Hi!

We lived on the east cost for 7 years and before we go back to Europe we would like to see the west.The only problem is we are not sure where to go.We have the whole month of September.
There are so many nice place to see,but we have 2 kids and they are small(5 years and 11 months).
Where would you go if it could be your last last chance to see it?
Please let me know,thank you
Orsi

Central and Northern California. Start around Monterey. San Francisco definitely. If you have time...Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. Up the coast to the redwoods, etc.

Go to Santa Monica, and from there you can go to Hollywood, Bev Hills, etc. Then go to Laguna Beach - many Europeans there and beautiful. If you can go to San Diego, so much to do.

Not much to go on here. What is your mental "dream" of California? What have you always wanted to see/experience? What are your interests: mountains, lakes, beaches, big cities, little towns, museums, amusement parks, art galleries, fine dining, ethnic food?

Very generally, you could see quite a bit of the state in a month. You could spend a couple of weeks just driving the coast from one end to the other (Mendocino Coast, S.F., Napa/Sonoma, Monterey Bay area, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, L.A., Laguna Beach, San Diego) and then driving back up the state through the central valleys and mountains (Death Valley, Yosemite and Sequoia NPs, Gold Country, Lake Tahoe, Shasta, Trinity Alps). With two very small children, I'm not sure you'd want to move fast enough to see everything listed. Get a map, read a guidebook, make a list... and start saving now for your gas money!

Given your time frame I too vote for the coast of California. The Oregon coast is also fabulous but you only have so much time so if you do California you will get a lot of different "flavor" as you travel up or down the coast. Also, there are lots of places to stop along the way so your kids can get a break from the driving, get out and run around a play a bit. Tons of things to see and do for everyone. September isn't that far away..like tomorrow actually , so you need to get some maps and make some plans.

We did a wonderful 25 day trip in1998 as follows;
-Landed in Los Angeles
-San Diego
-Phoenix
-Flagstaff
-Grand canyon
-Kayenta(monument valley)
-Page(lake powell)
-Bryce canyon
-Zion nat.park
-Las Vegas
-Stovepipe Wells(death valley)
-Mammoth lakes
-Mariposa(yosemite nat.park)
-San Francisco
-Monterrey(carmel)
-Santa Barbara
-Santa Monica(LA)
-back to belgium

Definitely the California coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco! But if you have the time and don't mind the driving I love the itinerary shown above too.

i like tavarich´s itinerary.. but would add yellowstone somehow.. perhaps fly in there first and work your way over and down through utah, and then grand canyon.. over then to s. california.. and end up in s.f.

seeing the abundance of wildlife in yellowstone is unforgettable.

We did the following with two teens in ten days: (First trip to Calif for three of us.)

Flew into San Diego for 2 nights. SD is a great place for younger kids, by the way (Zoo, Seaworld, etc.)

Day 3 drove to LA for 3 nights.

Day 6 visited Santa Barbara on way to San Simeon. Overnight, Hearst Castle, then Highway 1 North to San Fran.

Last 3 nights in SF. Took a day trip to wine country.

The very best part: The Rt. 1 coastal drive. But now that I've done it, I wouldn't rush to do it again.

Areas to which I'd return: Sonoma was very beautiful, and would be fun country-side even with kids. San Diego was lots of fun, especially if you like to stay busy. Santa Barbara was a beautiful small city.

"California" is in your heading. I would also consider Santa Fe, or the American SouthWest in general, for a wonderful family trip with unique landscapes.

Best Wishes!

I live in California.
First off, with the gas prices, prepare for over $3 a gallon, possibly more as of this morning.
Hwy 1 between san fransisco and Monterey, it's just beautiful. It is awesome, takes you all along the coast, great places to eat and things to do. You don't want to miss San Francisco, it is just charming. The warf, pier 39 (video games, shopping, ect), union square, all great places.
Disney Land and the San Diego Zoo are all in Southern California.
If you are in to wine, Sonoma, Napa or Calistoga all have great vineyards, daily tours and lots of friendly people.
We now have casino's popping up in Northern California, if you're into that sort of thing.
Yosemite is in the eastern part of the state, it is amazing. Check road conditions before you go, especially in winter time, they tend to close the roads.
Lake Tahoe, gambling, skiing, snow boarding, food and plenty of entertainment.
ok too much information..sorry
Oh yeah and there is the jelly belly factory...never been there but I hear it is fun.