We are taking the kids (10, 13 and 16) to Northern California for two weeks in August and I'm trying to work out itinerary details. The choices are staggering. We like to hike, bike, kayak, etc. We are set on at least four nights in San Francisco to start and probably five in Yosemite (I'm leaning towards a rental in Foresta). I think we should probably be in Yosemite for Monday through Friday of the second week, just to avoid the crowds.

So, the question is, where should we go between SF and YSP? Sonoma, Lake Tahoe? Or shift the itinerary a bit and head down the coast to Big Sur? Or Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!

August is one of the worst times to go to Carmel/Big Sur. It's very crowded and the weather can be cool and foggy. Spring or Fall is best. I would also skip Sonoma. It's crowded and there's not much for the kids to do.

If it were me, I'd go up to Tahoe. Yes, it's crowded too but the weather is great then and there's tons of stuff to do. Once you get off the roads, the crowds are not really a problem. If you like to camp, there are great campgrounds there and there's great hiking, biking and boating.

From Tahoe, I'd head down US 395 to the Eastern Sierra. If you can, get out to Bodie, a great old mining town that's now a state park. There's lots of great hiking here too and a day exploring Mono Lake would be a kick. They have kayak trips there out to Paoha Island during the summer. This whole area is spectacular with jagged mountains and endless views.

From Mono Lake, you can enter Yosemite via Tioga Pass. August is the best month for the Yosemite high country. There are many hikes that lead out of Tuolumne Meadows and elsewhere along Hwy 120. In fact, I'd spend most of your five days up there rather than in the Valley which is very hot in August and overrun with European tourists. If you were to concentrate on the high country, you would want to camp or base yourself in Lee Vining instead of Foresta.

Thank you, Supercilious. That is very helpful. We are interested in spending much of our time in the Tuolumne Meadows area at Yosemite. Do you have any more information about Lee Vining? Would we stay at Mono Lake? Any suggestions? How far is it from there to the Valley?

How about Tahoe? I don't know much about it. Are there spots that are removed from the jet skis and casinos? How many days would you spend there?

I appreciate your input. Thanks!

I agree. Skip Sonoma, for sure. You could head down to Monterey for a couple of days - the Aquarium is great -although so is the one in San Francisco. The beaches along the way are very nice. But if you just head for Tahoe and the Sierra, it will be wonderful. I don't even think of Casinos when I think of Tahoe. It's beautiful, and there is plenty to do. Just search for info online!

If you go to Tahoe from SF you should afterwards drive down 395 and enter Yosemite from the east side over Tioga Pass.

Tahoe offers lots of hiking and biking, and it is possible to avoid the casino glitz. I like the southwest corner of the lake, which is close to the trailheads of Desolation Valley Wilderness, as well as Emerald Bay and the bike trail. Specifically, I like this place:

http://www.camprichardson.com/

Which is far enough to be out of the craziness of South Lake Tahoe and right next to the Tallac Historic Site, and right on the bike path (rentals across the road). And the hiking in Desolation Valley Wilderness is terrific. It's right up the road at the end of the Fallen Leaf Lake road.

From Tahoe, head east and pick up 395 for a scenic drive down to Lee Vining (be sure and stop at Bodie on the way).

If you spend a night at Lee Vining you can explore Mono Lake at sunset. Best place for information on exploring the area is from the Mono Lake Committee office/visitor center right in Lee Vining:

http://www.monolake.org/

Then head up over Tioga Pass into Yosemite.

Like Supercilious, I would choose to spend most of my Yosemite time as close to Tuolumne Meadows as I could get. You could try Tuolumne Lodge, which is a tent cabin compound right there, but reservations are hard to get. Book thru the main Yosemite office.

http://www.yosemitepark.com/Reservations.aspx

Or try Tioga Pass Resort, just outside the park entrance:

http://www.tiogapassresort.com/

They have been closed the past 2 winters, but were supposed to open for summers. It is worth asking.

The drive from Tuolumne to Yosemite Valley is 1 1/4 to 1/1/2 hours without stops. But you will want to stop at viewpoints, so add time for that.

ccubac - I guess this is a first trip to California for the whole family? The best way to enjoy Yosemite is by camping. This is what active Californians do when they visit. For the price of a couple of night's lodging somewhere, you could buy the camping equipment needed - tent, sleeping bags (unless you have these at home), pads, stove, cooking pots and utensils. Otherwise, it's a hassle to drive up to Tuolumne Meadows each day.

There's also a great campground at Tahoe next to Camp Richardson at Fallen Leaf Lake if you want to camp there. They just recently installed hot showers.

One other activity you might consider is white water rafting. August is a good time for this on the American and Tuolumne Rivers. Outfitters on both have one, two, or three day trips. They are a blast and I'm sure the kids would enjoy them.

One other thought - if you do go to Tahoe, on your way to Hwy 395, you could drive through Markleeville on Hwy 89 and visit Grover Hot Springs State Park. After the cold Tahoe water, your kids may enjoy swimming in warm spring water.

You must take the kids to Monterey and go to the Aquarium. Hopefully, someone will come on and post about kayaking near Elkhorn Slough(I think that's the name). When you visit the Aquarium in Monterey you will also see lots of kayakers. Rumor has it, some of the otters who have been "in residence" at the aquarium have pitched themselves into kayaks. Also, take your kids to the tidepools at Pt Lobos State Park ( near Carmel on Hwy 1~ Check out the Monterey Fish House for dinner with the kids. Huge portions and very kid friendly.

While in SF~ do walk across the GG bridge and do walk out Crissy Field. I think Fort Point is open now. Take your kids to the NEW Academy of Sciences in GG Park (got dinosaurs?)

If you can manage to get in, a visit to the Marine Mammal Center would be wonderful. They can see rescued sea creatures.

Point Reyes is also something you might consider. There are lots of kid oriented things to do. (The Miwok Village and night walks with the rangers). Check out the Visitor Center(google same).

And, since you like the great outdoors..how about a baseball game at AT&T park. You haven't lived until you've had a polish dog and garlic fries. You can also see kayakers waiting just outside the park waiting for the baseballs.

Speaking of Chrissy Field, they can continue on to the Golden Gate Bridge and pick up the Coastal Trail, following it to Cliff House. There's an easy bus ride back.