aussie annie, Do you really have your hearts set on going to L.A.? I live in California and I hate L.A. Full of traffic, always a traffic jam, and it is so big and sprawling I personally feel it doesn't really have enough personality...(Others will disagree.)

San Francisco is a city with personality! Good choice there.

Grand Canyon is amazing.

The redwoods are really cool.

I know about the babies growing up...mine are all over 18 now too! Perhaps you will feel less exhausted planning this trip, and have more fun, if you go to fewer places. You will enjoy it just as much, I promise!

From Monterey to San Francisco is a fantastic area.

However, from L.A. to Monterey is not as good. Between L.A. and Santa Barbara, nothing interesting...

Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

aussie annie

Have you booked your flights already? I tend to agree with the last post, unless you have your hearts set on LA maybe you could rethink the last bit and fly out of San Francisco back home.