few questions about california
 

Message: we are planning a 19 day tour to california and we have few questions that answers to will be truly appreciated: <BR>1. is mount shasta in the north worth seeing? <BR>2. are four and a half days in san francisco too little? <BR>3. where would you recommend we stay for a night and the day to follow between san francisco and los angeles (the first night after leaving SF)? <BR>4. is santa barbara worth to spend a whole day in? <BR>5. how long in advance do we need to reserve accomodations in Yosemite, and are there other crowded places where booking accomodations in advance is recommended? <BR> <BR>thanx for the information.

Your questions are excellent! <BR> <BR>1) Mount Shasta is a large, isolated mountain that is picturesque and visible even 100 km away. However, it is in a wilderness area and thus there are no roads to get close to it (that's intentional) I would thus recommend against it unless you like to view isolated mountains from afar. <BR> <BR>2) you can see a lot of San Francisco in four and a half days. On a 19 day tour of California, that would be about right. <BR> <BR>3) on a trip from SF to LA, spend a day visiting Santa Cruz, Monterey and Carmel; spending the night in the Monterey area. Then spend a day driving down Hiway 1. <BR> <BR>4) as a former resident of Santa Barbara (my family still lives there), I can say that it would be a waste of time to spend a day there on a 19-day trip to California. It's a wonderful town, mind you; and I could spend a couple days there -- but not on a first trip. <BR> <BR>5) accomodations within Yosemite are generally sold out the day they become available (i.e., if you call two days after being told "reservations for that date can not be made till tomorrow" you will hear "that date is all full"). Lodging outside the park, particularly on weekdays(avoid Yosemite on weekends, and NEVER go on a holiday weekend) should be available SOMEWHERE even at the last minute (but don't take chances!)

Response to #3: Please spend more than 1 night between SF and LA. 1st night somewhere on the Monteray Peninsula...enjoy the 17 mile drive and the aquarium. Walk around Pebble Beach and drive around the coast line. Can't recommend specific lodging...we mistakenly chose to overnight further up the coast. Next day drive as far as San Luis Obispo with stops along the way including Hearst Castle...see other posts about this coastal drive...and stay overnight at Madonna Inn. Spring for the most expensive room available. They have "theme" rooms and it is something you will talk about the rest of your life. You can then continue to LA next day with plenty of time in Santa Barbara...my humble opinion.

I ABSOLUTELY agree with Polly---have done that many times----stay in Monterey or Carmel, spend the day and then either drive Big Sur (Hwy 1) from Carmel to Cambria (to see Hearst Castle and the coast) or go inland to SLO and the funky Madonna Inn--it's a trip. If you're interested in wine, there are several really nice wineries on this route. Absolutely I would spend one night in Santa Barbara--it's a beautiful town with a beautiful mission and relaxing before LA. On the way to Sta. Barbara see Solvang, Santa Inez mission, wineries near Buellton if interested. Lots of charming B&Bs in Sta. Barbara or the lovely Biltmore on the coast. I think 3 days in SF would be sufficient--but then we live here! Your reservations for Hearst Castle must be made ahead--if you've never been there sign up for tour #1 (all visits are by tour guide ONLY and it gets very crowded although it's a very efficient system) call 800-444-7275 to reserve by credit card and request specific info. Also, reservations must be made in advance for the new museum at the Getty in L.A., which will be on your route in Malibu (the number I have is 213-458-2003, but that's an old one) Please, please see my post today about resevations in Yosemite-------you only have 2 day window for the best reservations and it's just not worth it to join the long lines of tourists who stay outside the park and wait to get in each day. The good news is that there are very liberal cancellation policies at all of these places, so go ahead and book now at all your destinations--you can always cancel. <BR>

Latest news on new Getty Museum is that reservations are sold out through October. Museum is free, parking is by reservation only. Only people with parking servations are guaranteed admitance to museum. Everyone else must stand in line. You can take a taxi and get dropped off, but this is a very popular solution and lines on weekends and all through the summer will probably be hideous. The Getty keeps running newspaper ads asking people to visit LATER when the rush is over. It's just been open since January. I understand it is fantastic. The old, villa-style musuem in Malibu is closed for renovation unfortunately and will reopen to house the antiquities collection in the future. If you try the new Getty on a weekday and go very early you might have a chance. Have a wonderful trip! <BR>

All of the above postings are great. We drive between San Diego and San Francisco several times and usually take about 3 days to do it. One thing not mentioned in your trip is San Diego. It would be a shame not fo to visit it. The San Diego area offers many attractions and is one of the nicest parts of California.

One other thing about Santa Barbara...the courthouse is just as interesting as the mission. It is "open air" Spanish atchitecture, has a beautiful rose window, incredible wood carvings in the courtroom furnishings, a fantastic courtyard, the wonderful red roof and is peopled with employees who are gracious informative hosts. DO NOT MISS a walk through this building.

Route 1 is a wonderful drive, we took a driving vacation in CA. several years ago and followed about the same itenerary several have suggested. There are a number of nice inns in Carmel, and just a chip shot from 17 mile drive. We enjoyed staying at the Dolphin inn, very nice and convenient. If you stop a second night on the road in San Luis Obispo, I would recommend the Apple Farm Inn, Stay in the inn or over the mill, not in the motel. They have beautiful specialty rooms, we stayed in the second floor room over the lobby. Very quaint and restful. (do check out the Madonna, especially the men's restroom, it is quite an attraction). I also recommend going to San Diego, I wish we had spent more time there. Hotel Del Coronado across the Bay is spectacular. If you don't stay there, at least have a meal. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful trip and take lots of film.

We all have our preferences after vacationing and living in California. I agree that 2-3 days in SF is sufficient. I agree that you should take 2 days along coast to LA. The Monterey-Carmel area is rather pricey, so we have stayed just north before. <BR>2 days in Yosemite is not much if you enjoy hiking and nature. Personally, I think SB is OK, but not as interesting as other spots, so I'm always ready to leave after a few hours. Are you going to Tahoe? Just gorgeous. And the mining towns along the way are interesting.

(I know the original message is kind of old now, but...) <BR> <BR>Having lived in Santa Barbara, I have to concur that it's not that interesting a town. It's not a bad place to pause for a couple of hours during the drive south, but it's not much of a destination. <BR> <BR>Definitely hit San Diego, though. I've just returned from there and had a terrific time. Visit the zoo, do some shopping at Horton Plaza, take the ferry to Coronado Island. Torrey Pines state beach is nice if you want to see the ocean.

Santa Barbara is a great town to base from---there's wineries to the north east and other really pretty little towns. The mission is great and it's just a perfect place to break up the drive before you endure the traffic of LA. I agree there's not a lot to do IN Sta. Barbara, but lots in the area. <BR>