bellini

Yosemite View Lodge- that should read TWO miles from entrance to Park. $20 pass valid for 7 days.

Surfergirl

I travel at least once a year from LA to Monterey (and back!) and it's never taken me 7 hours unless going up Hwy 1. Remember, if you take the 101 up, you get a lot of ocean scenery, since hwy 1 & 101 merge between Oxnard and SLO. A great drive either way. If you take the 101, you will NOT pass Big Sur or Carmel, but if you stay in Monterey, Carmel is 10 minutes south on Hwy 1, and Big Sur is about 1/2 hour south of Monterey on Hwy 1. Our trips to Monterey generally include (depending on weather) a 2 hour "lunch break" for a nice drive down to Big Sur, lunch w/coastal view, then pleasant drive back up to Monterey.

I think your plan is fine and not horribly rushed. I second bellini's rec for Santa Cruz. And I third getting accommodations down NOW for Yosemite. Stay in the Valley if you can.

mominburbs

thanks for the tips. I love them all! we already booked three nights at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.

mominburbs

My kids have no desire to go to Disneyland. They want to see Hollywood. My son did a geography project on LA two years ago and I guess he's interested in the celeb scene. Besides, we have friends who we'd like to visit.
On another note, I think because of frequent flier miles we may need to start in San Fran. If we flip flopped the trip, does it make more sense to go to Yosemite before Monterrey area or after. We a room reserved for 8/16-8/19 already. We can arrive in SF before noon and have all day Sat. and head out of town after lunch. Equates to two whole days in SF, kind of rushed but the whole trip is "kind of rushed". I appreciate all who have taken the time to respond and those who will now reply

ggreen

Oh, I loved traveling the coast from north to south: you'll be on the outside of the roadway all the way down.

IMHO, two days in SF is plenty - I'm not really sure what there is to do there? (My relatives live in the Bay Area. When we go to SF, we visit Fisherman's Wharf, the Ghiradelli shop, and have some great dim sum. But beyond that, I've never been inclined to particularly spend more time in the city...)

sf7307

>>

Well, here's 40 or 50 things you might consider doing (likely none of which includes either Fisherman's Wharf or Ghirardelli):

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

ggreen

Like I said, it's just my opinion, which I provided in the context of the OP's overall trip.

Chads

Chateau du Sureau is amazing