California Itinerary
 

My wife and I are planning a 3 week vacation in California in September and are looking for a good itinerary that takes in San Francisco, Yosemite and the best bits of the coast. We will be driving and like to spend 2 or 3 days in one place to explore before moving on.

Hello, sorry I can not help you with any suggestions, we are planning the same "type" of trip in September for 16 days. Planning to hit SF (Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Pt Reyes) 3 days, South Lake Tahoe (emerald bay, va city, hot springs) 3 days, Yosemite 5 days, then the central coast (cambria, big sur, hearst castle, pt lobos) 4 days then dept SFO. Instead of hotels we went with renting "homes" this way we will have privacy, laundry and kitchens. Plus room to spread out since this is a Honeymoon/Anniversay trip. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PLANS AND HOPE YOU ENJOY WE ARE LOOKING SO FORWARD TO IT BEING FROM THE EAST COAST (NEW YORK)

Just to get things started, here is one suggestion but it would be helpful to know your interests (hiking/outdoor activities, museums, dining, wine tasting, shopping etc). Also are you flying in and out of SF or can you fly out of two different cities.

3 days SF (city activities, Sausilito, nearby redwood parks, fine dining)
2 days Napa/Sonoma (pick a wine country destination; wine tasting, fine dining, hot air balloon ride)
3 days South Lake Tahoe (hiking, gambling, water activities)
3 days Yosemite (lots of gorgeous scenary, eat a meal at the Ahwahnee)
long drive to LA area (we stopped in Fresno but could be done straight through)
2 days Pasadena (museums, gardens, shopping, luxury hotel/spa - such as The Huntington) or similar spa stop like Ojai
2 days Santa Barbara (relax, wine tasting, beach walks, horseback riding)
1 day Cambria overnight (visit Hearst castle)
5 days coastal drive with stops back to SF (Big Sur, Monterey, Carmel)
I'm not that great with the map (I leave that to my DH) but it should get you thinking (in other words the parts you don't like will help you focus on what you do want). You might also prefer to skip Southern California altogether and just head back to the central coast as suggested by sarge1. This would give you more time on the coast, but I happen to like the LA area so I brought you further south.

It sounds like a wonderful opportunity to see a good bit of California.

There are so many threads with California ideas. You will probably find it very helpful to read through lots of them and then we can help you refine your plans. But maybe try to put something together on your own from the post first, so we have something to work with.

Have fun!

Thanks for the intial suggestions. I am now firming up on our itinerary.
San Francisco 4 nights,
Lake Tahoe 2/3 nights
Yosemite 4 nights
Sequoia 3 nights
Santa Barbera 2 nights
Cambria 1 night
Monterey/Carmel 2 nights

I'd appreciate any comments about feasibility, want a fairly relaxed timetable. Should we spend more time on the coast to appreciate the Big Sur etc? I'm not sure if Lake Tahoe is worth the visit(we are not into casinos).

Lake Tahoe in September will be just beautiful. You won't even notice that there are casinos nearby.

Are you flying into one city and then flying home from another?

I know you will receive a rash of replies telling you that Lake Tahoe is a wonderful place to visit. As an antidote to those raves, I have been there several times over several decades and I have yet to discover its charms.

The time you have scheduled for Lake Tahoe would be much better spent lolling around on the coast.

Your plan is basically fine. I personally would cut a day from Sequoia (and maybe even 1 from Yosemite) and add that time to the coastal bit. Sequoia is great but unless you are doing some high country hikes/camping, it is not a "3 day destination". There is so much to see along the coast.

BTW - I could not disagree more w/ happytrails re Lake Tahoe. Just Sand Harbor alone will make you think you've died and gone to heaven. Yes - the casino strip at southshore is a built up "city" - but it only stretches along a short part of the lakeshore. W/ things like the gondola, sailing a catamaran across the lake, Sand Harbor, a day trip to Virginia city, Emerald Bay/Eagle Falls etc etc - Lake Tahoe is definitely worth 3 days. Especially once the summer hoards have gone home after Labor Day weekend. It will definitely be un-crowded.

To be more specific, if I had three weeks, my routing would include:

San Francisco
Napa Valley and/or Sonoma
Yosemite
Sequoia
(Ojai)
Santa Barbara
(Solvang)
(La Purisima Mission)
(Pismo Beach)
(San Luis Obispo)
(Pismo Beach)
(Moro Bay)
Cambria
(Route 46 to Paso Robles)
Carmel

Parentheses indicate places to visit but not necessarily spend a night.

the OP mentions no interest in Napa/Sonoma. That may be the trip you would take but it does seem to me grb9uk has a pretty good handle on what sorts of things they want to see.

The critic is a bully who attempts to erode your confidence by nitpicking and faultfinding.

Is there a reason why you have three weeks and choose to spend it only in the North-Central parts of California?

The corollary question is: why the heavy emphasis on staying in the Lake Tahoe-Yosemite-Sequoia areas? Are you hikers? Nature photographers? City-haters?

As for "the best bits of the coast" - those "best bits" stretch from the Oregon border clear down to Mexico, what especially of the coast do you want to see?

I agree. And some of us believe that the coast from Oregon's south to north border is worth a visit, too.

Thanks for all the comments and a bit of controversy! I realise there is so much more to see in California but we want a fairly relaxed time, not driving many miles all the time and we are keen walkers but may take the advice to cut down on Yosemite and Sequoia in favour of the coast. Any more ideas gratefully received.

Muir Woods and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park are good places near SF to enjoy the redwoods.

The drive on Highway 1 from SF to Santa Cruz via Half Moon Bay is spectacular and often overlooked.

SF is a great walking city. Get a transit pass and a map of the system (available in the tourist information office near Powell and Market). Then, when you find yourself far from your hotel, you will know how to get back.

htty: What I tried to say -- why try to change the OP's very well considered itinerary adding on extra bits you like when they have already included several totally "worth it" stop overs.

My own personal favorite parts are farther north on the Sonoma/Mendocino coasts, and the northern Redwoods are better than anything down south. But I did not say "oh you must go north -- you have to go to Alexander Valley, and the northern redwoods"

That is like someone asking the best way to see Disneyland and answering them "oh, you'll like Universal better".

If grb9uk was off in a ditch like some of the crazy itineraries we see here - then fine. Suggest other areas they might like more. But Tahoe, Yosemite, Sequoia, and the Central coast are all world renown for a reason - they are WONDERFUL.

grb9uk: California is a huge place and you could visit and enjoy hundreds of other places - all totally worth seeing. But that would take a lifetime and your current plan is is quite good and a very sensible pace. If you want suggestions for other parts of the State - ask. But I've stayed from twice (Sequoia) to 30 or more times (Tahoe, Monterey Peninsula) in each area and you can not go wrong w/ any of them.

Looking at this itinerary you proposed:

San Francisco 4 nights,
Lake Tahoe 2/3 nights
Yosemite 4 nights
Sequoia 3 nights
Santa Barbera 2 nights
Cambria 1 night
Monterey/Carmel 2 nights

I'd say that looks great. You could take several nights from Lake Tahoe and/or Sequoia and add them to the coastal trip time, if you want more time around Big Sur.

The one concrete suggestion I would make is to figure out your Yosemite dates as soon as possible and secure your reservations there (inside the park, reserve at:

http://www.yosemitepark.com/Reservations.aspx

These will be the hardest to get, but if you are flexible on your date a few days one way or the other, you should be fine. Friends of mine from the UK were recently able to book rooms at Yosemite Lodge for their September visit.

Choices in Yosemite range from tents and rustic cabins at Curry Village, to the motel-like Yosemite Lodge, to the lovely historic (and pricy) Ahwahnee. (Most people aim for Yosemite Lodge, unless they have an occasion for a splurge at the Ahwahnee). If you will be there the first half of September, and are a bit adventurous and/or love to hike, you might also consider a night or two at Tuolumne Lodge in the high country (at 8200 feet). They only have tent cabins, but it is a beautiful place and well worth "roughing it" for one night.

Definitely agree with others' suggestion to trim time off Sequoia in favor of more time along the coast.

Your right enzio, Yosemite lodgings are already booked for early September, do you see any problems in reversing the trip, doing the coast first and reaching Yosemite around September 15th? Rather ties us into specific dates towards the end of the trip but may be the only way to get lodgings in the valley

Reversing the trip would be fine---in fact I've often seen it recommended that way, so you will be on the "seaside" on the trip down Highway 1, enjoying the best views and pull-out opportunities.

Yosemite should be fine, weather-wise, through September (although they do get the odd early snowstorm in the high country, usually bright and sunny 2 days later).

You could put your time in San Francisco at either the beginning or the end.

Just to point out a "worst case scenario" issue to either direction you take this itinerary:

The mountain pass (Tioga) you would cross to travel between Yosemite and the Lake Tahoe area is closed after the first heavy snowfall of the season. This has been trending later and later in recent decades, but closure has occurred as early at September 4.

http://www.monobasinresearch.org/data/tiogapass.htm

At a minimum, you should carry detailed road maps that cover alternative routes.

They don't have to take Tioga Pass to go between Yosemite and Tahoe. It is a nice route, that is true; but the route up Highway 49 is very nice.

Also---that Sept. 4 closure was in 1942 and 1943; there has been no closure in September at all since 1948. The earliest date these days is mid-October, but late October or November is much more likely.

It isn't just climate change; the standards and the equipment have changed.

Your itinerary will work just fine clockwise or counter clockwise - or zig-zag for that matter. Nail down your Yosemite accommodations and then the rest can easily fall into place.

And don't worry at all about Tioga Pass Road - as enzian says, in the teensy/tiny chance it is closed there are other perfectly doable routes you can take between YNP and Tahoe.

I've encountered snow in the Sierra enough times in September (and once in July) to "never say never." Even if the snowfall isn't enough to close the pass, it might be enough snow to make the drive over Tioga a little hairy in places.

My point to the OP was to be aware and to carry maps for alternative routes.

Jean: The amount of snow likely in mid-Sept is not really something to worry the OP about. Of course snow flurries are possible <b>any</b> time in the high sierra - even in July/Aug. But there is a 99% chance they will have warm weather in Yosemite Valley and cool or warm-ish weather over the pass, and no road issues.

You seem to have missed the reiteration of my point.

Nope - I saw it. IMO it just seems overly alarmist to say Tioga Pass will be hairy in Sept . . . . .

I'd suggest that you cut out Sequoia. You'll see the type of redwoods that you need to see in Yosemite itself.

The moment you get here, go to Yosemite and Tahoe first. I'd shave a day or two from that portion of your trip.

Then return back to the Bay Area, but on I-80 cut across to Napa/Sonoma and spend one/two nights there. Then head for Pt Reyes/Stinsom Beach on the coast. From there go down to San Francisco via the Marin Headlands.

Spend the time in San Francisco. Then go down south along the coast again. This way you'll see at least two &quot;bits&quot; of the coast - one bit north of SF and the other south.

Spend more time in Monterey/Carmel and in Cambria/Santa Barbara (from the time you've cut from Yosemite/Tahoe). All along this length of the coast, especially in Big Sur, you'll have wonderful &quot;walks&quot;/hikes, such as those at Pt Lobos and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Return to the Bay Area via I=5 the fast route going north-south, for your flight home.

easytraveler---I think they checked for Yosemite reservations for dates early in their trip, and found none. Hence the suggestion to go anti-clockwise, down the coast first (and putting them on the &quot;view&quot; side of Highway 1).

But it is possible they won't find anything inside the park even later in September (except for Curry Village, which is almost always an option). In that case, they will have to choose between reserving at Curry and hoping for an upgrade later, or reserving just outside the park, either at the Arch Rock entrance, Groveland, or Fish Camp.

I see Tenaya Lodge (at Fish Camp) was chosen by National Geographic Traveler as one of only six hotels in California they recommended as having sense of &quot;place&quot; --- location-inspired architecture, ambiance, and eco-stewardship. (The Ahwahnee is on the list too). It sounds pretty nice, actually, but it is pretty far from the Valley.

The condos at Yosemite West might be an option, particularly if they wish to stay 3 nights.

http://www.yosemitewest.com/

However, as someone else pointed out, the trouble with these is that the reservations are firm and cannot be canceled if you happen to luck into a spot in the Valley.

Your suggestions for Point Reyes/Stinson Beach/Muir Woods are also good. It sounds like they are most interested in the outdoors and scenic areas of California.

I just hope they can find something nice for the Yosemite part. Everything else can be worked around that.

Thanks again for all the very helpful comments. We have managed to book in Yosemite Lodge for 4 nights in mid September so I am now revamping the itinerary around those dates.
San Francisco 4 nights
Monterey/Carmel 2nights
Cambria 2 nights
Santa Barbara 2 nights
Sequoia 2 nights(or extra days on the coast?)
Yosemite 4 nights
Lake Tahoe or Napa region 2 nights
Fly out of SF

How does this look?

Janisj, you've twisted my post. I did not say it WILL be hairy in September. I wrote IF and MIGHT, and you converted them to a definitive.

And my point, which I will say again, is that the OP should be aware of road conditions and weather and carry maps covering alternative routes. Is that really inappropriate advice for someone driving in the Sierra at any time of year?

Hi, grb9uk: Good for you on getting the reservations at Yosemite Lodge!

If you have to go from Santa Barbara to Sequoia, I'd suggest spending one night at Sequoia and one night at Kings Canyon.

You might want to consider taking one night from Yosemite and spending the last of the four nights at Lake Tahoe.

Have a great trip! :)

Well I'm shocked at HTTY attitude about Lake Tahoe but that's why they make Chocolate &amp; Vabnilla ice cream ther e's something for everyone. Here are some things to consider in Sept which is a great tiem for both Tahoe and Yosemite:

The tram at Squaw and the gondola at Heavenly close for the season at some point in the fall so call about those but plan to ake a sceneic ride on one of them.


Take a tour of the Tallac site in South Lke Tahoe
www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/recreation/tallac/

Stream Profile Chamber if you like fish/fishing:
fs.fed.us/r5/…streampc.shtml

A hike to Angora Lake is nice. It's very pretty. Granite surrounds a pretty little lake. Also you are right at Fallen Leaf Lake as well. At the end of Sept some trees will be starting to turn so it would be really pretty.

Take Highway 89 north approximately 3 miles from South Lake Tahoe to Fallen Leaf Lake Road and turn left. Turn left at the first paved road. Continue to Forest Service Road 12N14 and turn right. Watch for bicyclists along this road. Continue past Angora Lookout to the road's end at the parking lot.

You could consider a short drive to Hope Valley. In Sept it is really beautiful.

If you are on the north shore and want some nice views with hardly any effort:

When you arrive at the state line, you can take a brief detour to see the old fire lookout. Turn north on Reservoir Road, which is next to the Biltmore. Then turn right onto Lakeview Ave. Continue on this road, if it forks stay left and do not turn onto Tuscarora. It will bend back before you reach the parking area for the short walk to the lookout. The lookout provides you with really beautiful views of the area and lake.


Picnic at Sand Harbor. Nice Sandy Beach with very pretty scenery. Not like the south, west or north. It has lots of rock formations.

If you are up to it take the hike from DL Bliss that runs above the lake shore but is in tan area not seen from the road. This trail goes all the way to Emerald Bay but you wouldn't necessarily have to do the whole trail.

You could always take a lake cruise. There are trips out of Zephyr Cove, Tahoe Marina and Tahoe Keys on the south and Tahoe City on the north west.

If you decide to go to Emerald Bay you could take reasonbably easy hikes for great views, At this late date though the falls will be dry but the views will still be amazing.

Eagle Falls / Eagle Lake Trail starts at Eagle Falls Picnic Area, highway 89 across from Emerald Bay. Permits are required on this hike and a self-registration station is at the trailhead. The hike is only about 2 miles round trip to Eagle Lake (only about 1/3 mile to the falls); the terrain varies from steep to flat and crosses beautiful Eagle Falls on a steel footbridge.


Cascade Lake &amp; Falls – Turn into the Bayview Campground across fro Emerald Bay Inspiration Point, drive to the end and park at the trailhead. Take the trail that veers left. Spectacular views of the 200 foot high falls and Cascade Lake can be seen from this short trail.

Though there is a wide paved trail to Vikingsholm Castle you really have to consider if you want to take that steep but short hike down since the castle isn't open for tours after the summer season. There's a great dock down there and nice picnic area and a sandy beach though.


Other activities are golf or bike riding along the lakeside paths

Yes----it is great that you were able to get the Yosemite Lodge reservations. And you will be coming in to Yosemite from the south, which will give you an opportunity for the &quot;classic&quot; and spectacular view as you leave the Wawona tunnel. Be sure to pull over in the parking area and enjoy.

From Santa Barbara to Sequoia/Kings Canyon, you will have to cross over the coastal range (low hills) and the central valley. I'm sure others will advise as well, but my favorite route is Highway 166 through the Cuyama. I have had this road all to myself at times, winding through lovely farms and open space. To take this route, you would go north on Highway 101 from Santa Barbara to just past Santa Maria, where you will find the junction to Highway 166.

And from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria, you could take the shorter (but winding) Highway 154 over San Marcos Pass and then through the Santa Ynez valley, now wine country made famous in the movie &quot;Sideways&quot;. (Or you could visit this area on a day-trip from Santa Barbara.)

I think you have a lovely trip planned.

Now you just have to decide between Tahoe and the Napa/Sonoma region for those 2 nights at the end.

Suzie has given you some great ideas for Tahoe. Of course the late September weather isn't guaranteed, but I had perfect weather there the last weekend of September a couple of years ago. I even went for a swim in Fallen Leaf Lake---and stayed in the water for a good 20 minutes.

I stayed at Camp Richardson, a small rustic place right next to the Tallac Site. Suzie posted the link for information, but the photos do not do justice to this incredible place--a series of old estates, with lawns sweeping down to the water, old boathouses, gardens, all open to walking. And trail connections down to the beach. The beach side rooms at Camp Richardson are just a basic motel, but the location cannot be beat.

http://www.camprichardson.com/

Bike rentals are across the highway; a bike path goes for miles in either direction. Or you could ride up the Fallen Leaf Lake Road. This is also a good base for touring by car; close enough to Emerald Bay and other attractions on the west side, yet far enough out of the craziness of the South Shore urban area.

Another place we like (although we have only dined there, not stayed overnight) is Sunnyside Lodge, farther up the west side:

http://www.sunnysideresort.com/

Others can advise you on the best route from Tahoe back to San Francisco for your flight home, but I prefer Interstate 80 from the north end of the lake. (But perhaps the traffic problems I associate with Highway 50 from the south end have been cured since I last drove that way).

Such valuable and interesting suggestions, thanks so much for your help

Dear grb9uk:

Don't short change Lake Tahoe. It will be beautiful.

Napa/Sonoma are not the only wine areas in California. There are other wine areas you will pass: Santa Barbara, Santa Inez, SLO, Paso Robles, Monterey County. They are all good.

Good luck,

MY

Compliments to both of you for picking September to visit the coastal area. It is our Indian summer, no June gloom, kids are in school crowds are gone.

Time to reclaim the beach!

Lake Tahoe is wonderful, but would recommend north Lake Tahoe, not South Lake Tahoe. We had bikes with us and really liked biking along the Truckee River. There are several good places to bike along the lake as well if you are bikers. Hiking the area near Inspiration Point/Eagle Falls was gorgeous. We also like brew pubs and thought 50-50 Brewpub in Truckee was great.
The Russian River area of wine country was tranquil (unlike Napa) and we enjoyed a lovely canoe trip on the Russian River (Burke's canoes). Stop for the Korbel winery tour. They had a spacious porch and deli for dining when we were there. We loved the Mendocino Headlands if you can find time. 3 weeks sounds like a lot of time, but there is so much to see that it will go by quickly.

My husband and I stayed at this lodge when we attended a wedding in Tahoe
Cedar house lodge in Truckee it included breakfast which was fantastic and the owners were warm and informative. We are planning on returning. It is not near the casinos.

The post ranch inn big sur is fabulous and extremely pricey.

Everyone loves cava a restaurant in Monticeto and Brophy Brothers for dinner located on a working harbor right in Santa Barbara.

REasonalble accomodations on Garden St. at the inn of the spanish garden.

Fabulous accomodations at the San ysirdro ranch.

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