5 days around SF - need some ideas - Tahoe/Yosemite??
 

We'll be visiting family in Los Altos between Christmas and New Year's and would like to consider doing some inland sightseeing. We've been to San Francisco several times and on our last two trips, we went North to Point Reyes and Napa and South through Carmel and down to Big Sur. We're thinking of Tahoe and Yosemite but aren't sure what the roads and weather will put a damper on our travels in December.

The stats: We've got 5 days, 12/27 - 12/31 and must start and end in Los Altos. We love the outdoors and are active but we're not skiers or snowboarders.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Yosemite Valley offers a lot, even in the winter. Most of the roads are open year around. From the Bay Area, quickest is via Oakdale and Highway 120. Next best is via Merced. IMO Tahoe offers less for the non-skiers, unless you like casinos, in the winter. You can also take Highway 49 through te Gold Rush country from Placerville south to catch 120 or the route out of Merced.
Unless there is an actual winter storm on going or just passed, road condition should be OK.

Of the two, I'd choose Yosemite, definitely. I don't know what the availability of lodging is like that time of year though - I don't know how popular it is during the holiday season, but a lot of people are off work between Christmas and New Years. The route into Yosemite along Hwy 140 has the lowest elevation, so that would be my choice for winter driving. Weather could put a damper on your travels or not - just depends if a storm comes in. The roads may not be passable if it is snowing or you may be required to have chains, but they plow the roads so once the plows go through, it would be fine.

"<i>I don't know how popular it is during the holiday season,</i>"

Very, VERY, <B>VERY</B> popular. Books up far ahead. I'd choose Yosemite too IF you can get into Yosemite Lodge, or the Ahwahnee (its very expensive and a major Holiday destination though). I would not stay outside the Valley in winter simply because the driving in/out every day would be difficult. Check ASAP.

If you can't get into the Valley, then you'd have a lot more choices at Tahoe, though the nice places will be expensive.

Thanks for your responses. I just checked and the only available lodging are tent cabins at Curry Village. We agree with janisj that we don't want to stay outside of Yosemite and will look at Tahoe instead.

Which part of Tahoe is better if we're looking for more piece and quiet than glitz and casinos?

Well take at look at Yosemite View. It's only like 20 minutes from the Arch Rock entrance and maybe only 30 minutes into the valley. It's not a winding 30 minutes either it's a straight shot and very beautiful. I'd look into that before looking into Tahoe.

http://www.yosemite-motels.com/yosem...odge/index.htm

Additionally, there are cancellation at the Lodge at the Falls every day. You could just keep checking to see if anything opens up.


www.yosemitepark.com

You can take YARTS into the Valley from El Portal and end up in the valley with all the shuttles so you wouldn't be driving:

http://www.yarts.com/