Jenji1921

Hi there

As a couple, we are flying into San Francisco for 4 nights, then hiring a car to spend 3 nights in Yosemite Park. We then have 5 nights left before flying home from SF.

Does anyone have any suggestions where to stay before heading back to SF? I've looked at Santa Cruz or Monterey for a possible stay and we are quite open for things to do / experience. I see there is a zip line experience near to Santa Cruz.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks!

tomfuller

What month? Have you booked anything in Yosemite? See when you can get a reservation in Yosemite and work around that.
It is possible to get from San Francisco to Yosemite Valley with a bus-train-bus combination if you are uncomfortable with driving in the US.

jamie99

When is your trip?
Hopefully you have reservations for a place to stay in Yosemite, as places book up to a year in advance.
I like Monterey, and Carmel is nice also (maybe a 5-10 minute drive from one another). Nice aquarium, kayaking in the bay, the Carmel mission is one of the prettiest of the bunch.
5 days is a long time though for Monterey. You could drive partway down Highway 1 (part of the road through Big Sur is closed right now until they replace a bridge).

Jenji1921

Sorry, we fly out on September 14th and accommodation is booked for San Francisco and Yosemite.

Michael

Monterey and the redwoods (Big Basin and Henry Cowell State Park) near Santa Cruz would be a nice change from the Sierra. Monterey would include Carmel and some of the coast south such as Point Lobos State Reserve.

michelhuebeli

Monterey and Carmel are nice, but here's another suggestion: From Yosemite drive to Jenner, see if you can stay at the River's Inn - see https://www.ilovesunsets.com/lodging.html.

A bit of magic, "away from it all", and fine eating, too.

Nearby is Fort Ross - a great photo op of a real fort from the olden days, complete with a Russian inscription on the bell in the far right corner in a shed - explains why the nearby river is the Russian River - a good piece of history.

Lots of lovely landscapes and waterfront scenarios, and a gret drive down to San Francisco.

DebbieDoesDulles

Monterey/Carmel sounds great, if you just search forum for either you'll find lots of discussion.

Do take a drive down to Point Lobos.

The Gosby House Inn is very nice.

mlgb

I like Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, Pescadero and some of the other beaches, as well as Pacific Grove/Point Lobos.


Some ideas and links from a trip a long time ago..maybe they still work

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...santa-cruz.cfm