US Itinerary for January 2020
Jun 26th, 2019, 09:04 PM
#21
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I would not stay in San Jose as a base to see San Francisco. The commute will be long (and expensive - either by train or driving yourself and paying for parking)
Now, you could stay with your cousin for a couple of days and use it as a base to see a redwood park (Big Basin or Henry Cowell) and maybe visit Santa Cruz, or do some wine tasting . . . but then move up to San Francisco to tour the city.
Now, you could stay with your cousin for a couple of days and use it as a base to see a redwood park (Big Basin or Henry Cowell) and maybe visit Santa Cruz, or do some wine tasting . . . but then move up to San Francisco to tour the city.
Jul 3rd, 2019, 09:49 PM
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Hi tomfuller, I am actually arriving in New York on 12/23 and leaving NY for Memphis on 12/30.
Thank you for the advice on getting to NOL by train. Not sure what is there in between as we just decided to go the NOL from Memphis. Thought driving would be fun and exciting. Would look into the train option.
Thank you for the advice on getting to NOL by train. Not sure what is there in between as we just decided to go the NOL from Memphis. Thought driving would be fun and exciting. Would look into the train option.
Nov 11th, 2019, 02:14 PM
#24
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Well -- the weather will be better, except it can be quite foggy at times in the summer. Accommodations will cost more in summer and most places on the coast will require 2 night stays on weekends and depending on exactly when you are traveling 2 and 3 night minimums (like around the 4th of July holiday or Labor Day weekend at the beginning of Sept). But yes, summer is more 'certain' than winter.
I am back again after confirming most of my plans. We are now driving from LA to SF staying overnight at Buellton, San Simeon and Monterey. Are there any drawbacks on this itinerary? Is there anything else I should be concern about other than the road closure at Big Sur?
Thanks.
Nov 12th, 2019, 06:41 AM
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Why Buellton? I might change to one night San Simeon (or farther south) and two nights Monterey. Cal Trans has stated that they'll be pre-emptively closing Hwy 1 in advance of larger storms this winter. Those closures are in the southern part of Big Sur in which case, you can usually still get to northern Big Sur by heading south from Monterey.
Nov 12th, 2019, 01:50 PM
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San Simeon is pretty small and does not have a lot of choices as far as hotels and restaurants. I have stayed at the Cavalier Inn (used to be a Best Western) and it was worth the extra money for a room with a sea view and fireplace, but Cambria is a very short drive and has a lot more selection.
Nov 12th, 2019, 07:49 PM
#28
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Thank you all for your reply.
Patty, the family wants to go to Neverland. I do know that it is closed and nothing to see but they still want to go to the entrance. I am planning to drive from LA, stop at Santa Barbara for lunch and stay overnight at Buellton. The following day, I will drive to Neverland and then make my way to either Morro Bay or Cambria. I am not sure whether I can drive all the way from LA, stop at Santa Barbara, drop by Neverland for a quick picture and reach Morro Bay in one day. Bear in mind, I am from Australia and have never driven in the US. Therefore, I will take time.
Jamie99 and Janisj, I agree. I have picked Morro Bay for the night and Monterey for another night.
Guess, I have to keep an eye on the weather forecast when I am there.
Regard
Patrick C
Patty, the family wants to go to Neverland. I do know that it is closed and nothing to see but they still want to go to the entrance. I am planning to drive from LA, stop at Santa Barbara for lunch and stay overnight at Buellton. The following day, I will drive to Neverland and then make my way to either Morro Bay or Cambria. I am not sure whether I can drive all the way from LA, stop at Santa Barbara, drop by Neverland for a quick picture and reach Morro Bay in one day. Bear in mind, I am from Australia and have never driven in the US. Therefore, I will take time.
Jamie99 and Janisj, I agree. I have picked Morro Bay for the night and Monterey for another night.
Guess, I have to keep an eye on the weather forecast when I am there.
Regard
Patrick C
Nov 16th, 2019, 08:50 AM
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Is the drive Memphis to New Orleans still in?
Well, following the river and in addition to the Blues sites there’s Vicksburg, Natchez, and the often splendid plantations between Baton Rouge and New Orleans (unfortunately now spaced between refineries and chemical plants). You could spend 2 weeks here, and it’s not a long drive. It’s worth seeing the fruits of a slave-based economy, and the current reverential treatment of Confederate leaders who defined defending white supremacy as a greater patriotic act than defending the federal government.
Just the view of the Mississippi from Navy Circle in Vicksburg is worth the trip if you have never seen a massive river before.
A few small things to keep in mind for the California Central coast drive:
1. There are private homes tucked into the cliffs pretty much the whole way, especially visible adjacent to the scenic turnouts.
2. Poison oak can be heavy in spots (especially Pt. Lobos) although the leaves will be off by then. I assume the twigs can still pass along the toxin.
3. The time to go is probably mid-September-October for fine weather and no weekday crowds.
Well, following the river and in addition to the Blues sites there’s Vicksburg, Natchez, and the often splendid plantations between Baton Rouge and New Orleans (unfortunately now spaced between refineries and chemical plants). You could spend 2 weeks here, and it’s not a long drive. It’s worth seeing the fruits of a slave-based economy, and the current reverential treatment of Confederate leaders who defined defending white supremacy as a greater patriotic act than defending the federal government.
Just the view of the Mississippi from Navy Circle in Vicksburg is worth the trip if you have never seen a massive river before.
A few small things to keep in mind for the California Central coast drive:
1. There are private homes tucked into the cliffs pretty much the whole way, especially visible adjacent to the scenic turnouts.
2. Poison oak can be heavy in spots (especially Pt. Lobos) although the leaves will be off by then. I assume the twigs can still pass along the toxin.
3. The time to go is probably mid-September-October for fine weather and no weekday crowds.
Nov 18th, 2019, 08:28 AM
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Nov 18th, 2019, 08:41 AM
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Hi tomfuller, I am actually arriving in New York on 12/23 and leaving NY for Memphis on 12/30.
Thank you for the advice on getting to NOL by train. Not sure what is there in between as we just decided to go the NOL from Memphis. Thought driving would be fun and exciting. Would look into the train option.
Thank you for the advice on getting to NOL by train. Not sure what is there in between as we just decided to go the NOL from Memphis. Thought driving would be fun and exciting. Would look into the train option.
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