Hi, I'm new here and am confused after reading a lot of your posts. We will be coming out in August for a wedding in Kenwood. We were thinking of 3 days in SF before, then one in Monteray. We want to see the redwoods, but then saw Sequoia NP, and thought we would go there, but now I don't know where to go. We are traveling with a 14 and 9 year old, I'm not able to do long distance hiking, so we are limited to
the car. We are then heading to LA for the tourist stuff, and then San Diego. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Patti

First let's clarify something. Coastal redwoods are a different species from giant sequoias. If you've seen one you have NOT seen both, as they are impressive in different ways. You can see coastal redwoods by traveling along the (surprise!) coast, and to see giant sequoias you need to head for the Sierras. So your first decision is whether you want to see one or the other or both.

You can get a glimpse of coastal redwoods by traveling not TOO far from the Bay Area, either in Muir Woods or Humboldt Preserve. If rushed for time this may be your only option.

If you want to REALLY experience redwoods, you would have to take a three day journey north of San Francisco.

There are various places to see giant sequoias, but none would take less time than Sequoia National Park, where they are BY FAR the most spectacular. Again, it would mean a three day detour to see JUST this park.

For me the problem would be that making a trip to Sequoia NP would pretty much require you to see Yosemite as well. To come that close to Yosemite without seeing it would, to me, be crazy. But that would be ANOTHER three day delay (MINIMUM) on your way south.

ALL of the places I note above are worth a visit; your kids will love any and ALL of them. It's just a question of how much time you can spare to visit some, none, or all of them. Before we can give any meaningful advice, we would have to know (1) which trees do you MOST want to see and (2) what's the grand total number of day you have to spare between S.F. and L.A.?

When in SF you can see Muir woods in a half day easily. But Iwould certainly go to Yosemite and there you have the Mariposa grove of giant sequioa.Unforgettable!!!I would forget Monterrey for Yosemite any time.Paul

Muir Woods was awesome! I still think about it and I was there years ago. Also, loved the Redwoods at Yosemite. Either would be perfect. Take your pick....these trees blow you away!

NannyJan

Henry Cowell State Park has a nice redwood grove. It's close to Santa Cruz, and would be on your way to Monterey.

Thank you all for your help, your comments are appreciated. How far a drive is it from SF to Sequoia or Yosemite? Why should we skip Monteray, I heard the aquarium is fabulous?

Thanks for all the input.
Patti

"Why should we skip Monteray, I heard the aquarium is fabulous?"

You shouldn't skip Monterey -- nor should you skip the northern redwoods, or Yosemite, or Sequoia, or the Sonoma coast -- or a hundred other places. Unfortunately, to actually see all these places you really need 2 or 3 weeks, not just a few days.

So you just need to bite the bullet and decide which areas/sites are most important to you. California is a HUGE place and there are waaaaaay more things to see than possible in a single short visit. You can't really go wrong and won't be disappointed whichever you choose, but you DO need to choose.

Count on 5 hours from SF to Yosemite, more to Sequoia NP.

Definitely do not skip Monterey. The acquarium is magnificent and the kids should really enjoy it. With your limited time and the amount of territory you would like to cover, I would suggest prioritizing the places that would be of most interest to your family.

I would recommend instead of spending 3 days in SF, that time would be better utilized enjoying the coastal redowoods and the central coast around Monterey and Big Sur. One of the best places for coastal redwoods is Big Basin Redwoods State Park down near San Jose. From there it's about 30 minutes to Santa Cruz on the northern part of Monterey Bay. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a great place for the kids. Also, on the way to Monterey, the Tech Museum and IMAX theater in San Jose is also a fun place to visit as well.

http://thetech.org/


http://beachboardwalk.com/

Monterey is about 40 minutes south of Santa Cruz on Highway 1. On the way to LA from Monterey I'd recommend the coastal drive down Highway 1 with a stop along Big Sur.

http://www.pelicannetwork.net/big.sur.coast.htm

The best way to get from Kenwood to Monterey is Highway 101 to 580 then 880/17 to Highway 1.

Have a great trip.

Thanks, for the great suggestions. I have another question, We are looking for a hotel for two nights n the Kenwood area, we were given many B&B suggestions, but can't really stay there with the kids. Called the Best Western in Sonoma, they want $254 a night for a regular room! I think that is outrageous for a Best Western, any family friendly hotels in the area?

Thanks
Patti

Summer weekend in Sonoma is going to be pricey. Since this is more of a family trip than a couples getaway,you might consider expanding your search to Santa Rosa, a 20-30 minute drive on Hwy 12
over to Kenwood. Also, nearby Santa Rosa (20 minutes in the opposite direction)is the Armstrong Redwoods
State Park. A beautiful drive along the Russian River, and out to the coast is a beautiful trip. I'm happy to help with locations if you like.
R5

Thanks I'll let you know when I narrow it down. Would you know how far a drive it is from Sacramento to Yosemite, in hours? I would like to fly our on Jet Blue, they don't go into SF, so I thought maybe come into Sacrament, go to Yos. then to the wedding and then SF, head south and leave from San Diego. Does that sound crazy?

Sounds like a reasonable plan to me. Sac to Yosemite should be 3-4 hours - head south on I5 to about Stockton and take hwy 120 east from there.

Another alternative for Jet Blue is Oakland airport.

No, do NOT miss the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

This is what I would do. As long as you are going to be in Kenwood, just hie yourself to Hwy. 12 north to Santa Rosa and Hwy. 101, going north. (less than 20 miles, I think.)

Then take the River Road exit (RR follows the Russian River, more or less) until you come to Guerneville. There you will find Armstrong Grove Redwoods State Park (I may not quite have the name right, just remember "Armstrong Grove".) These are fine redwoods. It is not true that you have to go all the way to No. Cal to see impressive redwoods. There are just more 'parks' of them there.

After you have seen them, stay on the road, going west, until you come to Highway 1 just before Jenner. (If you want to see the river coming into the ocean, go into Jenner first.)

Turn south towards Bodega Bay. This is a small used-to-be-and-still-is-fishing-village. Hitchcock filmed "The Birds" here, and in the town of Bodega, just inland.

From there you can follow the road to get to Petaluma and Hwy 101 and back to San Francisco. Or you can watch for the Hwy 1 sign and take it all the way back to the Golden Gate Bridge. This is an interesting drive, going past Point Reyes and Tomales Bay, etc.

Depending on your time you may want an overnight somewhere on this trip. Bodega Bay would be good. Good accommodations there, with views of the Bay.

Just my opinion, but I would save Sequoia NP and that side of the state for another trip, especially since you are going on to LA and San Diego after the wedding.

Besides the Aquarium, if you can spare a night or two in Monterey or Carmel the "17-Mile-Drive" is a beautiful way to drive along the coast and see famous golf clubs and etc.

Here is a hint for the Aquarium. In August you would probably see long lines waiting to get in. You can make a "reservation" by telephoning and paying for your tickets by credit card. Then when you get there you simply walk up to the "will call" window, or whatever it is called. We do this often when we have visitors. I don't think you reserve by a 'special time-or-block-of-time'to pick up your tickets, but just check on that.

This is a world class aquarium. Do not miss it. Your children will LOVE it.

You will have a wonderful trip, and you will love Kenwood. Great place for a wedding.

Closest and easiest redwoods to Kenwood is Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve, just north of Guerneville, on Hwy 116, the other side of Santa Rosa from Kenwood.

Not a very big park, about a mile or two of trails, pretty much flat unless you go up on the surrounding ridges, and you can drive back among the trees if you pay the entrance fee (can park at the lot before the entrance booth and walk in for free).

PattiW: I am going to differ here with the other posters. There are so many great places to go in California... sounds like you're going to be spending most of your time on the road! San Francisco to Sonoma to Monterey to Sacramento to Yosemite to LA and San Diego in how many days?

I would do SF and Sonoma and fly to LA/San Diego. There's your two weeks! Yosemite and Monterey could be saved for another time. I just think you'd be miserable with those drive times. From SF to Yosemite it can easily take 4 to 5 hours and from Yosemite to LA another 5...not always in the best traffic. Also, Yosemite hotels book a year in advance and August is high tourist season for Monterey.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it can't be done... just really think about it!

Have a great trip!

Three and a half hours Sacramento to Yosemite. You will not have time to see the whole park, but can see the valley. Stay over at least one night, preferably two. You can see giant sequoias in Yosemite, the Mariposa Grove has a tram ride through the grove for about $12, so you don't have to hike.

For coast redwoods, Armstrong Wood is a no-brainer. Humboldt is another 200 miles north, not worth it if you aren't hiking through the trees. jtrandoph's route is a great way to see vineyards, deep forest, and open windswept coastline all in a few hours.

I think we are narrowing it down. I think we may stay along the coast and save Yosemite and Sequoia for another trip. Armstrong Park sounds like a good way for us to get a flavor for the redwoods, not be too stressful, and in the area for us. I think we may stay in Santa Rosa since that seems more resonable. Thank you ALL for your suggestions and ideas. They are all appreciated.

Patti

Patti...

Did you find a place to stay for the Kenwood wedding? Yes, the Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn is outrageous.

I grew up in Sonoma and, during my mother's last illness, spent a lot of time there, several nights at the SVI before they got pricey.

There are some charming B & B's near Kenwood. But they tend to be expensive, no? Can your wedding people help you?

The last time we were in Sonoma, this summer, we stayed at El Pueblo Inn, which has completely re-invented itself (from my former visits) into a very comfortable and spacious motel complex on the highway. It was $132, including tax and breakfast. I don't have the website, but have the tel. no. from my credit card atatement...707-996-3651, if it interests you. But be aware, although they now have 52 units they fill up fast.

By the way, the "breakfast" includes the new idea of do-it-yourself-waffles. Fun.

WOW, you are awesome for giving me the info, I was thinking of Santa Rosa, since we are a family the B&B's don't work for us, and that seems to be the only thng the wedding couple suggested. I will check out the El Pueblo Inn. Any info on San Fran would also be appreciated, as we are going there for two days before the wedding.
Thanks again