I am planning a trip to California for the last week of April. My wife and I will fly into San Francisco. Arriving about noon, we will then drive to Lake Tahoe where we will stay at Harrahs for two nights. From there we will go to Yosemite, staying twoo nights there also (hotel undecided). Then it is on to the Carmel/Big Sur area where we spend a couple of nights at the Highland Inn. From there, it's back to San Francisco for the final three nights, staying at the penthouse in the San Remo Hotel (it apparently pays to book early). Any comments on this itinerary? Too busy? Too much driving? Hotels alright? Suggestions on where to stay in Yosemite? I would appreciate any opinions.

I'm not sure about expense, but you may want to rethink the airports. Why fly into SFO and immediatly drive to Tahoe. That is about 3-4 hours drive. You could probably fly to Sacramento or Reno, NV if you want to start with Tahoe and cut out a few hours of driving. What route are you contemplating from Yosemite to Carmel? I think you can see these areas, but could shave off some driving time with wise planning. If you want to stay at a hotel in the park there is the Ahwahnee--$$$ or the Wawona which is less, but slightly outside the valley.

Frida, There are lots of accommodations inside of Yosemite besides the Ahwahnee. Yosemite Lodge and Curry Village have a range of choices from Tent cabins to cabins with baths to hotel rooms with decks. They are all considerably cheaper than the Ahwahnee and right inside the park. Just steps from Yosemite Falls.

don,

Again, had you done some research on this itineray on Fodors, you would have received TONS of information.

That said, Frida's suggestion of flying into Reno (preferable) or Sacramento makes much more sense than flying into San Francisco. It will save you about half a day at the least.

In Tahoe, Harrahs or Harveys is fine. The Highlands Inn is fine, as is the San Remo.

Yosemite has many options. Try yosemite.com and see what you come up with. April can be unpredicable in the Sierras, but the various waterfalls should be great.

Dick

Don, I think you did a great job on your itinerary!! It is a little busy, but you will get to see alot!

I had originally planned on flying into Reno, but found a rate of $311 (for two) with round trip to San Francisco. Changing it to flying into Reno would have increased it to $644. I don't know why the big difference, but felt I had to jump at the rate/ Also I was originally going to spend just one night in Tahoe (just to ride through and see it) but increased it to two nights because of flying into San Francisco.

Hi don,

The drive to Lake Tahoe will take you about 4 hours so I hope you get some rest on the plane. It's going to be a long day.

Tioga Pass, Hwy 120 will not be open throught Yosemite by April. You will have to come down either Hwy 50 or Hwy 88 to Hwy 49 and then come in to Yosemite by the Big Oak Flats entrance.

It sounds like you like to stay at expensive places. If that's the case then you will probably want to try and stay at the Ahwahnee in Yosemite Valley. I highly recommend staying some where in Yosemite Valley. Trust me it's worth it! I'm not familar with any of the accommations because we always camp.

The only changes I would make would be to add a day to Yosemite and cut one day out of San Francisco. But then you have to take in to considersation that I prefer natures scenic wonders to cities. We live within 50 miles of SF and we NEVER go there.

Utahtea

Don: - you fly into SFO to save $300 but add a full day at Tahoe and a 4+ hour drive because of it. You will need to take Hwy 50 to get to southshore (Hwy 80 is faster but it takes you to northshore so the drive around the lake would add another 45 minutes). Plus the drive to Yosemite will be VERY long because - as utahtea says, the pass will not be open by April. Now, don't get me wrong, saving money is nice, but if you can afford Harrahs and the Highlands Inn you can afford the $300. You are making a false economy. How much is your time worth?

Don, I think Janis makes a good point, but if you've already booked the airfare your trip is still salvageable. I think you should choose between Tahoe and Yosemite. Both are breathtaking places that you will want to experience for more than two nights. Personally, I'd opt for Yosemite, if you can get good lodging. The Ahwahnee is beautiful.

Sounds like you already have reservations, but I would visit San Francisco at the front end 2 nights drive to Monterey/Carmel 2 nights and then head for Yosemite 3 nights and then head for Tahoe 2 nights and leave yourself a travel day to get back to SF for the flight.

Right on Carrie - I do beleve that reversing the trip order would help out a bunch. Especially when they are driving through Sacramento during PM rush hour. I feel that flying into Sacramento would save time, even though it would cost more - there is alot of ground to cover from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe in one day. Even though I love Yosemite, it would take alot of extra time to get there in April (many time Tioga Pass does not open till mid-June !) Maybe another idea is to bypass Lake Tahoe / Yosemite for another trip and just do San Francisco & drive down the coast to Carmel - alot of great areas to see (Monterey - Santa Cruz,...) That alone will take a week.

I think if something is left out it should be Tahoe--its placement is the most awkward, and though beautiful, you will already have enjoyed Yosemite in April (my favorite time). I adore Tahoe, but there is a reason Yosemite is a national park and Tahoe is not. If you want gambling, wait for your Vegas Trip and enjoy the sights at a leisurely pace. SF-Montery-Yosemite makes the most sense.

I didn't realize that my itinerary was going to make me look like such a dope to some people. As I stated I had first intended on flying into Reno, but when I found the rate to San Francisco, I jumped on it, after all who doesn't like a bargain? It also afforded me to add another day to my trip, and will actually give me more time in Lake Tahoe. It also allowed me to get the penthouse at the San Remo, which was already booked for the weekend, by putting San Francisco at the end of the trip (which also puts me near the airport for when we leave). The extra night at Harrahs is $99 which I felt was a very good deal (same rate is available for Harveys also). Found a great rate of $210 for the Highland Inn. And the rate of $155 for the San Remo sounds like a really good deal as far as San Francisco hotels go (not to mention that North Beach is one of my favorite neighborhoods in SF). So even though my plans may sound a bit extravagant at time, I usually try to find a good value also. As far as the driving goes, we will be arriving in SFO before noon (after a 6 hour flight) and I really like to drive and see different things. And as long as I am putting Tahoe in the itinerary, I guess there is nothing I can do about the drive to Yosemite.

Well, don, since you KNOW everything and have a rationalization for everything, and aren't open to making any changes --- WHY did you ask anything in the first place?????????

Don - a number of worthwhile suggestions here but I think there is basically nothing wrong with your plan. Having just returned from the Big Sur/Carmel area, let me just say that I hope this includes visiting Monterey and Pacific Grove. The Monterey Bay Acquarium is outstanding and the views of the bay along Ocean View drive, as well as the 17 mile drive through PG and Pebble Beach are very special.

don,

You've got a pretty good plan and reasons for doing what your doing. Ignore the posters with nothing nice to say.

We get antsy when we spend to much time on one place and we like to keep moving too.

I was just warning you about Tioga Pass. Not being from the area you might not realize some of the passes are closed in the winter. I didn't want you to go down Hwy 395 only to find out you had to go back.

From S. Lake Tahoe over Tioga Pass in to Yosemite is about 145 miles. Via Hwy 50 or Via Hwy 88 its about 210 to 220. Not that much difference in mileage. Just remember our mountain roads are a little slower to drive.

Utahtea

P. S. I still vote for one extra day in Yosemite and one less Day in SF

I agree with Why.

Don seems to know everything. I think we should feel honored that he took time out from his trip planning to post here and ask questions he already knows the answers to.

Thanks don. Be sure to post a trip report when you get back to wherever you come from.

Yup

I would like to thank all those who post helpful suggestions, like Utahtea, whose post I have seen on this site, have always been helpful and informative. It is those type people that make this a very good site. I posted my last message, not trying to be a know-it-all, but trying to explain why I chose what I did. But no travel plans are unchangeable. I did already purchase the airline tickets. I chose to go to this area because San Francisco is one of my wife's favorite cities. Since we have been there several times I thought it would be great to see some places we have never been to (Yosemite and Lake Tahoe). But I wonder things like if I really want to stay at the Highland Inn or if I would do better staying in town (Carmel or Monterey) someplace near the shore. Or if Harrahs is the right choice for a first time visitor. I am not really a gambler, just looking for a nice place with nice restaurants. I made these decisions mainly because I felt that I had found a really good deal at these places. At the San Remo it was the opposite, I had read so much about their penthouse, that it was really my first choice. Being somewhat of a bargain was just a plus. When I first started planning this trip, I originally was planning longer in San Francisco, but have cut it back to fit in other places. I really hate to cut it back even more, after all, as I stated earlier it is one of my wife's favorite places, not to mention I'm not really sure how she will feel about the other places (I'v been planning this trip as a Christmas present for her).

Hi don,

What a great post. Since this is for your wife and she loves SF then I can understand staying longer in SF than Yosemite. I hope she likes Yosemite.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help with lodging and dining because when we go to these places we are either camping in our motorhome or staying at our parents timeshare.

Have a wonderful trip!

Utahtea