tour, hollywood, el rodeo
sunday - check out beverly hills and then go to either Santa barbara, or Santa Monica for night
monday - beach in morning, drive to madonna inn to stay night
tuesday - hearst castle in am and then go to either carmel, monterey or big sur (would like a beach setting)
wed and thurs (thanksgiving) - carmel, monterey or big sur
fri-sun - san fran (and will see muir woods and sausilito while there)
monday come home

so, what are people's thoughts on this itinerary? am I missing any places I "must" go to as this is my first trip to CA? it's just dh and I going. no wineries on this trip. any suggestions on places to stay? so far I only know I'm staying at Madonna inn.

also any particular drives I must take to see the gorgeous coastal view?

can't wait to hear more suggestions!

I second utahtea's suggestion.

Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur, so I'd definitely suggest taking that to any of those ocean-side towns for a night.