buddabean

My husband and I have just started planning a 10 day trip to California. We have never been to CA and are in out early thirties. We will be flying into LA and out of San Francisco or viceversa, then renting a car to go sightseeing. We want to see Hollywood, Hwy 1, Nappa/Sonoma, San Francisco, Yosemite, and the Redwoods.

In order to fit in the National Parks, I think we should take 395 from one city to the other. Will we really be missing out on the HWY 1 experience? Is it even possible to see all the sites in 10 days? I know there is a redwood park right outside of San Francisco. Can we go see that and skip the Sequoia National Park?

Any hints would be appreciated. This is a big trip to plan!

janisj

OK - I am a bit confused by >>In order to fit in the National Parks, I think we should take 395 from one city to the other. << and then you mention Sequoia. You can't get to Sequoia from 395. Hwy 395 would only come into it IF you went to Yosemite and then drove over Tioga Pass to 395 and south (or in reverse - north on 395, over Tioga Pass and into Yosemite) Neither direction would take you anywhere near Sequoia.

The redwoods in Sequoia/ the Sierra are different than the coastal redwoods.


In 10 days you could squeeze in SF/Yosemite/the coast/LA - visiting coastal redwoods either just outside SF or farther down the coast near Santa Cruz. I wouldn't try to also fit in Sequoia.

As for wether to do the trip north to south or vice versa is mainly up to personal preference (and WHEN you are able to book accommodations in Yosemite)

Driving Hwy1 south puts you on the ocean side of the road for slightly better views, driving north puts you on the land side of the road and is slightly less white knuckle.

happytrailstoyou

<i>I know there is a redwood park right outside of San Francisco. Can we go see that and skip the Sequoia National Park?</i>

Yes, you can skip Sequoia NP--there are sequoia in Yosemite: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/mg.htm

And, there are redwoods near San Francisco at Muir Woods and Big Basin State Park.

<i>Will we really be missing out on the HWY 1 experience?</i>

Yes, this is one of the most beautiful drives in the US. For that reason, I would do a loop flying into whatever LA area airport has the best air fare and car rental.

Sightsee in LA and then drive to Yosemite. From Yosemite visit Napa, Sonoma, and Muir Woods before going to San Francisco.

From San Francisco drive on Highway 1 through Half Moon Bay, Carmel, Big Sur, Cambria, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. (There is beautiful wine country around Santa Barbara and nearby Paso Robles.)

This loop drive will get you to Yosemite and Highway 1 and avoid the need to pay a possibly hefty drop-off fee for the auto.

HTTY

emalloy

We did a loop, flying into LA, and drove half way to Sequoia that day spent the night in a forgetable motel near the hwy. Then drove to Sequoia with a quick drive through and towards Yosemite and found another motel. Then went to Yosemite then to San Francisco then Muir Woods and on to Point Reyes then through SF and down the coast hwy to LA. A great trip.

easytraveler

If you're going to be going down along Highway 1 between San Francisco and Los Angeles, skip Muir Woods which is north of San Francisco. You'll be seeing the same kind of redwoods in Big Sur and 10 days isn't all that much time.

If you're going to Yosemite, skip Sequoia National Park. Same kind of redwoods.

Are the 10 days ten full days or eight full days with one day for arrival and one day for departure?

jamie99

You can see redwoods at Henry Cowell or Big Basin and there are lots of wineries in the areas HTTY mentioned, such as Paso Robles inland a little bit from Cambria and also the Santa Ynez Valley (shot the movie Sideways there) north and inland from Santa Barbara. There are also some near San Luis Obisbo. So no need to include Napa which is getting really pricey for tasting.
Muir Woods is north of SF, and I hear parking is tight and you need to get there early (have not been yet myself).