California
Apr 4th, 2007, 04:50 PM
#1
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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 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!!!
Apr 4th, 2007, 05:22 PM
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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?
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?
Apr 4th, 2007, 05:32 PM
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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!!"
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!!"
Apr 4th, 2007, 05:46 PM
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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 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.
Apr 4th, 2007, 07:02 PM
#10
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 . . . . . .
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 . . . . . .
Apr 4th, 2007, 08:08 PM
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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.
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.
Apr 4th, 2007, 08:13 PM
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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)
Apr 4th, 2007, 08:17 PM
#13
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 . . . .
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 . . . .
Apr 4th, 2007, 08:31 PM
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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.
Apr 4th, 2007, 09:10 PM
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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.
This can be a lovely trip but only if you don't try to go to many areas Bengaligirl.
Apr 4th, 2007, 09:41 PM
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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.
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.
Apr 4th, 2007, 10:11 PM
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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.
Apr 4th, 2007, 10:18 PM
#19
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 "Lake Tahoe has to be my last stop since I already booked a place using a gift certificate" bit. But if it was booked it can possibly be re-booked to a more convenient day.
Telling Bengaligirl how to make this mess work - sheesh . . . .As for the Tahoe schedule - yes I see the "Lake Tahoe has to be my last stop since I already booked a place using a gift certificate" bit. But if it was booked it can possibly be re-booked to a more convenient day.
