San Fran to San Diego help
Jun 28th, 2003, 07:22 PM
#1
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San Fran to San Diego help
Thinking about a two week summer trip to California with our 15 year old son. Interested in hearing itinerary ideas, especially from anyone who has done the trip. We'd fly into one city, drive north or south (depending on where we start), and leave from the other.
We're a pretty active family, the zoo and possibly Disneyland would be on the list. We'd like a few days at the beach, not sure where. Hearst Castle, Muir Woods, Alcatraz also on the list. We'll probably skip wine country.
Is a trip like this doable in 2 weeks?
Thanks
We're a pretty active family, the zoo and possibly Disneyland would be on the list. We'd like a few days at the beach, not sure where. Hearst Castle, Muir Woods, Alcatraz also on the list. We'll probably skip wine country.
Is a trip like this doable in 2 weeks?
Thanks
Jun 29th, 2003, 10:00 AM
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I think your trip is definitely do able in 2 weeks since you are only going 1 way.
Definitely take the coast route between Monterey and San Luis Obispo through Big Sur - absolutely incredible scenery. There are several state parks and beaches in Big Sur.
Your son would probably like Santa Cruz - the Boardwalk is a lot of fun. There is also a surf museum in an old lighthouse at Steamer's Lane. Steamers is a great place to see some really good surfers.
If you are interested in seeing some great readwoods, I would suggest the Santa Cruz mountains rather than Muir Woods. Muir Woods is nice, but I think the forests in the SC mountains are nicer. And they offer more oppurtunities for hiking and picnicking away from crowds. Big Basin SP and Henry Cowell SP are there. The drive up hwy 9 to these parks is really nice and there are several small mountain towns along the way where you can stop in.
For the stereotypical California beach experience, I would suggest San Diego and Santa Monica.
Definitely take the coast route between Monterey and San Luis Obispo through Big Sur - absolutely incredible scenery. There are several state parks and beaches in Big Sur.
Your son would probably like Santa Cruz - the Boardwalk is a lot of fun. There is also a surf museum in an old lighthouse at Steamer's Lane. Steamers is a great place to see some really good surfers.
If you are interested in seeing some great readwoods, I would suggest the Santa Cruz mountains rather than Muir Woods. Muir Woods is nice, but I think the forests in the SC mountains are nicer. And they offer more oppurtunities for hiking and picnicking away from crowds. Big Basin SP and Henry Cowell SP are there. The drive up hwy 9 to these parks is really nice and there are several small mountain towns along the way where you can stop in.
For the stereotypical California beach experience, I would suggest San Diego and Santa Monica.
Jun 29th, 2003, 10:32 AM
#3
I suggest you do the beach days at the end of your trip, in San Diego, because once you get on that nice warm beach you won't want to leave! Also, it's a nice way to recover from days of driving and sightseeing. Of course, in San Diego, there are quite a few sights to see other than the beach.
Jun 29th, 2003, 10:50 PM
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Your trip is doable in 2 weeks.
The best beaches will be in San Diego or LA. I concur with J Correa, the coast route from Monterey to San Luis Obispo is beautiful. For even nicer redwoods than Muir Woods, go to Big Basin in the Santa Cruz Mountains abovbe San Jose. In Felton there's a nice steam train tour through the redwood forest at Roaring Camp. Along the way from SF the Tech and Rosicrucian Egyptian Museums and Winchester House in San Jose are worthwhile stops. From there Big Basin is a short drive. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is lots of fun
www.bigbasin.org
www.roaringcamp.com
www.sanjose.org
www.beachboardwalk.com
In Monterey I would check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Point Lobos, 17 Mile Drive, Fisherman's Wharf, and quant Carmel.
www.monterey.com
Be sure to make reservations fro Hearst Castle ASAP as it is a ver popular attraction, especially in the summer. The town of Cambria has lots of nice places to stay close to where Hearst Castle is located in San Simeon.
www.hearst-castle.org
Have a wonderful trip.
The best beaches will be in San Diego or LA. I concur with J Correa, the coast route from Monterey to San Luis Obispo is beautiful. For even nicer redwoods than Muir Woods, go to Big Basin in the Santa Cruz Mountains abovbe San Jose. In Felton there's a nice steam train tour through the redwood forest at Roaring Camp. Along the way from SF the Tech and Rosicrucian Egyptian Museums and Winchester House in San Jose are worthwhile stops. From there Big Basin is a short drive. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is lots of fun
www.bigbasin.org
www.roaringcamp.com
www.sanjose.org
www.beachboardwalk.com
In Monterey I would check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Point Lobos, 17 Mile Drive, Fisherman's Wharf, and quant Carmel.
www.monterey.com
Be sure to make reservations fro Hearst Castle ASAP as it is a ver popular attraction, especially in the summer. The town of Cambria has lots of nice places to stay close to where Hearst Castle is located in San Simeon.
www.hearst-castle.org
Have a wonderful trip.
Jul 6th, 2003, 06:06 PM
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We've had a change of plans. In order to use miles, we need to fly in and out of one city. Also need to cut trip to 11 days. I've got a pretty detailed itinerary started, but may have to drop some things.
Arrive in San Fran on Sat, planning Alcatraz on Sun. Now we think we might do napa on Monday. In order to do Big Basin on Tues, thinking about driving from Napa to San Jose (to be closer to Big Basin). How much time do we need at big Basin, 1/2 day or less? Then we drive to Monterey/Carmel and stay over. We'd then head to Cambria on Wed, do Hearst Castle Thurs morning and head to LA. How long is the drive from Hearst to LA?. We'd then have Fri, Sat and Sun for LA and San Diego, with the drive back to San fran on Monday for a Tuesday flight. Mapquest says it's 8 hours from san Diego to San fran. Is this true? Am I crazy to think this is doable?
Arrive in San Fran on Sat, planning Alcatraz on Sun. Now we think we might do napa on Monday. In order to do Big Basin on Tues, thinking about driving from Napa to San Jose (to be closer to Big Basin). How much time do we need at big Basin, 1/2 day or less? Then we drive to Monterey/Carmel and stay over. We'd then head to Cambria on Wed, do Hearst Castle Thurs morning and head to LA. How long is the drive from Hearst to LA?. We'd then have Fri, Sat and Sun for LA and San Diego, with the drive back to San fran on Monday for a Tuesday flight. Mapquest says it's 8 hours from san Diego to San fran. Is this true? Am I crazy to think this is doable?
Jul 7th, 2003, 08:09 AM
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three days for l.a. AND san diego - pick one or the other so you can enjoy it and not be constantly in your car. personally, i'd pick san diego but that is adding on an additional 4-6 hours of drive time.
Jul 7th, 2003, 08:19 AM
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For Big Basin a 1/2 day should be sufficient to get an overview of the park.
Hearst Castle to LA is about a 4 hr. drive. I agree with ltt than San Diego is nice. If you do anything in LA, I would recommend the Getty Center.
http://www.getty.edu/
From San Diego to San Francisco 8 hrs. seems about right for the inland route on I-5, of course you have to allow more time for stops along the way.
Hearst Castle to LA is about a 4 hr. drive. I agree with ltt than San Diego is nice. If you do anything in LA, I would recommend the Getty Center.
http://www.getty.edu/
From San Diego to San Francisco 8 hrs. seems about right for the inland route on I-5, of course you have to allow more time for stops along the way.
