CA here we come again--Need Help
 

Last year you all helped my husband and I plan our San Diego, La Jolla, Laguna Beach, Santa Monica trip and I thank you we had a great time.
Were thinking of going to San Fran, Napa/Sonoma & Yosemite in late Sept/early Oct. and need some advice.
How many nights would you stay in each? Should we stay in both Napa and Sonoma? Can we do Yosemite in 1 or 2 nights?
Then we were tossing around the idea of somehow getting Lake Tahoe into the mix. Maybe flying into San Jose, driving to Lake Tahoe, then Yosemite, Napa/Sonoma then leave from San Fran... Seems like a lot though.
Any suggestions of things we shouldn't miss in each city would be greatly appreciated... Thanks

If you are proposing to go directly from teh airport to Yosemite, can you fly in to Sacramento instead of San Jose?

Will it make much difference in the price of the airfare if you did an open jaw - fly into Sacramento and fly out of San Jose/San Francisco/Oakland?

Do you have your lodging reservations for Yosemite?

Pick either Napa or Sonoma counties to stay in. You can easily do day trips from one to the other.

Why would you fly into San Jose and drive to Tahoe, why not just fly right into Reno/Tahoe?

I would say a night on Lake Tahoe, 2 in Yosemite, 2 in Napa and 3 in San Francisco.

>>I would say a night on Lake Tahoe, 2 in Yosemite, 2 in Napa and 3 in San Francisco.<<

I would add at least 1 night to each of these destinations because of the time it takes to get to/from each place. The only exception would be Napa/Sonoma, which is only a little over 1 hr from San Francisco.

Stu Dudley

I agree with adding nights if possible - or decreasing the number of locations.

Don't have any lodging yet for Yosemite.
Didn't even think of flying into Reno/Tahoe... Duh
Maybe trying to squeeze everything in is a bit much.
The original plan was San Fran, Napa/Sonoma & Yosemite.

Besides visiting the wineries and dining in Napa/Sonoma anything else we should look into? We would probably go to 2 wineries since we have many wineries here on Long Island, although they aren't as big and beautiful as they are in CA.
The Wine Train, Hot air ballooning?

I suggest you look into lodging availability in/near Yosemite before you lock in your itinerary.

Hello Donna, in response to your mentioning the Wine Train, most people I know here in N CA do not feel the Wine Train is a good value. You are are the train, no stopping to visit even one winery. The food is considered "so so" by most people that I know, locals that have taken it as out of the area guest have wanted to experience it. Now no doubt some others have a different viewpoint. I haven't been on the Wine Train for ages and have no desire to go on it again.

If you are considering Yountville, the Villagio Inn & Spa is a great property. In Sonoma, we love the Sonoma Mission Inn. ***kim*** ((*))

Lake Tahoe is stunning in late September, be sure to fit it into your plans!

How many days do you have to work with, not counting the two flight days?

One year my husband and I did a similar route that you are suggesting. We flew into San Jose because we wanted to see and stay in Carmel. We then drove to Lake Tahoe. If you can fly in closer, a better idea. We drove around Tahoe, seeing Reno, the small abandoned mining towns and Tahoe itself. From Tahoe we drove to the back entrance of Yosemite, then through the park and out the other end back to San Francisco. We had very little time so we did Napa in one day, seeing a couple of vineyards and then heading back to San Francisco. It all depends on how much time you like to sip wine, or time hiking in the park. any combination will work.

Based on all you want to see, I agree with easytraveler about flying into Sacramento and out of SFO, OAK or SJC.

I agree with Jean - get your reservations for Yosemite asap because they will be the most limited.

If you fly in and out of San Francisco, you can wait to get a car until you're ready to leave the city. Then do Napa or Sonoma (do one or the other so you can add Tahoe), then drive up to Tahoe, then Yosemite, then back to SF to drop off the car, stay a night then fly home the next day. That will reduce your car rental by several days.

Were working with 5 or 6 nights. We were thinking of skipping Yosemite since its kinda out of the way so it would be more of a relaxing trip. BUT it looks like EZNMOMMA did it.

So does this sound doable?

We could fly right into Reno, although there aren't any direct flights from NY OR we can fly in Sacremento, again no direct.

2-nights Lake Tahoe. (we'll miss a day probably flying in. Want to so some kayaking.
Would greatly appreciate lodging suggestions, would love a lakefront or lakeview. Saw Harrahs has $99.00 a night, not very big gamblers.

1-night Yosemite- Drive in one side and out the other. (how bad is the drive?) This depends on lodging I guess. The drive from Yosemite to Napa seems to be the longest.

1-night Napa/sonoma OR we could hang out for the day and go directly to San Fran and add a day.

2-nights San Fran. Fly out San Fran or Oakland.

Or we could do it Vice a Versa.

Donna1185,

If I may chime in on your itinerary....Sept/Oct during harvest in Napa would be a shame to miss. I'd definitely at least stay one night there. My suggestion would be to do EITHER Yosemite or Tahoe, but not both.

Here's a thought....maybe skip both and do Point Reyes Seashore and the Muir Redwoods (excellent hiking) which is idyllic and in the vicinity of San Francisco. This way you can really explore the area without too much driving and get your fill of outdoor activities.

There is also alot to explore in the Napa region. Canoe/Kayak down the Russian River. Hike to the top of the Napa Mountains for a fab view of San Fran on a clear day. Or bike around the valley. Another must would be a hot air balloon ride which was the highlight of our trip.

If you do decide on Napa/Sonoma this is our fave group of inns:

<b>Four Sisters Inns:</b> http://www.foursisters.com/

We've stayed with them at 6 different inns and they are consistently top notch. Great attention to detail, excellent breakfasts and charming service. Our fave in Napa is Maison Fleurie which made us feel like we were in Provence. The massive outdoor hot tub under the Napa sky was one of our fave memories on our honeymoon.

Not sure what your budget is, but if you're looking for a romantic stay, I'd highly recommend these 2:

Sonoma: Kenwood Inn and Spa
http://www.kenwoodinn.com/

Calistoga: Cottage Grove Inn http://cottagegroveinn.com/

If you stay at any of these inns you'll feel like you're in heaven!

Have a great trip.....