Suggestions for 2 weeks starting from LAX in October
 

Hi there,
My husband and I are flying to LA early October, flying back to the UK 2 weeks later. We'll be hiring a car. We haven't planned/booked anything yet. We were going to do what seems to be the "standard" tour, first following the coast to SF, then going inland to visit a couple of parks and see the Napa Valley, before heading back to LA.
But I'm a bit worried about the weather based on some posts in this forum! We chose October in order to avoid summer heat, but I think we've made a mistake... Do you have any ideas as to where we could go/where to avoid? We've just had a terrible summer in London and the thought of crossing the Pond to find yet more cold is far from appealing... Look forward to your tips!
Thanks

October can be the best time of year, Indian summer, for the N California coast.SF can be fogged in all August but clear out for Oct/Nov. For the South it should have cooled off by then, and with the kids in school I think you made a great choice.

There really isnt a 'standard' tour and you have a broad choice. Let the people know what you want, and I sure we have an expert that can give you some fine tips.

October is a great time of year to visit California. Don't let the reports of the weather get you down. Although it is a strange year weather wise, it's never that bad in early October. LA and vicinity should be warm, but not unbearably hot like in June, July, Aug, and Sep. North will likely be nice during the day, could be chilly at night. Napa is great because the crowds are less.

Have a fun trip!

I think it sounds like a GREAT trip, at a wonderful time of year. You've got a good amount of time to do the circle drive you describe. There are all kinds of driving iterinaries for that route, just do a bit of research if no one chimes in here with specifics.

As far as weather is isn't going to be really hot, but should be pleasant enough. Fall in California is a perfect time to visit.

Maybe allow a few days in Los Angeles, if you're interested in sight-seeing there at the beginning. Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz are beautiful towns to stop on the coast drive north. www.hearstcastle.org & www.winchestermysteryhouse.com
are interesting stopping points.

Allow a few day for in-city San Francisco, and a few more in the Napa Valley (beautiful area to visit wineries or just drive around). From there I'd head back to LA the quickest inland freeway route.

As others have said, Oct. is a good weather month in CA. The temps will vary from the 60s through the 80s F. depending on the part of the state you are in, your proximity to the cool ocean breezes, the time of day, and the different weather patterns that blow through on a daily or weekly basis. The bottom line is that the weather will be quite variable but within a pleasant range. That's why "dressing in layers" is the coastal California uniform.

On your way back from SF to LA, if you take the inland route, and have time to spend 2 days visiting Yosemite Valley, that would be one of your highlights of the trip.

On the way up, just north of Santa Barbara, be sure to hit the Santa Ynez valley. Spend the night in Solvang or Ballard or Los Olivos and enjoy the October weather. Had a convertible up there last October and the weather was great.

Also be sure to stop at Avila Valley Barn just south of San Luis Obispo. Neat place in October with the pumpkins and fall-festival....try an Ollallieberry pie......you won't find them many places and they are special. Nearby Avila Beach would be a great spot to stop for lunch.

If you do decide to visit Yosemite, make sure you have reservations as many places book up MONTHS in advance.

"<i>But I'm a bit worried about the weather based on some posts in this forum! We chose October in order to avoid summer heat, but I think we've made a mistake...</i>"

Don't worry -- I'm pretty sure the posts you've read are about <u>summer</u> weather on the coast. That is a special feature of much of the CA coast -- The best "Summer" weather happens in the Fall. That is the very very best time of the year to visit.

June/July/August are when it can be cold/foggy -- not usually in Oct.

Thanks everybody! I'm going to be working on a itinerary and will ask for your opinions if I may.

Oh, and before I start the itinerary, if you have suggestions of quirky/characterful hotels/B&Bs (clean but not necessarily expensive), please let me know!

These are good choices for B&Bs in Pacific Grove.

B
Bed & Breakfast-California: Seven Gables Inn
thesevengablesinn.com - (831) 372-4341 - 115 reviews

Centrella Bed & Breakfast Inn
www.centrellainn.com - (831) 372-3372 - 154 reviews

Martine Bed & Breakfast Inn
www.martineinn.com - (831) 373-3388 - 76 reviews

Old St Angela Inn
www.oldstangelainn.com - (831) 372-3246 - 48 reviews

Green Gables Inn
www.greengablesinnpg.com - (831) 375-2095 - 69 reviews

Inn at 213 17 Mile Drive
innat17.com - (831) 642-9514 - 192 reviews

Deer Haven Inn & Suites
www.deerhaveninn.com - (831) 373-7784 - 161 reviews

Consider this rough outline as input for your itinerary. It's a counterclockwise loop that will give you plenty of practice driving on the wrong side of the road by the time you drive the scenic (scary for some) coastal road between Carmel and San Simeon. And you will be driving that section from north to south, as recommended by a majority of the usual posters on these boards.

Days 1 and 2. LA, (Day zero is for flying and getting into your hotel etc.)

Day 3. Drive to Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP. Only takes about 1/2 day. Some sightseeing, then overnight at Park.

Day 4. More sightseeing in Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Then drive to Yosemite and if possible stay overnight.

Days 5 and 6. Yosemite.

Day 7. Drive to Napa/Sonoma via the gold country (Sutter's Mill) and Sacramento. This will take all day, since there are worthwhile tourist attractions in Sacramento. Overnight in the wine country.

Days 8, 9 and 10. Finish up in the wine Country. Drive to and stay in San Francisco.

Days 11, 12, and 13. Drive down the coast to LA. You will get plenty of suggestions, on this leg, regarding what to see, where to stop, and where to eat.

Somewhere between San Francisco and LA, tour one of the 21
California missions. Carmel, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara are good choices. They are an enlightening look back into California's Spanish Colonial history, which continued until 1848. All 4th graders in California study the missions and most visit one.

Day 14. I'm not sure you have a day 14. But if you do, you can use it somewhere in the itinerary.

Missing here but often included in a "standard" tour.

San Diego
Death Valley
Lake Tahoe

and (I hesitate to mention it)....Las Vegas. Groan!

In the Napa Valley (Calistoga), check out Washington Street Lodging. Prices are reasonable for the area, they have individual cabins around a courtyard, and you are within walking distance to restaurants.

Just to say a HUGE thank you to all of you. VERY helpful. dbdurand, you've probably saved me a couple of days with your itinerary, which sounds fab! I'll be working on this this weekend and am bound to have further queries... In the meantime, if you have any more suggestions of "interesting" lodgings in the areas mentioned in dbdurand's itinerary, please let me know! Thanks a million!

For Yosemite, I would recommend the Yosemite Lodge. It's the closest to the major sights most visitors want to see. Fills up early so book ASAP.

I live in Los Angeles and haven't lived in Northern California since college, but I can say that it hardly ever gets very warm at the ocean, even here in L.A. Last week it was near 90 degrees in L.A. and at the same time it was 72 degrees 15 miles away at the beach (Santa Monica, Malibu, etc.). Personally, I love sunny and 72 but in terms of weather, even going a few miles inland will get you sometimes substantially warmer weather.

That being said, California is a gorgeous state (pats self on back :) Regardless of weather, I would definitely stop to see San Francisco, Sonoma County (Healdsburg is one of my favorite small towns anywhere), 17 mile drive up near Monterey/Carmel, Hearst Castle. I also love the California missions, but there are many scattered up and down the coast so it'll be easy to squeeze one in along the way.

Personally, if I were in your shoes, I would actually spend a few days here in LA, fly up to San Francisco on a cheap fare through Southwest Airlines or one of the other carriers (a car is definitely not necessary in the city - plenty of easy public transit), then rent a car to leave San Francisco and drive the scenic route (highway 1 and 101) north to Sequoia/Sonoma and then south down to LA (stopping in Monterey/Carmel, Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara). I'm sure you can get a one-way car rental (usually easiest if you pick up/drop off at the airport). Here's why: there are two main ways to get up/down the state (1) coastal, beautiful on the highways 1 and 101 would take 8 hours or so if you went straight through or (2) inland on the 5 freeway which takes about 6 hours. There is nothing to see on the 5, it's loaded with big rig trucks and certain parts are seriously stinky.

And, finally, I know and love Los Angeles, so feel free to ask away for recommendations for when you're in my fair city. Happy to help!

My favorite cute little hotel in LA is the Inn at Venice Beach. It includes a continental breakfast, and covered parking is about $8/day. Recently remodeled, very clean, very good value. Ask for am room facing their courtyard, for quiet. My queen room was very large. From the hotel you can walk to the beach and there are lots of shops and restaurants. I prefer the section of Venice Beach from there that is towards Marina del Rey. It is less "colorful".

On second thought, I would get a one way car rental in LA (dropping off in SF at the very end of the trip) and just fly one way from SF to LA before flying home. I'd spend a few days in LA, drive north through Malibu, Santa Barbara, Los Olivos, San Simeon/Hearst Castle area, Carmel/Monterey and then past San Francisco to Sonoma, Sequoia. I would then drop off the car and spend Carissa days in San Francisco before leaving. This doesn't accompdate Yosemite because, though it's wonderful!! It is a few hours east and south so not on a convenient path. But if that's top of your list, I suppose I'd just do the driving both directions. It's a big state!!

Haha - I meant car-less. Spell check! :)

Hi everybody, thank you so much for your very valuable suggestions. I wish we had more than 2 weeks! Too much to see!!
Here is the itinerary as it currently stands:

Day 1 - arrive in LA for 2 nights - pick up car - stay in Hollywood (just booked the hotel! one less thing to worry about!)
Day 2 - LA
Day 3 - Drive to Sequoia NP - probably stay in a motel in Three Rivers for 1 night
Day 4 - Drive to Yosemite for 3 nights - probably stay in B&B 2 miles west of Yosemite Arch Rock Entrance on CA-140
Days 5-6 - Yosemite
Day 7 - drive to Lake Tahoe for 1 night
Day 8 - drive to Napa Valley for 2 nights
Day 9 - Napa Valley
Day 10 - drive to San Francisco for 2 nights
Day 11 - SF
Day 12 - Start driving south - need to be at LAX on day 15, pm - no precise plans as yet, we might just follow our noses.

My questions/doubts are:
1) What do you think of 1 night at(near) Sequoia and 3 nights at Yosemite, as was suggested by dbdurand above? Wouldn't it be better to spend 2 nights in each?

2) Lake Tahoe: nice or tacky? I'm finding contradicting reviews. We're not interested in casinos, just beautiful sceneries and the odd walk. There seems to be a wider choice of hotels in South Tahoe, but would it be better to stay in North T or elsewhere? OR How about swapping the night in Lake Tahoe for a night by Lake Mono? Or could Lake Mono be done from our place in Yosemite anyway?
OR just forget about "the Lakes" and go straight from Yosemite to the Napa Valley, meaning we'll have an extra day to enjoy the SF-LA drive?

3) Could you please give me a rough idea of driving time between:
. Three Rivers/Yosemite Arch Rock Entrance on CA-140
. Yosemite Arch Rock Entrance on CA-140/South Tahoe
. Yosemite Arch Rock Entrance on CA-140/Lake Mono
. Yosemite Arch Rock Entrance on CA-140/Napa
. Napa/SF

4) 11 October = "Columbus Day" according to my diary - will everything be shut?

Thank you yet again!!! Look forward to hearing from you. BTW I'm quite surprised at the price of accommodation, it looks like to have something a bit nice and CLEAN, you have to fork out $200+ a night! It won't be a cheap holiday but we're very much looking forward to it.

"11 October = "Columbus Day" according to my diary - will everything be shut?"

That made me laugh! I doubt most people here even know when that day is. No, everything will not be shut.

AH!! Thanks! Glad I made you laugh!

Yep, in California even on Christmas day some grocery stores and restaurants are open.

Oops, just saw PeaceOut's hotel suggestion in Venice... Next time!

I like elnap's suggestion of Washington Str Lodging in the Napa Valley.

MelissaMorgan, thanks for your enthusiasm! We're def keeping the car from LAX to LAX but you've made lots of good points and I'll make sure to ask you for top tips on LA nearer the time!

Anyway, hopefully my post above (posted at 6.04pm today) on our near-final itinerary (mainly thanks to brilliant dbdurand) isn't too tiresome and I'll get plenty of constructive feedback! Thanks!

In response to your question, "is Lake Tahoe tacky?", it's hard to say what your definition of tacky is, but, here's my take (having been there at least several times a year for nearly 40 years)....

The lake itself is anything but tacky. It's gorgeous, and the drive around the lake, and various hikes, walks, etc. are beautiful. That said, there are portions of the lake that are dotted with a few more strip malls than other areas. South Lake is different from the North Shore is different from the West Shore. I's say the West Shore is "old Tahoe" -- not much tacky, not much commercial development at all. South Lake is the most developed, and has the largest permanent population, hence it has more stores, supermarkets, etc. It also has the big casino hotels. I'm not a huge fan of South Lake, but others are -- I'm very partial to the North Shore. On the North Shore, you'll find small towns (with their share of strip malls -- you know, the ubiquitous pizza/sub place, nail salon, etc.) but they're not one after the other the way they would be in the suburbs, and each is much much smaller than South Lake Tahoe. The only big town on the lake on the North Shore is Tahoe City -- not particular attractive, but also easy to avoid! There are also one or two quintessential beach towns on the North Shore -- such as Kings Beach.

So, within each town, you might find tackiness, but overall, no I don't think of Lake Tahoe as tacky. It's not Myrtle Beach.

Lake Tahoe is spectacular. I would definitely stay there one night at least.

If you don't want casinos, I can suggest the Squaw Valley Lodge, at the north end. It is a condo/hotel property. We got a very good rate there in off-season a couple of Augusts ago. We had a large suite with kitchen and view of the ski hill. Very nice.

You can walk into the Squaw Valley village for shops and dining. Or it's a very short drive to lakeside. You can also take the tram from the Lodge to the top of Squaw Valley ski area. Site of the Olympics a long time ago. It is a beautiful view from the top. (Don't do the dinner package, though. It was not worth it, because the restaurant isn't special-- at least not three years ago when we were there).

I don't have the reservation agent's number with me now, but could post it tomorrow if you are interested.

Re Driving Times:
* It will probably take about 4 1/2 hrs to drive from Yosemite Valley to Napa via Hwy 140.
* Drive from Napa to SF is 45 min. to 1 hr.

* From Lake Tahoe (North Shore, Tahoe City) the drive to Napa is 3 hrs.

PS. I see you booked a hotel in Hollywood, which is tacky IMHO. People think it is glamorous, but most parts are not.

I recommend you re-consider for a hotel in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, or the Venice Beach spot I mentioned. Some will complain about Venice Beach, and I agree it is 'college age tacky'-- unless you walk the beach in the direction I suggested, toward Marina del Rey, where there are spectacular oceanfront homes.

I am staying at the Inn at Venice Beach in early November and my queen room is just $134/night, including continental breakfast. Parking is just $8/ nite. It is the best value we have found there.

And nearby the Inn is a family favorite Italian restaurant for excellent value, C&O Trattoria. Not 'fine dining' per se, but has a lovely outdoor patio and good food at great prices. Amazing complimentary garlic rolls!

I don't think 1 night in Hollywood is a bad idea, especially if it's downtown sight-seeing that you are planning to do. I like Venice a lot (heck I was born there!) but it's not the most convenient base for things in downtown LA.

1) What do you think of 1 night at(near) Sequoia and 3 nights at Yosemite, as was suggested by dbdurand above? Wouldn't it be better to spend 2 nights in each?


You can easily spend 3 nights in Yosemite if you enjoy nature.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Lake Tahoe: nice or tacky?


I don't think there's anything tacky about Lake Tahoe. Is it worth driving 9+ hours with less than a week to stay there? no. Worth a 3 hour drive? absolutely.

Does the OP want downtown LA.? I would guess they want to see more of the west side, and maybe go to Rodeo Drive, see Sunset Blvd, Malibu, Santa Monica?

Sunnyside lodge is right on the lake in best part of Lake Tahoe. Very old Tahoe and spectacular setting. Check out squaw valley for hiking and gondola ride and truckee is a great old town in tahoe. I would do 2 nights here and then drive to Healdsburg in Sonoma county. A nicer less touristy part of wine country. Drive along Tomales bay on your way to SF- beautiful. Stop in Pt. Reyes station for a great lunch.

after SF (one of the best cities in the world) drive to Carmel, take 17 mile drive and then drive down highway 1 to Cambria/Hearst castle. I would stay in Santa Barbara that night. We live in SB so if you have any questions...Also we spend part time in Northern Calif so love the whole state!

"Drive along Tomales bay on your way to SF- beautiful. Stop in Pt. Reyes station for a great lunch."

Or better yet, stop at Nick's Cove for lunch right on Tomales Bay. Why dine in a town when you can have a table with a great view of the bay and also enjoy some wonderful food? Of course, you should only drive out there if the weather is going to be clear. In October, you have a better chance of catching a decent day than during the summer.

I do question some of your itinerary. You say you have 2 weeks and are going to visit Sequoia, Yosemite, Tahoe, Napa/Sonoma, San Francisco, and then leave only three days for the drive down the Central Coast to LA. I would recommend cutting out Sequoia and Tahoe and adding those days to the drive South so you can better appreciate this highly scenic drive and are able to fully explore places like Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, and Santa Barbara. Five nights along this route would be just about right.

Sequoia is a great National Park (you can read my recent trip report) but it's out of the way and the main draw is the Giant Forest. If you are really into Giant Sequoia trees then that's fine but, otherwise, you can go to Yosemite and also see sequoias without having to make the detour and drive hours out of your way for a few minutes with the General Sherman tree. As far as seeing fantastic alpine scenery in Sequoia, it's not visible from the road. You have to hike/backpack to see the backcountry. King's Canyon is another story but you would have to add another day to visit it and you will be seeing very similar scenery in Yosemite.

If you do go to Sequoia, I would stay at the Wuksachi Lodge up by Lodgepole rather than in Three Rivers. In October, you shouldn't have any problem getting a room there. Three Rivers is a pretty dismal place.

Bear in mind that there is also serious road construction on the General's Highway between the entrance at Ash Mountain and the Giant Forest. The delay can add an hour to the trip up the mountain.

The only major thing I would do differently is that I would stay directly in the parks. Wuksachi is great in Sequoia. I would probably stay 1 night @ Wawonna and 2 nights at anything I could get in the valley for my 3 nights @ Yosemite. 3 nights in the valley would be fine as well. In the valley you have the choice of super nice hotel, nice hotel, decent cabins, or luxory camping in tents. The tents don't have private bathrooms and may or may not have heat. If you are there over a Sunday, be sure and have brunch at The Awahnee.

I would include a visit to The Channel Islands on my trip back to LA. Pt Reyes is very nice to the north of San Fran. If you have never been tidepooling, time your visit with low tide.

Sounds like you have a nice plan. You can never predict the weather. But, I bet you will experience far more good weather days than bad for that time of year.

I have noted all your suggestions around Sequoia/Yosemite and from SF to LA - thanks.
But no comments about Lake Mono, rated nbr 1 "thing not to miss in California" by the Rough Guide??

While in Los Angeles, do something fun, like go to The Huntington Library or a show at the Pantages ( I think most of October it's Phantom of the Opera.) We love going to a show and looking at the stars on the sidewalk! Find a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, go to Griffith Park etc... Do your research online and have a plan. There is nothing worse than being in LA and having nothing to do. Traffic is too crazy to not plan in advance. :) Have a wonderful trip!

Mono Lake is beautiful and really different. You will see it easily from the road when you join Highway 395 at Lee Vining after leaving Tioga Pass out of Yosemite. (This will be on your way to Lake Tahoe from Yosemite). Can't miss it! I've taken some remote hikes and drives there for a class I was taking but haven't explored it in the normal tourist way. There is a big visitor center there now and a nice place for a picnic.

We just returned from our annual family trip to the Eastern Sierra. Mono Lake and the Eastern Sierra are very interesting and completely different from what you'd see in Sequoia/Yosemite/Tahoe, but you only have two weeks and are already trying to cover a lot of geography. There's also a slight chance the highway (Tioga Pass) between Yosemite Valley and the Eastern Sierra will be closed for the season because of snow. In fact, you should be prepared clothes-wise for possible snow in Sequoia, Yosemite and the Lake Tahoe area.

I agree with the suggestion of reducing your itinerary, but only you can decide whether to devote more time to mountains or coast.

Thanks All. Lake Tahoe is no longer on our itinerary - keep it for next time. And Sonoma Valley is now replacing Napa Valley.