alwaysafrica

Hi!

My husband and I are planning our first trip to California (from Toronto, Canada) in early June 2008. We will be traveling with our (then) 12-month-old son. He's extremely well-behaved, but this will be his first big trip (we are SO excited to be getting traveling again!), and so we know that we'll need to tailor the itinerary a bit to keep him happy!

So, I'm going to set out the itinerary and hope that you guys can give me some advice on whether we're spending the right amount of time in each area (and on the best days to be in those areas), things to see, places to stay (we've decided that we need to stay in one-bedroom suites, where possible, so that we can enjoy our evenings together once DS goes to bed) etc. Here it is:

Day 1 (Sat.): Fly into San Diego in a.m.. Pick up rental car. Visit the downtown area? Coronado? Overnight in San Diego (as of now, we're planning to stay in a one-bedroom at the Sommerset Suites in Hillcrest - any opinions?).

Day 2 (Sun.): Day in San Diego. Visit Pacific Beach and La Jolla? Overnight in San Diego (Sommerset Suites).

Day 3 (Mon.): Day in San Diego. Visit San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park? Overnight in San Diego (Sommerset Suites).

Day 4 (Tues.): Leave San Diego for Palm Springs. Take the aerial tram? Day in Palm Springs. Overnight in Palm Springs.

Day 5 (Wed.): Leave Palm Springs. Drive to Joshua Tree NP to spend half a day or so. Drive to L.A. Overnight in L.A.

Day 6 (Thurs.): Day in L.A. Visit Hollywood and Venice Beach? Drive to Santa Barbara. Overnight in Santa Barbara.

Day 7 (Fri.): Visit Santa Barbara. Overnight in Santa Barbara.

Day 8, 9 , 10 (Sat., Sun., Mon.): Drive up the central coast/hwy 1. A must see for us: the Monterey Bay Aquarium! Unsure of where is best to spend our time here. Overnights on the coast.

Day 11, 12 (Tues., Wed.): Drive over to Yosemite NP (where should we head over from?). Spend 2 nights, 3 days (outside of driving time) visiting Yosemite NP - hiking, where possible and driving to see the sights. Overnights in/around Yosemite.

Day 13, 14, 15 (Thurs., Fri., Sat.): Leave Yosemite NP (by around 2:00 - DS's naptime). Drive to Sonoma (what is the driving time?). Overnights in Sonoma.

Day 16 (Sun.): Drive to San Francisco in the morning. Spend the day in San Francisco. Overnight in San Francisco.

Day 17 (Mon.): Return rental car. Depart San Francisco mid-day.

Even having written this all down, I'm noticing some problem areas... looking forward to hearing your opinions. For example, are we spending too much time in Sonoma vs. Yosemite and/or San Fran? Also, you'll notice that some days are a little more rushed, whereas in others areas, we're spending quite a bit of time... our thinking was that we need some stints where we can just relax and give our DS some full days out of the car!

I'll look forward to hearing back from you!

Thanks!

alwaysafrica

p.s. - I should have mentioned that the 8th day of our trip (which is a Saturday night) is actually our 5 year wedding anniversary (our excuse for the trip )! As of now, our itinerary has us starting up the coast from Santa Barbara and spending the night somewhere there along the coast. Any ideas about a beautiful place to spend the day/eat/stay for that special day (remembering that it is only the 1st day of our 3-day coastal drive)? Of course, we'll still have our DS with us and so that will somewhat limit what we can do...

bear900

Wow! First, happy upcoming anniversary! Regarding day 8, we spent our honeymoon, 1st, 2nd and 5th anniversary at Carmel’s Highlands Inn, (now Hyatt) but it is a bit pricey.

I would first rethink Palm Springs/Joshua Tree. It will be over 100 deg and really puts you out of the way.

Also think of adding a day in SF. You need more time to explore the city.

Yosemite is already booked, but you may try nearby Bass Lake or Oakhurst. It will be around 45 minutes into Yosemite Valley and is a windy drive, but worth it for a first time visitor.

That’s just a start.

paula1470

Your itinerary looks pretty good but I agree with bear. Take off Palm Springs and Joshua Tree. It will be very warm and I can't imagine doing much with a 12 month old except spend time at the pool. I would add those days on to the end in San Francisco. You really need to spend much more time there.

You also aren't spending much time in LA. If you go to Palm Springs and then drive to LA the next afternoon, you aren't going to see much in LA that day. Then the next day you'd really want to get out of town at a decent time to get to Santa Barbara. Getting around LA is easy but you need to realize that driving just a few miles can take much longer that you would think. Here is So Cal, we don't talk about how far something is, we talk about how long it takes to get there. LOL If you skipped Palm Springs that would give you more time in LA and SF.

Another thing I would consider is spending one night in Sonoma. Yes, the wine country is beautiful but it is difficult at best to go wine tasting with a toddler. I would recommend skipping that and going straight to San Francisco.

As far as Yosemite, there are places outside the park where you can get a room but I would book that right away. Did a quick check and looks most things are booked for the beginning of June. However there is a Best Western in Mariposa that seems to have rooms-don't know your exact date though. Go to this website that shows Yosemite Hotels.
http://www.yosemite-motels.com/yosem...odge/index.htm

I would book something now that you could cancel if need be.

paula1470

Meant to say "Reconsider" going to Sonoma.

Shanti

I also would suggest skipping Sonoma. I used to live there & love the area but you're already traveling a great deal and it's a lot out of your way. And I remember what that was like when I had to travel with a 12-month-old.

ncounty

16 days is a nice trip but you are rushing a bit in parts. I would agree with skipping Palm Springs, Joshua tree and maybe even LA. Head straight to santa barbara and do your time along the coast. Spend 2-3 days in San Francisco instead. I happen to love sonoma so I think it is still fine even with a toddler. So, I would do San Diego as planned, Central Coast for about 3 days as well, San Fran for 2-3 days and whatever is leftover, do Sonoma etc.

alwaysafrica

Thank you all so much for your comments... keep 'em coming!

I think we will definitely cut back on our time in Sonoma. You're right - there is no need for 3 nights there! Now that I think about it, that would have been longer than in any other place! Maybe we'll cut it back to two or even one...? I'm not even a wine drinker, but my husband is and so he'd love to visit this area, even just for a little bit... (just a thought - what about if we did wine country near Santa Barbara instead?).

As for San Fran, we have heard tremendous things of course, but to be honest, I've never really thought of SF as being a "baby-friendly" destination. I know that it's very "kid-friendly", but with all of the hills, it makes it no good for stroller-ing, and of course, because of the need for a carseat, it's not possible to just hop into a cab (and I have no desire to drive our rental car in the city!). Also, I know that SF has top-notch restaurants - also not good for bringing a toddler along. Any thoughts? What are the must-sees in SF? Maybe we'll increase it to two nights there...

As for Yosemite, do you guys think that 2 nights there is enough (I know - there is probably never ENOUGH time in Yosemite) - but do you think that's the right amount of time given our other plans? We could always take one of the extra days from Sonoma and add it on here...

As for taking out Palm Springs/Joshua Tree, I just really wanted to get a slight taste for the California desert! The hot weather is actually quite appealing to us (yes, we're Canadians ) - I know that our DS wouldn't be able to do much in that heat, but that's why I thought we could just spend one night at a resort, take the tramway, a quick drive through Joshua Tree - is it really that far out of the way? And my concern about taking it out is that we'd then have too long in L.A. (I'm not really that interested in spending much time in L.A. - we live in a big city and aren't that into spending much time in huge cities while away - as you could tell from our itinerary ). And I don't want to bump all of our plans back, because I don't want to be in Yosemite over the weekend (for many reasons - lodging, crowds etc.). Hmmm...

Again, thanks for your suggestions and I look forward to more! You've got me thinking!!

bear900

<<what about if we did wine country near Santa Barbara instead?).>>

You can do that.

Google Santa Ynez and Foxen Canyon wineries for the SB area.

Google Paso Robles wineries for north of there. From there you can shoot west to hiway 1.

A lot of these are smaller so may be easier for you and the baby.

<< I've never really thought of SF as being a "baby-friendly" destination>>

I don’t know what to say. Moms..?

I think there are a lot of babies there.

<< As for Yosemite, do you guys think that 2 nights there is enough>>

Two nights can mean one full day depending on your arrival and departure. In that case no. If you are hikers, you will want more time.

Is it just me, or is hiking and kid friendly.... I don’t know. Vernal falls in Y will be fairly easy with a baby. There are also meadow trails.

<< Palm Springs/Joshua Tree, I just really wanted to get a slight taste for the California desert!>>

You will.

<< is it really that far out of the way?>>

Not if you spend less time in LA.

bear900

If you’re okay with the above, or at least some of it, here are some suggestions for parts of your tour.

1. For SF, check StuDudley’s threads. He has a list of walking tours as well as great information on the City. He may even read this and offer some baby friendly advice for the City.

2. Research my threads under CA and you will find some information on wine trails between Santa Barbara and Paso Robles. May have to go back a ways.

3. I recently put together some information on hiking on Central coast on this thread: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

4. If you decide on Paso wine trails, a good one is left on the Vineyard exit in Templeton, just before Paso Robles.

5. You can check for cancellations at Yosemite. Also, may wish to check property management services in Bass Lake that have homes between the lake and Y Valley. That may be nice for a baby. We have used them and they are nice.

6. Look up “pinnacles” on Fodors or Google for Western Pinnacles State Park. You will get a taste for some desert but also very colorful rock formations. It's on 101 but is parallel to the 1 which is the preferred Big Sur route.

Others can give more advice on these as well as on north and south areas.

bear900

correction to above thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35118332

padams421

We took a 2 year old to San Franscisco and found lots to do. Don't overlook neighborhood playgronds and parks. Your son will likely be walking by June and will want to be practicing his new skill. In addition to considering how much time he's willing to spend happily in a carseat while driving, you also need to consider that he may not be that keen about the stroller or a backpack by June. Plan to visit places that he can stretch his legs. I think Fodors has a book on San Francisco with Kids that has great suggestions for kid friendly dining, parks, etc. Have fun!

onemoneygirl

You are doing an awful lot of driving and the car time and the packing and unpacking will be the hardest for you. Think about staying three nights at each destination... no one nights. I think that would be the best thing you could do to make it easiest on yourself and your little one. (Lots of car trips with my little guyss!)

I would skip Palm Springs and add the nights in LA or Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Zoo is right by the beach and the pier and your little one can watch the birds and the boats... on Stearns Wharf.

By all means do your wine tasting north of SB and skip Sonoma.

In Monterey, plaan to spend some time at Dennis the Menace park... it will be a highlight for your little one, every child LOVES it!

jasmine3

joshua tree seems awfully hot place to be with a 12 mo. old.

POlson

My advice is really more about travelling with a toddler. I have made similar comments before and you are of course free to disregard but we have found that when travelling with our little ones the better trips were the ones where we moved around less, three night hotels stays work best. While the little ones have been very tolerant of the long drives they disliked changing hotels (which I understand as so do I: pack, unpack, pack, unpack, which is even worse with all the kids gear that we tend to drag around). With that said, I would go fewer places and spend more time at each. Take some slow days to enjoy the parks and neighborhoods, take naps, walks on beach etc

Day 1 (Sat.) San Diego: Fly into San Diego in a.m.. Pick up rental car. Visit the downtown area? Coronado? Rent a bike. Overnight in San Diego (as of now, we're planning to stay in a one-bedroom at the Sommerset Suites in Hillcrest - any opinions?).

Day 2 (Sun.) San Diego: Day in San Diego. Visit Pacific Beach and La Jolla? Consider Legoland? Scripps Aquarium.

Day 3 (Mon.) San Diego: Day in San Diego. Visit San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park? Consider Seaworld even at 12 months our DD loved it. Overnight in San Diego (Sommerset Suites).

Day 4 (Tues.) Santa Barbara: Leave San Diego for Santa Barbara. Slow drive day. Stops along the way. Relax.

Day 5 (Wed.) Santa Barbara: Go to the beach. Walk around town. Arrange Spa visits for each of you or some other activity that you can trade off doing to match your respective interests. A little solo leisure time is a nice treat.

Day 6 (Thurs.) Santa Barbara: Visit Wine Country and surrounding areas

Day 7, 8, 9 (Fri., Sat., Sun.): Drive up the central coast/hwy 1. A must see for us: the Monterey Bay Aquarium! 3 Overnights in Monterey (?), or Carmel (?)

Day 10, 11, 12 (Mon., Tues., Wed.): Drive over to Yosemite NP (where should we head over from?). Spend 3 nights, 2 full days in the park (outside of driving time) visiting Yosemite NP - hiking, where possible and driving to see the sights. Overnights in/around Yosemite.

Day 13, 14, 15, 16 (Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun): Leave Yosemite NP (by around 2:00 - DS's naptime). Drive to San Francisco. Lots and Lots to do in San Francisco. You could even do a day trip to Napa. Do a separate post for ideas to do in SF. You might also consider getting a babysitter (the nicer hotels usually can refer you to a service) and going for a splurge dinner.

bear900

onemoneygirl:

<<The Santa Barbara Zoo is right by the beach and the pier and your little one can watch the birds and the boats... on Stearns Wharf.>>

I second this. We would take our nephews and nieces there when they were young and they absolutely loved it.

There is also a nearby carousel there now.

onemoneygirl, are you the same as moneygirl?

onemoneygirl

bear900:

Yes! I am moneygirl! It's nice to be back!

I know they were planning on the SD Zoo, but I think SB is more the right speed and size for a 12 month old.

Jean

You've been given a lot of good information to digest. A few more thoughts:

I'd suggest dropping L.A. from this trip. Your time is so short, June weather can be very gloomy, and you have the little guy who may not be able to handle the pace of this day. Add the night to Santa Barbara.

You may encounter lots of traffic on your drive up Highway 1 on a weekend in June. You may also have heavy morning fog or a gloomy day. It will be difficult to find a hotel (especially something special for your anniversary) that will take a reservation for a single night between Thursday and Monday. This is a tricky part of your itinerary, and you definitely want to lock this in and make hotel reservations ASAP.

I wouldn't drop Joshua Tree if you want to experience the desert. June would be the perfect time to visit. I'm not a big fan of Palm Springs, but it would definitely provide a good dose of sunshine, warm weather and relaxation.

dmlove

Just be aware that "warm" is a serious understatement -- it will be darned HOT. The average highs in June in Palm Desert range from 99 to 106 degrees.

GranthamMommy

My son was born in San Diego and we lived there until he was 18 mos old.

You definitely want a stroller.

He loved the San Diego Zoo. Once he was walking the petting zoo area became a favorite. Go early in the day when the animals are more active.

One of our all time favorite days was taking the ferry to Coronado.
We were on a boat!!! We bought some picnic items from the store and let him run around on the sand and grass. We chased birds, watched the kites.

The Wild Animal Park was fun. I don't know if they still have the lorakeets (sp?) but it was fun to have the little birds land on your hand and to feed them the syrupy food. Dad/Mom holding you of course.

Baseball fans? See if the Padres are in town. And spend some time walking around Seaport Village.

and walk up the embarcadero to see the Navy ships. I think you can tour them. Have a nice meal at The Fish Market.

Seaworld is great too! You can't beat Shamu coming out of the water.
We have great pics of Jack dancing near the different bands they had playing in the park. Go at night. It's more fun to watch in the dark.

I would definitelky skip LA on this trip.

We enjoyed Palm Springs when he was little, but not in the heat of summer. Take the tramway trip up to the top of the mountain and it will be 30 degrees cooler.

Halfway between LA and SF is....

We liked the slower pace of San Luis Obispo and stayed in Avila Beach/Morro Bay area. Haven't been there in 11 years though. SLO has a great farmers market in town on Thursdays and their own Missions. A nice little college town.

You're son is still little so plan some family things in San Diego with great photo ops, then relax more for the two of you. Congratulations!