alwaysafrica

Hi!

First of all, I'd like to thank all of you for such wonderful advice... it helps so much! Over the course of the weekend, with the help of your posts and a weekend full of research, we've revised our itinerary quite a bit... We've taken out the desert completely (which gives us more time in other areas - we'll just have to come back and do a desert trip another time!), we've extended our stay in Yosemite, we've tried to make a lot of our stays 2 or 3 nighters, rather than one, for the benefit of our little guy (although some places, we just can't avoid the 1-night stay) etc. I'm going to write our current proposed itinerary out here and hope that any/all of you have more tips for us!

Day 1 (Sat.): Fly into San Diego in a.m.. Pick up rental car. Visit the downtown area? Coronado? Overnight in San Diego (stay in a one-bedroom suite 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).

Thanks for all of the suggestions about what to do in San Diego with our little one - we will be heeding the advice!

Day 4 (Tues.): Leave San Diego. Drive through L.A./Hollywood (just to see it!) and head to Santa Monica. Overnight in Santa Monica (maybe stay at the Doubletree or Embassy Hotel Apartments? The Embassy looks wonderful, but we were kind of hoping for a pool...). Any opinions on where to stay? Is Santa Monica a good choice?

Day 5 (Wed.): Full day in Santa Monica (with a day trip to Venice Beach, etc.) and overnight in Santa Monica.

Day 6 (Thurs.): Head to the coast via Santa Barbara. Have lunch in Santa Barbara, visit the town and Stearns Wharf and then in the late afternoon, head out... where to stay? We were thinking maybe of Pismo Beach (at the Sea Gypsy?) for some fun in the sand. Also, any ideas about an interesting route to get from Santa Barbara to the coast? (someone recently mentioned to us a route that goes "behind" SB - does anyone know what this might be?).

Day 7 (Fri.): If we stay in Pismo, we were thinking of going to the sand dunes in Guadalupe... is this worthwhile? Can we climb the dunes with the baby in a backpack hiker?

Then, head partway up the coast - maybe stay in Big Sur? Any hotel suggestions?

Day 8, 9 (Sat., Sun.): Continue the drive up the central coast/hwy 1. A must see for us: the Monterey Bay Aquarium (and perhaps Dennis the Menace park)! Still unsure of where is best to spend our time here??? Is it better to do 2 nights in Big Sur and 1 night in Carmel, or the other way around?

The Saturday night is our 5-year wedding anniversary and so we want to do/be something/somewhere special...

Is the 17-mile drive through Pebble Beach worthwhile?

Day 10, 11, 12 (Mon., Tues., Wed.): Drive over to Yosemite NP (where should we head over from... where is the best point on the coast to leave from (i.e. Santa Cruz, Monterey etc.) so as to maximize sightseeing, but minimize the drive as much as possible - is it worth the drive to Santa Cruz before heading over?). Spend 3 nights, 4 days (including driving time) visiting Yosemite NP - hiking, where possible and driving to see the sights. Overnights at Yosemite West Four Seasons - Lower Enchanted unit.

We're thinking of starting in the south of the park (through Fish Camp) and doing Mariposa Grove (sequoias) on the first day, and then doing the fissurs near Mariposa (our brother-in-law really recommended this, but I haven't heard of it before... anyone done this?) and then heading to our condo.

We then have 2 solid days in the park - thanks for all of the suggestions! Any more? We're thinking that the second day, we'd head into the valley for a full day and for sunset (hiking etc.). And then the third day, doing the tioga pass - any idea whether it will be open?

Day 13, 14, 15, 16 (Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun): Leave Yosemite NP (by around 2:00 - DS's naptime) via the west gate (is there anywhere interesting to stop along our way to San Francisco?). We've got these next four nights left to spend time in San Francisco (taking Stu Dudley's threads with us for sure!) and the surrounding areas... Our options include doing day trips to Muir Woods/Point Reyes and Sonoma (unless we've already done some wine country up near Santa Barbara?) OR potentially taking a few nights and driving north to the Redwoods. Opinions?

Also, where is best to stay in the San Fran area (given that we have a rental car, but don't want to drive/want to take public transit while in the city) - we had thought about maybe staying in Sausalito and taking the ferry in each day... or would it be better to stay in Union Square (or some other area?) right in the city?

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

Sorry that this is such a LONG post! But I'm loving the feedback - and oh, I'm getting SO EXCITED just writing down our itinerary!!!

dmlove

Check out this link, in particular regarding the Cow Hollow Inn & Suites. You'd be much better off staying there, with free parking and within walking distance of two fun neighborhood streets (Union Street and Chestnut Street), both filled with shops and restaurants. I haven't stayed there myself (I live here), but everyone who writes about them seems to like them a lot, and you can't bweat the free parking!

http://tinyurl.com/yavj4f

dmlove

OK, that didn't work. Just go up to the search box and type in "Cow Hollow Suites" and you'll get a list of threads in which it was mentioned, almost always favorably.

paula1470

Your itinerary looks pretty good. If you can't get into Cow Hollow Suites, try the Columbus Motor Inn. They are a sister hotel to Cow Hollow and I think there is a link to them on the Cow Hollow website. What is great about these hotels is that they offer free parking. So you can park your rental car and forget about it while in SF. This is worth alot because parking in SF can be up to $45 a night. Also I know that Columbus Motor Inn has some two bedroom suites and their prices are very reasonable.

You really need to book some rooms now if you haven't already done so. I think I mentioned previously that there was very little availability even outside Yosemite. Also looks like some June weekends at Columbus Motor Inn are already booked but I don't know your exact dates. Get some room reservations now and you can always change or cancel them if need be.

janisj

I was reading through your thread ready to YELL "drop Palm Springs" - but you did before I got to it

Your new itinerary is soooo much better.

Just a couple of quick comments . . . .

I second Cow Hollow or Columbus Motor Inn. Either would be perfect for your situation.

And for your days in Carmel/Monterey/Big Sur -- most places on the coast have a 2 night minimum over weekends. I think you plan on being in that area over a Fri/Sat/Sun nights - right. I personally would prefer to stay 1 night in Big Sur and 2 nights in Monterey. But it looks like you'll probably need to book the 2 nights (fri/sat) in Big Sur. Sunday nights don't usually come w/ the 2 night requirement so you could do 1 night in Monterey. (if I have the days wrong - then just keep the 2 night weekends in mind)

onemoneygirl

The "back way" from SB north is on the 154... the San Marcos Pass. You can reach it from Upper State Street or by carefully watching the freeway signs as you're going north on the 101.

Am I reading correctly that you're leaving Santa Monica and wishing to stop in SB for the day and to spend the night in Pismo?

Pismo is kinda grungy.

Pismo just isn't all that great. I'd rethink that and try to get as far north as Cambria, at least. I MIGHT even try to get to big sur that day to have two nights there AND two nights in Monterey.

If you are set on the "Pismo area" try to get a room at The La Fonda Hotel in Avila Beach and if you have a costco card there is a 30% discount. Avila has a wonderful playground right on the beach for kids and a very nice walking pah through the town.

paula1470

Hi moneygirl! I disagree a little about Pismo although obviously you know the area a lot better than me. I do think that Pismo Beach would be a great place to stay with a 12-month old if you want some beach time. It's a nice wide sandy beach with easy access from the hotels that are on the beach level-not on the cliffs. Santa Monica to Cambria and especially to Big Sur is a very long day with a baby in the car.

I was just up your way about a month ago. A very last minute trip so didn't have time to plan a GTG. But I stayed in Pismo again and enjoyed it. The La Fonda Hotel in Avila looks good. I will have to try it next time I head your way which may be sometime in April.

alwaysafrica

Hi,

Thank you so much for the suggestion of the Cow Hollow Suites - I just booked a one-bedroom suite for all 4 nights that we are in SF! I feel so much better knowing that we have it booked (and it looks great!)... and then if we decide to head up north of SF at any point and want to stay overnight, we can just cancel some of the nights... phew! The only thing about the Cow Hollow is that it doesn't appear to have a pool - is that right? I always love to have a pool when on vacation, but I know that we'll have spent plenty of time on the coast with a beach and hopefully a pool for swimming... I just was hoping...

As for where to stay on the coast, I'm going to try to tackle that beast in the next day or so... it's not easy to find something! I'm finding it particularly challenging (and expensive) to find suites (we might just have to settle for a standard room while on the coast, I suppose (although not ideal for our anniversary night!)).

Interesting debate about Pismo... I really chose it b/c it is directly on the beach (rather than on a cliff), so it might depend what our other accommodations look like as to whether we need it. For example, that Sanctuary Resort in Monterey (which looks SPECTACULAR!!!) is right on the beach and would satisfy my desire to stay right on the beach - unfortunately, it doesn't appear to have any full suites.

janisj

Pool - San Francisco - June

(You will more likely need sweatshirts than swimsuits)

paula1470

Janisj makes a good point. Keep in mind that it is not really warm in San Francisco in the summer. You need to dress in layers. It could be nice during the day (70 degrees) or it could be windy and cold.

As far as coast accomodations, the further south you get, the warmer it will be. The average temperature for Monterey in June is 67 degrees. Not what I would call beach weather. But nothing is nicer than staying by the beach, getting up and taking a walk along the ocean, and sitting out in the evening to watch the sunset.

However in San Diego and the LA area, they have what is called "June Gloom". This means that it is cool and overcast close to the ocean and often stays that way all day. If you go just a few miles inland, it usually is nice and much warmer. Often the June Gloom does burn off by noon time.

I think for the Central Coast area, try to find the nicest place for the price so you can celebrate your anniversary.

bear900

<< Day 7 (Fri.): If we stay in Pismo, we were thinking of going to the sand dunes in Guadalupe... is this worthwhile? Can we climb the dunes with the baby in a backpack hiker? >>

Yes and yes.

http://santalucia.sierraclub.org/osoflaco.html

The dunes stretch about 20 miles from Guadalupe in the south to Oceano Beach (and dunes) in the north.

Here are the basic differences which are significant, although all have access to the dunes.

The Guadalupe Dunes are at Guadalupe Beach at the southern end (not a beach town, but great authentic Mexican food). Access is via parking lot, no hiking to get there and kind of boring. It is not my favorite access.

Oceano Beach is a ‘drive on’ beach with RV’s, 4x4’s and quads right on the beach. You can rent quads at the entrance and ride the dunes. On crowded weekends someone is always getting hurt there as they underestimate the dunes. On rare occasions there have been deaths.

In the middle is my favorite part of the dunes called Oso Flaco Lake. It is very safe. It is also the hardest to drive to but worthwhile.

The area surrounding it is heavy agriculture. You pay to park. It’s a very nice hike, just under a mile to the dunes through a tree, brush and raccoon filled trail. You cross a boardwalk built over a very small lake, then a sandy boardwalk path to the dunes. It is windy as are all the dunes.

alwaysafrica

Hi!

This is all getting so exciting! Each leg of the trip that we plan... I get more and more excited about the trip overall!

So, we've now made some decisions about our time on the coast! But we still have some up-in-the-airs, so hopefully you will be able to help just a little more (I LOVE this board... this has been my first time on the U.S. board and I'm loving it - thank you!).

So, I'm just going to repeat the coast portion of our itinerary here (the rest stays as my post from yesterday, for now ) :

Day 6 (Thurs.): From Santa Monica, head to the coast via Santa Barbara (thanks onemoneygirl for the info on the back route out - sounds great!). Have lunch in Santa Barbara, visit the town and Stearns Wharf and then in the late afternoon, head out...

We're still not sure where to stay! We were thinking maybe of Pismo Beach (at the Sea Gypsy?), but now we're thinking that maybe we could get farther than that along the coast... (and perhaps even stopping at the dunes along the way - would that be possible Bear900? And would the hike into your favourite part be do-able with the baby, do you think?).

We were thinking of maybe spending this night in San Simeon or Cambria? We figure that we're going to be arriving late (from our day in Santa Barbara and perhaps the dunes) and then we'd want to leave early in the morning on our way up the coast, so perhaps this is the night to stay somewhere cheap and nothing special... Any thoughts?

Day 7 (Fri.): Leave early in the morning (If we do stay in Pismo, perhaps we'll do the sand dunes in morning...). During the day, we'd like to do the southern part of the Big Sur coast, including hiking in the Pfieffer parks, etc.

As you'll see, we're planning to spend Saturday and Sunday night at the Andril Cottages in Pacific Grove. They were suggested in an older post and we're SO happy that we found them! The spot looks great - and isn't exorbitantly expensive for us to have a lot of space - and a great location! If anyone has stayed there recently, I'd love to hear a review!

Anyways, we're not sure whether we should stay in Pacific Grove on the Friday night too, or whether we should stay somewhere in the middle? I think 3 nights at the cottage would be great for DS and might be a great location to get anywhere... I'd love to hear if I'm right about that!

Day 8 (Sat. - our 5-year anniversary!!!): Continue the drive up the central coast/hwy 1. Spend the day seeing Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur beaches. Have a lovely, romantic (for 3 dinner in Carmel (any suggestions???) and then head back to our cottage for the night.

Day 9 (Sun.): Spend the day at the beach in Pacific Grove, 17-mile drive and the Monterey Aquarium (and perhaps Dennis the Menace park). Spend the night at the Andril Cottages.

Day 10 (Mon.): Spend part of the morning enjoying the rest of the coast up to Santa Cruz... or should we leave for Yosemite (South gate) straight from Monterey??

Thanks!

bear900

Okay....your brain’s spinning…or at least you got mine....

Santa Monica to Santa Barbara to Cambria/San Simeon...dunes...one day?

Pismo....dunes...Big Sur....one day?

dunes out! You will be seeing much more and better! But baby-doable yes.

I answered the dunes question because you asked:
<< Day 7 (Fri.): If we stay in Pismo, we were thinking of going to the sand dunes in Guadalupe... is this worthwhile? Can we climb the dunes with the baby in a backpack hiker? >>

Yes.

I think you need to slow down a bit. Enjoy SB, relax, stay overnight in Carpinteria (if that’s more affordable then SB for you)....drive over part of Cachuma Pass as recommended...see Solvang...drive the back way into Los Olivos from Solvang....Foxen Canyon...

That would be my route....

What time of the year are you traveling? We day trip around here all the time.

Not THAT kind….sheesh....

bear900

Okay, I’m back. I need to re-read your posts. bdeep, bdeep, bdeep, okay.

Early June from Canada. You want heat! Lol

You leave Santa Monica Thursday morning…and end Saturday night in PG?

Counting my fingers…

Your plans are: After a full day and night in Santa Monica:

> Day 6 (Thurs.): Head to the coast via Santa Barbara.

Good idea. Your morning is spent driving. Try to spend the afternoon and night in SB or nearby if possible. You can’t do justice from this point on rushing. You’re out of LA, although SB traffic is beginning to get like that.

> Day 7 (Fri.): If we stay in Pismo,

Yes, good idea. Stick with that and plan accordingly. Last day of any heat.

> Day 8, 9 (Sat., Sun.): Continue the drive up the central coast/hwy 1

Another good idea. Get an early start Saturday for the drive up Big Sur and enjoy your anniversary! For that you’re on your own.

Does this help?

alwaysafrica

Hi Bear900 - I can't tell you how helpful you've been! Before receiving your post, we were busy planning/revising that earlier section of our coastal drive (we're now thinking of skipping the dunes, but doing a bit of wine country!). Let's see what you think (and yes - we're absolutely looking for at least some heat - we've had a brutal winter here in Toronto!!!):

Day 6 (Thurs.): From Santa Monica (we'll have spent almost 2 full days and 2 nights), leave first thing in the a.m. and head toward the coast via Santa Barbara. Have lunch in Santa Barbara, visit the town and Stearns Wharf. I know that almost of people recommend spending lots of time in SB, but we're thinking that it is one of those places that is going to have to be sacrificed for the sake of the rest of our trip... A few hours to check out the town and then... head out of town on the 154 into wine country!

Arrive in Paso Robles in the late afternoon. Stay at the Paso Robles Inn in one of their Jesse James suites (with a mineral water hot tub on the balcony). Apparently, it's about 90 degrees there in June - definitely will satisfy our need for heat ). Hopefully get there in time for a wine tasting...

We would have loved to have had dinner at the Hitching Post II in Buellton, but I guess that would get us into Paso Robles way too late in the evening to enjoy it...

Day 7 (Fri.): Spend the morning in Paso Robles, and then spend the afternoon exploring the southern part of the Big Sur coast, including hiking in the Pfieffer parks, etc., and ending up at the Andril Cottages in Pacific Grove. Is this too much to tackle? (of course, keeping in mind that we can head back down over the next day or two, if we feel that we rushed and/or missed anything).

If it is too much to tackle, is there somewhere else mid-way up the Big Sur Coast that would be better to stay on the Friday night (as opposed to heading all the way up to Pacific Grove)? Or is it all such a short distance that it doesn't matter?

(The rest of this remains the same...

Day 8 (Sat. - our 5-year anniversary!!!): Continue the drive up the central coast/hwy 1. Spend the day seeing Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur beaches. Have a lovely, romantic (for 3 dinner in Carmel (any suggestions???) and then head back to our cottage for the night.

Day 9 (Sun.): Spend the day at the beach in Pacific Grove, 17-mile drive and the Monterey Aquarium (and perhaps Dennis the Menace park). Spend the night at the Andril Cottages.)

Day 10 (Mon.): Spend part of the morning enjoying the rest of the coast up to Santa Cruz... or should we leave for Yosemite (South gate) straight from Monterey?? Any thoughts, Bear900?

I'm just bursting with excitement for this trip... can you tell???

Jean

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but your drive from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara should be along the coast through Malibu. When you get to Oxnard, you'll get on the 101 freeway.

But, before you leave your hotel, check traffic reports on TV or radio (980 AM at :08, :18, :28 etc. throughout every hour) just to be sure there's no problem on the Coast Highway in the Malibu area. If there's a rock slide or accident, take the 405/101 route.

janisj

you are definitely getting there.

Just one very quick comment - from Monterey/Carmel, I would leave directly for Yosemite. Monterey Bay/Santa Cruz are neat - but not nearly as dramatic or special as what you've see up to that point. I'd want to get to YNP early that afternoon.

alwaysafrica

Jean - my hubbie had actually looked at Google maps (we love that tool!) and decided that was probably a better route (avoiding L.A. traffic, more scenic) - thanks for the confirmation!

And janisj, thank you for that - we will leave from Monterey! I was hoping that would be the case...

Just one more question... I was thinking...

On the Friday, when we spend the morning in Paso Robles and then the afternoon in the southern part of the coast... Right now, we're planning to end up all the way in Pacific Grove at Andril Cottages (where we would spend 3 nights). The Big Sur Lodge actually has suites available for that Friday night and so would that be a better option? That would have us spending 2 nights in Santa Monica, followed by 1 night in Paso Robles, then 1 night in the Big Sur Lodge and then 2 nights in Pacific Grove, before we head to Yosemite.

I know that many people have recommended, when traveling with a toddler, to plan as many 3-night stays as possible. But I also know that if we stay 3 nights in Pacific Grove, it may also equal more driving in the end... so I'm not sure what would make more sense??

I agree that our itinerary has really come a long way in a short period of time (due to all of your help, of course!). It doesn't hurt that we're spending approx. $250 per night to stay in suite accommodations (we can't believe how expensive it is all over the state when looking for suites... but in the end, I think it will be worth it to have some relaxation time together once DS goes to bed each night).

janisj

If they will let you book for just Friday night - I'd go for it. Big Sur is very special. I personally try to avoid one night/one night/one night -- but Big Sur to PG is a slightly different situation since they are not that far apart. Sure- there will be an extra check in/check out/check in again - but you won't have hours of driving between the two so it wouldn't be as hectic.

If it was anywhere else - I'd recommend 3 nights in one place - but Big Sur is unique.

sdbeach

We've been living in San Diego for the past 11 years (for the past 7 with kids...) and our children are never happier then when we're at the beach (Torrey Pines State Beach is paramount, and Coronado is also breathtaking--the ferry from Downtown is great for kids as well). The zoo has always worked for us--from when they were babies, even. Definitely go in the morning, because it will be warm in the afternoon. When we've taken the kids to SF, we've found it an immensely kid-friendly place (more spots than I have room to write about here), and we had a blast with our little girl in SB. We're taking the kids to Northern Cali this summer--kind of a reverse of your trip, and I think (keeping kids in mind) that your whirlwind trip sounds amazing but perhaps a little overly ambitious? Will you plan a break in the day to accomodate napping? I am learning lots about where to stop as we go upstate from the posts attached to your thread. I'll keep reading to learn more for my own travels!