Yosemite/SNP/SFO itinerary
 

Hi,
This is the first time I am planning a real trip so any advice is much appreciated.
This is going to be just my 10 year old daughter and myself.

This is just a general timeline - any comments?

I am flexible +/- one or 2 days more or less in overall itinerary.

Only thing booked is the lodge at Yosemite .
FYI - wont be doing any strenuous hikes/long within Yosemite .

Aug 21 - Arrive SFO
22/23 - SFO - Fisherman's wharf ,Lombard - maybe Alcatraz

Aug 24 - leave SFO early and Yosemite check-in at Yosemite view lodge ( left it too late for anything reasonable inside the park)
Aug 25,26 and checkout Aug 27 - Yosemite

Aug 27 evening - drive to Sequoia NP and stay one night

Aug 28 see that and Kings Canyon - is that enough time for just major attractions.


Aug 29 - drive back to Monterey and stay somewhere .

Aug 30/31 - Monterey/Big Sur/Point Lobos - is that reasonable ? ( want to see aquarium )

Fly back Sep 1 from SFO

All your times are fine except please clarify:

>>Aug 27 evening - drive to Sequoia NP and stay one night

Aug 28 see that and Kings Canyon - is that enough time for just major attractions.<<

You say you are staying one night but it seems you are staying Aug 27 and 28 -- right? If so fine. Otherwise that is a LOT of driving for just one day in SNP/KC. El Portal to SNP is about a 4 hours drive and you don't want to do it at night. And then SNP to Monterey takes another 4 hours.

If you can't stay 2 nights in SNP/KC I'd skip it altogether - just too much driving for such a short trip.

Now that you have a reservation at Yosemite View Lodge -- you can keep trying for a cancellation at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls. If you get lucky you can always cancel at Yosemite View. But if you end up 'stuck' in El Portal -- that will be fine. You don't even have to drive into the Valley every day. The YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) buses stop right at Yosemite View Lodge.

(Hint -- SFO is <u>specifically</u> the airport. Use SFO when talking about your flights but San Francisco - or even just SF - when talking about things to see/do)

Hi, thanks so much for replying.

yes, I meant Aug 27 and 28 in SNP.

I will keep looking for cancellations within the park.

I never even considered the YARTS - now that I looked up more info on that and the Yosemite shuttle, it appears I can do quite a bit of park activity without the hassle of driving within it , which to me is great since I will be the only adult with a not-great sense of direction!
Thanks for that.


One more general question - any recommendations on which areas to stay around Monterey/Big Sur/Point Lomas?
Are there any smaller cities nearby that maybe cheaper?

There are accommodations in all price ranges in the Monterey area. But you do get what you pay for -- so don't look in places like Salinas or even most properties in Seaside. They will be cheaper for a reason. In general Carmel will be the most expensive, followed by Pacific Grove, and then Monterey (though hotels on Cannery Row/next to the aquarium will run high)

What is your budget?

>>Point Lomas<< that is Point Lobos

Thanks..budget around $150 a night or less.

Sounds like Monterey ( few miles away from the Cannery Row area) maybe the best option...I saw a few options around that price range a few miles away from the Cannery Row area.

The least expensive accommodations in Monterey are usually the motels on Munras/Abrego/Fremont of variable quality. This is a convenient location for getting around by car and even walking if you pick one closer to downtown. Fremont St east of Hwy 1 starts to get less appealing as you head toward Seaside. You should also look at motels and inns in Pacific Grove as sometimes the rates are comparable. Are you staying 2 or 3 nights?

I would do the earlybird Alcatraz tour one morning while in SF. It really is pretty neat, it's an audio tour, where they give you a little cassette-type player with headphones, so you can pause and play it whenever you want.

Also while in SF, check out Chinatown. My dad and I enjoyed walking through here when we visited.

You don't have seeing the Golden Gate Bridge on your itinerary in SF either. Crissy Field is nice for this, and Fort Point is an interesting stop too at the base of the bridge.

Lombard St. was pretty neat to see as well as the Lyon St. Steps, which are over near the Presidio. The view from the top of the steps is great!

Don't forget to check out the sea lions at Pier 39 either.

If you need an idea of things to do/order, check out my trip report from April. My dad and I came up Hwy 1 from Cambria to Santa Cruz, then did Big Basin and SF. The days that address SF and the Big Sur coast specifically are Days 8-10.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...in-10-days.cfm

I think your 10 year old would like the Science Museum in Golden Gate park, better than some of the more adult activities others have suggested. I think the Aquarium in Monterrey is a must. I'd consider Pacific Grove as a place to stay. Its less expensive than Carmel but just as convenient. I'd skip SNP and Kings, too much driving.