San Francisco Area - 8 days
 

I'm working in a planning a vacation for our family the last week of June (6/25-7/3). We're looking at an option for the Seattle area, but are thinking SF could be a good option as well. The trip will be me, my wife, and out two daughters (age 19 and 23). We'll want to do some city sites to be sure, possibly one partial day in wine country (can't spend a lot of time there with one under age traveler). We will want to also get out of town, see some of the coast line, possibly Muir Woods, and maybe take a trip over to Yosemite. We want to balance the trip with experiencing the area but also being in a nice area to just relax.

I could really use some ideas on what to put together. Really not that familiar with the area.

Thank you.

It is very late to even be thinking about Yosemite. This year the Waterfalls will be magnificent and that is the height of the season. Try booking in the Valley immediately -- and if you get in, build your itinerary around what you can get.

If you can't get into the Valley, try Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal -- but even it might be full for your dates. Any farther out that El Portal and you will be looking at 1.5 to 2 hour drives in/out of the Valley.

Muir Woods will get very crowded at that time of year (they often have to close off the parking and when that happens you have a long shuttle ride in/out). But there are places like Armstrong Redwoods which are quite convenient to the Russian River, Jenner on the gorgeous Sonoma County coast, and Healdsburg http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450

Budget? I presume you will be staying in the City . SF is expensive. Look for places that provide parking and include it in their rates. Parking at hotel can run you 50-60 a night Sometimes the Hyatt regency has specials like that and very often the Parc 55 (off Powell). Have stayed at both and they are very nice. We recently stayed at the Handlery Hotel just off Union Square which included parking and 20% at their restaurant the Daily Grill. It was a good deal (KGO special is what you ask for) You might like a hike/picnic in Big Basin State park which is outside of Santa Cruz which is a nice day trip. Lovely ride down hiway 1. Big Sur also an option as is Carmel/Monterey areas. Just down from Santa Cruz is a charming beach town Capitola. I think it is way late for Yosemite but if you call every day you might get lucky and snag someones cancellation. Usually it is full 1 year in advance. While in SF, great walk in the Presidio which leads up to Fort Point. By all means do the Alcatraz tour but it also fills up so get reservations, Angel Island is also a great walk about. They call it the Ellis Island of the west as that is where the Japanese and Chinese landed prior to being admitted to SF. the barracks are still there with poetry written on walls. Very interesting and great views back to the City. Light house tours, renting bikes in the city and riding across the Golden Gate Bridge I hear is very exciting and they also have Seque (sp ?) tours in certain areas of the City. Lake Tahoe might be an option for a few days. About a 4 hour car ride from the City. Wine tours, you can hire a limo so you don't have to drive unless your underage child is designated driver. Hope this helps.

I think it's too late to think about Yosemite. Even the stuff more than an hour out might be tough to get. I really enjoyed Yosemite Bug Hostel, so maybe check that, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's totally booked. Last year, I made reservations more than a month before this and there wasn't much left.

Just crowd based, I'd pick Seattle/Vancouver. I loved SF and Yosemite, but the main tourist stuff is very crowded.

Since you want to wine taste, that's also another vote for BC. Surely that would be more fun for your daughter than half a day not drinking at wineries lol.

One point in favor of SF is that even without Yosemite, you have tons to do there. And I think it's more interesting and dynamic city than either Seattle or Vancouver.

Check out urban putt- it's a fabulous miniature golf/bar place that is very popular with the 20-30 crowd. I loved it.

I don't know if you are hostel people but my favorite out of town relaxation spot was Point Montana lighthouse hostel, south of SF.

If you are a veteran a great place to stay in SF is MARINES MEMORIAL. Google the web site for the hotel. You have to join first, $150.00 per year, but the rooms are less expensive and the membership is tax deductible. 60 Minutes had a clip about the hotel a few weeks ago.I highly recommend.

You do not need a car in SF as parking is very expensive. Use cabs or UBER. They also have day long tours that leave from the FERRY BUILDING to take you up and back to wine country. This is good way to see that area and not worry about driving.

A good way to experience the Bay is to take the ferry ride from the FERRY BUILDING to Sausilito. They get you on the water and drop you at a great spot to explore.

Try to see Alcatraz but check on tickets in advance. It is popular and gets sold out but you can usually book a ticket with two to three days advance notice.

Some ideas:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

Additional tip: Our traffic here is terrible. Plan around any commute times and hope for the best. It gets very congested every business day.

YOSEMITE: Check out the REDWOOD CABINS OF WAWONA. Nice cabins that you can get for entire family to stay in an enjoy at the entrance to the park.

I'm pretty sure the OP decided to go to Seattle instead -- she never returned to this thread but has to her threads re Seattle and Vancouver.