My husband and I will be in Monterey on business and will have a few free days to roam. We would like to see the deserts. We've been to the southern deserts (Joshua, Borego?, Palm Springs) and loved them but would like to see others. Any suggestions for a 3 day trip from Monterey? Also would like advice on air travel. We are planning to fly from NYC into S.F., San Jose or L.A. and pick-up a car at the airport. Which would be the easiest. Thanks, joAnn

First there are no "deserts" near Monterey -- Probably the closest are southern Nevada, Death Valley or the Mojave. BUT - you are talking about August. That is no time to be exploring the desert. Many places close in the Summer because there are so few visitors. It can be dangerous and should not be taken lightly. Temps of 115+F are common. Late fall, winter or early spring are the time to visit our deserts. Better to concentrate on the coast.

Thanks, janis. Didn't think of the heat. How about the sequoia trees or Yosemite. Is it a good idea to visit the parks at that time? TIA

There is much to see within a three day loop from Monterrey. Yosemite is wonderful but getting rooms may be difficult. The bookings are down a little this year but July and August are normally full months ahead.

If you do not want to stay in the Monterrey area for the extra three days (you could see Big Sur, San Simeon, Morro Bay, Carmel/Pacific Grove, Santa Cruz, etc which easily would fill 3 days) -- then my 1st recommendation woul dbe a loop N and NE of San Francisco. This would take you up the Marin and Sonoma coast and then through the Napa / Sonoma wine region. This trip would include redwoods in Marin (Muir Woods), gorgeous coastal scenery, and the wonderful wineries and restaurants in Napa/Sonoma.

If this doesn't sound like something that would interest you, my 2nd choice would be over to the southeastern Sierra including Sequoia/Kings Canyon and maybe Bodie.

These sound like great suggestions. I know my husband would love to see the trees, now we just have to decide which ones. Sequoia or redwoods? We've been to Califonia a few times and are overwhelmed each time by it's beauty so whichever way we go I know it will be the right decision. Thank you!

Just a note - Sequoia ARE redwoods. There are two main types of redwoods: The Coast and the Sequoia. The easiest places to see the Coast variety are in Marin County or Santa Cruz County. Sequoias can be seen in Calaveras County or Sequoia Nat'l park. They are all magnificent -

Just a factual note, Janice, to bore you all... Sequoias are NOT redwoods. Different classification altogether.

But what is special about sequoias? There are trees that are older (bristlecone pines - some 4.000 years old), trees that are wider (what's the name of that African Serengeti tree?), and trees that are taller (redwoods -- tallest living thing on the planet)...

But the sequoia trees are the LARGEST (by volume and height) living things on the planet, and their age are up to 2,500 years old.

The height and beauty of the redwoods are dizzying, and the genral feeling of being around them are special. But in my book, the sequoia is more impressive and majestic, and the feeling around these forests are more primevil -- you expect a dinosaur to come running thru!

Just to disagree with the "Professor". I believe that sequoias are a type of redwood. Their name has something to do with a translation of Cherokee. At any rate, whether they are or aren't, I would suggest you fly into San Jose and that the Professor learn to spell.

It's always been my understanding that both trees are in the genus "sequoia" and are the only extant members of that genus (though there were others in prehistoric times). Sequoia Gigantea is commonly referred to as "sequoia" or "giant sequoia" or "big tree"; while the Sequoia Sempervirens is commonly called "coast redwood" or just "redwood". If a Californian says "redwood" the reference is usually to the coastal tree, if you hear "sequoia" it usually means the big trees in the Sierras, but really they're both redwoods and they're both sequoias. And they're both magnificent and worth a long trip to see.

I'm not a botanist, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Select on occasion.

to John C: Thanks for my daily chuckle.