We're going for 4 days to SF & 2 days to the Monterrey Penisula the first week of March. We have 8 & 12 year olds & so far we're planning Half Moon Bay, Point Lobos Reserve (walking the perimeter & hopefully seeing whales), the Aquarium, Big Sur, & Ano Reserve to see the elephant seals.

Would love your opinion on whether the following things are worthwhile:
* Carmel Mission
* Hearst Mansion
* San Jose---Mystery HOuse & museums
* Big Sur
* anything else that we've forgotten
* 17 mile drive

Thanks very much!

In SF the children would probably like the trip to Alcatraz and the Exploratorium.
All the things that you mentioned are worthwhile except that the Mystery house in SJ is not that interesting. The Hearst Mansion is about 4 hours from Monterey and probably not interesting to children.
Don't miss the TECH Museum in SJ. It is great.
The ride on Highway 1, Big Sur coast is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Enjoy.

Check out the Monarch Butterfly Habitat in Pacifc Grove.

I have to disagree with some of the recs here. As a kid I loved visiting Hearst Castle. It's so big and grand and like nothing you can see in America. I always remember how impressive the Neptune pool was and picturing what it must have been like to own a personal zoo!

I also think the Winchester Mystery House is an excellent place to take kids. It's creepy and spooky and there's nothing else like it. It is kind of pricey for what it is. I recently took a visiting friend from Englad down to see it - I'm mid 30s, she's mid 40s. She couldn't get over the fact that none of the furnishings in the house are original and that Americans think something built in the 1800s is really old. That said, she did have a kitchy good time. How many times can the number 13 be brought up in one tour?

I would think that you might want to do some research and introduce your kids to the background of the places before hand. Make it a learning experience and treat it like a field trip from school.

My humble (of course!) opinions are: Carmel Mission is interesting and pretty and would be very easy for you to do; Hearst Mansion is fun, but a very long drive from Monterey--do it only if an 8 hour roundtrip wouldn't faze you or your kids (and I wouldn't take a day and a night out of your plans for the Monterey Peninsula to stay over); I haven't seen the Winchester Mystery House; don't miss a drive down to Big Sur, it's some of the most gorgeous scenery in the world, and check out posts here regarding places to stop, eat, etc.; 17 Mile Drive you could skip without missing a thing, esp. since you'll see Point Lobos and, I hope, Big Sur.
Have a great trip!

Carmel Mission (Yes)

Hearst Castle (Yes) if you don't mind driving

San Jose: Winchester Mystery House (Yes) it is an interesting place, athough some people don't seem to like it. My relatives thought it was great.

San Jose: Museums (Yes) I guess it depends on which ones you are considering. The Tech Museum is great for the kids as well as the History Museum in Kelley Park. San Jose is right on the way to Monterey so you should have plenty of time to stop in the city before heading to Monterey.

Big Sur (Yes) the scenery is awesome.

17 Mile Drive (No) not really worth your time. I would definitely add in point Lobos instead.

Whale watching (I have never done it, but it sounds interesting.)