California
 

I booked a trip to visit California early May for 6 days (flying out on the 7th day) and am still figuring out where to go in which order in order to minimize driving.

I am flying in and out of Sacramento and so far these are the places I want to see:

Big Sur(1 night)
Carmel
San Francisco (2-3 nights)
Santa Cruz (if time allows)
Napa Valley(if time allows)
Lake Tahoe has to be my last stop since I already booked a place using a gift certificate)

Please any help (hotel recommendations,driving directions etc) are appreciated. I never procrastinate with travel planning but things came up and am doing last min planning. THANKS A LOT!!!

I answered you on TA.

That is simply too much for 6 days.

Whatever Suzie said on TA (just guessing here)

LOL Janis, she didn't say on TA that it was a 6 day trip. Lots thought it was a 4 day trip so 6 is better. I'll have to go revise based on new info!!! ;)

Hey Suszie, I still have to post a message on Frommer's asking for advice. Thanks for responding to me on both Fodor's and TA. ;-)

Sorry, I left out important details this is a rough itinerary:

This is a rough sketch of my itinerary, from an earlier post I made on this forum:
#Day 1 -: Wed, May 2
Arrive @ hotel around 4:30 p.m. in the Carmel/Big Sur region
#Day 2- Day 5 Thurs-Mon, May 3-7
Spend the day at the beach & leave for San Francisco, arriving @ hotel in the evening.
#Day 6 - Lake Tahoe (one night)
#Day 7 - Fly home on early afternoon flight

I can't skip Lake Tahoe since I got a gift certificate that I have to use while I am there. If I skip stopping by Santa Cruz and Napa valley is this trip still too busy for 6 DAYS? Any advice on places to see and things to do?

Hey girlie I can't catch up with you - huffing and puffing from running back and forth!!! ;)

Here's what I wrote on TA. I'm sure you'll get lots of advice regarding your plan!!

"I would not do that schedule. That's just way too much ground to cover. You will be in Tahoe literally just enough to check in and check out.
So you land in Sacramento and drive all the way to Carmel? That's a pretty long day of travel.
How about land in Sacto and arrive early afternoon in Tahoe. Stay 2 nights and leave late like 5 - which would put you in Sacto about 6:30 and in the waning commute (stays light pretty late now) and arrive in SF later like 9ish. Stay in SF 2 nights, then go south for 2 nights before you return to Sacramento. Oh dear it all seems like alot of driving!!"

I have to agree that this is too much for the time you have. As you are arriving in SAC, it would make more sense to to a San Francisco, Napa, Lake Tahoe trip than the one proposed. But if you must go to Carmel/Big Sur, you are really adding to your travel time. I would also think about you arrival time in SAC and travel time. The drive from SAC to San Francisco, and from there south, can be brutal if its at all during rush hour. You might think about heading to Tahoe first and traveling back west during off peak travel times.

If it were me (and it's not), I would head to San Francisco, and spend two days (two nights). Then I would go to Napa, and spend two days (one night), and then to Tahoe.

I am not sure if you have made this trip before, but it is a beautiful area and Lake Tahoe is exceptional. You cannot go wrong in this part of the country.

If Tahoe is a given I'd split the trip between SF and Tahoe and forget Carmel/Big Sur/Napa or do one as a day trip from the city. Have a great time.

-Bill

ITA. Next time fly into SJC (San Jose), and split your time between San Francisco and the Monterey/ Carmel area.

W/ SMF and Tahoe as givens - I see your a couple of choices as

1) 2 days at Tahoe followed by 3 days at Big Sur/Monterey/Carmel, and the last night spent at a hotel in Sacramento. But that is a LOT of driving from Tahoe to Big Sur and Big Sur to Sacramento

or

2) 2 days at Tahoe followed by 4 days divided between SF and the Wine country. This would be the easiest.

You simply don't have time for SMF > Big Sur > SF > anywhere > Tahoe > SMF . . . . . .

Being from this area Bengaligirl I would suggest as others have. And I would caution you to not try to drive east to Lake Tahoe on a Friday or south (towards SF) on a Sunday afternoon or early evening.

Actually it sounds from your post that you have the reservation for Lake Tahoe at the end of your trip. So I would go to SF first and I too would skip seeing Big Sur, Carmel etc. SF, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe would be the maximum that I would do. And not knowing your dates again I would caution you if you are flying home from Sacramento on a Sunday from Lake Tahoe leave in the morning so that you do not miss your flight. Best regards and enjoy your time in N CA.

Hey hey hey. I've been driving Tahoe to Sacto-ish pretty much every Sunday this winter and it has never been a problem. I think by May there are fewer people driving up to Tahoe than during the winter or summer. It's really the off season then. (I know I'll be cursed if there is an accident or some other issue that causes the traffic to back up for Bengaligirl) ;)

Oh - I assumed you just had a gift cert at Tahoe - not that it had to be used a certain day.

But if it must be used at the end of your trip - then 4 days divided between SF/Wine country followed by 2 days at Tahoe, then drive down to SMF . . . .

Janis, LOL I can not figure out the days and requirements! I didn't know that it was supposed to be at the end. Maybe the gift cert is only for 1 night but I can't see making the long drive from the bay area to Tahoe for just one night. That seems just crazy.

Bengaligirl in her first post (3rd paragraph) states "Lake Tahoe has to be my last stop since I already booked a place using a gift certificate".

This can be a lovely trip but only if you don't try to go to many areas Bengaligirl.

LOL thanks LoveItaly. Guess I was not a careful reader!

My two cents: it looks like Bengaligirl must stay in Tahoe that last night (per her first post). I agree with everyone that doing it all would be very very tough, but it's not impossible if you're willing to drive fast (traffic willing). No way to avoid lots of driving, but you can certainly break up everything except that first day, and as you won't be heading in or out of SF on a Friday, you might actually be able to avoid too much traffic. I would drop Big Sur altogether: it's beautiful but it would be an hour south of Carmel and slow going. The real problem is the driving from Sacto to Carmel, which will take at least 3, maybe 4 hours, and much longer if you don't get through the Bay Area before rush hour kicks in. Driving south out of San Jose is a bear during rush hour.

Here's what I might suggest, based on what I perceive to be your schedule:

1. Wed, May 2: SAC to Carmel, arrive about 4:30 (using the time you put in your itinerary). Allow between 3-4 hours for the drive, and try to be through the Bay Area (i.e., south of San Jose) before 3:00-ish. If you must leave Sacto after, say, 1:30, plan on arriving in Carmel at least an hour or so later. (80 South to 680 S to 101 S, then 156 through Castroville (that exit is in Prunedale) onto 1 S to Carmel.) Overnight in Carmel; try the Four Sisters Inn there (http://www.foursisters.com/); nice little place, and ask locally about the best meals.

2. Thurs, May 3: Carmel a.m. & Monterey (aquarium is cool) p.m., drive north to Santa Cruz (approx. 45 mins. on Hwy 1 N along the coast), overnight in S.C.

3. Fri, May 4: Santa Cruz a.m., drive to S.F. (allow 1:30-2 hrs, take Hwy 17 to 85 N to 280 N), arrive before dinner, overnight in S.F.

4. Sat, May 5: S.F., overnight in S.F. On recent visits we've splurged (Ritz, Four Seasons), but we've also had nice stays at the Hilton Union Square and St. Francis. Thousands of restaurants, but that's for another post.

5. Sun, May 6: Drive to Tahoe, a.m. (allow 3+ hrs), overnight in Tahoe. [If you have only one night in Tahoe and can't do two, consider getting up EARLY on this day and driving north to Napa (101 over the golden gate, 37 E, 121/12 to Napa, 29 N), wine taste, sober up, and drive at least part way to Tahoe, perhaps back to Sacto or Auburn (if heading to north shore; if going to south shore, you might try Placerville). Then get up early again on Monday and get to Tahoe as early as possible. (Leaving Napa, take 29/12 S, left off 29 on 12 ("Jameson Canyon Rd") to 80 E to Sacto, then 80 E to N. Shore, 50 E to S. Shore.)]

6. Mon, May 7: Tahoe, overnight Tahoe

7. Tues, May 8: drive Tahoe to SAC (allow 2+ hrs) and leave, early pm.

Lots of driving, but the only really offensive day would be the first (and that long drive after wine tasting, but it's only about 1.5 hrs from Napa to Sacto).

Obviously, you can vary the days. If it were my trip, I would stay in Carmel/Monterey and extra day rather than overnighting in Santa Cruz, and consider leaving early and visiting S.C. for a couple of hours on the morning I head to S.F. And I'd absolutely give S.F. more than one night. I doubt I'd stay the night in Napa, hard anyway that time of year to find a decent place, especially if that meant less than two nights in S.F. And I agree with everyone else about Tahoe: if you can get two nights in Tahoe, head straight there from SF and forget Napa. Tahoe is much more beautiful and an extra day there is well worth the sacrificed wine. Oh, and make sure you get some maps before you come!! You'll need them.

I also agree that you are trying to do too much for your trip. I would skip Tahoe as it is in the opposite direction of everything else you want to do but as it seems to be a permanent fixture of your trip I would probably do SF/Napa/Tahoe. If you do go to Carmel out of Sacramento I would drive down 5 and cross west on 152 out of Santa Nella to 156 to get to Carmel. Hotel recommendations require some budget ideas and some ideas as to what you require.

POIson: You are just being an enabler :) Telling Bengaligirl how to make this mess work - sheesh . . . .


As for the Tahoe schedule - yes I see the &quot;<i>Lake Tahoe has to be my last stop since I already booked a place using a gift certificate</i>&quot; bit. But if it was booked it can possibly be re-booked to a more convenient day.

Well either Bengaligirl should stay at Lake Tahoe the first night or the last night if she wants to visit SF, Napa Valley etc., it seems to me.

Cross off Santa Cruz and Napa Valley (because time does not allow)!

UPDATE:

Hey all, after reading all your advice and FINALLY looking at a map I have decided NOT to use the Lake Tahoe gift certificate and make the trip less stressful. I also realized that the resort it applies to is pretty shitty so won't be missing much.

Please have a look at the revised itinerary and advice:

#Day 1 -: Wed, May 2
Arrive @ Sacramento airport at 12:30 p.m. Spend 1 night in SF.
#Day 2, 3 &amp; 4 -: Thurs-Sat, May 3-5
Leave SF for Big Sur very early in the morning.
#Day 5 &amp;6 - Leave very early for SF and spend 2 nights there
#Day 7 - Fly home on an early afternoon flight

I know, Big Sur is going to be crowded on a weekend but stopping in SF seems logical since Sacramento Airport is so far away. Is this advisable?

-Can anyone please let me know about the distance/time to travel between
Sacramento airport-SF
SF-Big Sur

Your feedback is truly appreciated thanks! :-)

I apologize if you have already given a reason, but

why are you flying into and out of Sacramento?

If your intent is to be in SF and Monterey/Carmel, you would be better off flying into and out of the Bay Area airports: San Francisco, Oakland or San Jose. Too much time wasted commuting to and from Sacramento Airport. Depending on the time of day you could hit peak traffic and it could take you three hours or more to get from Sacramento Airport to San Francisco.

I know!It's bad planning on my part. But, the tickets were considerably more expensive.Moreover, I was originally planning to stop at Lake Tahoe on the way back and Sac. was the closest airport.

Hello Bengaligirl, well the good part is that Sacramento is a very user friendly airport. I would plan on 3 hours driving time from SF to Sacramento but due to traffic tieups on I-80 some days (accidents) I would plan on allowing a bit more time so that you do not miss your flight. What time is your flight and how soon before the flight does your airline tell you that you need to check in?

With your flight arriving in Sacramento at 12:30pm you will be able to drive to SF without dealing with the commute traffic..that is good!!

If I was coming in at noon on a wednesday I would head for Carmel/Monterey. Will take abit over 3 hours depending on how you drive. Going into San Francisco at that time will take somewhere around 2+ hours depending on traffic. The bay bridge is the major issue unless you want to come in via the Golden Gate which generally takes more time but it depends on the traffic. I listen to 740 Am radio news and make my decision as to which way to go by the traffic reports before Vallejo. The coast is quieter on the weekdays and busy during the weekends. Sf is the opposite. Many hotels on the coast have a 2 night stay requirement on the weekends

I don't understand why you'd break up San Francisco?? Foing there for 1 night, leaving, then back for 2 nights. Seems kind of a hassle.

You've got a lot of time driving to and from the airport, then moving around, I'm not sure how to make a helpful suggestion, but I would still rework your proposed itinerary, to streamline it if possible.

I believe I speak for everyone: we're glad you're cutting out Tahoe this trip!

The best thing to do has already been suggested to you:

1) Go to Carmel first (200 miles, 3-4 hour drive). Since you will be arriving around noon, you should be able to avoid peak traffic hour.

2) 2 nights in Carmel - first day, go to Monterey Aquarium, and do other sights around town. Day 2, drive south to Big Sur, do some hiking and sight seeing and return to Carmel for the night.

3) Early in the morning of your third full day, drive up to San Francisco along Highway 1, get into San Francisco and spend three nights in San Francisco. Lots to do in San Francisco.

4) Drive up north to Napa Sonoma and wine taste, spend the night.

5) Last day, drive to Sacramento (60-70 miles, 1 to 1 1/2 hours depending on whether you overnight in Sonoma or Napa).

This really does what you wanted: &quot;minimize driving&quot; and you will be only about an hour away from Sacramento Airport on your final day, so no stressing over a long trip to the airport.

Have fun and welcome to California! :)

easytraveller, I really like your suggestion of spending the 6th night at Napa to make the airport drive easier. Napa Valley is about and hr drive from SF, am I correct?

Revised itinerary:

#Day 1 -: Wed, May 2
Arrive @ Sacramento airport at 12:30 p.m. Head straight to Big Sur
#Day 2, 3 -: Thurs-Fri, May 3-4
Spend exploring the beaches in Big Sur/Carmel &amp; Big Sur.
***I'm considering Tree Bones Resort in Big Sur since in got a lot of good reviews in TA but would love to hear other's opinions on it.***
#Day 4,5 - Leave very early for SF and spend 2 nights there.
#Day 6- After spending half a day in SF and head towards Napa Valley. Stay the night there.
#Day 7 - Fly home on an early afternoon flight.

Some questions if you have time to answer:

What's the best place to stay in SF,Napa Valley &amp; Carmel for a budget of $60-$80 I don't really care for fancy hotels but don't wanna stay in a dump either. Location is more important. I'm gonna try my luck on priceline.

Bengaligirl: Indeed! Napa is about an hour away from San Francisco - if there is no traffic.

Your revised itinerary sounds so much more doable - and therefore, so much more enjoyable a trip for you.

Lodging: Haven't been to Treebones, but have heard about it. Yurt living. Seems exciting. Why don't you write a report on it after you have stayed there and tell us of your impressions?

SF: if you are using priceline, you can get something at Union Square East (USE) for about $70; Fisherman's Wharf for about $55, airport for about $40 (airport is several miles south of SF and not reall convenient,but safe and inexpensive if you get the rate on priceline). Be aware that there is a parking charge of $20-$35 a night. These are the three areas I would recommend that you make a bid in. Don't bid Cathedral Hill.

With the parking charge at the fancier hotels (Hyatt, Hilton, etc) that you get on Priceline, some people have opted to stay on Lombard Street. One of the favorites mentioned often on Fodor's is the Columbus Motor Inn.

Check out the comments on this hotel on tripadvisor.com before you make reservations at a non-major chain hotel.

Lodging in Sonoma/Napa: Again on Priceline, you can get the Napa Marriott for about $60 and the Doubtree in Sonoma County for about $55. No parking charges added.

Have you used Priceline before? If not, start a separate thread and there are lots of Fodorites who can give you good tips. Before making any bid, check out biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com.

Again, have a great trip! :)

I haven't stayed at Treebones either - we were going to last year, but they were full. We went camping at Limekiln instead. So it you stay at Treebones, defintely let us know how it is.

Your new itinerary sounds much better! If you stay in Napa, your easy drive to the Sacto airport will be about 1 hr 10 minutes (depends on time of day). Last Sunday I drove from Napa to Sacto Airport in less than an hour, leaving at 6:10 AM. When you get to I-80 heading toward Sac, take Hwy 113 toward Woodland. Take Gibson Rd exit before Woodland. Turn R on Gibson to Road 102. Left on Rd.102 to I-5. Take I-5 toward Sac and when you cross the river you will see the exit for Sac Airport.

Oh thats awesome! Our flight isn't until 1p.m. so we'll prob. head out early and have lunch in somewhere in Sacramento. I appreciate you providing the directions too. Yes, I do feel better about cutting out Lake Tahoe.:-)

well, actually I've had second thoughts about treebones resort. i realized it'd be a 40 min drive to BIG Sur. Irealized it'd be more convenient to just stay in carmel and head towards Big Sur for the day.Pacific Grove looks like a nice option and I'd be closer to nice restaurants too. I guess I'm still being picky and considering my options.

Pacific Grove is great and you can definitely make a day trip to Big Sur from there.

Big Sur is pretty much the whole stretch of coastline between San Simeon and Carmel. There is the village of Big Sur where there are some shops, restaurants, and lodging - I think this is what you are seeing as 40 minutes north of Treebones. There isn't much to this village, but it is the biggest concentration of civilization along that stretch of coastline. The coastline and the parks along the way are really what you want to see.

Does anyone have any recommendations for Pacific Grove hotels or any hotel that's ON A BEACH and not just overlooking the Pacific Ocean? Hope this makes sense.
There's a Best Western that seems to be on a narrow strip of beach which likes a nice option but I hate of idea of $150 for a BW, but I guess it's all about the location. Need to do some more digging around in TA.

When you leave Napa to go to the Sac Airport, I recommend you stop for lunch in Davis (a college town) or maybe Woodland; otherwise you will negate the shortcut to the airport. This route bypasses the city of Sacramento.

In Pacific Grove we have enjoyed staying at Asilomar conference grounds. They rent out their extra rooms and the rate includes full breakfast. The grounds are beautiful and have a boardwalk right to the beach.
Across the street from the entrance to Asilomar is the Rosedale Inn, very nice and comfortable. For a different atmosphere and a gorgeous view is the Martine Inn, a lovely B&amp;B with some very private rooms. It is across the street from the water with a walking trail ; also walking distance to the Monterey Aquarium.

Hello Bengaligirl, in that your flight out of Sacramento is at 1:00pm you will not really be able to stop for a regular time lunch as you will have to get to the airport in time to return your rental car and get checked in. So a late breakfast/brunch or early lunch would work for you.

As stated by elnap you will not be in Sacramento if you go to the airport via Woodland (which is what I do). I live in Vacaville. The shuttle busses also go from here to the Sacramento airport via Woodland also..it is much better route.

So, when you are on I-80 and reach Vacaville here is a thought. If you take the Davis St., offramp in Vacaville and when at the bottom of the ramp turn left onto Davis St., and continue on Davis St., (you will pass the center where the large Brenden Movie Theater is on your right) cross Mason St., and continue on Davis St., a couple of blocks (you will pass under the large sign that goes over Davis St., that reads somethings like &quot;Downtown Vacaville&quot;) at the end of Davis, just a block from that sign you will see across the street on the left the Creekside Grill &amp; Bar. Also across the street on the right is the park. The cross street that Creekside is on is Main St. Turn left on Main and park at the first street parking space you find (no meters). I think that Creekside would be a perfect place to have a late breakfast or a early lunch. The service is good, the restaurant is quite pleasant, clean and well decorated and believe me you will not go away hungry. My daughters favorite dish is their Eggs Benedict. People love their omelettes. I really like their Crab Louies and many people enjoy their sandwiches especially their French Dip. Lots of choices. A Fodorite asked about where to have breakfast in Vacaville a couple of weeks ago. I suggested Creekside. They liked it so much they drove back another day (an hours drive) to eat there again.

You could then get back on I-80 and zip up to the turnoff for Woodland and then onto I-5 to the airport.

Anyway just one thought which would be easy for you to reach and would give you a good meal before you fly home. Do have a wonderful time in California. And I am sure you will have wonderful weather. It has been gorgeous here for weeks.

I second the Asilomar recommendation in Pacific Grove. Nice grounds. Nice beach. No TV. The Fish Wife restaurant just across the street to the south is a good spot for seafood for dinner.

Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing is a good spot to stop for a bite if you want a meal on your way north from Monterey. Their menu is online.

And I'm going to try the Creekside in Vacaville the next time I'm driving up 80 around meal time! (thanks loveitaly)