Help! We've received so much great help from this message board and I thought we'd planned a great Itinerary. But now, I've discovered it will be raining almost the whole time we will be in California. The following is our planned Itinerary:
Friday, Feb. 20th at the Delta King in Sacramento; Saturday thru the following Saturday at Mountain Retreat Resort in Arnold, with a trip mid-week to stay at the Yosemite View Lodge for one night; and with visits throughout the week to the neighboring towns around Arnold, including Murphys. Then a final night stay in Sacramento before we leave on the 29th.
My questions: Does the above sound like an ok Itinerary? Since it doesn't sound like snow, would the drive from Arnold up to Lake Tahoe be very scenic? We've been to Lake Tahoe so we wouldn't especially want to go there, but wondered if the drive between there and Arnold would be worth the trip.
Don't get me wrong....rain or not, we'll love our trip. But I'm just wanting all the advice I can get to make the most of it since we've never been to this part of California before. Thanks to all who have helped in the past and future! eb from Texas

You don't have to change a thing and don't count on it raining the whole time. Long range forecasts out here are usually only good for about a week out, and even then not always accurate . . .

Also - what made you assume rain means no snow? Today it is warmish (about 60F) and pouring rain in the Sac. Valley and there are winter storm warnings, chain requirements, and closed roads (due to heavy snow) all through the Sierra just 50+ miles east of here.

Janis, as my husband said when I read your message - "now that was very upbeat!" Thank you for giving me some hope! Everyone here, where we live in Texas, was so excited when we had a few flurries of snow this past weekend! You've been very helpful....in my previous messages and this one! e

eb,

We drove up to Arnold two weeks ago and it was snowing a little there. Just a few miles up the road it was snowing pretty good in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. We drove all the way up to Mt. Reba (the ski resort) and there were many snow removal vehicles keeping the roads clear. It was so beautiful and lots of fun!

I agree with Janis....you can't count on the weather forcast that far in advance. I do believe that this week will be wet in the Valley and Snow in the mountains...which should make it even more beautiful once you arrive.

Mountain Retreat has an indoor pool, hot tub, pool table in the club house. You can rent movies for a $1.00, they have games to take back to your condo to play and puzzles to build and it's just a nice place to just relax even if the weather keeps you cabin bound.

Ebbitt's Pass, Hwy 4 is closed for the season so if you want to go to Lake Tahoe you will have to drive back to Angels Camp and take Hwy 49 to Hwy 50 or I-80. About 145 miles and will take about 3 hours if it's not snowing. If you go, make sure you watch the news to see if the roads are open.

You probably won't see snow in Murphy's and Angels Camp. Bring an unbrella and explore these towns.

Utahtea

Thanks Utahtea! You've been a great help to me in planning this trip, and this added info is great! I'll definitely pack our umbrellas. We probably won't try the Tahoe trip. Thanks again, eb from Texas

eb,

I know you have been planning this trip for a while. I hope you get some good weather! Please come back with a trip report. I'd love to hear how your trip goes.

Utahtea

utahtea,janis, and anyone else who can help....I know I've "picked your brains" long and hard - and I appreciate all the help! I just have one more question though - I haven't done a lot of research about Yosemite, but I've noticed the Wawona Hotel and the Awhanee Hotel have both been mentioned a lot....which one has the best restaurant? I think it's supposed to be the Awhanee (sp?), but after reading some reviews on some web sites...I'm confused.
Also, utahtea, you are very familiar with the Mountain Retreat in Arnold. We're staying in Unit 14. Wondered if this might be one of the units your family has, or if you're familiar with it. I have a tendency to "over-research" my vacations as you can tell...Still...we are really looking forward to this trip! Thanks again to all! And yes....we LEAVE day after tomorrow! eb from Texas

Check out the recent "Valentine's Day Trip Report" here for places on the way to Yosemite. Jsut what you need: More research!! Have fun!

For a special meal, the Ahwanee is the restaurant. The setting is spectacular. To my mind, the food is of similar average quality (certainly wouldn't get a Michelin star) at all three of the restaraunts - Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge (I think it's Mountain Room?), and Wawona. Wawona would be more something to do if you had several days and warmer weather, as it is 45 minutes from the valley.

eb,

I'm not sure what the units my family has at Mt. Retreat. We've stayed at my FIL's unit several times but only visited my BIL's unit for just a short time. My FIL unit has a full kitchen, 2 1/2 bathrooms, two bedrooms, in the living room there are two couch that fold out to beds, dining room set, fireplace, a TV/VCR in the livingroom and a TV in the master bedroom. They are very nice.

If you run in to Mr. Porter (the owner of Mt. Retreat) tell him you know one of his OLD employees! He won't know me as Utahtea....LOL, but I use to work for him from 1972 - 1975!

Utahtea

Hi eb
I've eaten at all the Yosemite Park restaurants over many years and I agree with curmudgeon--the food is pretty much the same at all the restaurants, (OK but not great; the simpler selections are usually better) but the setting at night at the Ahwahnee is lovely. Make a night of it by having a drink in the bar, lingering over dinner (ask for a table away from the entry area to get the full effect of candle-light and the beautiful room itself) and wandering around/hanging out in the hotel area in front of the huge fireplace afterwards. Very special place. Another option is breakfast at the Ahwahnee, or if you are there on a weekend, Sunday brunch can be fun; spectacular views!

I don't know about Arnold, but Murphys has a couple of good restaurants, by the way, on the main street.

If you like Pizza, Arnold has a Round Table Pizza Parlor...YUMMMMM!

Utahtea

Or to be more local, have Pizza at Mountain Mike's.

Well, I wonder how eb is doing. It does look like a wet week ahead.

Utahtea

utahtea, I'll post a thorough trip report later, but just wanted you to know....it was raining when we arrived in Arnold but there was plenty of snow on the ground. On Sunday, we stopped at the Lube Room in Dorrington and it started snowing while we were there...got thicker and heavier the closer we drove up to Bear Valley - it was a Winter Wonderland! It also snowed on us when we returned to Arnold after visiting Yosemite Wednesday and Thursday. Arnold received about a foot of snow on Thursday night! Wonderful trip! Thanks for your help! eb

eb,

I can't wait for the trip report. Sounds like you had a good time...I'm glad!

Here are some pictures we took in the area in Feb.

http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/Feb2004CAtrip.p3.htm

Turns out we're headed to Mt. Retreat in couple of weeks ourselves...can't wait!

Utahtea