First time visit to California
 

My husband and I are planning a first time, two-week visit to California -- it may also be are one and only visit as there is too much of the world to see to be able to visit a place twice. That said, we'd like to see some of the quintessential California sights/places.

Our departure point will probably be San Fran, flying in from Montreal, Quebec, mid-August. After a few days in San Fran, we'd like to rent a car and drive along the famous coastal highway and stop along the way at different places for a day or 2-- or more, if needed-- till we reach our final stop in LA, where we will spend a few days.

So far, we know we want to stay in Napa or Sonoma area a few days. Some other spots that have been suggested, Carmel, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Pismo, Cambria, Big Sur. We like to walk-- a lot, love nature and don't necessarily need to be in every tourist hot spot. We can easily spend long, 8 hour days on the go and exploring. Some beach time would be nice, but not too much.

I realize this must be a rather tall order, given the vast expanse and many attractions there are to see in this state. Any help and suggestions would be appreciated.

Yosemite is a wonderful place to visit, the giant sequioas, and driving up to Glacier Point, where you can overlook the whole valley.

We drove down the coast 10 years ago, renting a convertible was so worth it!

San simeone-the home of the Hearst family is a good visit. Monterey has a gorgeous aquarium and Carmel is a beautiful town. There is also a town called Solvang- where everything is Danish.

LA was kind of a bore for us- certainly not the nicest city. At the time, we did not continue further south but have since been to San diego- maybe you would like to go that far south. Good luck with planning.

If you haven't already, Search the Forums, above the orange line on the right above, "california coast". There's probably already more on this site about the subject than almost any other topic.

Also "destinations" under the word Fodor's at the top. They outline in detail just what it seems you're looking for.

Yes you want at least two overnights driving Highway 1. Do realize that there are other less expensive options for wine tasting besides Napa, such as Paso Robles near Cambria and the Santa Ynez Valley near St. Barbara.

Here are some ideas of things to do & see around San Francisco.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

I am a big fan of Napa and Sonoma, but note that they are north of SF and so would require you to backtrack to head back south...

Wait until September. August is a zoo of last-minute vacations and traffic before kids go back to school and teens go back to college.

I suggest a day at Henry Cowell State Park (Santa Cruz area) and/or Jedediah Smith State Park (near the Oregon border) to marvel at the coast redwoods, the tallest trees on earth, I believe. J. Smith SP is where they filmed the Ewoks scenes in the Star Wars movies. There are several trails in each park. I second the suggestion to wait until school starts—fewer people by far and the weather is still very nice. I love CA road trips in September and October.

If there's any way you can do a loop trip, do check out the Lake Tahoe region in the eastern part of the state and then drive Hwy. 89 to 395 for alpine scenery. The salmon run at Taylor Creek (South Lake Tahoe) in the fall is astounding to watch. The aspen groves along 395 are spectacular (yes, we have fall color!) and you may have to slow down to allow a black bear to lumber across the road to catch his lunch in the river! (Ask me how I know).

I realize I'm gushing about autumn, but these places are great in the summer, too!

Be sure to check out some of the many farmer's markets and roadside farm stands as California grows some of the world's best produce—especially stone fruits and berries...

I second clark's suggestion to wait until after September 7th. The long weekend of September 5-7 is our Labor Day and the last summer vacation chance for most people.

But in either month, have reservations for your stops along the coast. Most hotels in towns on Coast Highway will have a 2-night minimum stay requirement between Friday (sometimes Thursday) and Sunday.

If this is your once-in-a-lifetime trip to California, know that you won't see all of the "quintessential" sights/places. The state is larger than many countries, so consider what's most important to you.

There are many wine regions between San Francisco and LA including plenty of wine tasting opportunities in Monterey County as well.

The second week of August is car week on the Monterey Peninsula. Accommodations are in short supply and charge the highest rates of the year especially the latter half of the week.

It's true that there are wineries in other areas around California but none as nice to visit as the Napa & Sonoma Valleys. Calistoga is fun for it's hot springs resorts, as well. they aren't on the way to LA but well worth the detour, I think.

MmePerdu is correct. As much as I encourage people to visit other wine areas in CA, Napa and Sonoma counties are just special. If you have the time, take the detour to Napa or Sonoma. If not, you will still get to check out nice wine areas south, like Paso Robles, Monterey County or Santa Ynez.

Winchester Mystery House
Hearst Castle
any of many... California's historic missions

I agree with MmePerdu & MichelleY, and I would add that Napa Valley would be best, specifically because of its singular beauty. If you are only going to make the trip once, and especially if you choose only one wine region, I'd suggest Napa Valley.

I would avoid Napa like the plague. It's only advantage is the wineries are clustered along one road. But this creates a perpetual bumper-to-bumper traffic jam going in and out. It is also so commercial that you have to pay for wine samples virtually everywhere. Too bad. It used to be a very nice place to visit. Try Sonoma or perhaps Russian River instead. Much more relaxed and friendly.

>> wineries are clustered along one road.<<

There are also lots of wineries on the Silverado Trail - which is the road we take to drive through the Napa Valley. More scenic & less traffic than Hwy 29.

But, I agree with ambo - we prefer the Sonoma Dry Creek/Healdsburg area and the Russian River winegrowing region. Napa has become a little too much Disney/zooie.

Stu Dudley

I, too, prefer Sonoma, was there last in mid-March and while it's slowly building up, retains the rural feel that has kept me going there, rather than Napa, for 30+ years.

My report & pictures here:
http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/road...ay-in-sonoma-1

I'm pretty sure you have to pay something for sampling in Sonoma too (at least you do at the wine tasting rooms in Healdsburg). If you don't want to pay, you have to go to the Central Valley or Amador County wineries.

I also prefer the ambiance of Sonoma, but there's no doubt the Silverador Trail (and Highway 29, especially north of St. Helena) are beautiful drives.

If it's anything like Paso Robles, most wineries will waive the tasting fee with the purchase of a bottle or two of wine, which is what you should be doing anyway!!

The days of free tasting are over. Even the in Lodi/Clarksburg/Central
Valley, tasting rooms charge fees.