Hi,
I'll be in California at the end of September, the first part of the trip which I've already booked and arranged will be SF, Mendocino, Humbolt Redwood, Lassen Volcanic National Park, South Lake Tahoe, Lee Vining and Yosemite.
After spending a night just outside Yosemite I was thinking about getting to Monterey on September 29th, visiting Monterey (17 mile) and Carmel-by-the sea on the same day and the next day visit Big Sur and book a night in Morro Bay. I'm not sure if there's something going on that day or if it's just because it's a Saturday but Monterey accommodations are almost sold out and prices are over 300 usd (while the next day you get a 100 usd rate).
At the moment I've booked a room in Aptos just to have a back up plan.
Considering that I'll have from Saturday 29th to Sunday 7th (half day), that I've never been to LA and that four days will be spent for Six flags, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Joushua Trees NP, would you suggest adding a day to visit Gold Country (so that I'll be in Monterey on Sunday)? or should I rather spend the night in Aptos, then in Morro Bay and leave the remaining time to visit LA?
Thanks!!
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Good grief ... there must be something on in Monterey - we've stayed a couple of times at the Days Inn in Abrego Street - but it's showing $US354 for your night. We paid something like $US100. Have you looked at properties in Salinas?
But outside that - I think it's a rush to travel Yosemite > Monterey > Big Sur Drive > Morro Bay in two days. I would have a night in say Salinas (after visiting the Mission San Juan Bautista) and then a second night in Monterey, before taking on the Big Sur drive, reducing by one your nights in LA.
Apart from Carmel and the 17-Mile Drive, we really enjoyed the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve near Carmel - nice walks and marine life.
I've never been to LA and that four days will be spent for Six flags, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Joshua Trees NP
You're committing to a lot of traffic-filled driving in your time. I would be looking for first-night accommodation near Six Flags, after going through Santa Barbara. Then somewhere near Universal Studios | West Hollywood, for two nights, then to Anaheim for two nights (5-6 Oct).
Not sure how you fit Joshua Tree NP into the program, unless you have all day 7 Oct available.
Big golf tournament at Pebble Beach that weekend.
Your route doesn't really work well for visiting the Gold Country. You would have to go north, then double back south to Monterey. This map takes you to Columbia State Historic Park, probably the best place to learn about the Gold Rush without driving really far north. Notice that the driving time from Yosemite to Columbia to Monterey is roughly 5.5. hours non stop; Yosemite to Monterey without Columbia is about 4 hours.
I would have a night in say Salinas (after visiting the Mission San Juan Bautista) and then a second night in Monterey, before taking on the Big Sur drive, reducing by one your nights in LA.
Unless you are a fan of John Steinbeck, Salinas is pretty uninteresting. San Juan Bautista itself is a very charming small town for an overnight. The whole main plaza is a state historic park and there is a lovely mission. It might be your nest chance for seeing one of the California missions (a whole series of Franciscan mission churches dating from the Spanish & Mexican period), unless you go to Mission Dolores in SF. That route looks like this
Unless you are a fan of John Steinbeck, Salinas is pretty uninteresting.
Just for one night ... and the prices are cheap, it's close to Monterey, and it's directly on the route from the Yosemite region.
And if there is a big golf tournament at Pebble Beach, then the 17-Mile Drive might be compromised ... would need to check.
Second on the suggested visit to Point Lobos, but really seems altogether too rushed. Stop and smell the flowers.
17 Mile is nice coastline with mansions and golf courses, but driving or walking from Cannery Row around the Pacific Grove oceanfront can be just as satisfying and more peaceful.
If your route takes you through Los Banos coming from Yosemite to Monterey, as mine usually does, and the timing is right, you might consider stopping at the Wool Growers Basque family style restaurant near the railroad tracks.
17 Mile is nice coastline with mansions and golf courses, but driving or walking from Cannery Row around the Pacific Grove oceanfront can be just as satisfying and more peaceful.
Yes - if Carmel is a zoo because of a golf tournament, leave the car at home and do some nice Monterey walks ... traffic between Carmel and Monterey is heavy even on normal days.
If you haven't bought your flights yet, you could consider changing your route to visit Monterey after LA, on your way back to SF. From Yosemite, head down US 395 to Death Valley and Las Vegas, then loop back through LA to Monterey.
We don't know that they have to return to San Francisco ... or if they do they haven't allocated any time for it in what they've told us.
That's why I indicated "if [they] haven't bought flights yet." If they aren't locked in, it allows for more dramatic changes.
Thanks! We'll land at SFO and return back home from LAX, flight already booked. Unfortunately, I'll have to work something out with the remaining days.
I've been looking for accommodation in Salinas but they were either expensive or had horrible reviews. San Juan Bautista seems a little bit far to spend the night if visiting Monterey during the day (not that Aptos is close though; if you think it's better I can look out for a place over there).
Where can I find out if the 17-mile will be closed?
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