Any comments on this itinerary
Jul 24th, 2006 | 12:49 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Any comments on this itinerary
We will arrive in SF late on a Thur night.
Day 1 & 2
Plan to tour SF for 2 full days.
Thought about having breakfast or lunch at The Garden Court our first day (Fri)
Trying to get Giants baseball game tickets for the 1st night. (son & husband’s wish)
We have a night tour (finishes at 8:45) of Alcatraz scheduled the 2nd tour day.
Q 1: Could we bring a picnic lunch to eat on the island? I thought that we could pick up something at the Boudin Bakery before heading out. or Is there a restaurant on the island? or Will there be any restaurants open to eat at when we return at 9PM on a Sat night?
Day 3
We leave SF on a Sun morning. Will try to get rental car near our hotel in Union Square at this time instead of picking up when we arrive at airport. (We will need either 2 cars or one large vehicle.)
We will travel south (previous posts suggest Hy 280) to Big Basin State park for a short hike through the redwoods, and then on to Carmel before stopping at a winery.
Q 2: Will we have to worry about traffic on a Sun.?
Q 3: Is the 17 mile drive through Pebble Beach worth it ? (husband is a golfer.) I’ve read that some of the greens can be seen from the beach.
Q 4: Is there anything else that we should not miss that we might have time for?
Day 4
We’ll have to leave our B&B early to get to the Hearst Castle for a 1:30 tour.
Q 5: Any suggestions for lunch or a snack in Big Sur or San Simeon?
We may not be hungry until we get to San Simeon if we eat just before we leave at 10AM. Would a picnic lunch be good in Big Sur?
We should finish our tour of the castle at about 4:00 at which time we will head towards LA.
Q 5: Suggestions for dinner in Santa Barbara or somewhere enroute?
Hopefully we will not arrive in LA until traffic is tolerable. (about 10PM)
Day 5
See as much of Hollywood as we can (Farmer’s Market, Chinese Theater, Rodeo Dr., possibly lunch at the Ivy) before heading to Burbank for the Tonight Show. (Must be there for 3PM) I just realized – 3 of our Jeopardy tickets are for this date also. I think it would be too much to try to do both of these shows in one day – especially considering the distance.
Q 6 What do you think? If we would do the 2 shows in one day – we would have a whole day to tour – but would have to see Hollywood & Santa Monica. Logistics wise – it seems that we should go to Santa Monica the same day we go to Culver City.
Day 6
Go to Culver City for Jeopardy (10:30 AM0 in the morning, head to Santa Monica & Venice Beach in the afternoon/evening.
Day 7
Airport & Home
Q 7: Are we setting ourselves up for dissappointment by trying to do too much?
I hate having to follow a schedule but it seems that this is the only way it can be done. My husband and myself will be traveling with our 2 children (23 & 19) & son’s girlfriend (24). We tried to schedule everything to please everyone.
I have learned so much from this board already. I really appreciate the help!
Day 1 & 2
Plan to tour SF for 2 full days.
Thought about having breakfast or lunch at The Garden Court our first day (Fri)
Trying to get Giants baseball game tickets for the 1st night. (son & husband’s wish)
We have a night tour (finishes at 8:45) of Alcatraz scheduled the 2nd tour day.
Q 1: Could we bring a picnic lunch to eat on the island? I thought that we could pick up something at the Boudin Bakery before heading out. or Is there a restaurant on the island? or Will there be any restaurants open to eat at when we return at 9PM on a Sat night?
Day 3
We leave SF on a Sun morning. Will try to get rental car near our hotel in Union Square at this time instead of picking up when we arrive at airport. (We will need either 2 cars or one large vehicle.)
We will travel south (previous posts suggest Hy 280) to Big Basin State park for a short hike through the redwoods, and then on to Carmel before stopping at a winery.
Q 2: Will we have to worry about traffic on a Sun.?
Q 3: Is the 17 mile drive through Pebble Beach worth it ? (husband is a golfer.) I’ve read that some of the greens can be seen from the beach.
Q 4: Is there anything else that we should not miss that we might have time for?
Day 4
We’ll have to leave our B&B early to get to the Hearst Castle for a 1:30 tour.
Q 5: Any suggestions for lunch or a snack in Big Sur or San Simeon?
We may not be hungry until we get to San Simeon if we eat just before we leave at 10AM. Would a picnic lunch be good in Big Sur?
We should finish our tour of the castle at about 4:00 at which time we will head towards LA.
Q 5: Suggestions for dinner in Santa Barbara or somewhere enroute?
Hopefully we will not arrive in LA until traffic is tolerable. (about 10PM)
Day 5
See as much of Hollywood as we can (Farmer’s Market, Chinese Theater, Rodeo Dr., possibly lunch at the Ivy) before heading to Burbank for the Tonight Show. (Must be there for 3PM) I just realized – 3 of our Jeopardy tickets are for this date also. I think it would be too much to try to do both of these shows in one day – especially considering the distance.
Q 6 What do you think? If we would do the 2 shows in one day – we would have a whole day to tour – but would have to see Hollywood & Santa Monica. Logistics wise – it seems that we should go to Santa Monica the same day we go to Culver City.
Day 6
Go to Culver City for Jeopardy (10:30 AM0 in the morning, head to Santa Monica & Venice Beach in the afternoon/evening.
Day 7
Airport & Home
Q 7: Are we setting ourselves up for dissappointment by trying to do too much?
I hate having to follow a schedule but it seems that this is the only way it can be done. My husband and myself will be traveling with our 2 children (23 & 19) & son’s girlfriend (24). We tried to schedule everything to please everyone.
I have learned so much from this board already. I really appreciate the help!
Jul 24th, 2006 | 01:24 PM
#3
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
Likes: 0
happytrails is less than happy today.
NEPENTHE!!!
http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/
No matter what, no matter if you are hungry or not, STOP HERE for a bite to eat. It's one of my favorite memories of the California coast.
Enjoy the Hearst Castle tour. Look for the "mermen" at the pool. VERY interesting!
NEPENTHE!!!
http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/
No matter what, no matter if you are hungry or not, STOP HERE for a bite to eat. It's one of my favorite memories of the California coast.
Enjoy the Hearst Castle tour. Look for the "mermen" at the pool. VERY interesting!
Jul 24th, 2006 | 01:30 PM
#4
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
Likes: 0
Regarding Alcatraz night tour. I'd eat a big meal in early afternoon. I don't think I'd eat on the boat - nor on the island.
I know SF is having a heat wave right now, but we froze on the trip out to Alcatraz one July afternoon. We wore windbreakers but were still cold. It can be very chilly and VERY windy in the summer.
I had no problem picking up a car at the Hertz near Union Square. I'd get 1 big vehicle. Check the Hertz website for the wide variety of vehicles available (I just booked for a SW trip last night).
17 mile drive is gorgeous - whether or not you are a golfer. Hubby may like stopping by to buy a logo something from the golf club.
I know SF is having a heat wave right now, but we froze on the trip out to Alcatraz one July afternoon. We wore windbreakers but were still cold. It can be very chilly and VERY windy in the summer.
I had no problem picking up a car at the Hertz near Union Square. I'd get 1 big vehicle. Check the Hertz website for the wide variety of vehicles available (I just booked for a SW trip last night).
17 mile drive is gorgeous - whether or not you are a golfer. Hubby may like stopping by to buy a logo something from the golf club.
Jul 24th, 2006 | 01:39 PM
#5
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
Likes: 0
Another idea - stop by the Buena Vista for an Irish coffee after your Alcatraz tour. If you are hungry, you should he able to grab a bite to eat.
http://www.thebuenavista.com/menu2.html
When you pick up your car, be sure to stop at the Cliff House for a bite to eat or drink.
http://www.cliffhouse.com/
I would SERIOUSLY consider renting one big vehicle for your drive down to LA rather than deal with 2 cars - especially along the coast.
One last thought - another one of my favorite California memories is kayaking in Monterrey Bay surrounded by otters. If you have a couple of hours to spare - and it interests your group- consider adding that to your trip.
Have fun!
http://www.thebuenavista.com/menu2.html
When you pick up your car, be sure to stop at the Cliff House for a bite to eat or drink.
http://www.cliffhouse.com/
I would SERIOUSLY consider renting one big vehicle for your drive down to LA rather than deal with 2 cars - especially along the coast.
One last thought - another one of my favorite California memories is kayaking in Monterrey Bay surrounded by otters. If you have a couple of hours to spare - and it interests your group- consider adding that to your trip.
Have fun!
Jul 24th, 2006 | 02:52 PM
#6
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
Get one car. It will be a big hassle to deal with two cars.
1. No food is allowed on Alcatraz (except on the dock area). Almost every restaurant will be open at 9 pm on a Saturday. The ferry has some snacks for sale if desperate.
2. Sunday morning traffic should be fine.
3. I love 17 mile drive and take all visitors there when we go to Monterey. Take time to stop a few times and get out of the car to enjoy the view and smells.
5. Picnic lunch would be good for Big Sur.
6. Skip Jeopardy this day. 2 shows is too much because you end up standing in long lines and waiting forever to see any show.
1. No food is allowed on Alcatraz (except on the dock area). Almost every restaurant will be open at 9 pm on a Saturday. The ferry has some snacks for sale if desperate.
2. Sunday morning traffic should be fine.
3. I love 17 mile drive and take all visitors there when we go to Monterey. Take time to stop a few times and get out of the car to enjoy the view and smells.
5. Picnic lunch would be good for Big Sur.
6. Skip Jeopardy this day. 2 shows is too much because you end up standing in long lines and waiting forever to see any show.
Jul 25th, 2006 | 02:07 PM
#7
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
I think that 2 shows are too much. I would rather sightsee. If we can't all get in at the same time thats what we'll resort to. Thank you all for the information. I don't know what I would do without this website!
