We are going to be in S.F. and surrounding areas for 2 weeks. I need to know if its feasable to do this......3 days in S.F. from there do Carmel,Monterey,Big Sur 2 nights total there, on to Yosemite for 2 more nights, then to wine country for 3 nights from there up the coast to ?????how far can wego with time to enjoy and relax?Then back down the coast stopping in some small towns for the night. What should we not miss? Is 2 weeks enough time? We also want some beach time and time to see the Giant Seq. How far are they up the coast? Muir Woods and Point Reyes? Yes or No. Any info is appreciated.Lodging on the coast with beaches,views?Not more than 200.00 a night.I have been on the web forever and the amt. of info is so overwhelming im getting more confused as what we should do!!!!!!!

I made almost exactly this trip, although it was about 8 years ago. here's what we did. Fly into SF. Stay in SF 3 nights. Then drove to Monterey and spent 2 nights in a really great B&B (but at $300/night not in the range you requested). We saw Monterey and Carmel, but did not get all the way to Big Sur. We went to Yosemite and stayed 4 nights. From there we went to Napa and spent 3 nights, Finally back to SF for the last 2 nights. We did make a day trip to Point Reyes from San Francisco. We did not go to Muir Woods, since we saw the big trees in Yosemite we figured that was good enough. [by the way, I believe the trees at Muir are giant redwoods, at Yosemite they are Sequoias. So I guess its not really the same, but its definitely worth going to see the trees when you are in Yosemite]. I think you can cover most of what you want to in the time you have. 3 nights in the wine country may be more than you want, depending on how much you are in to wine and food.

In Yosemite we rented a cabin in the village of Wawona. It was really more of a house, with a real kitchen. It was nice to be able to do our own cooking their, since the available food was not very interesting. I would recommend trying to spend more than 2 nights in Yosemite, if you like to hike especially. Its absolutely unforgettable. And if you are up for it, hike up the Mist Trail by the waterfalls. Its a steep and very popular trail but the views are astounding.

In Monterey you will want to go to the aquarium. You may also enjoy a whale watch cruise from there.

Have a great trip. Try not to feel too overwhelmed, the planning should be fun too

I've seem the giant trees at both Muir Woods and at Yosemite (the Mariposa Grove). There are two groves of Giant Seq. at Yosemite, so you really don't need to go to Muir Woods. The grove at Yosemite was very impressive. We stayed in the Valley at Yosemite Lodge one night and the other night at Cedar Lodge in El Portal. If possible, I would recommend staying right in the valley. The shuttle buses are great for getting around. We were there during a full moon, if you are, make sure to take the moonlight valley tour. It was incredible to see the valley lit up by the moon.

Great ideas, all of them - but I
think you may be trying to jam too
much in. Suggest limiting your trip
to 3 main areas and extending your
stay at each. Traffic can be nasty
in CA so you may spend too much time
in the car with your plan. Couple
days in Napa, Muir Woods on your way
to S.F., couple days there, a drive
down the coast to Carmel for an extended stay and you should satisfy
most of your wish list. Need to be
down near Carmel beaches for warm
beach temperatures. Monterey & Big
Sur are good day trips from Carmel. If you're really into trees, replace Carmel with Yosemite (they are many, many miles apart). Have fun - I'm jealous.

What you want to do is both feasable and fun, but the problem is your point-to-point destinations. Consider S.F. as the hub of a wheel (your base of operations so to speak), and everything you speak of a 1/2 day's drive -- or so. You can go north to the redwoods (past the Russian River) stay overnight, and then return to S.F.; drive down to Monterey/Carmel, and stay a few days then return to S.F.; drive out SE to Yosemite for a few days, and return, etc., and you get the idea. I would also take in Tahoe on your way to or from Yosemite, you could go the "back way" along hi-way 99. The return to S.F. each time will give you a chance to catch your breath and plan the next outing, or change your mind. You might want to do the Yosemite/Tahoe trip first, since it will be the most time consuming. After all that driving, you will become an official California road-warrior!! -- good luck.

Your trip sounds wonderful and altho, alittle hectic, that is what I prefer. It will give you a taste of several areas, so you can then plan a second visit spending more time in a couple of the places you most enjoyed. I would suggest Lake Tahoe as I find it to be one of the most incredible spots in the US. I've skiied there the last two yrs and find it breathtaking and distracting (while come down the mtn). Altho it won't be white, I've seen the pictures of it during summer and it is just as appealing.

Just got back from a week in SF. Awesome. If you want to see gorgeous wine country, drive up the coast from SF toward Stinson Beach and Point Reyes. We did so on our way to Healdsburg. We stayed at a great B&B for $125/night (altho I think rates just went up $20 for the "season")The Camellia Inn. Email me if you want info, but they do have a web page. We visited five wineries (and by then we'd bought as much as we wanted to carry home!) Call and make a reservation to visit the Michel-Schlumberger winery (our B&B hostess made the call for us). They take you up into the vinyard, explain how the Alexander Valley differs from Napa Valley, tell you all you ever need to know about vitaculture, (with a nice French accent, even) and show you the entire process, ending with a tasting in the "Kitchen". It was very nice. I sort of wish it had been the first we visited! They don't sell caps and t-shirts. Just very good wine. When we drove back to the city we went through Napa, and unless you're set on visiting a specific winery, I'd prefer doing the "Russian River Wine Road" of Sonoma county as the wine country excursion. It is more spread out and picturesque. And Healdsburg has some really great restaurants. It's closed on Mon-Tues, so we didn't get to go, but one of my best friends (and a former restauranteur)swears by a place called Ravenous. We ate at the Charcuterie which is also superior. (Ran into staff from several wineries while there!) Another must-see is the Ferrai-Carano Winery, which has the most incredible gardens and grounds you could imagine. Anyway, you'll get spectacular sights as well as wonderful food and wine. Certainly worth at least two days and a night (you may want to make it two!). You can then travel on up coast. Next time I want to move on up to Mendocino.

Check out this web site and request the visitors guide package: www.sfvisitor.org

Also, for a good look at Sonoma County wine country, try:
www.michelschlumberger.com

Don't be "put off" by the sound of the name, and the elegant surroundings -- when we went back to our car we met the winemaker, seated on a picnic table in the sun in shorts and t-shirt, separating egg whites. He explained how they were to be used in developing the wine they were working on from recent harvests. What a friendly guy!

Muir Woods has coastal redwoods. The giant redwoods are seen best at Yosemite. Muir Woods is interesting in its own right. Big Sur is a waste of time. Spend your time in the Bay Area. One night Monterrey/Carmel and several in Yosemite. Remember don't feed the bears.

We stayed at the Post Ranch hotel in Big Sur - absolutely amazing, but very expensive. All rooms are built into cliffs or in the trees - a place to really get away from it all (as did Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern when we were there). Hot tub on edge of cliff overlooking Pacific ... WOW!

Thanks very much to all who replied I appreciate it very much!! One more question, where to stay at yosemite coming from San Fransisco? The closer to the park the better. All booked inside the park but ill keep trying! Thanks ahead of time for your replies!

We are planning a trip June 5 thru 14. We thought of staying in SF the entire time and making day trips. With the exception of a 2 day trip to Tahoe.
It sounds as if we should make overnight trips to Monterey and the Wine County.
What all is there to do in San Francisco itself. How many nights should be plan to be there. Is there anything special going on during this time of the year.
There are 4 of us (2couples). We been thinking of staying at the Chancellor in SF. Do you recommend B&B or Hotels.
This is our first trip to the West Coast. We live in N. Carolina.
Thanks for your help.

I highly recommend the Cypress Inn on Miramar Beach in Half Moon Bay. There is nothing quite like sleeping with the door open, hearing the sound of the ocean waves, and feeling the warmth of the fire place. Half Moon Bay is located on the coast just 40 minutes south of San Francisco.

Linda: Don't know the Chancellor, but it's location might be a bit noisy. I've got a friend who visits SF about once every six weeks. She & her husband like the Beresford Hotel www.beresford.com and the Beresford Arms. Nicely located about the same price and quieter. (We were just there)They may also have specials so you can negotiate good deals. Visit www.sfvisitor and order their visitors guide package if you have time. Good info. You will walk more than you ever have in your life, expecially if the weather is nice. (We has six and a half out of seven sunny days at about 64 degrees over Spring break.) Chinatown is really neat. North Beach has great restaurants, be sure to use the great public transportation to its advantage. Transfers are good for a couple hours. Go to Pier One for the best ferry service to Sausilito and back. As you may have read above, I highly recommend a trip to Sonoma County (Alexander Valley, Russian River) for wineries as an overnight. Maybe on your way to Tahoe? You don't want a car while you are in SF. Parking is extremely expensive,and you don't need a car. Have dinner at Lulu's in SOMO, lunch (or dinner if you can reserve) at Rose Pistola in North Beach, Dim Sum at Yank Sing near Battery (Show up about 11:15AM before the masses do at 11:45.)Ride the trolley from Powell and have an irish coffee at Brennans. You may want to avoid Fisherman's Wharf, but it is worth a stop off, just to see the sea lions sunning themselves. Definately a cool vacation.

Just realised Chancellor is different hotel than I thought. Right on Union Square. Beautiful location.