So hard to figure out the itinerary.
We are arriving Oakland 1:00pm on a Sat in mid Sept. and leaving via San Jose at 11:00am on Tues 10 days later. I have Yosemite Lodge reserved for Tues & Wed night. We are seeing friends on the 2nd Sunday in Pleasanton. We have a 5 yr old who is a good traveler. We would like to do a bit of wine country since we are wine lovers, but will limit winery time due to child (have spent ~3 days in Napa/Sonoma on past trip). We also did downtown San Fran before (pre-child). Have not done the coastal areas north or south before so would like to include one/both of those. My first draft of itinerary is:
Sat: Arrive 1:00, rent car, stay in Berkely or drive to north coast (near Pt. Reyes) or drive to Sonoma. Can't decide how far to go (we are flying in from Chicago).
Sun - Mon: (north coast and/or Sonoma - can both be done?)
Tues: Drive to Yosemite early
Wed: Yosemite
Thurs: Yosemite a.m. (exit south, Mariposo Grove on way out?); then drive to Monterey or Big Sur
Fri-Sat: Big Sur/Monterey (where to stay?)
Sun: Drive to Pleasanton to visit with friends;
Mon: bit of downtown San Fran (but what)
Tue: fly out

Comments welcome.
Thank you.

wow. so much to do!

big sur Inn, one of the only places to stay there. Hiking there and kayaking on the monterey penisula. Wine tasting around there too so you won't have to go all the way up to Sonoma. Sonoma coast is beautiful and there are a few nice hotels up there too.

Fog is always and issue, so bring lots of warm clothes!! Though Pleasanton can be really warm.

On the 2nd Monday, I would recommend either Alcatraz or the 49-mile drive. (Or both).

We're starting to research the San Francisco area for a 25th anniversary trip in 2007.

From what I've seen so far, it's not that far to the north coast or Sonoma, so you could easily drive to one of those locations after you arrive.

Mariposa Grove is worth a visit, so do leave Yosemite via the southern exit.

Lee Ann

Thank you for you replies. I am still struggling with the first 3 days. I am thinking of staying at the Ridenhour Inn in Guerneville the first two nights and then the River Terrace Inn in Napa the 3rd night. We would need a fun place to stop and stretch our legs between Oakland airport and Guernville e.g. a good playground with great views for mom and dad. It appears that this is a 1.5 hour drive - correct? Do the coast and redwoods on Sunday plus maybe 1 winery. Do more wineries on Monday (plus Train Town for our daughter). Then get an early start to Yosemite on Tuesday. Does this sound doable? I really need some advice! Thanks.

SOrry I don't have any advice on your itinerary but I did want to say that we loved the River Terrace Inn. Excellent rooms-- especially the bed and the bathroom. I can recommend the Schramsberg sparkling wine winery. We also liked Sterling for the views and Mondavi for the informative tour.
Loved Mustard's Grill for lunch or dinner!

Yosemite is a long drive - not so far it just takes a long time. The last part of the drive is slow going on the mountain roads. Always motorhomes etc. make it worse.

Monterey has many nice place to stay you would be limited in Big Sur. Monterey Marriott and the Doubletree are right on the water and the wharf is nearby. You can walk to restaurants etc. There are many nice smaller motels/inns in the Pacific Grove area. It often gets over looked but its between Monterey and Carmel.

I am looking at the Ridenhour Inn or the Jack London Lodge for the first 2 nights. Has anyone stayed at either of these recently?

ttt & good example of a travel thread...

razzledazzle: I'm a faily new Fodorite and I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "...a good example...". If you could explain, I would appreciate it. Thanks.