A little vacation advice please...

DIYdreamcar · 09-29-2003, 12:13 PM

Ladies and Gentlemen; Children of all ages!!!

My wife and I are heading west shortly after Christmas for a birthday present trip for her. I have an inside source for significant discounts on lodging in a couple of places and was curious about your thoughts on my ideas...

1) Carmel: There is a resort/golf club there. Is there enough to do to make it worth 5 days (4 nights) there sightseeing, etc?

2) San Francisco: A couple of hotels there, should I use this as the first couple of days before heading off to a resort?

Transportation *might* be an issue. I will not be bringing our baby (the Z) and am debating whether to rent or not... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance

-Ed Hassler :cheers:

StArrow68 · 09-29-2003, 12:29 PM

From the guy with the least experience first so you can get other's who have
actually done it for the details later. The major issue that time of year is
weather. If it's between storms you are set for a treat, beautiful time of
year. In SF there is lots to do indoors depending on what you like, shows
museums, etc. Blackhawk Auto Museum is 40 miles east of SF but neat
if you've not seen a good collection of really old, mostly euro, classics. Having a car in SF is a mixed blessing, might consider not having one
in the city and getting one as you take off for Carmel. Carmel and Monterey
would seem to have plenty to do also for a short stay of 4 days, even that
time of year. Watch out for Pebble Beach golf toward end of Jan. and I'm
not sure what else fills up those towns but I'm sure there are other things.

Enjoy the trip! :cheers:

pk2401 · 09-29-2003, 03:27 PM

If you're going to Carmel I'd say take a look at The Lodge at Pebble Beach.
Do what I did, while I went golfing, my S.O. spent her time at the spa, and she just loved it. Pricy but worth it.

You can very easily spend four days there. You can also check out the aquarium, and canary row in Monterey.

You might also want to check out heading south on the PCH from Carmel to Hurst Castle (San Simeon). One of the best drives you can take (I think ~3 hours each way).

At the lodge there is also horseback riding, and a lot of nature trails.

That's all the input I have for the Monterey Penninsula. Don't now much about SF though. Hope this helps. Have a great time when you go.

joeflyer · 09-30-2003, 04:45 PM

San Francisco, then Carmel, is a good trip. A car is a good idea, even in the City. If you know the transit system, getting around is easy. If not, get a car. You'll need one to get to Carmel. You'll probably pay for parking at the hotel and everywhere else, but driving is not difficult, just a bit slow sometimes. Rain is a possibility, but when it rains here, it's not usually for days at a time. Just a day or two per storm. Lots to do in Carmel, Monterey. Sightseeing, hiking, shopping, tourist stuff. Are you an AAA member? If so, get the Northern Cal Tour Guide. If not a member, shoot me your address, and I'll send you one. Best free book on the market.

Joe

4DCYKEY · 09-30-2003, 05:08 PM

Quote:

You can very easily spend four days there. You can also check out the aquarium, and canary row in Monterey. You might also want to check out heading south on the PCH from Carmel to Hurst Castle (San Simeon). One of the best drives you can take (I think ~3 hours each way).

Great suggestions, but a little clarification on spelling. Cannery Row is a big attraction as is the Aquarium. Pacific Grove is a wonderful little town where you might investigate a bed and breakfast on the Monterey Bay. Of course, there is the 17 mile drive and its world renowned golf courses, plus Carmel and some very expensive shopping and wonderful dining. While in Carmel you might try Flaherty's restaurant which is owned by MikeGoat of the CF.

The Hearst Castle is another great idea and you might even go several miles further down to Cambria a quaint town on the coast. Paso Robles is just north of the Hearst Castle (between Hearst and Carmel) and it is now trying to become the Napa Valley of Central California so there should be some wineries to see. If not, take a day while in San Francisco to see Napa and its world class vineyards.

In any case, have a wonderful time... :cheers:

[Modified by 4DCYKEY, 3:10 PM 9/30/2003]

cruzerc5 · 09-30-2003, 05:38 PM

Everyone else have addressed the San Francisco/Monterey/Carmel experience. What you don't want to miss, even if in the cheapest car rental. is a drive along the coast. Consider driving the coast Highway 1 to, or from San Francisco. You'll wish you had the Z for the driving; but you'll want to make frequent "look at that" stops along the way to check out the coastline.
That time of year you'll be less likely to be stuck behind a RV; more than likely people behind you will be wishing you'd stop gawking and drive faster (lol). Anyway, enjoy your trip. :auto:

DIYdreamcar · 10-01-2003, 11:17 AM

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Thank you so much for all the suggestions and information. I believe that I have everything figured out now. (I know, famous last words) Hopefully the weather will cooperate while we are there and rain won't be an issue, but if it is, into each life a little rain must fall.

Thanks again
:cheers:
-Ed

the tourist · 10-01-2003, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Everyone else having addressed the San Francisco/Monterey/Carmel experience. What you don't want to miss, even if in the cheapest car rental. is a drive along the coast. DO DRIVE the coast Highway 1 to, or from San Francisco.

:iagree:

Definately take a drive from San Francisco/Monterey/Carmel to Big Sur, have lunch at the Nepenthe restaurant in Big Sur: http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/
and back to San Francisco/Monterey/Carmel.
This drive is truly one of the best in the world...bar none! :yesnod:

[Modified by the tourist, 7:54 AM 10/1/2003]