Carl Tyler's Blog :: California (west coast) Assistance

Category California Advice

One of the pleasures of visiting the parents is I get to provide help and resolve their list of IT issues, I kindly return the favour when they visit with a list of house issues. Anyway, my Mum and Dad are looking for assistance and it's outside my skill area, so as with most things I don't know, I'm looking to those that do. My Mum and Dad are doing their first trip to the West coast of the USA in a few weeks and are looking for some advice for some of their trip, if anybody can provide advice I'd really appreciate it. Here's my Dad's request...

Hi this is Carl's Dad (yes he was an accident). My wife and I are planning a trip to San Francisco / California. We've planned a number of activities for the trip so far:-

San Francisco stay two nights, then drive to Lake Tahoe
Stay 4 nights in Tahoe then drive to Yosemite
Stay 4 nights in Yosemite and then I need your help. It is our intention to drive to Las Vegas and stay for three nights there. We were wondering if there is anyplace we should stop for a day or so on the route from Yosemite to Las Vegas - we intend to take the route through Death Valley. Following our Vegas stop we have no real plans for the route back to San Francisco. We will have around 5 days for the drive back and currently are thinking of going West on interstate 15 towards Bakersfield, then interstate 5 to Santa Maria, San Luis, Salinas (17 mile drive Pebble Beach) then San Francisco.
Any better suggestions for the last 5 days would be greatly appreciated

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Comments

1 - From Yosemite to Las Vegas, a great place to stay is Sequoia National Park (Wuksachi Lodge).

The sequoias are larger than those in Yosemite but not as great of a majestic scenery.

Also, if you are going from Yosemite to Las Vegas, take the drive through Tioga Pass -- it's the best part of Yosemite IMHO.

Posted by Lissette Arenas At 03:38:56 PM On 09/24/2008 | - Website - |

2 - Hi Carl's dad,

Your plan for the last 5 days is perfect. It's my favorite part of California. If you haven't driven Hwy1 through Big Sur, don't miss it. If anyone tells you it's too winding and takes to long, DO.NOT LISTEN - they were in a mad rush and have little appreciation for beauty. I've driven it more times than I can count..it was always a favorite part of the many trips my wife and I made to the Monterey Bay area from Los Angeles. You simply *must* drive it if you have the opportunity. You have plenty of time. It's only two hours longer than taking Hwy101 (plus stops for the jaw-dropping photo opps). Stay two nights in Monterey and don't miss Santa Cruz (the California your mother warned you about Emoticon

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I can't recommend anything between Yosemite and Death Valley. I haven't made that trip. Yosemite is awesome - be sure to see the Ahwahnee Hotel (stayed there on my honeymoon) . I live in Vegas now (don't ask) so I could provide some local pointers. I'd also be happy to provide a detailed list of things to do and see in the greater Monterey Bay area if you're interested. Have a great and "accident"-free trip Emoticon

Posted by Dan Sickles At 10:58:23 PM On 09/24/2008 | - Website - |

3 - Well we have had a week here and its been great. San Francisco was OK not our cup of tea. Lake Tahoe was beautiful and we have just arrived at Yosemite. We came down from Lake Tahoe on 379 the took 108 route West and saw some fantastic scenery. Now looking forward to Yosemite. Hope we have afew more WOWs Emoticon

Posted by Dad At 11:03:44 PM On 10/07/2008 | - Website - |

4 - Well we have had a week here and its been great. San Francisco was OK not our cup of tea. Lake Tahoe was beautiful and we have just arrived at Yosemite. We came down from Lake Tahoe on 379 then took 108 route West and saw some fantastic scenery. Now looking forward to Yosemite. Hope we have a few more WOWs Emoticon

Posted by Dad At 11:04:27 PM On 10/07/2008 | - Website - |