California Trip
 

Hi there

As a couple, we are flying into San Francisco for 4 nights, then hiring a car to spend 3 nights in Yosemite Park. We then have 5 nights left before flying home from SF.

Does anyone have any suggestions where to stay before heading back to SF? I've looked at Santa Cruz or Monterey for a possible stay and we are quite open for things to do / experience. I see there is a zip line experience near to Santa Cruz.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks!

What month? Have you booked anything in Yosemite? See when you can get a reservation in Yosemite and work around that.
It is possible to get from San Francisco to Yosemite Valley with a bus-train-bus combination if you are uncomfortable with driving in the US.

When is your trip?
Hopefully you have reservations for a place to stay in Yosemite, as places book up to a year in advance.
I like Monterey, and Carmel is nice also (maybe a 5-10 minute drive from one another). Nice aquarium, kayaking in the bay, the Carmel mission is one of the prettiest of the bunch.
5 days is a long time though for Monterey. You could drive partway down Highway 1 (part of the road through Big Sur is closed right now until they replace a bridge).

Sorry, we fly out on September 14th and accommodation is booked for San Francisco and Yosemite.

Monterey and the redwoods (Big Basin and Henry Cowell State Park) near Santa Cruz would be a nice change from the Sierra. Monterey would include Carmel and some of the coast south such as Point Lobos State Reserve.

Monterey and Carmel are nice, but here's another suggestion: From Yosemite drive to Jenner, see if you can stay at the River's Inn - see https://www.ilovesunsets.com/lodging.html.

A bit of magic, "away from it all", and fine eating, too.

Nearby is Fort Ross - a great photo op of a real fort from the olden days, complete with a Russian inscription on the bell in the far right corner in a shed - explains why the nearby river is the Russian River - a good piece of history.

Lots of lovely landscapes and waterfront scenarios, and a gret drive down to San Francisco.

Monterey/Carmel sounds great, if you just search forum for either you'll find lots of discussion.

Do take a drive down to Point Lobos.

The Gosby House Inn is very nice.

I like Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, Pescadero and some of the other beaches, as well as Pacific Grove/Point Lobos.


Some ideas and links from a trip a long time ago..maybe they still work

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...santa-cruz.cfm