| California 08:46 - Jun 1 with 4579 views | Argyle_blue |
My children have persuaded me to take them to California on holiday - not my first choice of holiday destination. We are starting in LA and driving to San Francisco to include a visit to Yosemite. Two things - any advice for Yosemite trips - 2/3 days max - and any tips for what to see on the way - as far as possible want to avoid 'big ticket' stuff and see more of natural California which I'm sure is amazing if you know where to find it. |  | | |  |
| California on 08:50 - Jun 1 with 4568 views | wkj |
Not sure how old your kids are, but if they enjoy the great out doors and are over 21 - the California vineyards are some remarkable scenery, produce, and of course wine- really is very decadent.
There is no end of things to do and see in San Francisco
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/north-america/united-states/cali this article highlights some of the best vineyard tours
The sierra foothills north east of Sacramento is sublime and stunning too. [Post edited 1 Jun 2018 8:51]
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| California on 08:51 - Jun 1 with 4552 views | factual_blue |
| California on 08:50 - Jun 1 by wkj |
Not sure how old your kids are, but if they enjoy the great out doors and are over 21 - the California vineyards are some remarkable scenery, produce, and of course wine- really is very decadent.
There is no end of things to do and see in San Francisco
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/north-america/united-states/cali this article highlights some of the best vineyard tours
The sierra foothills north east of Sacramento is sublime and stunning too. [Post edited 1 Jun 2018 8:51]
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And, whilst a 'big ticket' attraction, Alcatraz is a fantastic day out. |  |
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| California on 08:53 - Jun 1 with 4544 views | wkj |
| California on 08:51 - Jun 1 by factual_blue |
And, whilst a 'big ticket' attraction, Alcatraz is a fantastic day out. |
Very much like visiting Wembley for a match on the tube, easy to get in, a pain to get out of | |
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| California on 08:54 - Jun 1 with 4533 views | BackToRussia |
The social club is a must do, I suppose. |  |
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| California on 08:55 - Jun 1 with 4527 views | wkj |
| California on 08:54 - Jun 1 by BackToRussia |
The social club is a must do, I suppose. |
after visiting there the Grill is usually a must visit location | |
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| California on 09:06 - Jun 1 with 4493 views | floridaboy |
Do the hop on hop off bus tour in San Francisco, great way to see the sights and Get a ride over the golden gate bridge included.
Also in Yosemite go up to glacier point. Absolutely stunning!!
There is also a guided tour in Yosemite which we found really informative which included quite a few photo stops |  | | |
| California on 09:10 - Jun 1 with 4479 views | Bangor31 |
the place to see grizzly bears is closed still as of 1 week ago, which is a bummer such brilliant beasts to see. Yosemite has nearly everything from fishing to hiking, mountains, tree, plains etc.
see yosemite waterfall which is near the main village in the valley. agree with Napa and co for wine, also some good micro breweries up there inc Lagunitas.
LA is a hole and hate it there but they have a handful of good stuff to see, the observatory might be good for kids depending on age.
are you going up route 1? if so maybe boat out to the channel islands, on the trip you'll see dolphins, otters, seal, and maybe some whales.
agree in SF do Alcatraz | | | |
| California on 09:13 - Jun 1 with 4467 views | BanksterDebtSlave |
Don't leave any food in the car, it's true about the bears!(they even advise women to take a tablet to suppress bleeding during periods if camping or walking in remote parts!) Yosemite is a lot bigger than the honeypot where the tourists are encouraged to stay, it is however truely spectacular and likely to be much busier than the early spring when we were there.
Also Big Sur is worth a visit. |  |
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| California on 09:14 - Jun 1 with 4464 views | TractorFactor |
Yosemite is awesome. Hire some bikes and cycle around the valley - easy to do and great fun. Definitely go to one of the Sequoia groves - truly impressive trees!
We stayed in a lodge/motel just outside the park gates which was decent enough and had a pook etc and was quite a bit cheaper than being in the park itself, but we were on a budget!
Keep an eye out for the bears. |  | | |
| California on 09:17 - Jun 1 with 4456 views | homer_123 |
LA is a cess pit - honestly, I'd avoid if poss - get outside of this up to San Fran way way better. |  |
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| California on 09:21 - Jun 1 with 4438 views | bluefunk |
Depending on when you are going, Highway One may be closed in parts, if it’s open , drive that between LA and San Francisco, and take your time doing it. Theres plenty of opportunity to park up and walk trails to some wonderful views, and needn’t cost the earth to stay in some of the towns on the way. The alternative direct route is mind numbingly boring. |  | | |
| California on 09:23 - Jun 1 with 4434 views | Swansea_Blue |
Check whether the coast road around Big Sur is open. That’s presumably a potential route you’re considering (it’s the classic tour), but has been closed because of a landslide. At least it was last summer when we were there.
Book accommodation around Yosemite early (you mostly have to stay outside and drive in, unless on an official campsite). It’s awesome. You could just do a couple of short walks, picnic, swim in the river.
If you/your kids like aquariums, Monterey Bay is awesome. I’m a bit of a fish nut and it’s one of the iconic ones - loved it. You can hire kayaks at Monterey too and paddle round the bay surrounded by seals. |  |
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| California on 09:24 - Jun 1 with 4427 views | StokieBlue |
If you don't want to drive up to Yosemite then Sequoia national park is also very good indeed.
SB |  |
| Avatar - IC410 - Tadpoles Nebula |
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| California on 09:28 - Jun 1 with 4408 views | Argyle_blue |
| California on 09:06 - Jun 1 by floridaboy |
Do the hop on hop off bus tour in San Francisco, great way to see the sights and Get a ride over the golden gate bridge included.
Also in Yosemite go up to glacier point. Absolutely stunning!!
There is also a guided tour in Yosemite which we found really informative which included quite a few photo stops |
Thanks Florida - don't suppose you can remember which Yosemite trip you did? | | | |
| California on 09:30 - Jun 1 with 4400 views | Argyle_blue |
| California on 08:50 - Jun 1 by wkj |
Not sure how old your kids are, but if they enjoy the great out doors and are over 21 - the California vineyards are some remarkable scenery, produce, and of course wine- really is very decadent.
There is no end of things to do and see in San Francisco
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/north-america/united-states/cali this article highlights some of the best vineyard tours
The sierra foothills north east of Sacramento is sublime and stunning too. [Post edited 1 Jun 2018 8:51]
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Children are 13 and 11 so wine tours are out unless I can find a theme park to leave them for the day! sierra foothills sound good - I'll take a look - thanks | | | |
| California on 09:32 - Jun 1 with 4398 views | Argyle_blue |
| California on 09:17 - Jun 1 by homer_123 |
LA is a cess pit - honestly, I'd avoid if poss - get outside of this up to San Fran way way better. |
Never been keen on LA - I've found an air b n b in Glendale with horses etc so hopefully it will be slightly different experience. | | | |
| (No subject) (n/t) on 09:40 - Jun 1 with 4381 views | C_HealyIsAPleasure |
| California on 08:53 - Jun 1 by wkj |
Very much like visiting Wembley for a match on the tube, easy to get in, a pain to get out of |
Well it is a prison [Post edited 1 Jun 2018 9:41]
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| California on 10:55 - Jun 1 with 4269 views | Radlett_blue |
Mariposa grove of giant sequoia.
Hearst Castle.
Santa Barbara.
Monterey. |  |
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| California on 20:20 - Jun 1 with 4093 views | Argyle_blue |
Thanks a lot for all the amazing suggestions. Feeling a bit more positive about it. Appreciate it. | | | |
| California on 20:41 - Jun 1 with 4067 views | floridaboy |
| California on 09:28 - Jun 1 by Argyle_blue |
Thanks Florida - don't suppose you can remember which Yosemite trip you did? |
Th ink there is only one. Also another must is Carmel and the 17 mile drive.
Not only see some stunning homes but can visit Pebble Beach golf club which you can go into and stand on the balcony overlooking the 18th greenm
The drive up the Pacific highway from LA to San Francisco is amazing. The coastline has to be seen!
Good luck with the planing | | | |
| California on 20:47 - Jun 1 with 4058 views | nc41 |
Agree on the Sierra hills. I actually love the Sacramento/Yuba area.
Think you now have to book a trip to Alcatraz in advance; may want to check that out. It certainly was when I was last there, but may have changed.
As for free/inexpensive things to do in SF. If the kids are into Star wars and stuff like that the Lucas film headquarters is worth a visit. Golden gate park is worth an hour of your time - there is a cool concrete slide there and loads of kids stuff.
SF bay area itself will keep you occupied. There unusual stores, ships you can explore and a mirror maze that my the young son managed to almost knock himself out in. It's a nice area; you will enjoy it way more than you are expecting.
Sausalito is a nice part of SF and not so touristy. | | | |
| California on 21:34 - Jun 1 with 4014 views | Vic |
If you don’t like California head out of town and go to Gainsborough or Nacton area instead. |  |
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| California on 22:53 - Jun 1 with 3966 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| California on 20:20 - Jun 1 by Argyle_blue |
Thanks a lot for all the amazing suggestions. Feeling a bit more positive about it. Appreciate it. |
California is a bit overrated but still good. I'd advise Washington state and the pacific north west for the great outdoors |  | | |
| California on 23:45 - Jun 1 with 3927 views | Coastalblue |
We started in SF and did a big loop last year to finish there and it was the holiday of a lifetime, in fact I'm already trying to work finances to do a repeat trip and spend some additional time in some places.
Highway 1/The Big Sur is jaw dropping, truly. I had to make myself cease stopping every time we we went around a corner to nother amazing vista.
We spent an air bnb night in Baywood Los Osos which was just lovely. Nothing much there aside from a community and a number of "natural sights". Not usual for me but I'd move there tomorrow.
Montaña de Oro State Park is wonderful, but so are many.
Carmel is an experience,a bit surreal and I wouldn't be fussed about going back but really pleased I visited.
Yosemite: avoid a weekend visit if you can, t's incredible but the valley is literally like a car park at the weekend with traffic jams all over.
San Francisco is an great city with lots to see but the Alcatraz trip really is worthwhile, but do book in advance. Lots of great districts to visit including Fisherman's wharf where you get the Alcatraz ferry from.
Someone mentioned Sausolito above, we spent a night there and it's a lovely town and the ferry ride into SF is modest and a lovely way to travel. There are night busses back most of the night.
Do a little research and you could have the trip of a lifetime, I did. |  |
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| California on 23:56 - Jun 1 with 3916 views | bluejake78 |
It is a shi ..***ehole Oragan please. |  | | |
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