25th Anniversary Trip
 

My husband and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in October. We are thinking of doing several long weekends during the year to celebrate rather than one long trip - does anyone have any comments on doing the California coastline trip - would that be something to do in October? I thought maybe that would be something<BR>romantic to do. Any comments?<BR>Thanks

Sounds like a great idea. How long, and what parts.

If you are doing Northern California, October will be a perfect time. September/October is always the warmest time of year at least in San Francisco, and I would imagine the same would be true for the coast up to Mendocino. <BR>

Great time of year for the California coast. Are you thinking northern, central or southern part of the long state? There's so much to see and do that you're going to find that a weekend just isn't enough time. Wine tasting in Napa, followed by a few days in San Francisco, then drive down to Carmel, followed by a day or two in Cambria (Hearst Castle) and then nack to San Francisco or on down to Santa Barbara and LA.

I am not for sure what part of California to do - I was thinking of around Carmel and Monterey. We just wanted to drive and enjoy the coastline.<BR>If you have any recommendations or suggestions that would be great.<BR>Thanks<BR>Mary

Mary, to make it worthwhile ( I'm assuming you're flying here from somewhere else) I would fly into San Jose and rent a car. Drive down to Monterey and stay in Pacific Grove at one of the wonderfully romantic inns down there--Green Gables, 7 Gables (do a search here) One day in Monterey, one day in Carmel, including the beautiful Pt. Lobos State Park, one day driving the hwy 1 through Big Sur and one day in Cambria with Hearst Castle if you like. Then drive the inland route (46 to 101) and north back to San Jose. So, total of two nights in Pacific Grove and two nights in Cambria on Moonstone Beach or J. Patrick House, if you're a B&B person. You might also want to stay at Ragged Point Inn just north of Cambria which has gorgeous views of the beginning of Big Sur. Congrats.

Our favorite California trip that we have done twice now, is the coast between Point Reyes and up to Mendocino. I could do that trip over and over again. One of the places we stayed was the Elk Cove Inn. Website: www.elkcoveinn.com

Thanks so much for your help and suggestions - I will be doing some research now.<BR>Mary