over-excited about SF/CA
Oct 4th, 2005, 07:14 AM
#41
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For Yosemite, I would try to make reservations at the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal - this is just outside the Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite and is pretty convinient to the valley. My next choice would be Mariposa, which is down the hill another 30-45 minutes - not ideal, but not too bad. Then, call Yosemite Lodge periodically to see if there is a cancellation and if there is, switch your reservations. People make reservations a year in advance and then plans change, so you have a reasonably good chance of getting in.
Oct 5th, 2005, 11:28 AM
#42
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There are three giant sequoia groves at Yosemite, although two are accessible only by hiking. The third (Mariposa Grove) can be driven to, but not through, though there is a tram. But the road to it closes in winter, not sure how early this happens, though.
Giant sequoias do not get as far south as 178, and this route is not going to be shorter than 58 through Tehachapi. To get to Sequoia National Park (there's a park, a forest and a monument--the park is the easiest place to see the tree), to get to the park involves a long steep climb up from the Central Valley. You would need to devote at least a whole day on your way to LV from SLO.
For your two free nights, driving to Yosemite is not very scenic at all until you get into the mountains. You'll see the southern reaches of the Central Valley (aka San Joaquin Valley) on your way to LV from SLO. But if you can devote two nights to Yosemite it might be worth it, if the weather is good. You probably won't be able to get up to Tuolumne Meadows/Tioga Pass anyway, so not having time for them is not such a factor.
Driving up the coast/wine country north of SF is scenic all the way so better suited to a leisurely driving trip. But not as spectacular as Yosemite.
Giant sequoias do not get as far south as 178, and this route is not going to be shorter than 58 through Tehachapi. To get to Sequoia National Park (there's a park, a forest and a monument--the park is the easiest place to see the tree), to get to the park involves a long steep climb up from the Central Valley. You would need to devote at least a whole day on your way to LV from SLO.
For your two free nights, driving to Yosemite is not very scenic at all until you get into the mountains. You'll see the southern reaches of the Central Valley (aka San Joaquin Valley) on your way to LV from SLO. But if you can devote two nights to Yosemite it might be worth it, if the weather is good. You probably won't be able to get up to Tuolumne Meadows/Tioga Pass anyway, so not having time for them is not such a factor.
Driving up the coast/wine country north of SF is scenic all the way so better suited to a leisurely driving trip. But not as spectacular as Yosemite.
Oct 9th, 2005, 02:31 PM
#43
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Instead of traveling up to Sonoma to visit the wine country, you might visit some of the wonderful wineries in the Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo area. You'll be staying in SLO anyway, and Paso Robles is just a half hour away from Hearst Castle. Many wonderful wineries, not as many tourists, terrific wines and less snobby! You could use Highway 46 instead of Hwy 166 to get across the Coastal Range into the Central Valley, and would pass right by wonderful tasting rooms.
Oct 10th, 2005, 10:53 AM
#45
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I'm a boy 
Yes, I've read about Guerneville, but I've finally decided to stick with the classic option for our last few days - Yosemite. We're flying into Fresno, picking up a car and spending two nights at El Portal. Hoping the weather will be OK, so please keep your fingers (and toes) crossed for us.
Thanks for all your help with my questions - it has made a BIG difference.
Yes, I've read about Guerneville, but I've finally decided to stick with the classic option for our last few days - Yosemite. We're flying into Fresno, picking up a car and spending two nights at El Portal. Hoping the weather will be OK, so please keep your fingers (and toes) crossed for us.Thanks for all your help with my questions - it has made a BIG difference.
Oct 12th, 2005, 09:07 PM
#46
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Sam,
Lots of great ideas so far. Looks like it should be a fun trip. A few suggestions I would recommend:
You may want to cut out a night or so in SF so that you can spend more time exploring other areas of California. I like the idea of Big Basin for seeing the coastal redwoods. I'd advise one or two nights in San Jose to explore the city and from there Big Basin is only about 15 miles. From SF 280 is a scenic route down into San Jose/Silicon Valley. From there, you can take Highway 17 to Big Basin and them onto Highway 1 down to Monterey.
http://bigbasin.org/
http://sanjose.org/
The most scenic part of Highway 1 begins just north of Monterey in Santa Cruz. I would not recommend taking Hiway 1 fro SF to Monterey as it can be a teacherous road, especially in the winter with the occasional mudslides and fog. The following website has points of interest along Highway 1. Big Sur and Point Lobos just south of Carmel are some of the most scenic areas of the California coastline.
http://www.pelicannetwork.net/big.sur.coast.htm
Hearst Castle is neat. Be sure to make reservation in advance for tickets.
http://hearst-castle.org/
I would probably skip Yosemite during the time that you will be in California.
Have a great trip.
Lots of great ideas so far. Looks like it should be a fun trip. A few suggestions I would recommend:
You may want to cut out a night or so in SF so that you can spend more time exploring other areas of California. I like the idea of Big Basin for seeing the coastal redwoods. I'd advise one or two nights in San Jose to explore the city and from there Big Basin is only about 15 miles. From SF 280 is a scenic route down into San Jose/Silicon Valley. From there, you can take Highway 17 to Big Basin and them onto Highway 1 down to Monterey.
http://bigbasin.org/
http://sanjose.org/
The most scenic part of Highway 1 begins just north of Monterey in Santa Cruz. I would not recommend taking Hiway 1 fro SF to Monterey as it can be a teacherous road, especially in the winter with the occasional mudslides and fog. The following website has points of interest along Highway 1. Big Sur and Point Lobos just south of Carmel are some of the most scenic areas of the California coastline.
http://www.pelicannetwork.net/big.sur.coast.htm
Hearst Castle is neat. Be sure to make reservation in advance for tickets.
http://hearst-castle.org/
I would probably skip Yosemite during the time that you will be in California.
Have a great trip.
Oct 13th, 2005, 05:23 AM
#47
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Lots of good tips here- and although it's been about 10years since I've been to California , just wanted to add then when we were driving down from SF to LA we just stopped at Motels and got rooms easily. fron other trips to the US since ( am also in London) I woudl recommend just some of the cheap Motels, like Motel6- it's sufficient for one night, all you do there is sleep and shower! We usually do that, so that we can have something a bit nicer in the cities!
Also have to say this forum really is excellent- just had lots of good hints for our last trip- and now we are hoping to visit California next year, possibly in Feb!
Also have to say this forum really is excellent- just had lots of good hints for our last trip- and now we are hoping to visit California next year, possibly in Feb!
Oct 13th, 2005, 01:43 PM
#49
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Big Basin is worth seeing, but it's not on Hwy 17, you need to get over to Hwy 9 and then Hwy 236 to get there. Biggest trees within 100 miles of SF. But the Mariposa Grove sequoias are bigger still.
No, I would not advise two days in San Jose in lieu of Yosemite just to get to Big Basin. But you should check out some coast redwoods, they are different from the giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada. There's a lot of parks just off Hwy One along the coast. Butano, Henry Cowell (just outside Santa Cruz) and in Big Sur too.
No, I would not advise two days in San Jose in lieu of Yosemite just to get to Big Basin. But you should check out some coast redwoods, they are different from the giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada. There's a lot of parks just off Hwy One along the coast. Butano, Henry Cowell (just outside Santa Cruz) and in Big Sur too.
Oct 16th, 2005, 09:11 PM
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Hi Sam,
While I think that Yosemite is a beautiful place to visit, I too would not adivse going there in the winter as some of the entrances to park are closed during that time of year, which can make getting around a chore. Yosemite is best appreciated in the spring, summer, or fall. Sticking to the more coastal areas of California would be the best bet. As far as the coastal redwoods are concerned, Big Basin, which is in fairly close proximity to San Jose, has some of the nicest trees. San Jose is definitely worth at least a couple of days with Big Basin as a sidetrip on the way down the coast.
While I think that Yosemite is a beautiful place to visit, I too would not adivse going there in the winter as some of the entrances to park are closed during that time of year, which can make getting around a chore. Yosemite is best appreciated in the spring, summer, or fall. Sticking to the more coastal areas of California would be the best bet. As far as the coastal redwoods are concerned, Big Basin, which is in fairly close proximity to San Jose, has some of the nicest trees. San Jose is definitely worth at least a couple of days with Big Basin as a sidetrip on the way down the coast.
Oct 16th, 2005, 09:28 PM
#51
mlgb: "San Jose instead of Yosemite...Okay!?!"
Unfortunately our San Jose weirdo has come back. Hann and Franklinn are the same person. Last year, he along w/ about 15 other screen names he used, was the scourge of every N. Calif/Bay Area thread.
Finally (after months) the Fodors editors conquered him and we have been free of his silliness ever since. But I noticed he came back a few days ago.
Just watch - he will probably now come on w/ new names every day or so -- ALL boosting the "glories" of San Jose.
Just soooooo sad . . . . .
Unfortunately our San Jose weirdo has come back. Hann and Franklinn are the same person. Last year, he along w/ about 15 other screen names he used, was the scourge of every N. Calif/Bay Area thread.
Finally (after months) the Fodors editors conquered him and we have been free of his silliness ever since. But I noticed he came back a few days ago.
Just watch - he will probably now come on w/ new names every day or so -- ALL boosting the "glories" of San Jose.
Just soooooo sad . . . . .
Oct 17th, 2005, 01:52 PM
#52
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Many thanks to everyone. I have gone with the Yosemite option, but will pack warm clothes and waterproofs. I'm perhaps more excited about the giant sequoias than anything else, though I know the rest will be spectacular. Will happily keep an eye open for coastal redwoods - Big Basin if we have time; if not, perhaps somewhere on Hwy 1, within easy reach of the road. Perhaps someone could advise where?
Oct 17th, 2005, 06:47 PM
#54
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See this site for a map of the Big Basin/Butano/Memorial Park area:
http://www.virtualparks.org/regions/...qtvr-map.html>
You can click on many of the parks for more detailed maps and links to virtual panoramas of various sites in them.
Big Basin reaches highway one at Waddell Beach, but there are no old growth redwoods there. The easiest place to see them in Big Basin is on Hwy 236 on the other side of the park. There's old growth for about 2 miles north and 5 miles west of the tight bend in 236, which is where the park headquarters is located. Replace "mid" with "south" in the URL to see parks closer to Santa Cruz.
http://www.virtualparks.org/regions/...qtvr-map.html>
You can click on many of the parks for more detailed maps and links to virtual panoramas of various sites in them.
Big Basin reaches highway one at Waddell Beach, but there are no old growth redwoods there. The easiest place to see them in Big Basin is on Hwy 236 on the other side of the park. There's old growth for about 2 miles north and 5 miles west of the tight bend in 236, which is where the park headquarters is located. Replace "mid" with "south" in the URL to see parks closer to Santa Cruz.
