California in August
May 26th, 2018, 01:51 PM
#1
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California in August
We are excited about flying from Baltimore Maryland to San Diego in Aug and plan to drive around the state for 2 weeks in August. We want to hit Sequoia Nat Park and also possibly beaches on the West coast-WE also plan to drive as far North as San Francisco. Does anyone have any must see places? We like rustic, budget lodging or camping.WE love off the beaten path..And we like art and dance...and goat farms, nature, farm markets.. Any must see or do recommendations are highly recommended! Thank you so much!
May 26th, 2018, 04:03 PM
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May 26th, 2018, 04:28 PM
#3
Where are you flying home from, in other words do you need to return to SD?
Figure out your itinerary and make lodging reservations for the national parks and coastal towns ASAP. On the coast in particular, there is often/usually a two-night minimum stay required between Thursday and Sunday. If your two weeks bump up against Labor Day, availability will become more scarce. National park lodging is usually booked a year in advance. Even campgrounds.
I suggest you do some research on California. It's the size of some countries with more to see/do than you can accomplish in two weeks, and only you can make the hard choices esp. with regard to time in cities v. small towns. FWIW, I think some of your interests (goat farms, farm markets) point more toward central and northern California while others may be easier to satisfy in the L.A. area where some of the more significant art museums are located. There are numerous commercial galleries in both L.A. and S.F.
Figure out your itinerary and make lodging reservations for the national parks and coastal towns ASAP. On the coast in particular, there is often/usually a two-night minimum stay required between Thursday and Sunday. If your two weeks bump up against Labor Day, availability will become more scarce. National park lodging is usually booked a year in advance. Even campgrounds.
I suggest you do some research on California. It's the size of some countries with more to see/do than you can accomplish in two weeks, and only you can make the hard choices esp. with regard to time in cities v. small towns. FWIW, I think some of your interests (goat farms, farm markets) point more toward central and northern California while others may be easier to satisfy in the L.A. area where some of the more significant art museums are located. There are numerous commercial galleries in both L.A. and S.F.
May 26th, 2018, 08:08 PM
#5
This is my favorite goat farm, about an hour south of San Francisco just inland from Pescadero State Beach a mile or so inland from Hwy 1, one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the state: Harley Farms Goat Dairy, Award Winning Goat Cheese, Farm Dinners & Goat Tours, Pescadero, CA
This is a visit with my granddaughters:
Coastal California: Three Girls Visit Harley Farms Goat Dairy | TravelGumbo
This is a visit with my granddaughters:
Coastal California: Three Girls Visit Harley Farms Goat Dairy | TravelGumbo
May 26th, 2018, 08:08 PM
#6
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Like Jean says- some places book up months in advance- ESPECIALLY camping. And you may be very surprised to find that even budget rustic places are not budget price wise!
My favorite area in california is gold country. I like the Columbia historic park and the caves. Forestiere underground garden may appeal to you- it’s really neat.
There are a number of interesting hostels in California and that may work out for you budget and availability wise. Look up hostellling International. The lighthouse hostels are the best, but really I liked all of them, and the one near yosemite often has space available this late.
My favorite area in california is gold country. I like the Columbia historic park and the caves. Forestiere underground garden may appeal to you- it’s really neat.
There are a number of interesting hostels in California and that may work out for you budget and availability wise. Look up hostellling International. The lighthouse hostels are the best, but really I liked all of them, and the one near yosemite often has space available this late.
May 26th, 2018, 08:13 PM
#7
PS - There's camping very near Pescadero and the goat farm, campsites in a big grove of coast redwoods, bookable in advance:
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=536
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=536
May 26th, 2018, 08:20 PM
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PS - There's camping very near Pescadero and the goat farm, campsites in a big grove of coast redwoods, bookable in advance:
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=536
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=536
May 26th, 2018, 08:20 PM
#9
One more time . . . as marvelousmouse mentions above, there's also a lighthouse with a hostel, also near Pescadero (a bit farther than Butano SP). Book ASAP if it appeals. I stayed once and here we are there:
Hostel: Coastal California: The Pigeon Point Hostel | TravelGumbo
Lighthouse: Coastal California: Pigeon Point Lighthouse | TravelGumbo
Hostel: Coastal California: The Pigeon Point Hostel | TravelGumbo
Lighthouse: Coastal California: Pigeon Point Lighthouse | TravelGumbo
May 26th, 2018, 08:35 PM
#10
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This is my favorite goat farm, about an hour south of San Francisco just inland from Pescadero State Beach a mile or so inland from Hwy 1, one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the state: Harley Farms Goat Dairy, Award Winning Goat Cheese, Farm Dinners & Goat Tours, Pescadero, CA
This is a visit with my granddaughters:
Coastal California: Three Girls Visit Harley Farms Goat Dairy | TravelGumbo
This is a visit with my granddaughters:
Coastal California: Three Girls Visit Harley Farms Goat Dairy | TravelGumbo
Hey - this is new to me!!! We will have to pay it a visit. This is our kinda stuff!!
Stu Dudley
May 27th, 2018, 07:12 AM
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This is what I like about living in the Bay Area. All kinds of new stuff to see. Last year I saved something you posted about Hakone Estate & Gardens. New to me also. If we ever get some good weather here so the flowering plants can bloom (our roses are lookin' lousy) - we'll pay it a visit.
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
May 27th, 2018, 07:52 AM
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If you're coming to the Monterey Peninsula, there are two events that will affect hotel availability in August. The US Amateur Championship https://www.pebblebeach.com/events/2018-us-amateur/ and Car Week which starts right after the US Amateur. Car Week will have a bigger impact with motels in Monterey charging $400 and up toward the latter part of the week.
May 27th, 2018, 09:26 AM
#19
If you have to return to San Diego to fly home, consider making your car rental one way and taking a flight back to SD. Overall, it will be more expensive, but trying to drive most of the length of California in two days will cost time. Money v. time. Your call.
If you're not seeing family or have some specific reason for flying in/out of SD, consider changing your flights to another city in California more central to where you want to explore.
If you're not seeing family or have some specific reason for flying in/out of SD, consider changing your flights to another city in California more central to where you want to explore.
