San Fransisco and further

We have booked a 2 and a half week holiday to SF in April. have been pouring over forums for advice and have now booked a few nights in Chanellor hotel. Seeing the sights in this city is something I have always wanted to do and I know I have lots to see. Will visit Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito Fishermans Wharf.

Then decided to hire a car and travel south so have booked 2 nights in Monterey area.[Maybe its a little too near SF but want a fairly relaxed enough holiday]!!

I am now wondering how far should we drive? Am a little apprehensive about it all. Hope to take highay 1 and visit all twists and turns along the coast and am now wondering if a trip to Universal Studios would be worth it. Would it be difficult to get to ? Would we have to drive thru LA or is there an easier route?

Any suggestions re a different route back as flying out of SF so thought of wineries on way back?

Thanks for all advice.

San Fransisco and further

If you want a relaxed holiday you definitely do not want to drive all the way to Los Angeles.

The Monterey/Carmel area you would enjoy, and from there you can take a day trip to Big Sur and back, or if you want to explore a little more, you could stay overnight somewhere in Big Sur. I wouldn%26#39;t try to go further.

There are wineries in Carmel Valley. The experts from that area can advise you on that.

San Fransisco and further

I highly recommend Big Sur; it%26#39;s one of the most scenic places in the US, with 5000 foot mountains ascending directly out of the Pacific. It%26#39;s also very easy to see without getting out of your car, since Highway 1 mostly follows the coast. (Of course, there%26#39;s also great hiking for more athletic or adventurous types.) The northern reaches of Big Sur (around Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park) are about 3.5 hours from SF, taking Highway 280 to 85 to 17 to 1. Taking 1 all the way is somewhat longer, but either route is scenic. This goList might give you more ideas.

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i14592-Big_Sur_鈥?/a>

I%26#39;m with the previous posters (especially Puter) on this one ... a relaxing vacation doesn%26#39;t include a drive to LA! Keep in mind it%26#39;s 400 miles from SF to LA -- further than many people realize.

From what I see of many people asking for help in this forum the biggest problem people have is biting off more than they can chew -- and I recognize myself in my travels in that too!! My best advice is to plan a route that gives you time to enjoy and relax and not always be in a hurry to get to the next destination.

If you drive Hiway 1 from SF to Monterey and into Big Sur there will be lovely spots to stop, enjoy the view, perhaps have a picnic.

If you%26#39;re really big on Universal Studios, fly into Burbank for the day. Frankly, I think the scenery you%26#39;ll see in SF, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur is far more spectacular than anything else! (With the exception of some of the sights I recall when visiting Ireland; what a beautiful place!)

Enjoy your trip!

Is Big Sur not too near Monteray where I have two nights booked? Should I not try to move on a little or perhaps head inland.

I looked up wineries in Carmel area and not finding what I.m looking for. Am I mixing up vineyards for wineries. Is wineries a place for just tasting the wine and nothing else?

I was hoping to find a place that takes all day to tour and with lots of tasting. Can anyone give me ideas on where to go?

Also is Yosemite a possible place to visit on way back to S.F.? Would you need a few days to see all or just pass through?

Thanks for help.

Just found a lovely winery - Chateau Julien and it reads very well. I%26#39;m sure I can find more.

Its early days yet before we head out but am facinated by all the forums and glued to them too,trying to digest every bit of info!

Big Sur is about 30 miles south of Carmel.

Yosemite is not in between Carmel / SF. It%26#39;s about 200 miles to the east of both. Yosemite is awesome, and you should go if you have 2 days to allocate to it. Book your hotel/motel for Yosemite as soon as possible.

We just returned from our California trip. We spent three nights in San Francisco, then two nights in San Rafael to do the wine country and Muir Woods and Pt. Reyes. Then we drove to Monterey where we spent two nights and toured the area (Pt. Lobos and Carmel Mission, Monterey Aquarium). Then we drove down the Big Sur coast to Cambria where we took the evening tour of the Hearst Castle. We spent one night there and then drove back to San Francisco for our trip home the following day. (If you decide to see Hearst Castle, be sure to get your tickets in advance.) We had a great time. We were always on the go but loved what we saw.

That sounds like a comprehensive yet relaxed holiday. I forget how much there is to see in all these places!

I got great advice from Ranblin Sal who suggested we could fly from SJ to Burbank for around $80, I thought this a brill idea if someone was really set on visiting Universal studios and wanted to avoid L.A.

Anyway I am taking all advice on board and have decided to go as far as Monterey and no further south! Maybe, as also advised, a trip to Yosimite before finishing back in San Francisco.

Thanks .