If we only have 3 or 4 days in California in January, where should we visit? I'm a fast traveler so I don't mind renting a car and driving the coast for a few hours to a new spot then moving on to somewhere else the following day. I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, nature, animals and the water. I live in Florida so I visit the coast often but I know the coast in Cali is not the same. We can fly in and out of any of the major airports. My travelling buddy and I have ever been to Cali so a little of the tourist things are OK but would enjoy some nature/scenery too. I know the state is huge and this is a blank canvas type of trip for us, so I'm open for anything.

Any suggestions? Thank you!

With only 3-4 days my choice would be Highway 1 from San Francisco to Santa Monica.

HTtY

Cali is a city in Colombia.

Coastal scenery, with hiking in nature -- in January. Hmmm....

The area north of the Bay Area is a perfect place for ALL of this, but January does not have the best weather. It is POSSIBLE that you could have four days of crisp, clear, cool weather -- but more LIKELY that you would have dreary, drizzly, and foggy weather. As much as I love Northern California, in January I'm forced to recommend you head south.

The coastal area around San Diego is not nearly as scenic as that north of the Bay Area, but at least it will have better weather in January. And even if it rains on the coast the whole time you're in California (a real possibility), then you can head for the desert area nearby.

On the coast you can enjoy Cabrillo National Monument, Torrey Pines, and a couple of state reserves. If the weather is lousy, just head for Cleveland National Forest, Anza-Borrega State Park, Palm Desert, or Joshua Tree National Park.

Thanks so much! What do you think about an overnight to Sequoia National Forest if we fly into LA?

> What do you think about an overnight to
> Sequoia National Forest if we fly into LA?

First of all, are you asking about Sequoia National FOREST or Sequoia National PARK? They are different entities.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/recr...ide/index.html

Second, everything I said about difficult weather in January along the California Coast goes TRIPLE for the Sierra Nevada, and it doesn't matter if you go to the national forest or the national park. You might get beautifully clear (but VERY COLD) days, or you could get a blinding blizzard that closes all roads into the Sierras. If you've never driven in snow before, the Sierras in a blizzard is NOT an area to learn how to do so!

Having experienced the Sierras in both summer and winter, and having learned how to handle nasty weather in Iowa, I'd have no problem going to Sequoia National Park during a CLEAR winter day. But there's no way to predict that you'll actually get that, even after you arrive!

Also, it takes pretty much a whole day -- each way -- to get between L.A. and Sequoia NP. That means you'll spend two days just driving between the two areas; which, on a three day visit, doesn't leave much time for anything else.

You are coming in Jan, but want to do outdoorsy/scenic things.

Your options are fairly limited. I second all PaulRabe's concerns/warnings.

Now, you could go to the desert (Death Valley, Joshua Tree, etc.).

Or spend the time in San Diego.

The coast between north of Santa Barbara and San Francisco (especially Big Sur/Carmel) is amazing - but the weather could be a huge problem. The highway through Big Sur and father north above Santa Cruz . . . washes out at least somewhere most winters.

Thanks for the info! I did not realize the drive to the Sequoia area was so long. Google Maps said 4 hours. No snow in LA and up to Santa Barbara area correct? Janis when you say washes out...do you mean from snow or rain?

"Janis when you say washes out...do you mean from snow or rain?"

Coast = potential winter storms/heavy rain. Mountains = potential winter storms/deep snow

Now, the weather could be wonderful while you are out here. But unfortunately the odds are against it. Jan/Feb are our rainiest/stormiest/snowiest months.

You really can't pre-plan an outdoorsy trip those months. I do go places like Lake Tahoe or Yosemite or the coast in the winter. But a big difference is I live here and can make plans at the last minute. If the forecasts are good Saturday AM-off I go. If not, I stay in my jammies and read the weekend papers. (plus I own tire chains in case I get stuck in an unexpected snowstorm - and you can't put chains on a rental).

Definitely come to California -but modify your expectations a bit. San Diego might be wonderful.

LA -> San Diego +> Julian -> Palm Springs


You have a better chance at some decent weather in Southern CA in January. Northern CA can be pretty rainy.

Here is what I would do... Since it is winter you are safer in so Cal. Fly into LAX, spend the night in Santa Monica. Have a great meal, catch some nightlife and maybe a famous person. Drive to The desert - about 3 hours. If you want a city do Palm Springs. I highly suggest Joshua Tree national park it is unlike anywhere else in the world. You can camp but desert at night is very cold. Then drive down to San Diego for remaining days. You can even see some coastal cliffs if you go the the right spots.

Do you want the most scenic route - or more just to hang out?

Unless there is a huge mudslide - don't believe the Coast hi way/1 from SF to LA "washes out" - and that is the most scenic drive, especially the Big Sur area - south of Carmel/Monterrey. http://tinyurl.com/buezpwy

Or as mentioned - you could fly into LA or San Diego - and get up to the mid-level mountains above SD - such as the old mining town/apple pie center of Julian (an hour from SD) - http://www.julianca.com/attractions/index.htm or head over to Palm Springs/Coachella Valley (a couple hours from LA or SD) and maybe take the tram up to the top of 10,000+ foot - Mt. San Jacinto. http://www.ci.palm-springs.ca.us/index.aspx?page=5

Unless it's raining heavily in Southern California - or you arrive just after a big storm - you should be able to do some hiking.

I would fly into San Diego and spend my time there - there is plenty to do and see..and enjoy...you can take a drive up to Orange county for the day if you want to explore a little more...but there is plenty in the San Diego area.

The most spectacular drive in the state is Hwy. 1 on the central coast. It has everything you originally said you wanted. I would fly into San Jose (or which ever bay area airport has the best deal)and out of LAX and spend my time driving between the two. If the weather is in question when you go, then call the CA highway number and check on conditions, you could always express drive down 5 if needed, but I bet you won't have to. I have done that drive numerous times at all times of the year and the absolute best trip was early February right after a rain storm - incredible.

Another vote for San Diego and maybe do some wine tasting and even spend the night in Temecula. Don't know your budget but the Temecula Creek Inn is very nice. Nearby is Pachanga Casino.

Or Santa Barbara with a visit to wine county in the Santa Ynez Valley. Either would be good choice.

Just a slight addendum to barblab's plan, if you choose that option - if Hwy 1 washes out or it is particularly stormy and inadvisable to take that route the day of your drive, Hwy 101 is the alternate route that you want to take rather than I-5. Hwy 101 is still reasonably scenic and will link you back up with the coast around Pismo Beach.

We took Hwy 101 north to south recently and it was so much nicer than I-5 (albeit maybe an hour longer drive from SFO to San Diego).

Linzy428 - I'm a fellow Floridian who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. You've been given some nice choices here, certainly. The coast is much different from Florida (particularly starting around Central California and going north).

Given that this is January....

With so little time in such a large, geographically diverse state, it's hard to pick out a couple highlights. However, I'd lean toward Joshua Tree National Park for something really different. http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm

You may even be able to take a detour into Big Bear, to see a bit of snow. Depending on the airport you choose (there are several, including LAX, San Diego, San Bernadino), you could also have time for a bit of a drive along the coast.

Avoid I-5. It will get you there (along with a zillion other cars), but just is not a pretty drive.

I agree with the idea to fly into one of the Los Angeles/OC airports (don't forget Burbank, Long Beach or John Wayne (SNA) are options that are lots nicer than LAX for easy access. Go with the Joshua Tree/Palm Springs suggestion. Lots of hiking and beautiful views of snowcapped peaks. There is also the tram if you want to do some snow play.

http://www.pstramway.com/

One more vote for Southern California......I live in Northern California, and the weather is much more mild down south. You'll be much more able to enjoy the outdoors in San Diego than in San Francisco!