sunbum1944

I think kayaking in Monterey Bay is fun- we went on a guided tour, they provide all the gear- loved it.
Drive over to the little town of Capitola - cute shops and restaurants along the water.

easytraveler

Two comments:

1) It may not be the best time to leave SF at 8am in the morning. The traffic along I-80 could be horrendous, but I don't drive that road for work every day, so maybe someone else could give you a better idea.

2) If you want to be on the water, look into Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa. If you can get the room right at the very end of the pier, then you will be right out over the water with a panoramic view of the ocean.

http://www.montereyplazahotel.com/

There's another hotel in that area sort of on the beach, the Spindrift Inn, but I haven't stayed there, so don't know how it stacks up.

Further south in Carmel/Big Sur, there are a couple of luxury hotels, such as the Ventana Inn, with views of the ocean but not really ON the water.

http://www.ventanainn.com/

sf7307

A few things:

1. You could do no better than have Yosemite as a backdrop to your proposal!!

2. Hearst Castle is great (make a reservation for a tour), and the drive between San Simeon and Monterey is fabulous. (Big Sur is in between). Stop at Nepenthe for lunch and the view.

3. If you really want to see Alcatraz, reserve in advance - it does sell out. There's only one way to get there, and that's the "official" boat:

http://www.nps.gov/alca/index.htm

dbdurand

I agree with sf7307 on Hearst Castle, but you should try to modify your plan to drive from San Simeon to Monterey "at sundown". Best done during the day to appreciate the many scenic views. It's a designated California Scenic Byway. See:

http://byways.org/explore/byways/2301

PaulRabe

IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, please post a photo of your proposal from Yosemite. I can't imagine a more beautiful spot to begin a lifetime of togetherness.

sf7307

Oh, I missed that part. Yes, tour Hearst Castle in the morning, and leave right after the tour to start your drive. You'll want to have time to enjoy the sights along the way - including Point Lobos, Pfeiffer Big Sur, Pfeiffer Beach.

janisj

WONDERFUL that you got the Ahwahnee!

re the drive over to Yosemite - If it was me I'd either leave earlier (6AM or even earlier, or wait til around 9:30 to start out. There would still be traffic - but not TRAFFIC

"I'm starting to think 3 days in Monterey is overkill "

Not at all. The entire area - Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Pt Lobos, San Simeon (a drive but worth it), fine dining, Monetery could easily fill a week. I spend a few days in Carmel almost every year and could go more often. IMO 3 days is a good first visit.

azzure

Don't forget that you will need to get reservations for Alcatraz, if you haven't already.

Congrats on scoring the Ahwahnee. As for hiking/exploring Yosemite, bear in mind that the Valley will be VERY crowded (and likely hot) in August (and the falls will have dwindled). I'd suggest getting up to the high country and doing some hiking in the Tuolumne area.

jlub

Hey Rubendf, If you only have 2 days in Yosemite, remember that it is very crowded. If you can, arrive very early to bypass the crowds at the gate. Once you are in the gates, crowds are big but everything is manageable (except when I saw someone throw a cigarette butt into the river). I agree, it would be way cool to see a picture of the proposal. Hey, OK I'm a romantic too, what can I say. Have a great trip.

tenthumbs

Since you've gotten so much help with your trip, Ruben, I think the least you can do to say "thanks" is to post a picture of the proposal.........

rubendf

I will definitely be posting pictures of the proposal! Someone suggested I contact the concierge at the Ahwahnee for assistance with the proposal, and I'll be doing just that. Hopefully, we can get him/her or someone at the park to clandestinely take pictures or video as it happens. Fingers crossed!

Thanks again for all your help!

ktspiv4

My husband proposed to me 20 years ago at Inspiration Point (first exit past the past the 2nd tunnel) My husband followed the proposal with a surprise dinner at the Ahwahnee scoring a table at the far end of the restaurant by the window. The most secluded & romantic part or the restaurant.
Your future bride will never forget this, I haven't.
Ask for their best table & don't forget they have a dress code for dinner.
Congratulations!!

lmichael

Congratulations! What a wonderful trip.
You will need to bring a variety of clothes. SF will most likely be cold, plan on 50’s/60’s and fog. Yosemite will be warm, if not hot, 90’s, but will not have the humidity you are use to. The coast can range from 50’s to 80’s depending on the weather. You will want to check out the weather before you pack.
We go to SF often, have a picnic in Golden Gate Park, walk through the park to the ocean. If you enjoy museums we like the DeYoung, and the Tea Garden is nice, in GGP. The Palace of Fine Arts and Presidio is lovely, but it has been a few years since I have been there, closer to the Golden Gate.
You will also want to check on reservations for SF. If there is a conference, it can be extremely challenging to find a reasonable rate.
If you do the touristy thing at the Wharf, get some Boudin bread. My girls will eat an entire 1 lb round on the way home (and they insist it tastes better torn not sliced). We have had some nice, casual dinners upstairs too. If you like lobster, Scoma’s is a must, many family celebration dinners we have had there. After dinner walk up to Ghirardelli’s ice cream for a treat.