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 "fly into SF and out of LA"...

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 & 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 & 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: "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. "

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. "Oooh honey - Look at that!! OH - NO! don't look, keep your eyes on the road!"

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

oops- that should say " . . . .to know not everyone is as happy w/ that drive"

I think FamousDave is a hit & run poster, or he's ignoring all or our good advice & will do the "impossible" 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***

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 "I was in L.A." or "Lake Tahoe."
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 "nickname" for California. At least not to us natives. Just a gentle hint.

>>And Cali is not a good "nickname" for California<<

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?