We are driving to Santa Barbara, then Cambria, Monterey, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe. Each place for 2 - 3 days. Suggested highlights? We have seen the Hearst castle, the Monterey Aquarium; but would like to go again. Other suggestions for these cities? We will be driving from San Diego (where we are staying in my brother-in-law's home) - renting a car - Plus everyone tells us the weather (May 10 - 26) can be as low as 25 (at Tahoe) and has high as 80 in San Diego. What to pack?

Consider spending a day in the Sta. Barbara wine country up in the Santa Inez valley. Lots of good wineries and little towns. Pretty country, looks a bit like Kentucky with horse farms etc.
As for packing---lots of layers and a sleeveless fleece if you have one. I think the 25 at Tahoe is probably the low at night. Bay area's been consistently in the low-mid 60s lately.

Oh, how I love Santa Barbara!! It is a great town with shopping, eating, scenery, it has it all!! I spent the day there yesterday as my daughter attends UCSB. We spent the day walking up and down State Street (the main street), listening to all the sidewalk musicians. To celebrate Cinco deMayo there was a street fair going on and State Street was closed off (to cars) with food galore, music, vendors etc. State Street always seems to have something going on....last time I walked up and down there was an outdoor market going on selling flowers, fruits, nuts. We always enjoy walking down to the pier. If we get tired, we take the trolly back up. There are some fabulous restaurants up and down State Street and some nice one of a kind type shops as well as the larger stores like Saks 5th Ave.,Borders, Bananna Republic etc. My favorite is just sitting outside sipping an espresso and people watching. My husband and I have decided that if we ever hit the lotto....we're heading to Santa Barbara forever! Enjoy yourselves.

Thanks so much - we are really looking forward to our trip!

I would definitely do the wine country up there. Los Olivos is very charming on Grand. There's plenty of vineyards with tastings.

Be sure to take Highway 1 from San Diego up through Monteray. Great scenary & shopping. Don't miss Harmony, Ojai & Carmel.

Looks like Roberta is already on her way. May 10th -26th. Hope she's having fun! Hope she goes to Tahoe no later than Saturday. Sunday has rain or snow showers predicted.