4 Day March Trip to Cali - Where to start?
 

We are planning a 4 day trip to California at the end of March.
We must end in Chico for previous obligations, but can start anywhere with an airport.
I would LOVE suggestions of restaurants, attractions and accommodations!

Currently we are considering the following 3 options, as we will be flying in from Alaska.

1) Fly into Oregon, either Portland or Medford, see the Redwood National Forest, head down the coast then head inland, hit a winery and good food on the way down to Chico.

2) Fly into San Francisco, drive down to Big Sur, see nature, maybe a winery on the way up to Chico.

3) Fly into LAX (cheapest flight from Alaska & direct), get out of LA asap to see the Sequoias, spend some time in nature, possible winery and if time, a day in Sacramento before Chico.

Am I missing another Big option? We would really love to see the Redwoods but worry about the weather. Winery is my choice, not my BF's. Either way, we don't want to spend a ton of time driving from place to place, and nature and good food rank top of the list for both of us.

I appreciate all of your help and suggestions in advance!

Start by not referring to it as "Cali."

San Francisco always get my vote for lots to do in short time and ease of getting around. Food, museums, walking tours, Muir Woods, Big Sur, you can't go wrong

She/he walked right into that one, DebitNM, and I was about to say those very words.

Next - I also suggest you fly into SFO (or Oakland), then head north to redwoods, wine, coast, various hot springs on your way to Chico. There are an enormous variety of terrain and indulgences in a fairly small bit of geography. You certainly don't need to start in Oregon, or that state of southern "cali" to find the most wonderful ways to spend a few days.

Are you thinking about a one way car rental ending in Chico?
Think about flying into Sacramento (SMF) and renting a car for the trip up to Chico. You could also drive across the GG bridge from San Francisco and go to Muir Woods to see some large Coast Redwoods without the long trip through northern coastal California. (Please don't call it Cali.)
If flights to Portland are cheap, you can take the Amtrak Coast Starlight south. It has a stop in Chico about 5AM. It arrives in Sacramento about 6:15AM. The YOLO bus will take you out to the SMF airport if you want to rent a car before the downtown rentals open at 9AM.
Wineries are not that interesting in March IMO.

I'd consider either flying into SFO and doing Napa/the Sonoma Coast/wineries, maybe as far north as Mendocino, then Chico

OR

fly into SMF and either explore the Gold rush country along hwy 49 and over to Chico -- or -- Lake Tahoe, a bit of hwy 49 and then Chico.

There are REALLY good wineries in Amador County and other areas on the hwy 49 corridor so you don't have to do Napa/Sonoma to get good wines/tastings/restaurants.

But only IF you promise to purge 'Cali" from your vocabulary (unless you are planning a trip to Cali Colombia)

>> perceived superiority over the OP<<

I don't think it's superiority - just a "favor" to the OP. Lovely is gonna get some strange looks from taxi drivers, waiters, concierge or check-in clerk at a hotel, if he/she uses Cali or Frisco, or even San Fran.

Both our coastline (especially Big Sur) and San Francisco are unique. I would do # 2 and then visit some redwood trees on the way to SF.

Here are some other ideas:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

No question: Option 2. Changing planes in Seattle is a small nuisance compared to dealing with the traffic in and out of LAX and the greater LA area. I know-- I live here. You'll have just enough time to get a taste of wherever you land; I vote for the splendor of the northern half of this breathtaking, endlessly-varied state. Take Stu's advice, go over his recommendations; San Francisco alone is worth a long, leisurely visit. Have a sample on this trip.

No question: Nix on "Cali", nix on "San Fran", nix on "Frisco" (*shudder*). But don't worry; eventually the wonky labels fade into obscurity. I rarely hear "the OC" anymore in popular parlance-- thank the stars.

janisj's suggestion to explore gold country is a good one. Grass Valley and Nevada City are both charming; and as she said, one doesn't have to stick to Napa/Sonoma to enjoy wineries.

There is a winery about 20-30 minutes north of Chico that's very small but good.

www.newclairvaux.org

The OP only has 4 days so I would fly into SFO and spend 3 days in SF then drive over to Chico. You can see redwoods at Muir Woods or at Henry Cowell State Park near Santa Cruz, just south of SF.

If you do go with Janis or tenthumbs' plan, fly into Sacramento. The wild flowers will be in bloom and wineries are EVERYWHERE. Not just Napa/Sonoma. Handier for your trek up to Chico.