7 Days in California
 

Hello friends!!

I'm writing for some advice in my upcoming trip to Beautiful California.

We will be four people, my wife and her mother, my son (2 1/2 yrs old ) and me.

Our current schedule is as follows:

2/17/2008 Arrive at 9am in Los Angeles - Spend day in L.A.
2/18/2008 *Leave L.A. to Big Sur / Carmel Monterey
2/19/2008 Big Sur / Carmel / Monterey
2/20/2008 *Leave monterey to San Francisco
2/21/2008 San Francisco
2/22/2008 *leave to Lake Tahoe
2/23/2008 Lake Tahoe
2/24/2008 leave back to LA - flight leaves at 10PM


Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!!

Dave

Unless you're planning to ski, I would skip Lake Tahoe in February. Instead, I'd spend that time in San Francisco.

Your son will probably love the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We planned half a day there and ended up staying well into the afternoon.

Do you have to fly back from LA, or can you fly out of San Francisco instead? You'll be spending a lot of time in the car, and could be delayed by bad weather on the way back.

Lee Ann

I also would skip Lake Tahoe. With your proposed plan, you will be spending lots and lots of time in the car. I'd spend more time in San Francisco and leave Tahoe for another time.

Where are you coming from, and have you been to California before? What are you especially interested in?

The AT&T Pebble Beach golf tournament will be happening 2/15 -2/19, so Carmel will be very busy on the 18 and 19th and lodging will difficult to get on the 18th.

I hope you take lots of "car games" with you for your son, mom, & wife - because that's a heck of a lot of time in the car - and not much time "being there".

You only have about 7 1/2 days in Calif. You are really spending almost zero days in LA (arriving in LA at 9am, and spending the day there really isn't enough time to do much of anything) - any yet you're arriving & departing from LA???

I would strongly recommend changing your flight arrangements to fly in/out of SF, skip Tahoe, and just spent the time in San Francisco, and Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur. There is PLENTY of stuff just in this region to keep you satisfied for 7 days.

Stu Dudley

I wouldn't do it Dave, meaning Lake Tahoe. And if there is a big snowstorm you could get "stuck" getting out of Tahoe and miss your flight home. I have had friends that were stuck around Tahoe for 8 hours or more due to heavy snow storms.

Sorry, but you may have to re-think your itinerary.

It would be difficult to cover that much territory in the fine weather of the spring/summer w/ a toddler - but in Feb it would mean potential rain/wind storms along the coast and snow storms/tire chains in the Sierra. And IF there are storms on the coast - parts of hwy 1 close due to rock slides or potential rock slides.

Driving from Tahoe to LA to catch a flight the same night borders on the impossible. Not only could there be snow at Tahoe - there could be dangerous tule fog down the entire Central Valley.

Now - <i>none</i> of these weather disasters might happen - but the odds are not good and you won't know until you are here.

(SAB: next year's ATT runs Feb 9 - 15 so they would be arriving after it is over)

&gt;&gt;Not only could there be snow at Tahoe - there could be dangerous tule fog down the entire Central Valley.&gt;&gt;

And, there could be snow on the Grapevine leading to LA, &amp; once in a while - they close this road.

Stu Dudley

I think you now have enough opinions that you should be convinced to skip Tahoe. I also believe you should fly into LA and out of SF or vice versa, unless you've been convinced to skip LA altogether. Check flights on Kayak.com - mark Multi-City at the top and it will give you additional lines.

Carmel/Monterey is a wonderful area, but I would avoid the dates of the golf tournament as previously mentioned.

While in the SF area you could also do Sausalito, Muir Woods, Wine Country. Don't know how well behaved your son is, so some of these ideas might not be feasible.

And one more thing...remember temps in SF area in Feb are pretty cool.

&gt;&gt;remember temps in SF area in Feb are pretty cool.&lt;&lt;

If they are coming from the northern US or Caneda - temps will be very warm. I remember several ATT tournaments that were quite warm, and many that were cold &amp; rainy.

Stu Dudley

LOL...yes it is all relative. I was in SF in August and froze. My mom kept telling me to take a jacket and I just kept thinking...it's summer.

Of course, I grew up in Miami and was taking a break from school at UGA in Athens, GA...not exactly cold country.

&quot;<i>I was in SF in August and froze.</i>&quot;

Well - duh! :) If you had asked here first we could have told you about &quot;summer&quot; in SF :D.

Now Feb - could definitely be rainy - but it won't likely be cold in SF compared to other places. And possibly nearly the same temps as you had in August. Highs average about 55ºF in Feb and maybe 60-65ºF in August.

Now be nice...this was 20 yrs ago...no Fodor's then!

Dave - You forgot to add Yosemite to your travel itinerary.........

As others have said, there are lots of problems with your plans. All that driving in such a short time period does not sound like fun to me especially with a 2 !/2 yr old and your mother-in-law in the car.

February is still winter here and you may be lucky with the weather or you could run into an entire week of wind and rain. Do this trip sometime other than winter. Spring or Fall is best.

I would also just do one or the other - LA or SF/Monterey area - in only a week's time. Spending only one night in each place is a waste of time.

Do less driving and more sightseeing and stop to smell the roses.

FamousDave,

You're probably feeling that you've been dumped on, but most of these are good suggestions.

I would also suggest skipping Tahoe. It would be helpful if you'd come back and tell us if that is a particular reason for going to Tahoe, other than its beauty!

If you will skip Tahoe, I'd suggest another night in LA. There is a lot to see there, and you may be too tired to do much on the day you arrive.

You'll probably be driving up Highway 1, so you'll miss any fog on the Grapevine.

I'll second the Monterey Bay Aquarium being a great place. We spent hours more there than we expected to. Find out when the feeding times are, and be sure to get to each spot early so you can grab a space to sit/stand.

You can spend another night in San Francisco too. Lots to see there too, and even more just a short drive away.

I'll assume that your flights are booked, so you'll have to get back to LA. As an alternative to staying overnight in LA when you arrive, on your way back to the airport, arrive in LA the day before you leave so that you have more time to see the city and you don't run the risk of missing your flight.


I know it's hard to see as much as you can in a short time. Enjoy California!

Ugh. That sounds like an awful trip. Four driving days out of your seven day trip.

What were you going to do in LA for one day? It's a massive place and getting around involved driving, alot.

The drive to Big Sur is fairly long for a 2 year old. And it doesn't allow you much time to really enjoy the scenery and views. I would want to see Hearst Castle and Moro Bay rather than Tahoe in February.

I agree that Yosemite would be a good addition, but I would skip LA. I did a very similar trip with my mother and sister 20 yrs ago...when I froze in SF. But...we had more time and we were all adults. It was a lot of driving.

We flew into LA and out of SF. We spent 3 nights in LA and did a day trip to San Diego. Stayed 1 night in San Simeon to see Hearst Castle, then drove along Big Sur to Carmel where we stayed 2 nights. Saw Monterey and did the 17 mile drive visiting Pebble Beach from Carmel. We then went to Yosemite for 1 night and Lake Tahoe for 1 night before ending in SF for 3 nights.

In retrospect, I would have skipped Tahoe even though it was beautiful. Another night in Yosemite would have made much more sense. But...I had never been to CA and couldn't decide what to cut out.

For your trip I would recommend flying round trip to and from SF with 3 nights there, 2 in Carmel/Monterey and 2 in Yosemite. Save southern CA for another trip. LA has a lot to see and so does San Diego. When your son is a little older he would like the SD zoo and Sea World.

Deb,

I think the well-namesd Supercilious was being sarcastic about Yosemite.

Well Barbara...I reread it and I think you are right!!!. Sort of...If It's Tuesday, This Must be Belgium. :-)

I'm trying to get info on a trip to AZ, where I've never been, and I'm kinda hanging reading other posts hoping I'll get all kinds of advice!

But I still think SF, Carmel and Yosemite would work with 7 nights. But then again, with the youngster it might be best to stick with just Carmel and SF.

Yosemite in February could be snowy. It was a joke.

Yes...I got it was a joke...it might not be snowy too.

Hey Marginal...instead of poking fun...do you have any advice for me about Arizona...I saw on another post you think 3 days in GC is rather long?

Deb - I left a reply on your Arizona thread.

Super

How about flying into SF and out of LA? The trip South on the coast is more scenic.

If you have to fly LA both ways, consider taking the 101 to SF with stops in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Your son might enjoy the zoo and the beach in SB and that would break up the drive. San Luis is a great stop for lunch and a stroll. You could do an overnight in one of those places.

(I think the towns between LA and SF are going to be the most fun and easy with a 2 1/2 year old - Lots of things to explore).

Then from SF you can take highway 1 back by Carmel and Big Sur.

Count me in with the skip Tahoe crowd. And, give yourself time to get to LA. The Central Valley fog can slow you down or even force you to pull over, not to mention snow on the Grapevine.

Have a great trip no matter what - you have picked great places to see. Welcome!

Just wanted to comment on the &quot;fly into SF and out of LA&quot;...

We found the drive to be a bit nerve racking heading this way.

I am a bit afraid of heights and felt much safer riding fom LA up to SF on the Pacific Coast Highway.

We have done this trip many times (usually every Thanksgiving week). We fly into LA, spend a night in Santa Barbara on the beach, then our next night is in Cambria on the Ocean (great shopping, also make a stop in Harmony and then visit the Hearst Castle).

Next we head to Monteray/Carmel (having lunch in Big Sur)... We try to stay there on a Tuesday evening so that we can go to the Monteray Farmer's Market. We bike the 17 mile drive, visit pebble beach &amp; shop in Carmel. Breakfast is at Awakenings - best breakfast ever!

We continue up to SF with a stop at Half Moon bay for lunch.

Once in SF, we do a day trip up to Oakville to visit our favorite vineyards - Cakebread, Silver Oak, Plumpjack &amp; Mondavi with a stop at the Oakville Grocer for picnic foods.

We don't mind all the driving - the area is so scenic and beautiful that we enjoy every minute of the drive.

adnil1962: &quot;<i>We found the drive to be a bit nerve racking heading this way. I am a bit afraid of heights and felt much safer riding fom LA up to SF on the Pacific Coast Highway. </i>&quot;

That is a very good point. I usually recommend visitors who are not used to mountain or cliffside winding roads should travel north rather than south on Hwy 1. The views are nearly as good (and in some stretches - a bit better) and having that extra room between the car and the drop off helps nervous drivers.

Besides - the driver can't really look at the scenery all that much since his/her attention needs to be on the road. It is safer to pull over and look. &quot;<i>Oooh honey - Look at that!! OH - NO! don't look, keep your eyes on the road!&quot;</i> :)

I like the drive both directions but have enough experience w/ &quot;flat lander&quot; friends/relatives to know everyone is as happy w/ that drive.

oops- that should say &quot; . . . .to know <b>not</b> everyone is as happy w/ that drive&quot;

I think FamousDave is a hit &amp; run poster, or he's ignoring all or our good advice &amp; will do the &quot;impossible&quot; journey anyway.

Stu Dudley

I would not miss spending time at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we have been several times and always find something new to enjoy there. We will be back in the area very soon, can't wait! ***kim*** ((f))

Hi FamousDave:

I think your trip will be exhausting and way too much driving time. I would leave out L.A. and Tahoe. One day is absolutely not enough time to do anything, except come back and say &quot;I was in L.A.&quot; or &quot;Lake Tahoe.&quot;
With 4 people and a child, you will need some down time.
Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey and San Francisco is still loads to do in 7 days.
Just my 2 cents.

I think Dave has deserted us for Tripadvisor. He's getting a little more positive feedback on his plan, but it is still not great.

Leave out Tahoe. Visit either S. Cal or head north. Don't do both. Better yet, leave MIL home with the toddler.

MY

I agree with almost everyone above. February is not the best time to come to California. I too would skip Tahoe and Yosemite. Could do LA to SF but only with a open jaw as you would otherwise waste a day returning to your departure point.

I think many folks don't realize how HUGE this state is and how draining the traffic can be when you are on the road.
7 days is really only 6 days if you count 1/2 day on each end for trip prep/arrival. I cannot imagine 3 adults and 1 child doing all this, it is preposterous to me!

trust me the less time in LA the better! It's not what it seems! You wouldn't be disappointed in SD for sure!! Long Beach was fabulous too! NOT LA! haha..... Not sure about northern cali That's next times trip to Cali!

Im sure whatever you do you'll have tons of fun.... Jon and kate plus 8 just went to SD watch their episode and see if you like what they did (legoland and zoo)

Well, now that Yosemite has been thrown into the mix, don't forget the Redwoods in the Eureka area, Mendocino and then zip down to San Diego for some sun. It never rains in California, right?

No point imo of continuing to post on this thread as FamousDave has not doubt read the posts and has gone elsewhere for other peoples thoughts. Note, he has not posted again.

And Cali is not a good &quot;nickname&quot; for California. At least not to us natives. Just a gentle hint.

&gt;&gt;And Cali is not a good &quot;nickname&quot; for California&lt;&lt;

Be thankful nobody's mentioned Frisco yet.

Stu Dudley

well i hate to break it to you love!
The ROW calls it cali!

What is the ROW?