It's done. Tickets are bought and the trip is on and we will be off to the area around Big Sur, Monteray and a side trip to Yosemite NP. It will be myself, DW and DD to celebrate her graduation. We will only have 7 full days,at the end of this month, not counting travel days for this trip so we want to use the time as best we can and appreciate advice from fellow fodorites as always.

These are our sketchy plans thus far. We fly in and out of Oakland, arriving at night and picking up a rental car. We plan to sleep neer the airport and then head for Yosemite in the AM. MapQuest shows the drive to be 31/2 - 4 hours so we should get to the NP in the early afternoon. So far, we have had no luck finding lodging within the park in our price range which is under $200 per night - way under if possible. Do you have any suggestions for where to stay out side of the park? Mariposa? Oakhurst? somewhere else? We plan to stay in Yosemite for 2 nights. With only one full day in the park, so what are the can't miss highlights.

From the park we head to Big Sur, and we want to see Monteray and Carmel if time permits. Is there a good area to use as a base for this part of CA? For this part of trip, the only plans set in stone is to go whale watching at some point and do some walking on beaches. Again, are there any "can't miss" sights ?

We tend to be mostly "seat of the pants" travelers and are open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks as always,
basing

Sorry Californians for the unchecked spelling - It is Monterey of course.

You'll want to drive up to Glacier Point to overlook the valley. However, I understand that the Sierra had a dusting of snow last weekend and it might mean that they closed the road for the season. The giant Sequoias at the southern end of the park are surely worthwhile.

The only place I've stayed outside the Park is Cedar Lodge in El Portal,and I wouldn't recommend it.

I've been looking around recently though, and I was thinking that Evergreen Lodge might be quite nice. I'm not sure if it fits your budget. Here's the web site:

http://www.evergreenlodge.com/index.html

If I recall correctly, lodging reservations within the park can be cancelled three days out and before with no charge. Plans change all the time and a room may become available. But do not simply check the website for availability. Phone the reservation service office during the week before your arrival to check. Me? I'd call them every day.

To be safe, you might want to make a reservation elsewhere that you can cancel without penalty should you get lodging in the park.

If you can accept chain type motels, google Mariposa, CA and you can find lots of motels that are budget friendly. Not fancy but the park is the thing, and if the room clean with comfortable beds that's good for us.

Just came back from Big Sur and Carmel. The aquarium in Monterey is not to miss. You can buy tix online, arrive when they open and plan to stay at least 4 hours. We loved the Pt Lobos reserve just south of Carmel. We caught a fantastic walk with a ranger. Below is the article that another fodorite posted that convinced me to go. We did both those walks. We accidentally stumbled on the ranger's walk which began at 10 am.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...SPHJ15HJ1R.DTL

As we approached the Park in the evening on our way to the Valley the next day, we stayed in Oakhurst. A nice easy drive into the Park from the south with several chain motels & a few restaurants.

We made the same trip (opposite direction) last May. You can click on my name to see my trip report. A nice hotel in Oakland at the airport is the Holiday Inn Express. Nice, quiet and free breakfast. If possible, I would suggest at least one more day in Yosemite and please follow kmbp's advise and call often for cancellations for lodging in the park. Waking up in the park is amazing. We made one of our bases the Deer Haven Inn in Pacific Grove. Pacific Grove is easy access to Monterey (aquarium is a must), driving to Big Sur, etc. and a better value on the lodging. I looked into whale watching myself, but ended up changing our plans. There are several companies in the Santa Cruz area. I narrowed it down to Monterey Whale Watching (.com) because of their reviews and they had shorter trips. I hope that you enjoy your trip. It's a beautiful part of the country.

Stay in El Portal or Mariposa. These are along the Hwy 140 route which will then take you to the easiest route out of Yosemite to Monterey . Oakhurst is south of Yosemite and along Hwy. 41. Fine if you are going south thru Fresno, but not the best route over to Monterey & Carmel.

Carol Sund, her daughter and an Argentine student were murdered at the Cedar Lodge in El Portal. That is enough reason not to stay there.

jeez. Much as I would not recommend the Cedar Lodge, that tragic event has NOTHING to do with anything. The murderer was caught. The people who run/own the Lodge were not involved in any way. I really think you need to stop using this as a reason not to stay there. Were you related to any of the victims? Because I can't understand why you insist on bringing this up.

And it happened more than 10 years ago.

Just my opinion. OP can make an informed decision. Probably even get a great rate.

Do you do this fo every hotel where someone has been murdered, or just this one?

Absolutely loved Yosemite View Lodge. We had what felt like our own chalet (although it was part of the hotel) with a fireplace and in-room Jacuzzi. We overlooked a rushing stream and loved the sound -- especially at night. I believe this is the closest lodging outside the park. It was very close.

Loved Yosemite--and having just watched the Ken Burns film on NPs (on PBS) I'm jealous!

Did you even look at Curry Village?

You can certainly survive 2 nights there in a heated tent cabin.

I would book something in Curry Village and hope that there is an opening if it isn't exactly what you wanted.

mlgb I did look at Curry Village and all that is available are unheated tent cabins. I've been there, done that in several winter training exercises. Evergreen Lodge looks interesting though as does Yosemite View lodge, although the rate I am finding for the latter is kind of steep.

Seashell, I printed out your report. There is lots of good stuff there.

Please keep the suggestions coming and thanks again.

I called every morning for a cancellation for Yosemite Lodge and did get one. I did the same thing for Yellowstone so I know that calling everyday can work. Be sure to go to Mariposa Grove no matter where you stay. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariposa_Grove

I don't think anyone has mentioned much about the Big Sur portion of your trip, so I figured I would chime in there.

The town of Big Sur is basically a wide spot in the road, but the coastline north and south of the town is spectacular. The road is narrow and curvey, so it takes awhile to get anywhere and lodging and restaurants are a bit spread out. It is quite rural.

Since you mentioned whale watching and beachcombing as your must-dos, you might be better off staying in Monterey, Pacific Grove, or Carmel. Big Sur has some beaches, but not many - the coastline is rocky and most of the waterline is inaccessible. Also, for whale watching you will be going out of Monterey anyway. You could do a day trip from Monterey to Big Sur.

Thanks for the help. Please critique our plans and make suggestions:

10/21 Arrive Oakland after 9PM, pick up car and sleep near airport.

10/22 AM Drive to Oakhurst, near South Entrance Yosemite NP. See sights near Oakhurst. Overnight Shilo Inn.

10/23 Sequoia Groves near South Entrance and work our way toward Yosemite Valley - mixed short hikes and sights. Anything we should not miss on the way? Exit West Entrance late PM and overnight in Mariposa. Mariposa Lodge.

10/24 See sights near Mariposa and drive to Pacific Grove.

10/24-28 Use Anton Inn in Pacific Grove as base (tried to get Deer Haven, but no vacancy for our dates). Plan Monterey Aquarium, whale watching, beach walking, some hikes perhaps and to see Monterey and Carmel, any other suggestions?

10/28 go back north for 10/29 10AM flight from Oakland. Any suggestions where to spend the night of the 28th and still get to the airport in time without much fuss? We would prefer to avoid an airport hotel this time.

Thanks as always
basing