Yosemite add-on?
 

We have four nights booked at the Yosemite Valley Lodge in early May. We would prefer a few more nights, but so far that's all I can get, will keep trying.

But now looking for a quiet, relaxing place where we can spend a 2-3 nights near Yosemite. We won't go into Yosemite these days, just a nice place to hang, do some easy hikes, see good scenery, visit a historical site or museum, take it easy with minimum driving. We don't need golf or fine dining. Any recommendations?

We will most likely fly into SFO and rent a car from there, though I'll check nearby airports as well. (San Jose? Sacramento?)

Also, while this is still to be determined, a second half of this trip could be several days in the Monterey - Big Sur area.

Thanks.

Couldn't be easier. Spend those days along California Hwy 49 in the Gold Rush towns - from Mariposa at the Yosemite gateway all the way up to Nevada City.

Virtually every town along SR 49 and most of the neighboring roads like SR 4 is fantastically picturesque and historic. Google Columbia, Murphys, Sutter Creek, Amador City, Volcano... you name it. Murphys, for example, is a very pretty little town that also happens to be the center of a very up-and-coming wine producing area. Up the road from Murphys is Calaveras Big Trees State Park, where you can see giant sequoia trees (which you can't see in Yosemite as the Mariposa Grove is still off limits.)

Columbia is a museum town run as a state park; the other towns are full of marvelous architecture, great inns and restaurants, fun shops...

And the countryside in early May is drop-dead gorgeous, with hills covered in wild oak and wildflowers, streams full of water from melting snow, just-green trees... it's really a magical place at that time of year.

http://www.historichwy49.com/index.html
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/drives/ca49.htm

What Gardyloo said. Murphys is our favorite town to stay in on the southern section of Hwy 49.

Thank you Gardyloo and Patty! I'll start doing my homework!

Coincidentally, I'm just starting this book, which we picked up last year in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park:
https://www.amazon.com/Age-Gold-Cali.../dp/0385720882

I agree with Gardyloo and Patty. Mariposa is closest to Yosemite, so you might want to end there. On the other hand, if you drive in from 120, your first view of the Valley will be more spectacular.

If you keep trying for cancellations, you WILL get them. One backup is to schedule nights you want at Yosemite View Lodge, 1/2 hour out of valley and adequate accommodations. They charge something like $25.00 as cancellation fee, but it might be worth it for peace of mind.

Murphy's would be my choice for sure . . . and be glad for what you got. 4 nights in Yosemite Valley will likely be plenty because there is very little chance any of the back country will be open. 90% of what you'll see/do will be in the Valley.

Another vote for Murphys. We stayed at the Victoria Inn
http://victoriainn-murphys.com/

And dined at V
http://vrestaurantandbar-murphys.com/

Stu Dudley

And if not Murphys -- then perhaps Sonora

What about a visit to beautiful Lake Tahoe. I did a day trip to Yosemite from Lake Tahoe last August. Both were great!.

Thanks everyone, took and brief look at Murphys and Sonora, that looks like exactly what we'd have in mind. Plenty in the region to keep us busy.

Victoria Inn look perfect StuDudley, but V Restaurant might be too meat oriented for us vegetarians types. However their Pomegranate Margarita didn't escape me.

I was wondering where we could see sequoias, so thanks for the Calaveras Big Trees pointer.

I'll research more later, now back to finish the painting of our living room, an unexpected winter project...

We liked Grounds in Murphys and for very casual dining, Flip'd Out.

Thanks for the restaurant recommendations Patty. Casual dining is our middle name!

I was wondering about lake Tahoe, we have never been there. Is early May too early to visit, especially this year with all the snow? Seems like Tahoe - Gold Rush area - Yosemite could make a nice loop.

I'd personally stick to gold country and forget about Tahoe. I spend about a week at north shore Tahoe every year in mid May. I love it because it is so quiet, but a lot of activities aren't available too late for snow sports and too early for water/summer activities. Though room rates WILL be discounted.

The southern Hwy 49 corridor - say Sonora to Plymouth - has so much to see/do. Between vineyards/wineries, caves/caverns, mines, Columbia state historic park, Big Trees, lots of cute villages, etc . . . And early May will be gorgeous tbere.

I like the Sacramento airport (SMF) because of the easy access to I-5 and I-80. Not having to drive through as much densely populated area as with SFO is good.
You closest airport to the south end of Yosemite is Fresno (FAT).
The rental cars at the smaller airports might be cheaper as well.

If your trip is confined to Yosemite and the Hwy 49 corridor, I would use SMF in and out.

In to Fresno and out of sacramento would be good but the fares likely higher and tbere is limited service in to Fresno. So sacramento would be easiest. (Rental cars are no cheaper though )

Thanks for the SMF suggestion, Tom and janis. We are flying from Denver, looks like direct flights are more expensive than to SFO, but not too bad. Nonstops to Fresno are higher yet.

I was thinking SFO because we thought to include the central coast into this trip. But seems like there is plenty to keep us busy in the gold country, see something new, and minimize driving, all a plus for us.

We absolutely love the coast, but I'm OK with changing gears for this trip. Nothing is cast in stone except Yosemite dates.

I'll show this to my wife to get her take. Thanks again.