San Francisco - daytrips out
 

We will be going to SF late Feb. We also want to go to Muir Woods and Yosemite.
Have you had a good experience w/daytrips to these places? What tour company did
you use? Are there bus tours to Carmel / Monterey or is that too far for one day and back?

Thanks

You can absolutely do a day trip to Carmel and Monterey. I live in Monterey, and I do day trips to San Francisco all the time. Off the top of my head, I know you can catch the Monterey Airbus from SFO to Monterey, but I would have to dig a little more to get information.

I think Yosemite would be too much for a day trip, even on a bus tour. Best to spend 2 nights there. Look into trips through Amtrak.

You can go to Carmel/Monterey for the day, but I'm not familiar with bus tours.

Day trip to Muir Woods, absolutely, but I also think Yosemite is too far. I'm not sure what the weather would be in Feb either. We ran into a snowstorm in the fall and they closed most roads.

We did a bus tour to Yosemite. On the way you get a little information, the bus drops you off in the valley, the driver tells you not to get on the trolley as there is not enough time, and you have a choice: hike or have lunch.

Also, before getting to the valley, there is a photo stop by the BridesVeil waterfall. Some more stop by hotels for people who are staying overnight.

It may be a really disappointing trip, and I don't recommend it in one day unless you are absolutely sure you cannot stay overnight. Especially in February when roads may be closed or you get into a showstorm.

Bus tour to Monterey was interesting, we took Grayline.

I would not attempt to do Yosemite in a day, I would think February would be really iffy on what you would get to do and see there. We visited Muir Woods March 10 last year and it is really nice. Big trees, but nearly as big as you can see other places in California. Pt. Reyes National Seashore is very nice as well. Many great hikes- short, long, easy, strenuous can be found at both places. I personally don't like tour company, I would rent a car if at all possible.

Thanks for all the help. What is distance from SF to Carmel?
How far apart are Pt. Reyes and Muir Woods?
How expensive are car rentals for 2 days if not a weekend?
Anyone used or can recommend specific tour cos. besides Grayline?