Family trip to CA
 

Hello! I am taking my kids (both under 12) in August to CA for our summer trip. We will have 9 nights.

Here are my current thoughts which I would love feedback!

- Day 1-2: fly into SFO early in morning. Stay in SF for 2 nights. Planning to visit typical sights such as Alcatraz, Chinatown, Muir Woods
- Day 3-5: drive the coast to Monterey/Big Sur. Likely stay 3 nights. Open to suggestions on where to stay.
- Day 6-8: drive to Yosemite for 3 nights. Staying at Ahwahnee
- Day 9: drive back to SF for 1 night
-Day 10 - fly home from SFO

Thanks!

Instead of Muir Woods, consider going to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Much easier drive and on the way to Monterey. Although I love Carmel, with kids I would stay in Monterey. Don't miss Point Lobos and the Aquarium. You'll love your stay at the Ahwahnee.

August has the big car show in Monterey when room prices skyrocket and if you happen to be hitting on those dates you'll want to book something YESTERDAY.

Will definitely check out Henry Cowell park. My daughter is looking to see redwoods so that may work! Thanks

Yikes! Will check out Monterey then asap! Thanks for the heads up.

Yes -- definitely skip Muir Woods. Not only would it eat up a lot of the little time you have in SF, it requires pre-booked parking, and in August you really need to be there by 8 or 8:30-ish AM to avoid the crowds.

Henry Cowell is larger, has better groves, and is much less crowded

What are your actual dates on the Monterey Peninsula?

8/10-13. Was looking at some house rentals by Carmel Highlands for more space but not sure if they will be too far away. Know kids will want to go to the aquarium for sure.

Carmel Highlands and Carmel Valley are fine for short term rentals - just not IN Carmel. The Highlands is a long narrow area but even it's very furthest southern end is still only about 10 or 11 miles from the Aquarium.

You might see sea otters swimming on their backs cracking shells at Point Lobos. Yosmite also has two groves of giant Sequoia trees though sometimes they are closed to the public.

To see the redwoods in Henry Cowell you use the rte. 9 entrance to the park. The other entrance is to the campground which is not in the redwoods.

You will get to see the two different species of redwoods. The coastal redwoods and the giant sequoias at/near Yosemite.

We stayed at the Hotel Abrego when we were in Monterey a few years ago. Sort of an upgraded motel but easy walking distance to the aquarium and the main shopping streets where we found two breakfast spots. There was a pool and I always like to have a pool when traveling with kids. We spent at least half a day at the Aquarium and with kids you might spend more time. Lots of restaurants on the main shopping streets and pier area. A Trader Joe's was walking distance to our hotel if you need to pick up anything.

We were in Big Sur for a weekend wedding and Big Sur has either very pricey places or simple cabins. Of course you never know whether or not Hwy I will be drivable through Big Sur with road washouts and so on.

Welcome. We took nearly the same trip you propose. Under my name you will find a TR entitled Yosemite, Monterey, and Big Sur with details places to visit along the way and driving times. There are some. significant differences. To see the giant trees we headed from the SF area to Oakhurst, CA, a commercial type city but convenient to Yosemite's south entrance. This is the easiest entrance to Mariposa grove and there are many places to overnight. Mariposa Grove, THE home of the Giant Sequoias has reopened. Also nearby and not in Yosemite is Nelder Grove. a less visited park also with giant trees.

I suggest that when in Yosemite you hike the trail to Sentinal Dome. It is a bit over a mile and not a difficult hike. Approaching the dome it will seem formidable but. just walk sort of around the back to the NE side and from there the walk to the top is easy. At the top you will be rewarded with a view among the best in the park. A 360 degree view of the entire valley including most of the iconic sites.
Enjoy your trip.

I do hate to disagree with basingstoke. But I would 100% avoid hwy 41 and the south entrance. Oakhurst to the Ahwahnee is close to a 2 hour drive over a very (very) twisty turny mountain road. You can no longer drive to the Mariposa Grove -- you must park at the grove's Welcome Plaza and take a shuttle bus to the actual grove. Typically the Welcome Plaza's parking lot is completely full by about 10:30 AM but in August it will be much busier much earlier - - if it is full you are out of luck. Including a stop at the Mariposa Grove / shuttles / etc makes the trip from Oakhurst into the Valley a good 4 hours minimum.

Carmel to Oakhurst is about a 4 hr drive. So you are talking 8-ish hours if you try visiting the M. Grove on the way (IF parking is available). Carmel using hwy 140 from Merced to El Portal takes about the same. El Portal to the Ahwahnee is about a 30 minute drive - so maybe 4.5 hours Carmel > to the hotel.

Since you are in the Valley 3 nights consider doing a day trip to the Grove during your stay. Much easier to get there early enough to find parking when only driving an hour or so from the hotel instead of all the way from Carmel.

(Plus the drive to YNP via 140 is a lot easier than driving the Fresno/Oakhurst/41 route)

Thank you for the update janisj. I was there before the renovation of Mariposa and at that time the driving time from Oakhust to Mariposa was about 20 minutes and scenic.

I assume the hike to Sentinel Dome has not changed and is still more than worth the effort.

Definitely - Sentinel Dome is a must -- parking on the Glacier Point Rd. It been a while since I hiked it but IIRC its maybe 3 miles total round trip from the parking area - not strenuous at all . . . unless the 8,000+ ft elevation bothers you.

Oakhurst to the Mariposa Grove Welcome Center is about a 30 minute drive. The shuttle from welcome center to the Grove is 2 or 3 miles.

( note: I added 'Grove' to the quote of your post since Mariposa is a separate town and unrelated to Mariposa Grove, so that could be confusing. Mariposa is over on hwy 140 between Merced and El Portal and is more than an hour's drive from Mariposa Grove)

For our 3 nights after San Francisco, I found 3 great VRBO options but they are very different location-wise.

Right now I think we’d spend at least a day at the Aquarium/DT Monterey and 1 day for Big Sur/hike state parks. Not sure yet about third day.

The first VRBO is directly on a quiet stretch of beach by Watsonville. Pro - love being on the beach and very updated amenities, Con - will being further north be inconvenient for sights?

The second is in Seaside. Pro - closest proximity to Monterey and updated amenities. Con - less charm than others.

The third one is in Carmel Highlands. Pro - very charming, great view of the water. Con - less amenities and further south.

I may be making this a harder decision than it needs to be but appreciate any thoughts!

Since Watsonville isn't actually on the beach my guess is it might be in Pajaro Dunes?? If so, I'd go for Carmel Highlands 1st then Pajaro Dunes 2nd -- assuming rates are semi-similar. Hwy 1 between Castroville (the Artichoke Capital of the World :) ) and Carmel can be congested so it could be a 40+ minute drive

For other things to do -- Point Lobos 100% for sure. Also maybe kayaking either in Monterey Bay, or - if you choose Pajaro Dunes/'Watsonville' - in Elkhorn Slough / Moss Landing.

You are right! The one by Watsonville is Pajaro Dunes! Point Lobos and kayaking sounds great too.

I've lived on or close to the cost for all my life (I'm 76). Not a fan of Monterey - too scrufty and the Cannery is a close second to SF's Fisherman's Wharf in tackiness. I would stay in Pacific Grove or (my preferred) Carmel. Much nicer than Monterey, IMO.

Here is where se are staying in downtown Carmel in October this year.
https://www.vrbo.com/1618863?

Stu Dudley

Not sure who the warning is for - the OP's list consists of Carmel Highlands, Pajaro Dunes and possibly Seaside. Staying in Monterey is not in the mix.

travelgo7: Despite Stu's caution, Cannery Row is just about a 'must' because that is where the Aquarium is located.

I would never recommend any of the places the OP is considering.

My caution is about staying in Monterey. I would rather stay in Carmel and drive to the aquarium, than stay in Monterey so I am near the aquarium - but have to experience the tackiness of Cannery Row and the Wharf. Carmel is much more charming!!!

Stu Dudley

I like Pacific Grove better than any of the options already mentioned.

Yep - I can understand that.

Stu Dudley

They haven't given a budget or more specific time frame but I would definitely plug Pacific Grove into Expedia and look at places like Sunset Inn, Andril Cottages or even Asilomar.
I would not visit Monterey Bay during the Car Week/Concourse (9-18) so that may be why their choices are so limited. Rooms prices are going to be double their normal rate, or unavailable.

This is the firm we are renting from. The link shows their Pacific Grove rentals. They are a "local" Monterey firm.
https://www.montereyrentals.com/pacific-grove

You can search other areas in the Monterey Peninsula also.

Stu Dudley

If you click during the August Concourse dates, tis a whole nuther thing.

Pacific grove is lovely and in a perfect world - sure. But the # of short term rentals allowed in the city is quite limited and in August they are definitely at a premium - not just during the concourse.

The OP has found three properties that are available, that meet their needs, and are in totally reasonable areas so maybe help them decide which of those would be better for them . . .

If you stay at Pajaro Dunes, you may be able to go to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk on your free day.

My needs are 5 - location, location, location, charm/amenities, and price.

There 37 properties in Pacific Grove that are offered on the site I recommended. All are multi-bedrooms with kitchens. It is very easy to determine price & availability. I checked the first 10, and:
#1. Avail Aug 19 & on $500/night
#2. Avail Aug 11th & on $190/night
#3 Avail all of Aug except for 4 days $300/night
#4 Not avail
#5 Avail all of Aug $200/night
#6 too expensive > $500/night
#7 Avail all of Aug $200/night
#8 Avail most of August, too expensive
#9 off market
#10 Avail most of Aug Too expensive

There are 27 more. And this is just in Pacific Grove. Carmel has 13 listings. We're staying in the last one.

Stu Dudley

I think Carmel would be a snooze fest for OP’s children under 12.

Not Carmel Beach, the shops, and the beach walk. Definitely a snooze for the artist stuff. Don't know about the Carmel Mission.

I enjoyed Carmel & surrounds when I was under 12 (65 year ago) when I went there several times with my parents & sister. Took my driver (golf club) to a vacant tee at Pebble Beach Golf Club, and when nobody was around, I "teed off". Shanked it. Did that again 12 years later on my honeymoon.

Stu Dudley

Thanks for sharing the website where you book. I did check Pacific Grove for my dates (8/10-8/13) and unfortunately it came back as no availability. Maybe your openings you found required longer stays?

I also understand your point about your location preferences and your preference for Carmel. Is there a reason you wouldn’t recommend Carmel Highlands in particular?

Yep - longer stay required. This was the least expensive of the 3 that were available

https://www.montereyrentals.com/paci...loose_search=t

I like to stay close to the center of activities, so I can walk to dinner, walk to the beach, and walk to shops. Or take a short drive to them Of the 3 you found - Carmel Highlands would be only option.

Stu Dudley

Oops - just checked again - the Hipster Vibe is only for 2 people.

Stu Dudley

travelgo7: The three areas you are considering are all totally fine. Some people's preferences are not necessarily best for everyone. That's all I'll say . . .

Of the 3 locations I'd probably choose Carmel Highlands if you're planning to spend time in Big Sur. Your particular dates won't really be affected by Car Week as it's too early in the week. The only things going on are the Pre-Reunion races at the Laguna Seca track on Saturday and Sunday which is fairly low key. I was there both days last year and it was pretty quiet overall. On Monday the main event is the Porsche Monterey Classic at the dealer in Seaside. For that one Del Monte Ave will be closed and causes a traffic back up. I haven't attended since 2021 as it's gotten a bit too busy for me but it is free. Carmel is dead now on Tuesday since we no longer have Concours on the Avenue.

Last minute questions about CA trip!
 

Excited that our trip to CA is coming up next week but had some last minute questions that I would love to get feedback on!

1) Any recommended SF restaurants that would make both parents and kids (9 & 12) happy? In particular, it will be our wedding anniversary while we are in SF so would love suggestions. Flexible on cuisine type. We are staying by the Embarcadero.

2) Is the drive from Monterey to Big Sur and beyond open? Had heard there was construction earlier this year

3) Yosemite lodging - I have reservations at Ahwahnee and Yosemite Valley lodge. Which one should I keep? Ahwahnee is double the price so not sure it is worth it (plus was notified that construction is going on). However - love historic hotels so torn.

4) Yosemite food - is it worth to do dinner at Ahwahnee? Any other food recommendations for Yosemite? I have low expectations :)

Thanks!

Just quick - Its way past my bedtime ;) The Ahwahnee if it was just the two of you celebrating your anniversary - no question. But with kids, I actually think the Lodge is the better choice. (I've stayed a both -- the Ahwahnee twice, and Yosemite Valley Lodge at least 6 or 7 times.)

You can drive from Monterey/Carmel down into the northern half of Big Sur but the road is closed at Dolan Point so you cannot drive all the way through to the southern end. You'd have to retrace your drive back north to the Monterey Peninsula.

What kind of food for San Francisco? We really like Kokkari for greek which is close to the Embarcadaro but it s hard to get a reservation. Boulevard is decent but it's gotten expensive and maybe not quite as good as in the past. Perbaco for Italian is ok. Pabu is ok. Angler is ok.