Yosemite and California Itinerary; need help, please
 

Hi, it has been years since I was in CA, and back then, we used to visit SF, Sonoma County, and Big Sur.

Now we have the chance to spend a week (7 nights) and could possibly fly open jaws PIT > SFO > LAX. Prices aren't bad and there is a double miles offer.

We would leave PIT on Saturday morning, September 4, and arrive late morning at SFO. I guess we would spend the day in SF, or head out toward Yosemite. We have reservations at Yosemite Lodge on Sunday, Sept. 5 and Monday, Labor Day, Sept. 6.

We would have to fly home on Sunday, Sept. 12. My question is could we leave Yosemite on the 7th, and stop a couple of places on our way to LAX, or is it too much driving and hurrying?

I would probably want to spend a night in Big Sur, and then further down coast for a couple of nights. I have never been to Santa Barbara or the towns north or south of there on the Pacific Coast. I am very interested in being on the coast for at least a few nights.

I would also consider coastal stops to the north of SF, making a circle from SF to Yosemite, then north/north west, and finally back to SFO.

I am confused and want to go forward with the plan, but need help. Thanks.

I think that's easily enough time. One possible, leave Yosemite via 120/108 that will take you over to I-5 then at Los Banos cross the coast range to Gilory and on into Monterey to start south. Santa Barbara, Cambria, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo are all worth some exploration time. Also the wine county around SLO, Santa Maria and Santa Yenz. Almost forgot, if you like "touristy" include a visit to Solvang.

boom_boom, that is an interesting route. Since I posted, I've been doing more playing around with possible ways to spend our time.

I don't drink, so wine isn't an attraction, and Solvang doesn't speak to me.

I have been looking at Yosemite to Sequoia NP, and then on to the beach, staying a few days before coming home from LAX.

tuscan: If you are heading over to Monterey, the best route would be Hwy. 140 thru Mariposa, Merced then on to Hwy 152 to Los Banos. 152/156 to Monterey.

Have you considered from Yosemite going over Tioga Pass then either south to Mammoth, Bishop, Death Valley then LA

OR

Tioga Pass then north on 395 to Lake Tahoe and then thru Gold Country before heading home from SFO.

Just some more ideas.

As others have noted, you have many options. There are so many interesting and pretty spots at that time of year. In fact, on Sept. 8-12 we'll be making our annual trip to June Lake and doing some hikes in 20 Lakes Basin (north of Tioga Road, just outside YNP's Tioga entrance).

In the totally unique category are Mono Lake (395 at Tioga Road) and Devil's Postpile (near Mammoth Lakes, off 395 south of Tioga Road).

Once you've decided on your direction after YNP, come back and let us know. Info will follow.

FYI, during the summer, hotels along the coast usually have a 2-night minimum stay requirement from Friday (sometimes Thursday) to Sunday. After Labor Day though, you'll probably be OK, but I'd make reservations as soon as you can. You might keep checking Yosemite Lodge to see if you can start your stay on Sept. 4th.

I don't know if this will help with your decision making process, but I can almost guarantee, you will experience some of the best weather Santa Barbara or south of there has to offer. Well, southern Californians think it's the best, since there is no fog and can get in the mid 80's even 90 along the coast. I wait all year long for September and October at the beach.:)

Weather's great in the Sierra too in September and October, and everywhere is less crowded after Labor Day.

Wow, this sounds so good.

I just wish I could make up my mind on what to see. The more I think about it, the less I am determined to get back to Big Sur. We have been several times and we really might enjoy seeing some new places.

We rarely see the Pacific, so that is why I'm looking for a coastal stop.

Cambria? Santa Barbara? Malibu? Santa Monica? I'm confused!

We like museums and big city galleries, too, but is LA that kind of a place? I know the Getty but don't know about much else.

The largest encyclopedic museum west of Chicago is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The Getty Center's exhibit space is about 1/10 that of LACMA, although the views on a clear day are fabulous. The Getty Villa in Malibu has beautiful but somewhat peekaboo views of the ocean. The collections on exhibit feel a bit sparse to me, but the recreated ancient villa and gardens are very interesting. Parking reservation required.

http://www.lacma.org/

http://www.getty.edu/

On the eastern side of greater L.A. are the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena and the Huntington Library and Gardens a few miles away in San Marino. Both are fairly small but excellent, and Pasadena has a seemingly endless supply of interesting and good restaurants. The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Japanese American Museum are located in downtown L.A. near the Gehry-designed Disney Hall. The schedule for tours of Disney Hall in September is not yet posted, so check back in a month or two.

http://www.nortonsimon.org/

http://www.huntington.org/

http://www.musiccenter.org/visit/tours.html

Galleries are spread out all over L.A., but you can see several contemporary art galleries at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica.

http://www.bergamotstation.com/

Here's a website that lists many of the galleries in greater L.A. Note the Downtown Art Walk on Sept. 9th.

http://art-collecting.com/galleries_ca_losangeles.htm

Kings Canyon and Sequoia are both worth seeing and the trees are magnificent. Especially Generals Grant and Sherman.

We arrived the morning of 30 April and six inches of snow had fallen during the night so we didn't get to do as much walking as planned. Some areas were closed as a result but we still enjoyed it very much.

Solvang did not impress us at all.

North of SFO we enjoyed walking the trails through the redwoods in Muir Woods, and Armstrong Redwood SP in Guerneville. Point Reyes was also a favorite of ours.

re
Cambria? Santa Barbara? Malibu? Santa Monica? I'm confused!


they are all very different from each other.

If you decide to see Sequoia also, one night would be enough to see the main grove. If you should stay in Three Rivers, bear in mind it's about 25 miles of very twisty road up to the trees. The Wuksachi Lodge in the park, if you can get a room, is better. From Yosemite Valley to there would be 4-5 hours, much of it on mountain roads. From there you could take hwy. 41 across the central valley, passing the spot where James Dean was killed, then come to the coast at Cambria where you could spend a night. Hwy 46 from Paso Robles to the coast is quite pretty. Cambria down to L.A. is about 4 hours.

Do you want to see Hearst Castle? There is also an elephant seal colony nearby that is fun to watch.

Staying in Santa Barbara after leaving either Yosemite or Sequoia is too much out of the way. Malibu is a surprisingly dull place to visit! Just not much there to see compared to other parts of the Calif. coast.

"Malibu is a surprisingly dull place to visit!" I totally agree, except for the Getty Villa and maybe lunch at the Paradise Cove Beach Cafe. Given the choice of a day at Malibu or a day in the Pasadena/San Marino area, I pick Pasadena/SM.

gigib has pretty much anticipated what I was going to recommend. But specifically, coming down from Yosemite, I would think the preferred route to Sequoia would be through Fresno and then rt. 180 into Sequoia. Check the Sequoia NPS site for directions, maps and things to see. If you can get lodging in the Park, attend one of the Ranger led campfires. I think they still have them. Fun and educational.

Come out of Sequoia via Rt 198 to Visalia and then across the central valley through Kettleman City and Paso Robles, then to the coast as gigib described. Not far north on Hwy. 1 are Cambria and San Simeon, where you can take a tour of Hearst castle. Worthwhile. I recommend tour 1 of the several tours that are offered. You can, and probably should, make reservations online at the Hearst castle web site.

Cambria is OK for an overnight stop. The hotels are mostly along Moonstone drive on the ocean front. (I swear they look like what we used to call "Motor Courts" back in the 50s, but I'm sure they've been upgraded). The better restaurants are mostly on the main street, a little inland.

From there as you head to LA, you will pass through Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. Just after Ventura, get off hwy 101 and take rt. 1 through Oxnard back to the coast though Malibu and Pacific Palisades, where the Getty Villa actually is. Next could be Santa Monica, or just about anywhere in the huge LA metropolitan area.

In case you're wondering, the problem with Malibu is that the beachfront homes back up to the hwy, for all practical purposes cutting off public access to the beaches, even though they aren't private, and of course blocking the view of the ocean.

This is all so great and an itinerary is actually taking shape. I am indebted and still seeking more.

Here is what I see so far:

We have reservations for the 5th and 6th at Yosemite.

I'm going to try to get the 7th at Sequoia.

I'm stalled here:

Do we stay a night near the ocean, or go on to the LA area? 3 stops in a week seems like more than enough, but I hate to miss staying near the ocean.

We need to come home by the 12th.

So how do I spread out leaving Sequoia on the 8th, and LAX on the 12th?

Would a stop at Cambria to visit San Simeon be too much, crammed in this trip, or is a California road trip supposed to keep one moving?

I guess we would spend the 9th, 10th and 11th in LA area.

I had been looking at Santa Monica, but then found a very attractive place in the Hollywood Hills.

May I ask for your continued feedback, please?

Also, the hotels in the parks are very expensive. Suggestions for more reasonable accomodations (under $200) would be appreciated.

I forgot to mention the Hammer Museum in the UCLA/Westwood area, but it's not on my top 10 list.

http://hammer.ucla.edu/

I read a review today about an interesting exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art running through Sept. 20th of Arshile Gorky, a Turkish Armenian, post-WWII modern abstract, and a favorite of deKooning.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/cult...tive-moca.html

Just after Ventura, get off hwy 101 and take rt. 1 through Oxnard back to the coast though Malibu and Pacific Palisades, where the Getty Villa actually is. Next could be Santa Monica, or just about anywhere in the huge LA metropolitan area.
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Great advice. It's quicker, a lot more scenic and it will be the last time they don't see heavy development along So. Cal coast.

With regard to accommodations in Sequoia, take a look at this page.

http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/sequoia.htm

The Grant Grove cabins would be suitable for my current station in life.

I'm thinking about carsickness and affordable lodging in Three Rivers...

How are you on mountain roads?

With only 1 night in Sequoia, you could be cursing the curves, but you will see lots of beautiful forest. Entering Seq. from Yos. on hwy. 180 gets you to the Grant Grove & some other areas, but then as you continue thru the park on the loop to the south, you see the beautiful Giant Forest area and the General Sherman tree. You could then exit the park on hwy. 198 and stay at Three Rivers for the night instead of the park, BUT, this would mean leaving Yos. in the morning, spending all day doing the loop road thru the park, I think you may be very queasy by dinner time.

Another idea would be to leave Yos., head straight thru the central valley towards hwy. 198, only see the Giant Forest area in the south of the park, then head back out to sleep at Three Rivers. It's also a carsicky hour or so (you can see what my experience has been) from TR up to the Giant Forest, but at least it's shorter.

gigib: I get horrible motion sickness but I also have no problem taking medications for it. I can wear a scopolamine patch; in fact, considering all this car time, and the roads you describe, I will get a prescription. That is helpful information.

I am willing to stay in Sequoia at the more expensive lodge, but would want less expensive lodging on the coast and in the LA area.

I just booked Wuksachi at Sequoia, for September 7. So I have the 5th, 6th, and 7th covered.

Good, I'm glad you are staying at the lodge. It's a beautiful spot, but the food there can be a little iffy.

You will love the sequoia trees, they are amazing.

What a great trip! I can say that I was less than impressed with Cambria over all - I did a short trip report that I will find for you that also includes Santa Monica and a stop over in Santa Barbara (for lunch).

Some information on SB, Cambria and Santa Monica.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...nta-monica.cfm

I'm with Dawn, Cambria is so so. If you can make it just 40 min further south to Shell Beach, the Cliffs Hotel should be in your price range and its right on the ocean side of thee road with beach access... the rooms have just been redone and tracelzoo has $99 deals sometimes! :) Worth a try.

When you make your decisions for the areas you are staying we will be able to help more with food recommendations too.

Hope your planning is going well!

Dawn

I posted this on the wrong thread last night. Instead of thanking you here, I put my thanks on the bottom of your trip report.

Oh well.

Thanks to all!

I have a new question today: I have been searching and it does seem like Cambria is the best location for seeing Hearst Castle and Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery.

Is this the case? Is there a better location?

onemoneygirl: Shell Beach and the Cliffs Hotel may not be the exact names of the places you are referring to, or are they? I found something similar, but I'm not sure. Also, it seems expensive for my budget; are there other nearby places that you are aware of that might be less?

Thanks.

You could stay right in the little town of San Simeon, there is a nice Best Western there that is right on the ocean, and Cambria for dinner is just a few miles down the road.

In Shell Beach there are several hotels with rather similar names that all sit up on the cliffs, they are nicely located but yes, rather pricey. The town of Pismo Beach itself will have some cheaper places, but not quite as nice. One good one is the Kon Tiki, it sits on the bluff within walking distance of town, but it may still be a bit too much $$.

How are you thinking about fitting Hearst Castle in to your days of driving over from Sequoia then heading down to LA?

Tuscan - I was not overly impressed with the 300.00 a night room. It was very beachy and that is fine but not for 300.00 a night - they all seemed about the same in Cambria - beachy so if you can find something for less I would go with that.

I stayed in Pismo Beach years ago in a hotel on the beach and it was fine - I do not recall the name and it would have been so long ago that I could not recommend it anyway - but I also do not recall it being expensive.

I can get a room at the San Simeon BW for less than $130... sounds like I should take it. What do you all think?

To me, it sounds like a lot of effort to get over to the beach at Cambria, unless you really, really have your heart set on seeing Hearst Castle. Since you are going to LA anyway, why not ask some Fodorites for good, relaxing beach areas in West LA? We have spent some time in Santa Monica and liked it, and there are some great beaches a bit north of that. Getty Villa is fabulous, and worth the visit. There is a lot to do in LA area and great inexpensive food options.

I am with Elna on this one...even Santa Barbara would be a better choice imo.

I agree. Santa Barbara.

I have heard that the Best Western in San Simeon is nice and a great choice for that area. If you really want to see the castle and spend time in that area, then it will be fine.

There is much more to see and do in Santa Barbara, however, you will NOT find an inexpensive room there.

This area can be a bit confusing... there are five towns, Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande and Oceano that are locally referred to as " the five cities." The CLiffs hotel is actually in Shell Beach but may be listed as Pismo Beach in some travel publications. travelzoo sometimes has great deals, but perhaps not for your dates.

Another alternative would be to spend the night somewhere like Santa Maria at the Holiday Inn or Radisson or even the Santa Maria Inn where you are further inland and an hour south of Cambria and an hour north of Santa Barbara.

This would enable you to spend a day in Cambria and tour the castle and have dinner at the beach, in Morro Bay, perhaps... derive to SM for night and then leave to Santa Barbara in the morning... giving you a full day there and then you could continue to Los Angeles AFTER rush hour traffic.

Depending on the rest of your trip, that may be the most economical way for you to spend time in the places you want see! Hope this helps.

Holy moley; this is confusing.

I tend to dislike opulent houses, and find the entire Hearst story a tad creepy, but in many trips to N. CA we never made it there. So I was think of trying it.

I want to get to the ocean as soon as possible upon leaving Seqouia. I could skip the more central coastal area and go for 4 nights in an LA beach town. So, 2 in Yosemite, 1 in Sequoia, 4 in LA, which leaves lots of time for beach type visits, I guess.

There was just something romantic about spending a beach night away from a major town that was calling to me. And I had two recs (one here, one from my cousin) for the BW Cavalier Hotel at San Simeon.

Any thoughts?

It is confusing. For me I would go straight to LA and spend it in the area and get to the beach there- yes, it is a much different beach than the C. Coast but I would not want to keep moving around.

Onemoney you are right -it is pricey in SB.

Look at the Sea View Inn in Manhattan Beach.

http://www.theseaviewinn.com/index.htm

Any thoughts?
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I think you need to decide if you are doing Hearst castle or not. If you are, then it's probably best to stay at BW San Simeon. If you decide you would like to see Santa Barbara as an overnight stay- check out hotels in Goleta, which is the next town north of Santa Barbara. They aren't as expensive if budget is a concern.
If it were me and I wanted to see Hearst Castle; I'd leave Sequoia in the am, check into Best Western San Simeon, do a late afternoon or night tour at Hearst Castle. The next morning I would have breakfast in Cambria, stop by Santa Barbara for a couple of hours and then head to LA. If you take Highway 1 via 101 Oxnard you will save time and it's a much more scenic route.

My thoughts mirror SOCALOC's almost exactly. However, I think Hearst Castle should be on your "must see" list, since you're going to be right there. You can decide for yourself whether it's too opulent. Hearst's wife allegedly didn't like it much because it wasn't luxurious enough! I think you will find it interesting as a well preserved slice of history. A day tour would be better than a night tour because one reason Hearst selected the site was the great view.

In your original post you said you wanted to spend at least 2 nights on the coast. You can do that with 2 nights in San Simeon, or 1 night in San Simeon and 1 in Santa Barbara/Goleta.

dbdurand: please don't hold me to anything I said in my OP. ;-)

The wealth of information here has changed my mind several times.

Some say don't miss Hearst Castle, others say it can be missed. I'm not sure how I feel about it, other than conflicted. I may leave that one up to DH.

I do think that 4 stops is too many. After Yosemite, might I trade Sequoia for the Central Coast? What do others think?

I'm really not looking for a beach vacation, but was attracted to the natural beauty of the C. Coast.

Jean: I was getting into Santa Monica, with the art walk, cool shops, etc. Would Manhattan Beach be similar?

I have to say I love Santa Monica - love the 3rd street promanade - love being able to walk/ride bikes... it is really fun imo - great places to eat, people watch, beautiful beaches... if you go and want a yummy dinner try BOA steak house. Excellent.