help me plan a Cali trip
 

Maybe fly into SFO - would like to go to Monterey and maybe Hearst Castle and some vineyards in that part of Cali. Have seen San Fran and LA. We would need to drive? or could do by train? would love some itinerary suggestions! Thanks!

I can think of at least 3 other airports in CALIFORNIA I'd rather fly into than SFO.
What month? The storms will be rolling off the Pacific for the next 3-4 months.
Take the train north from Los Angeles or Burbank to Santa Barbara or SLO and drive from there.

Yet another rube here.

I refuse.

I don't think there are trains that would work for the places you want to visit. You'd need a rental car for most of this trip. How about using Oakland as your airport instead of SFO?

suec1's a long time regular Fodor's poster. Why the snooty replies?

I'm guessing because she made the unforgivable mistake of referring to California as Cali, suze.

suec1, what time of year are you planning to go, and how much time do you have?

Maybe next June - would like a direct flight from Atl and I think maybe we could fly into Oakland. To be honest - I hate car rides with my beloved husband so maybe we could train to somewhere and rent a car for short exploration.

This may sound snooty but I feel more competent planning European itineraries than CALIFORNIA - have visited there a few times, the big cities. Last year we did a costal cruise and stopped in Monterey and thought it was delightful. I was looking today (research!) at some train options but thought if I could get some framework here, it would be very helpful.

Thankful for pleasant suggestions!

if it were me, I would try to fly into San Jose rather than Oakland and fly home from Santa Barbara. You could drive easily to Carmel/Monterey and see Point Lobos and the area nearby, drive three hours down to Paso Robles( and over to Hearts Castle) for a lovely wine region visit. ( I would want a car for that portion of the trip.) The best part for a train ride within this area is the trip from Paso Robles south to Santa Barbara. I'm happy to answer specific questions.

So technically it's possible. The only way I can think of to do it easily without a car is by guided tour. I've seen similar tours offered in association with Amtrak.

If you want an opinion, I wouldn't do that. The best stuff in California is rural, Amtrak schedule is not flexible and usually not convenient. I'd do car the whole way. Alternatively, you could build a trip around Amtrak- if you did that, it will take more time and patience.

I like lynni's suggestion, although I don't think there are nonstops from Atlanta to San Jose or SB. If you go later in the summer, I also suggest gold country. Have you been to Yosemite?

Marcelousmouse: You're probably right about the flights, I didn't check non stops from Atlanta. I was just trying to narrow down options. Truthfully if they want to see just Carmel south to SB it would also work to just fly in and out of LAX. It's a beautiful part of the country and not such a horrible place to backtrack!

Thank you for the help so far! I have discovered that Delta does have some direct flights to some of the smaller cities - still digging thru the schedule, some seem to be seasonal.

I think I am going to do some research the old fashioned way - with a guide book! Maybe there will be some suggested itineraries.

But if you WANT to dialog a bit more...
Would March be a nice time for this trip? Is this "high season"? ie:expensive (it's always expensive?!)

Is driving along HWY 1 a pleasure (altho I'm a bit
wary....see note above re:driving tip with DH).

OK going to get the guidebook at the library now.....I will return:)

March is low season but it can be rainy at that time of year. Hwy 1 will still be closed at the Mud Creek Slide area until fall of 2018 so you won't be able to make a through drive from Monterey to Hearst Castle. You'll need to take the inland route (101) in between.

SueC1: After reading those guidebooks your task will be to determine, "What shall we skip?" So much to do in this area... here are my favorites!

IMoss Landing :kayak ride. The sea life in this area is amazing and often overlooked for the glamour of other cities.

Carmel/ Monterey: Point Lobos State Park, The Carmel Mission The Aquarium, walk through Historic Monterey, walk from Lovers Point in Carmel towards Pebble Beach for as far as you'd like., browse the shops in Carmel and walk the beach.
Have a drink at The Inn at Spanish Bay at sunset and listen to the bagpiper, eat breakfast at Katy's Place in Carmel, get bread and cheese from the Carmel Cheese Shop and walk to the beach with your picnic. ( it's just a few blocks) Have dinner at Mission Ranch or Sunday brunch. Have dinner at Casanova or Little Napoli.

mote later. Do you have a budget for lodging? More details will help us help you.

Would some short drives be OK?

I'm just not sure how you can do justice to the California coast (which YES is beautiful!) without a car unless you joined a tour.

I think the stretch between Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz is the most wonderful part. It's not that long a distance really so you could drive just a few hours a day.

The only tour I am aware of that used to take Highway 1 is with Cal Parlor Tours, but it looks like now they put you up in Mmonterey for a night or two then put you on the train to SLO (probably due to the Mud Creek slide which will not be fixed until Fall 2018).
I'd try and do the drive at least down from Monterey to Big Sur and back.

Thank you so much for the help so far - I'm following up on some of the suggestions. I think we can fly in and out of San Jose. Considering doing some short drives.

I looked at the weather - I see March has rain but 3 inches? which is not like super rainy? Would the vineyards be nice or too early....I like wine but not necessarily the wine tasting experience usually offered.

Again I much appreciate the suggestions so far esp. since I started off with the huge faux pas of "Cali" :)

To me, March is really still rainy season in Northern California. Rain subsides in April most years. Vineyards are just waking up in March. That's not to say it's always bad, it's just somewhat iffy.

I think March is too early for much to be happening in the vineyards. I'd more focus on the coast.

Oh, I had assumed you were wine tasting/shopping. Never mind. March is way too early for the actual vineyards.