Planning ATrip
 

In March 2009 we are taking a trip from the UK to California.
We land in San Jose and depart from LAX.
We have 8 nights in the California area and would like some advice on where to visit,what to see,what not to miss and the best hotels or B&B's to stay at.
We would be very grateful if anyone could suggest a route.

Are you more interested in deserts, mountains, and ocean coast or places such as Las Vegas, Hollywood, and San Francisco?

We have done the big cities in the past.
We are interested in the coast,wine area's any interesting wildlife area's and smaller towns. Generally a slower pace of life and time for each other.

Cambria on the central coast is a nice place to spend time. You will be close to the Paso Robles wine area. Blue Whale Inn is a nice bed and breakfast where we have enjoyed stays. On the Southern coast, the Casa Laguna Inn in Laguna Beach is a great B&B, we loved our 3 night stay here. ***kim*** ((*))

You should have plenty of time to do both some wine country and some coast. If you go just a bit north of San Francisco you can hit Muir Woods which has great coastal redwoods and Point Reyes National Seashore which has is a beautiful coastal area, there might be grey whales migrating north which can be seen from the lighthouse and there are herds of elk on the north end of the point. From there head over towards Sonoma or the Napa Valley, lots of vineyards,some give tours. Then head south and pick up the coast road, route 1. Stop in Monterey, and at big Sur and check out the Pfeiffer state parks on the way back to LA.

Just another idea but March is an ideal time to see wildflowers blooming in a desert if you are lucky. Even wothout wildflowers March is a great time to visit these parks; Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, Anza Borrego Desert State Park. They are all in CA and an easy drive from Los Angeles. These are great destinations for a slower pace of life and time for each other, wildlife and fabulous but very unique scenery.

"We are interested in the coast,wine area's any interesting wildlife area's and smaller towns. Generally a slower pace of life and time for each other."

Just stick to the Central Coast. 8 nights is perfect for seeing the Monterey Peninsula, the Big Sur Coast, San Simeon, the San Luis Obispo/Pismo Beach area, the Santa Barbara wine country, and Santa Barbara itself.

If you hit some nice, warm weather, you might also check out the Pinnacles National Monument. It's a great place to spot condors - a different kind of bird than you have in the UK. They are also present in the mountains behind Santa Barbara.

A trip out to the Channel Islands would be worthwhile as well for wildlife if the weather is accommodating. Also worth checking out are the elephant seals that are common on the beaches just north of San Simeon in early March.

I would vote for Supercilious's recommended itinerary. Beaches and lovely towns all down the coast.

I would too. I missed that part where OP stated she/he has only 8 nights.