Hello,

My husband and I are looking at traveling to California for 9 days in September (Labor Day weekend through the following weekend). We are thinking of flying into San Francisco and out of LA (or possibly SD). However, we need help dividing up the time....

We definitely want to see San Francisco, but aren't as big on spending time in LA (other than seeing a couple of the big tourist sites). We want to do the drive along the coast between the two and see the sites along the way. However, we don't know if we should completely devote all our time to this, or if we should try to get to some other sites (Yosemite or Joshua Tree, etc).

I am really into photography, so the more scenic the better -- we like to be on the go, but at the same time, I don't want to feel like we are on a completely rushed schedule.

I am hoping maybe to get a little advice on how to structure this trip---I really appreciate any help and advice!

The thing is, you could spend days and days in any of several great places between SF and LA. Yosemite is stunning, and for a photo buff it is probably a must. But it would take up approx three days one way or another. Certainly no less than two days - and what I mean is that it will take you at least three to five hours to drive there from wherever - then you can really rush and see most of the sights. Probably spend the night - maybe out of the park in Mariposa or El Portal. Then head on to wherever else you are going.
The coast will be a wonderful experience. Plenty of photo ops all the way. So - let's see what other suggestions you receive! I guess a question is whether you also want to do wine country. That will help us help you with your schedule.

If you have 9 days, I'd spend the first three in SF. Labor Day weekend is a good time to visit SF because many thousands of its citizens are up in the Nevada desert at Burning Man. Many others are in Tahoe, Mendocino, Carmel, Yosemite, etc.

Then spend the next 6 days ambling down the coast. Whether you just go to LA or drive on to SD is really dependent on what your interests are.

I'd do Yosemite at another time. Yosemite is beautiful any time of year but for your first time try to come back in late Spring if you can when the waterfalls are full and the wildflowers are in bloom.

A "circle" trip would probably be best for what you want - i.e. fly into/out of one airport, either SFO or LAX (or area airport of these cities).

For example, if you flew into SFO:

- see the City and Sonoma or Napa wine country
- go to the gold country around Sonora
- head to Yosemite from there
- take Tioga Pass, see Mono Lake
- head south on 395
- enjoy Eastern Sierras
- run over to Death Valley, see Mojave Desert
- then to LA for a few days
- head north: take your time and hug the coast as much as possible on way back to San Francisco

Reverse order if using LAX or area airport for arrival/departure.

This can easily be done in 9 days, it will keep you moving, allows for time off the beaten track and will provide many/diverse photo ops.

"run over to Death Valley, see Mojave Desert"

I'm sorry but you want to avoid this area during the first week of September. I'd stay out of the Central Valley too.

Stick to the coast.

Yes, the deserts at that time will be well into the hundreds - 120+ degrees in Death Valley is a daily reality. It's an awfully long side trip too.

The photo ops heading down the coast from SF to LA or SD are about as good as it gets. I agree with the other poster about Yosemite at another time; also, it will be horribly crowded when you are planning to be here.

What tourist spots in LA are you thinking of?

Thank you for your help so far! I think that it makes sense for us to stick to the coast for this trip, so I think we are going to cut out Yosemite and so forth, and follow the advice of trying to come back in the spring.

I think we are definitely going to do three nights (Fri-Sun)in SF at the start of the trip. Any advice on how to break up the remaining days (i.e. good places to stop).

As for LA, probably want to see the Hollywood area and Santa Monica - don't really have it ironed out yet.

Do you think we should try to get down as far as San Diego, or just to LA?

I think the idea of going to San Diego is pushing a bit too far. Can you consider other beaches than Sta. Monica. Stop just by the pier and then head to Manhattan and Hermosa, which is still cleaner, young crowd, more of what you would imagine a So. Cal beach. And yes, I highly recommend Napa Valley and if you enjoy good food make reservation for lunch at the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) St. Helena. Napara or Sonoma in Sept. will give you quite nice pictures. By the way, what age group and where are you coming from?

mogoldsby - You say you are really into photography. The coastline between Monterey and Santa Barbara is one of the most scenic in the world. This is where Ansel Adams and Edward Weston lived and photographed. Thankfully, much of the coast hasn't changed that much since their heyday in the '30s.

I would spend two nights in Monterey/Carmel - there is lots to see here and good restaurants to try. So that would be Monday and Tuesday nights.

On Wednesday, drive down through Big Sur and stay the night in Cambria. If you search through the older threads here, you can read about suggested stops along the way as well as good information about Monterey and Carmel.

Then tour San Simeon on Thursday morning. On Thursday afternoon, if you haven't seen enough of the coast you can explore Moro Bay or Montana del Oro State Park. Or you can go into San Luis Obispo and visit a charming old California town. Don't miss the mission. Then head down to Pismo Beach for the night. Try to get a room on the ocean.

On Friday, you could spend more time on the coast by visiting the Oceano Dunes which are just south of Pismo. This is one of the few places on the west coast where you can drive on the beach. There are also some scenic natural areas where you could take photographs.

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/no...s/art6330.html

Or you could spend the day visiting the wineries of the Santa Ynez Valley. Spend Friday night in Santa Barbara.

Then on Saturday, you could drive down to LA and hang there for the weekend. I'd save San Diego for another trip.

Monterey/Carmel for a day and a night......Avila Beach/San Luis Obispo for a night and morning.....Santa Barbara/Montecito for two nights. Don't miss the Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles, and The Getty Center.