California 'must sees' and hotel recommendations
 

Hi - We're looking forward to visiting California (from London) in August for 3 weeks to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. We're flying into San Francisco and out of LA. We've already booked a hotel on Fishermans Wharf in SF for the first 4 nights of our holiday. We then plan on hiring a car and driving down the coast visiting Carmel, Monterey and Big Sur (I understand these are all pretty close - which is the best place to stay and use as a base?). Then head over to Vegas for a few nights taking in the Grand Canyon (we'd also love to stay for a night close/in the grand canyon before we leave) and finally down to LA for Universal/Disney (we have a 10 year old!) before flying home.
We'd very much appreciate any advice on any 'must sees' along the way (not sure when we'll be here again!) and also particularly any recommendations on good value mid range hotels. In the Monterey/Carmel area we'd really like to spoil ourselves and stay as close to the ocean as possible as this is going to be the part of the holiday where the hotel is probably most important to us. Any hotels overlooking the ocean but not too extortionate? Also which is best place to stay and use as a base in this area?
In Vegas we were hoping to relax by a pool for a few days in a nice family hotel but still be close to the strip.
Disney appears to have quite a few hotels close to the entrance and with a pool. any recommendations here as they all look pretty similar? (Seeing the fireworks from our hotel would be a bonus as my son LOVES them!)
Finally, we've agonised over whether we can fit in Yosemite too (after SF and before Carmel etc) but the hotels all look really expensive and also not sure whether we're trying to do too much in the time?
Our hotel budget is $200 per night maximum (apart from Vegas where the hotels are apparently much cheaper for obvious reasons!)
We'd be very grateful for any and all suggestions, recommendations and tips.
Many thanks

As for your itinerary - suggest you finish driving down the Cal Coast to LA and then head over to Vegas - 4 hour drive. From there - try to stay a night on the rim at the Grand Canyon (4 hours from LA) - and I am not at a computer where I can cut and paste but check out the Lodging page for the GC.

Carmel/Monterrey are next to each other - and Big Sur starts a half an hour or so south. Different type of places to stay - with more of an artsy village/town in Carmel and the historic Cannery Row in Monterrey - while Big Sur is more rural/rustic.

The Acquarium in Monterrey is a must see IMO - especially for a 10 year old - and if you make it down here to San Diego - (2 hours south of LA with much less congestion) - the San Diego Zoo, sister Safari Park and Sea World are also big draws for kids, as are the museums in Balboa Mark.

We also love Moonstone Beach by Cambria - just south of San Simeon/Hearst Castle.

For Vegas - you can also stay on the Strip for not that much - or check out Rio, etc.

I also think that it makes more sense to drive down the coast, visit LA, then head to Vegas & Grand Canyon, then off to Anaheim to finish trip. Let's see, maybe something like this:

4 Days San Francisco

2 Days Monterey/Carmel (We like the Monterey Plaza but would be a splurge)

2 Days coastal drive including Cambria (Hearst Castle), maybe overnight 2 nights in Cambria (coastal) or Pismo Beach (beachy) to make the trip to Hearst castle more relaxing, or you can stay one night in Pismo or Cambria, visit the castle the next day, then make your way to Santa Barbara or Santa Ynez or Ventura for a second night, visit a Mission (and/or a winery) or two along the way

4 days Los Angeles -- visit beach towns like Manhattan Beach, enjoy a day in Santa Monica on the Pier and enjoy the beaches of Malibu (we like Zuma), go to the Getty (the Villa in Malibu or the one perched above the 405), my kids also love The Natural History Museum and La Brea Tar Pits, California Science Center (see the Space Shuttle), and The Huntington Art Museum, Gardens and Library (in Pasadena), consider a day trip to Long Beach Aquarium and visit the Queen Mary, go for a hike in the foothills above Los Angeles, go to the LA Zoo (plan to visit when it opens in the morning as it get crowded by lunch), go horseback riding in Griffith Park, visit Mt. Wilson observatory, get out of the sun and see a movie in one of the luxury movie theaters (leather reclining seats, full service menus), go to Hollywood and Highland and check out the historic movie theaters and some interesting characters, see the Hollywood sign. So much to see and do but be prepared to drive in LA.

fly to Vegas from LAX (or Burbank) (or drive, but flights are super easy out of Burbank, consider Southwest Airlines which has frequent flights and cheap one-way fares to Vegas)

2 days Vegas (we like the Venetian and have gotten very good summer rates, the Four Seasons doesn't feel like Vegas but it is close to everything)

2 days Grand Canyon (Stay on the rim at historic El Tovar or any of the in park lodging that's available, try now for reservations, keep trying if full)

fly to Orange County from Vegas (consider that Southwest one-way fare again), shuttle or rent car to Anaheim (by using airport shuttles you can probably avoid having a rental car and paying for overnight parking in Anaheim, but allow for additional time as they are not the quickest transportation option)

3 Days Anaheim (Theme Parks, relax at the pool)

1 Day overnight hotel near LAX airport, fly home (or if an evening flight, you can probably shuttle from Anaheim hotel, but give yourself plenty of time for shuttle and airport security etc).

> We'd be very grateful for any and all suggestions
> we've agonised over whether we can fit in Yosemite too

Agonize no further -- SEE IT. I've been to over fifty national parks in the USA and Canada, and Yosemite is in my top three of ALL of them. As much as I love Highway 1 near Big Sur, Yosemite beats that area hands down.

> not sure whether we're trying to do too much in the time?

The idea that you would see Las Vegas and skip Yosemite makes me want to vomit. I'm serious -- cut out two days in LA or LV, but DO NOT skip Yosemite.

If you check my posting record over the last fourteen years, you'll see I consistently refuse to offer specific recommendations on what to see, unless I have some vague idea on what the questioners want to see. If Yosemite is something that MIGHT interest you, then you DO want to see it.

I agree. Two nights in Vegas is plenty. Don't miss Yosemite. It's like nowhere else.

>>In Vegas we were hoping to relax by a pool for a few days <<

I'm also a person who does not recommend Vegas, at the expense of bypassing places like Yosemite (especially with a 10 YO). However, from what I've read on this forum, you won't want to be spending much time by the pool in August - waaaay too hot. That's one reason why the hotel rates are low.

Here are my ideas for the San Francisco Bay Area
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

How to make Yosemite fit...consider the following 21 day schedule instead:

4 Days San Francisco

3 Days Yosemite (look for reservations now, keep trying, consider Wawona area or Tenaya Lodge or other outside park lodging if you can't get in the valley)

2 Days Monterey/Carmel (We like the Monterey Plaza but would be a splurge)

2 Days coastal drive including Cambria (Hearst Castle), maybe overnight 2 nights in Cambria (coastal) or Pismo Beach (beachy) to make the trip to Hearst castle more relaxing, or you can stay one night in Pismo or Cambria, visit the castle the next day, then make your way to Santa Barbara or Santa Ynez or Ventura for a second night, visit a Mission (and/or a winery) or two along the way

3 days Los Angeles -- visit beach towns like Manhattan Beach, enjoy a day in Santa Monica on the Pier and enjoy the beaches of Malibu (we like Zuma), go to the Getty (the Villa in Malibu or the one perched above the 405), my kids also love The Natural History Museum and La Brea Tar Pits, California Science Center (see the Space Shuttle), and The Huntington Art Museum, Gardens and Library (in Pasadena), consider a day trip to Long Beach Aquarium and visit the Queen Mary, go for a hike in the foothills above Los Angeles, go to the LA Zoo (plan to visit when it opens in the morning as it gets crowded by lunch), go horseback riding in Griffith Park, visit Mt. Wilson observatory, get out of the sun and see a movie in one of the luxury movie theaters (leather reclining seats, full service menus), go to Hollywood and Highland and check out the historic movie theaters and some interesting characters, see the Hollywood sign. So much to see and do but be prepared to drive in LA.

fly to Vegas from LAX (or Burbank) (or drive, but flights are super easy out of Burbank, consider Southwest Airlines which has frequent flights and cheap one-way fares to Vegas)

1 overnight Vegas (we like the Venetian and have gotten very good summer rates, the Four Seasons doesn't feel like Vegas but it is close to everything)

2 days Grand Canyon (Stay on the rim at historic El Tovar or any of the in park lodging that's available, try now for reservations, keep trying if full)

fly to Orange County from Vegas (consider that Southwest one-way fare again), shuttle or rent car to Anaheim (by using airport shuttles you can probably avoid having a rental car and paying for overnight parking in Anaheim, but allow for additional time as they are not the quickest transportation option)

3 Days Anaheim (Theme Parks, relax at the pool)

1 Day overnight hotel near LAX airport, fly home (or if an evening flight, you can probably shuttle from Anaheim hotel and get an extra morning in the park, but give yourself plenty of time for shuttle and airport security etc).

I've only skimmed and haven't read everything and am dashing out so this may have already been mentioned . . . But you will NOT be able to lay by a hotel pool and relax in LV in August.

Think having to be inside by 9:30 or 10:00 AM - much too hot to lay out . It would be a nasty place for a family visit at that time of year. If you visiting now - great. But in August it will be truly horrible.

I also want to throw in here that with no rain, Yosemite will be bone dry and HOT in August during the days in addition to being extremely crowded! Normally, I too would suggest lots of time spent there but with things being the way they are, you may only want to spend one full day in the park. Anything more than that may be disappointing and frustrating.

Sadly, California will NOT be at its best this year. Out coastal hills are brown and look desolate, like something out of a science fiction movie.

lynni: Tuolomne Meadows and the mountains, and then there is the Mariposa Grove - in August there is a lot more to see than just Yosemite Valley. The Valley will be dry for sure - the water won't be falling but the vistas will still be there. And the back country is not crowded - even in August.

What if we get a "March Miracle" like we did about 10 years ago - plenty of rain.

Stu Dudley

Here is how I would do it, and yes - I don't mind driving - especially if you are seeing the sights for the first time and want to take in a lot, and I generally to be more fast paced during the first part of the trip - and plan longer stays during the second half.

Also - when I rough out an itinerary - sometimes I like to try and leave a little leeway in case I want to spend another night somewhere along the way - and always have the phone numbers ready for the next destination(s) to see if they can slip the reservation a day or so.

Spend 3 nights in SF (you can't see everything in 4 days anyway - and you could return for a day or two before you fly out) - and then head to Yosemite for a couple of nights. I think it's definitely worth seeing - even if the waterfalls will probably not be flowing that strongly.

From Yosemite - you could in one day drive out through Tulomne Meadows (maybe have breakfast there as we did - or even spend a night - very pretty) - and down 395 on the east side of the Sierras (which probably won't have much snow cover) - and on into Vegas. You could cut over through Death Valley - which will be hot - but if you have good rental car with good a/c - and take extra water in case you might break down - you should be fine.

You would get into Vegas in the afternoon - and be able to spend a couple nights there - enjoying the sights/touring some of the places, etc. (Many posts in here on that).

Head over early in the day to the Grand Canyon - and arrive early afternoon - and if you can - stay at either El Tovar - nice but more expensive - or Bright Angel lodges, or whatever is available along the rim. http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/bright-angel-408.html

Catch the buses west and enjoy the sunset and then get up early in the morning and go the other way/east to catch the sunrise. If you want to kick back another day - consider driving to Page for a half day rafting trip - on the smooth part of the Colorado River. http://gosw.about.com/od/arizonatrav...oradoriver.htm

From Vegas - you have to decide what you want to do in Southern Cal. I would recommend kicking back for four or five+ days in San Diego (5 hour drive from Vegas) - kicking back but with a lot of things to do/see - and as I noted before - it's much easier to get around than in Orange County and LA. You could also use SD as a base to visit Disneyland - an hour plus - drive - and be back in the evening.

Or - you could also just come into Orange County (4+ hours driving) and use that as a base for 4 or 5+ days - and maybe see some of LA in a day and decide if you want to spend more time there - or head north along the Coast - and stop as you like during the last week or so.

You can drive up the Coast from So Cal to SF in two days - but would probably enjoying spending longer if you so choose, or spend your last day(s) in San Francisco before flying home.

Oops - my bad - you are flying back out of LA. Well - you could still do as suggested - and at the end - drive up the Coast from SD/LA/ to Carmel/Monterrey (doaable in one day) - enjoy that for a couple days - and then leisurly stop along the Coast on the way back down.

>>drive up the Coast from SD/LA/ to Carmel/Monterrey (doaable in one day)<<

Perhaps - but, IMO, not enjoyable. Fighting the SD, Orange Co, & LA traffic and then struggling up the winding Big Sur coast after being exhausted by the traffic "experiences" is not my idea of a "pleasant" vacation.

Stu Dudley

Here is a really good trip report from several years ago. The family had more time than you do, but you may get some ideas from it.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...lden-state.cfm

Janisj,

Yes, I understand... It just didn't sound like... If they'd already be staying well outside the park that they'd want to do even more driving and perhaps not see the more "iconic" sights. Some people don't realize that the falls and river can be dry and I just didn't want them to be disappointed!!

What if CA gets no rain and the hills are all brown? What if Big Sur and Yosemite are on fire? What if we turn into a dust bowl and blow away? What if we have an earthquake? What if we get a deluge this spring and CA turns into a mudslide? Gosh darn I'm moving out of CA. That describes CA!

News flash! In Aug it's always HOT anywhere inland. Disneyland will be stinking hot. It's our hottest month of the year except along the coast. Rain or no, we always have raging forest fires that time of year, often around Big Sur and well everywhere. The hills in CA are always brown in Aug and Yosemite is always drying up by then.

Miss Yosemite? Another newsflash: it's granite! I promise you Glacier Point, Half Dome and El Capitan will still be there or your money back! Same with the mighty Sequoia redwoods. They don't burn and some have been around since Christ. There will always be at least some water flowing. Think of your best site in London and tell me I should miss it.

Skip Vegas in Aug. My gawd... Talk about jumping out of the pan into the fire!

Thank you all so much for the advice! Lots to consider and we've decided Yosemite is definitely in! One question from my husband: how hot is it in Vegas compared to the Caribbean - which we've been to many times in August? Thanks again

I think Vegas is certainly managable in August - and they also have misters around many of the pools to cool it down.

And if you get too warm - take a dip into the pool - or go back into your air conditoned room/resort.

Plus it's not as humid as the Carribean - not even close. It's a "dry heat". :)

Stu - what I was trying to do was have them do the most driving the first half of the trip - including getting to Yosemite and the Grand Canyon - and then - during the last week - if they decided to zip up the coast one day from SoCal - and then from about Carmel/Monterrey - take their time coming back down the Coast - wouldn't that be a nice way to end the trip?

Also Stu - they don't have to drive up to Carmel/Monterrey in one day if they don't want to. They could stop at say Cambria - and tour Hearst Castle - and then enjoy seeing the great drive along Big Sur twice - once going north and once coming back.

FYI - I have driven from SF - along the Coast - to San Diego - in one day. That's about twice as far as from LA to Carmel/Monterrey - and it was a long day yes, but very beautiful. :)

And from here - San Diego - to San Louis Obisbo (about a half an hour south of Cambris) - my sister drove that many times in 5 hours - when my niece was going to school there. If you time it to miss the rush hour traffic in OC/LA - and also some backup through Santa Barbar - it's not bad at all.

Actually - I think people in here groan too much about driving. Bet they drove longer distances when they were younger. :)

>> how hot is it in Vegas compared to the Caribbean<<

Average high in LV is 103. Which means it could get up to 110.

http://www.vegas.com/weather/averages.html

Temps in the Carib are about 12-15 degrees lower - with trade winds (I believe). I doubt if there are trades in LV.
http://www.currentresults.com/Weathe...all-august.php

Stu Dudley

>>how hot is it in Vegas compared to the Caribbean - which we've been to many times in August?<<

It is nothing like the Caribbean - for one thing there is water all around whatever island

In LV in Aug the <u>average</u> high temp is 40C, and 45C is very common. It is exceedingly dry - low humidity. The average low/overnight temp is around 25C and 28C-30C is typical.

Most Caribbean islands average lower than 30C summer highs.

LV is a WHOLE different animal :)

(And Death Valley is even hotter - it is called <i>Death</i> Valley for a reason)

Good points, janis. Visiting Las Vegas in August sounds miserable. But then, I hate LV anytime of the year.

Been to LV a couple of times in Aug - and it didn't seem like a big deal to me. If it's that hot out - get out of the sun, easy.

At the pool - get a shade cover - and/or set up by a mister.

If they don't have misters at your resort's pool - go for a dip - and then if it's still too hot - bag the pool.

And if the visitors are only going to be there a couple days - so what? You can drive from resort to resort/theaters/restaurants/museums,etc and - park in covered parking and then you are in the air conditioned facility.

When four of us drove through Death Valley in the middle of summer (leaving from Yosemite on the way to La Vega) - and stopped at the DV Museum, it was fun - even seeing the thermometer in the shade - registering 107. :)

And I repeat - I would much rather go to Vegas than a muggy/humid Carribean island in the summer.

>>In Vegas we were hoping to relax by a pool for a few days in a nice family hotel but still be close to the strip.<<

It doesn't sound like shelly's plan is to go from air-conditioned casino to an air conditioned resort to an air conditioned museum to an air conditioned restaurant to an air conditioned theater. When we lived in San Gabriel, we had a pool in our back yard. If it got above 90 - it was miserable laying outside by the pool. I can't see the 10 year old enjoying this part of the trip if the temps are above 90 - I sure wouldn't at any time in my life.

Stu Dudley

Stu - we can go back and forth on this endlessly - and while I don't think it's that bad - have sat by pools in 100 plus temps - Palm Springs included - if 90 turns you off - then I can understand you don't like it warmer than that.

There are still a lot of people traveling to/in Vegas in the summer months - so hey - guess some people don't mind it as much.

BTW - the Carribean trade winds do help - but it's still humid. Nothing like - at least IMO - the trade winds in Hawaii.

Tom: they CAN'T go from air conditioned casino to air conditioned casino since they will have a ten year old child w/ them.

Now go back to posting an hour by hour report of temps in your back yard ...

Leaving the question of Las Vegas aside, I strongly second the suggestion to see La Brea Tar Pits when in LA. My wife and I loved them when visiting as adults, and if I had been 10 years old, wow!

>>One question from my husband: how hot is it in Vegas compared to the Caribbean - which we've been to many times in August?<<

The last time I was in Vegas (and I sincerely hope it will be the last time - I'm not a fan) was in May a few years ago. It was 107 when we got into the city and cooled off to about 100 degrees at night. Yes, it's a dry heat, but so is an oven. :-)

If you want to stop there for a night on your way to the Grand Canyon, you could do that, but I wouldn't spend more time than that.

Lee Ann

Geesh - some posters just don't get it. You can take kids, accompanied by adults - into certain areas of casinos - such as buffets - and places such as the Arboretum at the Bellagio - but it also included: "theaters/restaurants/museums,etc"

And it's just fun to drive up and down the strip looking at the mega casinos - perferably after the morning traffic and before the evening traffic.

Unlike some posters - I am a big Vegas fan - plenty of things to do - and I/we rarely even gamble - although my wife will spend some time on the penny slots.

And last year - just under 40,000,000 people visited Vegas.

http://www.lvcva.com/stats-and-facts/

Tom -- I don't know if you have children -- but if you do they are in their 50's. This couple has a 10 yo. It is not a fun place for children . . . IN AUGUST.

They can't be outside, they are stuck inside the air conditioned casino hotels or shopping malls. You post the same advice for every question - no matter that different visitors have different situations.

Yo "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named". Why do you persist in telling people what they cannot do?

Repeat: And last year - just under 40,000,000 people visited Vegas.

And that included plenty of families with kids in the summer.

Sorry, but LV is not a kid-destination. Remember the ad campaign when Vegas tried to sell itself as a family place? It bombed. No one believed it. Now they do the sleazy ads, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". Blech.

Here we go again. Tom. Stop.

One last time - plenty of families with kids go to Vegas. Just look around next time you are there.

Michelle - why don't you also tell "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" to stop?

Something else you might consider that kids usually enjoy is Santa Cruz. There's a boardwalk on the beach and some great tide pools.

My daughter and I stayed at the Ocean Park Inn in San Diego and enjoyed it. It is right on the beach. It's about a 15-20 minute drive (depending on traffic) to the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, and the San Diego Zoo. www.oceanparkinn.com

As far as taking kids to Vegas.........I took mine, and she loved it. We saw a Cirque du Soleil show, laid by the pool (under the misters), rode the roller coaster at New York, New York (she did those terrifying rides at the top of the Stratospher while I watched), and did a lot of people watching. Her favorite thing was to sit in front of the Bellagio and people watch between the water shows.

POlson's proposed itinerary looks pretty kid friendly to me with the exception of a hike in the hills above LA. California is currently experiencing drought conditions, and unless we get a great deal of desperately needed rain, the hills are likely to be brown and scorched.

When I was ten, my favorite spots in CA were:

1. Yosemite – we always camped there in Aug.
2. San Francisco – a city of non-stop discovery
3. Santa Monica Beach (they had POP back then)
4. Disneyland (E tickets anyone?)
5. Santa Cruz and it’s boardwalk (wood roller-coaster)

I had never been to Carmel/Monterey until our honeymoon. Good ol’ Highlands Inn in Carmel.

On our 20th anniversary I wanted to take my wife to Paris. That wasn’t her first pick and since it was special I asked her where she wanted to go. She asked to spend half our time in Yosemite and half in Carmel at the old hang-out. I don’t know if they still have the night bus tours in Yosemite but that was a great moment.

We know a particular well to do and prominent couple in San Luis Obispo who have traveled all over the world. When asked their favorite destination? Hands down: Yosemite! Yeah surprised even me.

I kinda like LV, my wife mostly hates it. If you poll most people you will find they are on one side or the other. A good heat wave in Vegas can get you up to 120 degrees F. Google last June.

Our Vegas overnight was a family trip. We stopped there between my dad's house in California and Mr. Pickle's dad's house in Utah. The kids were 9 and 16, I think, and they hated it even more than I did. The relentless heat, the slappers and drunks on the Strip...ick. It really is an adult destination

Lee Ann