susanklaw

Hi all. I'm trying to finalize the details of our trip to Cali, starting in SF and driving down to SD, which is just a few weeks away! We are a family of 5 with kids ages 6, 10 and 12. All kids are animal and science lovers. I love the beach.. My basic itinerary is as follows, but I am trying to decide how many days seems best for what we have potentially planned. Staying approx 3 nights in each location (SF, Carmel, LA, SD)..want this vacation to be somewhat relaxing! Of course, I am open to all suggestions.

List of things to do in SF - just trying to figure out order. Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park and Exploratorium, Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Chinatown (possible tour?), Cable Car ride, Lombard Street, Ghiradelli, Ferry Building, Muir Woods/Sausalito, Would love to do Alcatraz but all sold out.

Day 1 - Arrive in SF from East Coast around 2 pm. Staying in SoMA/Union Square for 3 nights. Kids may be tired after flying so don't want to do anything too hard core when we arrive. Thoughts on which of the above to do?

Day 2 - 3 - Would like to attack the above to-do list. Thoughts on doing a HO/HO tour for some of options above or get a City Pass?

Day 4 -6 pick up rental car at SF and drive to Monterey/Carmel. (Debating if should stop at Santa Cruz along the way). Also, trying to figure out if should stay 2 or 3 nights here. presently have reservation in B&B in Carmel for 3 nights Things on list to do....Monterey Aquarium, Dennis the Menace Park, Point Lobos National Reserve. Whale watching tour? Big Sur. Biggest question I have is how much time do we need in Big Sur? My husband wants to spend the day along stops in Big Sur on day 6 ( but understanding its closed at Pfeiffer) and then going back to stay third night in Carmel and leave next morning for drive down to LA area. I'm wondering if it's enough (or too much) to do Big Sur and then drive down on day six. Assuming it may be too late in the da

Day 7 - Possible things to stop and see/do along drive to LA: Elephant seals in San Simeon, San Luis Obispo bubble gum wall, dune buggy in Pismo Beach?, (is Santa Barbara necessary with kids?), Malibu (one of my favorite places),

Arrive in LA area day 7 at night - Deciding whether to stay in Manhattan Beach or LA? Advantage to staying in LA - proximity to Universal, etc; Advantage to staying at Beach - at the beach to relax at the end of the day, but have drive to LA (although over weekend)

Day 8 - 10 - Things to see/do in LA area..... Santa Monica/Venice Beach, Universal VIP Pass, Chinese Theater/Walk of Fame, Hollywood Sign, (Griffith Observatory?) Rodeo,drive (yes, that's for me!), Anything else for kids?

Day 10 noon, 11 & 12 - San Diego . Stay in Coronado. Things to do: Zoo (thinking about skipping Wildlife Park bc have Six Flags safari near me at home), Balboa Park, Gaslamp district, La Jolla . Thoughts on what to do, or just relax on beaches? Red eye flight at 10:30pm back home on 12th day so basically have full day before flight out.

I am not sure if I have enough time to relax, especially on the beach. Thoughts on if I should or how to rearrange to get more beach time in San Diego county beaches. If I change a night above somewhere, would have more time in SD. Or does Itinerary sound ok as-is?

Suggestions and input are very much welcome.

Michael

You have a crowded schedule. Muir Woods will take up a good chunk of time just getting there. As an alternative, pick up picnic items and picnic in Henry Cowell State Park and take the short loop through its redwood grove on your way to Carmel.

DebbieDoesDulles

Things to do in L.A.

Griffith Observatory
*California Science Center*
Natural History Museum
La Brea Tar Pits & the Page Museum
Dodger Game
Hollywood Bowl (Muppets & Fireworks Sept 9, 10.....Yo Yo Ma Sept 12)
Petersen Auto Museum
The Grove/Farmer's Market/
Star Eco Station (reptiles, tarantulas, alligators)
Wildlife Learning Center in Sylmar


I wouldn't plan to waste much time at the Walk of Fame, you can see that after your time at Universal, then Griffith Observatory afterwards.


We love Manhattan Beach to stay and relax, but it is not at all convenient to visiting your L.A./Hollywood attractions, especially if you're visit is over 3 weekdays when you really have to work around traffic hours.

MichelleY

Skip Dennis the Menace Park. Bubble Gum Alley in SLO is a walk by if you you happen to be in town for lunch or shopping. Highly recommend a dune buggy or hummer ride in Pismo. A few hours at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk would be fun.

Patty

I wouldn't do the day trip to Big Sur on Day 6 and then drive all the way to LA. How long it takes depends on how many stops and how much hiking you want to do. I'd allow at least half a day. Also do you plan to go to Point Lobos on the same day or a different day? If the same day, then add another 1-2 hours to the Big Sur day. Monterey to LA is 6 hours without any of your listed stops. The elephant seal rookery will be a bit of a detour off of 101. I could possibly see driving a few hours and spending night 6 somewhere farther south along the central coast.

dms666

We did the SF to LA road trip a few weeks ago with our kids and did many of the attractions you've listed.

You may find my wife's trip report useful:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-sf-to-lax.cfm

Part II of that report is also found in that thread.

jamie99

If you drive straight through from Carmel to LA I doubt you would have time for the dune buggy rental in Pismo Beach. Just looking at one company's site, looks like many rentals are a 2 hour minimum and you have to check in one hour ahead of time. Stay the third night in Pismo Beach instead.
Yes to Manhattan Beach, lovely beach town.

StantonHyde

If you click on my user name, you will see trip reports (with kids!) for San Fran/Monterey, LA area, and I think some for San Diego.

StantonHyde

Sorry, hit send too fast. Trip reports include details on what we did, etc. Have very nerdy family that loves nature and museums

lynni

Your kids are too old for Dennis the Menace Park and I wouldn't detour off of the 101 just for the Elephant Seals. I'd drive from Monterey or Big Sur to Santa Barbara to have time on the nice beaches ( Refugio is my favorite!) the MOXI Museum ( your kids are the perfect age for this!) and perhaps a kayak or paddleboard ride.

You can stop in SLO for Bubble Gum Alley but its a quick stop ( as suggested by another poster) and Pismo Beach really isn't anything special... Santa Barbara is much more scenic and the weather is way better.

mlgb

SKIP Santa BarbARA. san Diego bas the best beaches and zoo, allow time fir those. In LA Skip Venice/Samo. Manhattan Beach is nicer anyways. Over a weekend I might leanto staying there (or near the coast for the cooler temps more than the beach time although it's a bonus). Good list by Debbie as a STAR. There is a toy exhibit at Autry now, if it's still on I might do that same day as The Observatory.

susanklaw

Thanks so much for the input. So, I am think we may follow the advice on skipping Muir Woods. We originally wanted to do Yosemite, but time constraints limit us. Wanted to see the redwoods. Also taking advice regarding Big Sur timeline...that was very helpful. So, we will stay in Carmel for three nights and leave the next morning for the trip down to LA. Still going back and forth as to whether to stay at beach vs. LA. Since we are only doing a few things in LA itself, and we will be there over the weekend, I'm leaning towards Manhattan Beach. Any thoughts on Redondo,Marina Del Ray or Santa Monica instead? My girlfriend who lives in Santa Monica said probably should stay away from there....it's a parking lot on the weekends, and sometimes a little seedy. Looking for an AirBnB or the like near beaches. Or option to stay at the Garland in LA? We will probably add in the LaBrea tar pits. Stops along the coast are just that. Still deciding about Pismo dune buggy based on timing. I had wanted some beach time, so hoping to to find enough time between LA and SD. Input has been great. Thanks!

jamie99

If looking for an AirBnB, be advised that short term rentals are illegal in Santa Monica, and the South Bay beach cities of Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beach, leaving Venice (strong drug culture) or Marina del Rey. They are legal in Santa Monica only if the owner is also living on the premises (a "homeshare") but with needing at least two rooms, not as likely to find something there.
Redondo Beach is further from the freeway than Manhattan Beach.
You could maybe visit Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park about 9 miles outside of Santa Cruz en route from SF to Carmel.

susanklaw

So, what does that mean about the tons of listings for rentals in those areas? Does it mean they are scams? or are they just "illegal"?

janisj

>>So, what does that mean about the tons of listings for rentals in those areas? Does it mean they are scams? or are they just "illegal"?

Michael

In the mountains before heading down into Santa Cruz you will pass Henry Cowell redwood state park.

Close as being a couple of miles from CA17 but far in that there are no signs to indicate its existence and which exit to take. I would go down the coast and in Santa Cruz go inland on CA9 because the entrance to the park is on that road.

Patty

If you do end up taking the coast route south from San Francisco, another place to see elephant seals is at Ano Nuevo https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29375 It does require a hike out to the seal viewing areas vs at Piedras Blancas where it's right off the highway.

janisj

That's true -- Thinking about it, the last time I went to Henry Cowell I took 17 to Scott's Valley then cut across to Felton/CA9

jamie99

janisj beat me to it, most of the rentals are illegal and Santa Monica for one has an active Task Force charged with enforcing the law - would hate to see you pay good money and arrive to find out your apartment or home not available.

susanklaw

Thanks for the insight. I think we have decided to stay in Los Angeles. Based on your input and since we have only a couple days and we will be busy during the day, I'll probably be missing the beach or just having it at night, while dealing with an extra two hours of driving. Think I'll save beach time for our drive and stay in San Diego. Now, just trying to find a good centrally located place in LA to stay that accommodates 5 without being smushed into a 300 sq ft hotel room.