I have a suggestion for a "fun" thing to do during your San Diego visit:

On 27 September the Big Bay (Holiday Bowl) Balloon Parade will take place from 10:00 until roughly 12:30 along North Harbor Drive (the Embarcadero) from Beech Street south to where Harbor Drive makes a big turn.

The event is free, although you can pay $15 for unnecessary grandstand seats. Last year about 100,000 people attended and saw a larger collection of huge balloons than are in the Thanksgiving parade in New York. There are marching bands from all over the US and lots of unique, often quirky evends (like the weiner-dog race, the folding chair "marching" group, etc.).

We go every year.

Thanks Cali's! Sounds like the car is overwhelming a must! I'm doing this as a "let it flow" trip and letting the plan "plan" themselves! I am just recovering from water in my basement in Detroit (lucky me!) and am delaying my trip by about one day until I know all is well here...then off to the trip. I'm likely flying to Denver, catching the train, landing in SF and let the adventure unfold from there. I'm still quite hesitant on the car...for even if it is faster, I dont' want to be the one driving and navigating...hence my dilemma! Glad to know Detroit isn't the only place in the US challenged by lack of mass transit! As I arrive, I'm likely to be checking in for more...will let you know how the adventure unfolds. Thanks for your time and insight!! Happy Holidays!!

Yes - please let us know how the trip went when you get back.

If you can figure out how to do the trip you describe without a car, please DO check in and let us know how!! Seriously, many people would love to hear that information.
:-)

Have you left yet?

Indeed I have. Greetngs from Denver airport! I've booked the Cali Zephyr from Denver to SF, then meeting up with friends who live in SF...will see how this unfolds. I hope to go from SF up to the redwoods or I may just go south...will let my spirit lead me! Will keep you posted!

Have a wonderful trip pz742w. That is fun that you have friends in SF.
Today is a bright sunny day with beautiful blue sky. I hope it will be like that when you arrive! Enjoy your train trip.

J_Correa, the #35 Santa Cruz Transit bus has stopped going to Big Basin for the winter. I looked into your suggested route a few months ago and I remember it didn't hook up very well, the Highway 17 express bus was scheduled to reach downtown Santa Cruz about a minute after the 35 had left for Big Basin. It looks like they're trying the synch the schedules better, so maybe next spring it will be a doable weekend trip for South Bay types.

Enjoy your freedom!

Thanks for checking in. Have a great trip. (I love San Francisco!)

sequoia - thanks for the update on the bus schedules. Hopefully they will sync it up better come spring time.

Greetings Cali's! I arrived in Emeryville by the California Zephyr train...which was just a wonderful set of scenary with the snow everywhere (makes want to skip the coast and take ski lessons for a week!) and soothing to the soul. I would recommend this train trip to anyone whose focus is on enjoying scenary and letting the time roll by...if you are a luxury or discriminating taste traveler, amtrak will disappoint you...but if you look at as your version of 'camping' and enjoy views you cannot see by driving...then it is perfect. It really soothed my soul as I was unwinding from the craziness of the auto industry in December! :)

My gracious hosts have left for their family holiday and have left me in their home outside San Fran. Goodness! Cali's -- I can really appreciate not only how MUCH there is to see & Do...but the DIVERSITY from outdoor enthusiasts to culture lovers. I know I could stay here for a week to explore both sides of me end-end! The only challenge is the lack of daylight...must come back in summer! :)

Well... and I did it. I rented a car...I will be taking transit to get to SFO to pick-up (my best deal)...and have decided to simply wander down Hwy 1 from SF to San Diego and see if I really make it all the way down or something intrigues me so much, I stay.

Thanks for all of your offers of insight, advice and encouragement!

Happy Holidays! -Rosie

Love hearing about your trip in progress! Have gun!

No, no guns. Have fun!

Hi Rose, how nice to hear that you have arrived. And I think renting a car is a good decision! And did you note, the beautiful weather I ordered for you is still with us today. Enjoy beautiful San Francisco and have a fun safe drive to S California.

<and I did it. I rented a car>

told ya so ;-)

seriously, hope you continue to have a wonderful trip, Rosie. merry christmas. ~Suze (LA native)

Italy - We were just commenting on the beautiful weather yesterday - and that gorgeous sunset. I don't know about elsewhere, but in Santa Cruz is was incredible. I am glad to know that it was you who ordered up that weather.

Now, can you hold the snow in the northern Sierra on Friday and then let it fall early Saturday morning? We are going up to see my dad and I would like a clear drive on Friday and then to have fresh snow to enjoy on Saturday when we get up ;)

Good morning J_Correa! Another beautiful day..we are so fortunate.

I will speak to the weather God..so that the weather will be perfect throughout your drive and your visit with your father. Enjoy your getaway! And get an early start as no doubt I-80 will be packed with vehicles as it was last Friday. Stay safe and warm!

Thanks. I appreciate you putting in a good word about the weather ;) Fortunately we don't have to travel on I80 very far. My dad lives in the mountains up outside of Redding, near Mt. Lassen. We cut off of I80 at Hwy 505, to catch I5 out in the boonies up there. The first time I took my husband up there, he was amazed at all the miles and miles of nothing on I5. He couldn't believe we were still in California - LOL. We generally have smooth sailing from 505 on. The distance is farther than going to Lake Tahoe and that area, but traffic is not much of an issue once we leave the Bay Area.