satie37

My husband is attending a conference in San Diego so we are taking the opportunity to take our 10 year old son and explore the California Coast. We are traveling for 3 weeks ending up in San Francisco. We enjoy activities such as hiking, cycling, canoeing and also the arts, great wine and spas and photography. I would appreciate comments on the itinerary.... I am not exactly sure what there is to do in North Cal but I do want to see the redwoods and if we are staying too few nights or too many nights in various places......

Jul 28 - Aug 1 San Diego
Aug 2 - Santa Monica (visit the Getty)
Aug 3 - Santa Ynez
Aug 4 - Cambria - (Hearst Castle visit)
Aug 5 - Carmel
Aug 6, 7 and 8 - Mendocino
Aug 9 .... not sure where to stay/go from Mendocino - maybe move our Garberville dates here?
Aug 10 - 11 Garberville
Aug 12 - 14 Sonoma
Aug 15 - 18 San Francisco (we leave morning of the 18th)

If you have ideas of some fun things to do that would also keep our 10 year old interested.... I am thinking of going ballooning in Sonoma, kayaking the shore and caves in Mendocino and possibly cycling there also. Would love to go hiking in the giant redwoods.......

spirobulldog

Monterey-
Aquarium there is very very good.
Go kayaking at Elkhorn Slough. very cool to see and hear sea otters cracking open shells with rocks while floating on there backs close to your boat.
McWay Falls

Perhaps an all day trip to Channel Islands(august is a great time to go-better yet do a guided trip overnight if you are adventurous).

I would continue on a bit further north. Prairie Creek area of the redwoods is great. The best hike is James Irvine trail all the way to the ocean. The last mile is Fern Canyon(amazing).
Also, before you get there see Patricks Point State Park-specifically go to Palmers Point(which is at Patricks Point) for tidepooling at low tide. Expect to see elk in this area too. You could let one of you do the James Irvine hike while the other parks at Fern Canyon and waits. This would make the hike 4 miles instead of 8 miles. I hiked it with my 10 year old nephew a couple of years ago.

We really liked the Wild Animal Park(owned by the zoo) in SD. To get the most from it though, you need to purchase the extra tour and it can get expensive.

Kite Shop and forutne cookie store is interesting to most kids in chinatown in SF. Consider a segway tour(not sure of age restrictions).

spirobulldog

Elk are at Prairie Creek not Patricks Point

BarbAnn

Personally, I think you should carve out a few days in Monterey. Your son would love the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Other possibilities include whale watching cruise, kayaking in the bay or biking on the Monterey Bay Bike Path.

Benbow Inn is the best place to stay near Garbervile. It is a classic hotel on the river.

montereybob

One day in the Carmel area will not be enough. In that area you will find incredible scenery and hiking at Point Lobos State reserve (plan on up to a half day). Then a bike ride along the scenic coastal bike trail in Pacific Grove. Then your son will love the Monterey Bay Aquarium (another half day). Also there is the fun village of Carmel by the Sea. And also a walk along Carmel beach. You will need at least 2 full days in this area.

montereybob

I forgot to mention: Kids love the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusment park on the beach in Santa Cruz about 40 min drive north of Carmel. Also he might enjoy watching the surfers from the cliffs just north of the Beach Boardwalk.

BarbAnn

I agree with spirobulldog about continuing north to Praire Creek. The hike through Fern Canyon is awe inspiring.

bon_voyage

Satie37, it sounds like you're crafting a great trip.

Some thoughts:
Consider visiting the Reagan Library just north of LA. The exhibits include an Air Force One plane used by Reagan that you can tour--might be fun for a 10-year old.
Stop at Nepenthe for lunch/a snack in Big Sur.
Yes, more time on the Monterey peninsula. The aquarium and Point Lobos are highlights.
There's an excellent stable, Richochet Ranch north of Fort Bragg, that offers a trail ride on the beach: http://ricochetridgeranch.com/RedwoodCoastRides.php
You wouldn't need a night between Mendocino and Garberville.
The redwoods are wonderful, but you might be satisfied with the taste that you get near Mendocino (you drive through the redwoods on the 128 from PCH to the 101) or Garberville.

Rastaguytoday

satie37 - Frankly speaking, there's not really much in Garberville, unless you're there to by dope. It's hippy haven.

From Mendocino, take 128 southwest through the Anderson Valley, back to Sonoma. There are some great wineries there, including Husch and Roederer Estate,

Then you have a choice, there are two distinct wine areas in Sonoma County, the Dry Creek area, or the Valley of the Moon, with the town of Sonoma at the bottom.

Try this to choose, http://www.sonoma.com/ They will have wineries, maps, lodging and restaurants listed.

Personally speaking, I prefer the Valley of the Moon. It's a lot more funky and the folks in Sonoma aren't very pretentious.

Up in Healdsburg, the celebrity chefs have moved in, bringing sky high prices with them.

Check out Glen Ellen for a place to stay. Lots cheaper than Sonoma proper. Good restaurant in town, the Fig Cafe, with no corkage on Sonoma wines.

rizzo0904

At Torrey pines which is near la jolla, they have hang gliding. You could go yourself,or just enjoy a breakfast/lunch at the restaurant there while you watch others.

Diamantina

I agree with the others. Absolutely visit the Monterey Aquarium. And go on a whale watching trip onto Monterey Bay. The northern California coast offers such a bounty of wildlife watching experiences. During the summer you have a great chance of seeing humpback and gray whales, and probably fin and blue whales, too. The Blue Whale is the largest animal that has ever lived on earth and Northern California has the largest population of them. You can also see dolphins (sometimes in the hundreds), porpoises, and sea birds, such as albatrosses, sooty shearwaters, and tufted puffins.

California's Highway One is breathtakingly beautiful, especially the area that passes through Big Sur, and the area that goes from Muir Beach to the Bolinas Lagoon. Don't miss the Muir Beach Overlook. As you enjoy hiking, take a 20-minute hike up the Dipsea Trail that goes from the intersection of Panoramic Highway and Highway One at Stinson Beach village/community. The views at the top are just great. The trail continues for another 7 miles, but this first 20 minutes is the best. When you reach the top of the hill that overlooks Stinson Beach (just 20 minutes up the hill), walk out to the old military bunkers. What a view!
http://www.bahiker.com/northbayhikes/stinson.html

Off Highway One, just north of San Simeon, you might see elephant seals at Piedras Blancas beach:
http://www.amwest-travel.com/awt_pbseal.html
http://www.elephantseal.org/

If you love art, visit SFMOMA in downtown SF (beautifully designed by Italian Swiss architect Mario Botta); and the deYoung Museum (designed by Swiss, Pritzger-prize winning architects Herzog and Meuron, who also designed Beijing's Olympic Stadium). SFMOMA has an outstanding photography collection. The deYoung has a great collection of American arts and crafts, art of Oceania and the Americas, and is located in Golden Gate Park Concourse and across from the California Academy of Sciences (designed by Italian Pritzger-prize winning architect Renzo Piano), which comprises a natural history museum, a planetarium, an aquarium, and a multi-story indoor rainforest exhibition. It would be well-worth visiting; your son will love it; you will all love it. When you visit the deYoung, make sure to take the elevator up the tower--the view from here is worth the price of admission (go on a clear day). When you visit the Academy of Sciences, make sure to visit the "green" roof top garden. The deYoung Museum is open late on Friday nights. Friday nights at the deYoung also offers free entertainment, usually musicians.

The Legion of Honor Museum in Lincoln Park has a modest collection, but a fabulous location, which you should see.
http://legionofhonor.famsf.org/
http://deyoung.famsf.org/
http://www.calacademy.org/visit/

Visit the Marin County coast. The Marin Headlands of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (on the Marin County side of the GG Bridge) is a must; try to go after 11 a.m. or whenever the fog has lifted so that you can appreciate the stunning views of the GG Bridge and city from here. The Marine Mammal Center is here, which your son would probably enjoy visiting.
http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/places.htm
http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/visiting-us/

It sounds like you will be going to Muir Woods to see the redwoods. It gets super-crowded during the summer. It would probably be best to visit on a weekday. You can also see the redwoods in Big Sur, Mendocino, Sonoma or Humboldt County.

If you enjoy hiking, don't miss Point Reyes National Seashore, one of the country's most beautiful national parks. Drive to the lighthouse and then walk to Chimney Rock. Or take the Tomales Point Trail, from which you can see both Tomales Bay and the Pacific Ocean, and lots of Tule Elk. I also like the Estero trail, and the trail to Abbott's Lagoon. You can visit the Drake's Bay Oyster Company. Or rent a kayak in Inverness and kayak out onto Tomales Bay. Or rent mountain bikes in Olema and mountain bike on the mostly level Bear Valley Trail in Point Reyes. You can also go horseback riding into the park.
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisi...d/map_park.pdf
http://www.nps.gov/pore/index.htm
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/biking.htm
http://www.drakesbayoyster.com/
http://www.bwkayak.com/
http://www.fivebrooks.com/
http://www.bahiker.com/northbayhikes/prbv.html

For Sonoma wine country, stay in or around Sonoma town or Healdsburg. I prefer Healdsburg. Check out http://www.vrbo.com The wineries of Sonoma are wonderful. I agree with Rastaguy, there are also some terrific wineries on Mendocino's Highway 128.

You are going to love the Getty. It is an all-day experience, from the tram rides, to the gardens, to the views, to the art. The LA County Museum also has a fine collection. If you find yourself in downtown LA, you can take a free self-guided tour of Disney Concert Hall (designed by architect Frank Gehry).

Diamantina

I forgot to add, Calistoga in northern California is known for its spas. I don't go to spas, but a number of my spa-loving friends from Marin and San Francisco enjoy going up to Calistoga (which is in Napa County), but not far from Sonoma.
http://www.calistogavisitors.com/calistoga-spas.php

The Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is popular and expensive.
http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma

So is Hotel Healdsburg.
http://www.hotelhealdsburg.com/spa/

AustinTraveler

Agree with most that you need to spend more time in the Big Sur area. Definitely do not need 3 days in Mendocino! Not into spas either, but definitely loved the vibe in Calistoga.

isabel

I did the central coast (San Simeon in the south to Napa/Sonoma in the north. You might get some ideas from my trip report (and links to photos). http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...oma-and-sf.cfm

I agree you need at least a full day for the drive from San Simeon (assuming you saw Hearst Castle the day before) to Carmel and then you'd want another day to explore that area itself. What are your plans for Mendiceno/Garberville? Seems like a disproportionate amount of time there.

tracys2cents

With a 10 year old it would be a shame to just spend one night in Los Angeles. Spend two so that you can bike along the ocean, or visit the fabulous Natural History Museum and Science Center, Griffith Park and especially the Observatory.

Then I would not do an overnighter in Santa Ynez and another in Cambria. If I had to squeeze L.A-to-Cambria into two nights I would drive up and visit Santa Barbara all day, then move on up to Santa Ynez/Solvang for the evening (maybe the short hike to Nojoqui Falls around sunset on the drive up from Santa Barbara?). You'd have the following day and nigt for Santa Ynez Wine Country and in the morning could drive up to Hearst for an early afternoon tour, continuing onward to Carmel/Monterey for the evening (early evening stop at Point Lobos Park on the way).

satie37

WOW thanks for all the great suggestions. This weekend we are going to revisit our itinerary based on everyone's feedback. I think we are going to skip staying at Garberville and use the Aug 9-12 to spend time further north and on the 12th we head down to Sonoma. We already have accommodations booked - Marriott Sonoma Lodge (staying free with points). I think we will skip Ynez and readjust to spend more time in the Carmel/Monteray area. We had reservations at Tickle Pink Inn Aug 5 but may adjust thing a bit. In Mendocino we are staying at Nicholson's B&B and have a small apartment. I will repost our adjusted plans and thanks again for all your great suggestions.

isabel

I would not plan to do Hearst Castle and drive up to Carmel all in one day, much less anything else (Wine Country). For one thing, Hearst Castle takes a good two to three hours, more if you want to do more than one tour (although I think the best part is the exteriors which you can see on any tour). But also, the drive from there to Carmel is wonderful, with many, many places to stop and while it's not that many miles it could easily take a whole day, certainly if you wanted to stop and do any hikes, go to a beach etc. You have over two weeks, definitely give the Pacific Coast HIghway/ Big Sur at least a full day.

nancytwo

No one has mentioned the fog. Highway 1 is beautiful but it gets really foggy in August.
Pack accordingly, Sonoma will be warm, coast will be cool.

ggreen

Instead of spending the night in Cambria, what about staying in Big Sur? We enjoyed an overnight at Pfieffer Big Sur State Park. They have a nice lodge with a very good restaurant - I still remember the trout for dinner, and the buckwheat pancakes and strong coffee in the morning! (We brought a tent and sleeping bags but ate our meals in the lodge.)
Campgrounds: www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=570
Lodge: http://www.bigsurlodge.com/

Deb15July

Another vote for several comments.

1. You need more time in the Carmel area
2. Point Lobos (just south of Carmel) is a wonderful place for hiking
3. A stop at Nepenthe along Big Sur is recommended
4. Mendocino doesn't warrant 3 days, spend one of those in Carmel or elsewhere on the Monterey peninsula
5. Rent bikes to cross the Golden Gate bridge and take one of the ferries back to SF
6. Be sure to ride a cable car in SF...I recommend a transit pass which will cover most public transportation