2 weeks in/around San Francisco - itinerary help
Discussion
Two years ago one of my best friends and his OH moved out to Fremont area for work.
This year we've rejigged our holidays and have two weeks as the last week of sept/first week of Oct and plan to go visit them.
First time to the US and want to do some sightseeing without doing a butt load of travelling.
3/4 days with my pal in and around the fremont area
5/6 days doing a bit of travelling
3 days back in San francisco before flying back to blighty.
The 5/6 days travelling was thinking of doing Lake Tahoe, Yosemite NP and the June Lake loop and maybe a Death Valley.
Not really knowing anything about travel in the states, does seem like too much? I'd like a reasonably relaxed break but also want to look around a bit.
Is it best to hire a car and do motels/Air BnB or hire an RV?
Any other stuff that must be done or alternative ideas?
This year we've rejigged our holidays and have two weeks as the last week of sept/first week of Oct and plan to go visit them.
First time to the US and want to do some sightseeing without doing a butt load of travelling.
3/4 days with my pal in and around the fremont area
5/6 days doing a bit of travelling
3 days back in San francisco before flying back to blighty.
The 5/6 days travelling was thinking of doing Lake Tahoe, Yosemite NP and the June Lake loop and maybe a Death Valley.
Not really knowing anything about travel in the states, does seem like too much? I'd like a reasonably relaxed break but also want to look around a bit.
Is it best to hire a car and do motels/Air BnB or hire an RV?
Any other stuff that must be done or alternative ideas?
US national parks are amazing, get as many in as you can, and stay inside them if you can as well.
Eating out in SF was great when I was there. I found people friendly and chatty at bars and pretty much anywhere.
Traveling, a car and motels or airbnb, but don't go cheap for either, from what I remember you can get a lot for your money for accommodation.
Eating out in SF was great when I was there. I found people friendly and chatty at bars and pretty much anywhere.
Traveling, a car and motels or airbnb, but don't go cheap for either, from what I remember you can get a lot for your money for accommodation.
Ambleton said:
Two years ago one of my best friends and his OH moved out to Fremont area for work.
This year we've rejigged our holidays and have two weeks as the last week of sept/first week of Oct and plan to go visit them.
First time to the US and want to do some sightseeing without doing a butt load of travelling.
3/4 days with my pal in and around the fremont area
5/6 days doing a bit of travelling
3 days back in San francisco before flying back to blighty.
The 5/6 days travelling was thinking of doing Lake Tahoe, Yosemite NP and the June Lake loop and maybe a Death Valley.
Not really knowing anything about travel in the states, does seem like too much? I'd like a reasonably relaxed break but also want to look around a bit.
Is it best to hire a car and do motels/Air BnB or hire an RV?
Any other stuff that must be done or alternative ideas?
I would pass on Death Valley this time of year- it is a wonderful place but best seen in winter. Right now it will be unbearably hot.This year we've rejigged our holidays and have two weeks as the last week of sept/first week of Oct and plan to go visit them.
First time to the US and want to do some sightseeing without doing a butt load of travelling.
3/4 days with my pal in and around the fremont area
5/6 days doing a bit of travelling
3 days back in San francisco before flying back to blighty.
The 5/6 days travelling was thinking of doing Lake Tahoe, Yosemite NP and the June Lake loop and maybe a Death Valley.
Not really knowing anything about travel in the states, does seem like too much? I'd like a reasonably relaxed break but also want to look around a bit.
Is it best to hire a car and do motels/Air BnB or hire an RV?
Any other stuff that must be done or alternative ideas?
If you are in SF a trip up to Napa wine country is pleasant and close by.and down to Big Sur /Carmel has spectacular Scenery.
Went there years back and stayed with family friends so lived "like a local".
Plenty to do just wondering around San Francisco but we also took a weekend break to Vegas and part of that was a day trip to the Grand Canyon.
You can get down to Monterey Bay and back in a day and do a few whistle stops in places like San Jose and Santa Cruz but from memory that was a bit tight for a day to do them properly.
Plenty to do just wondering around San Francisco but we also took a weekend break to Vegas and part of that was a day trip to the Grand Canyon.
You can get down to Monterey Bay and back in a day and do a few whistle stops in places like San Jose and Santa Cruz but from memory that was a bit tight for a day to do them properly.
I’m a big fan of Yosemite. Accommodation is expensive, we normally stay outside of the park near Groveland and drive in but when we booked a house planning to travel with friends (ruined by covid) it didn’t work out much more per person. How much are you into hiking? If you’re really into it try and get permits for half dome. Yosemite does require permits during peak hours until the end of September unless you have accommodation in the park or a half dome/wilderness permit so make sure you sort those out to avoid disappointment.
I wouldn’t try to do too much, the distances you’ll need to cover are quite large and California traffic can be absolute s
t sometimes so my advice would be research and pick a couple of spots and make the most of just those.
Yosemite and then over the Tioga pass to June Lake wouldn’t be a bad shout. We only spent a day in Mammoth Lakes walking but it looked quite nice, not far away.
I wouldn’t try to do too much, the distances you’ll need to cover are quite large and California traffic can be absolute s
t sometimes so my advice would be research and pick a couple of spots and make the most of just those.Yosemite and then over the Tioga pass to June Lake wouldn’t be a bad shout. We only spent a day in Mammoth Lakes walking but it looked quite nice, not far away.
Ambleton said:
Two years ago one of my best friends and his OH moved out to Fremont area for work.
This year we've rejigged our holidays and have two weeks as the last week of sept/first week of Oct and plan to go visit them.
First time to the US and want to do some sightseeing without doing a butt load of travelling.
3/4 days with my pal in and around the fremont area
5/6 days doing a bit of travelling
3 days back in San francisco before flying back to blighty.
The 5/6 days travelling was thinking of doing Lake Tahoe, Yosemite NP and the June Lake loop and maybe a Death Valley.
Not really knowing anything about travel in the states, does seem like too much? I'd like a reasonably relaxed break but also want to look around a bit.
Is it best to hire a car and do motels/Air BnB or hire an RV?
Any other stuff that must be done or alternative ideas?
Recently back from a trip to California and have the following thoughts:This year we've rejigged our holidays and have two weeks as the last week of sept/first week of Oct and plan to go visit them.
First time to the US and want to do some sightseeing without doing a butt load of travelling.
3/4 days with my pal in and around the fremont area
5/6 days doing a bit of travelling
3 days back in San francisco before flying back to blighty.
The 5/6 days travelling was thinking of doing Lake Tahoe, Yosemite NP and the June Lake loop and maybe a Death Valley.
Not really knowing anything about travel in the states, does seem like too much? I'd like a reasonably relaxed break but also want to look around a bit.
Is it best to hire a car and do motels/Air BnB or hire an RV?
Any other stuff that must be done or alternative ideas?
Yosemite
Is beautiful. Accommodation within the park is neither cheap nor easy to book...but worth it as it means you can enjoy the park at dawn and dusk before those travelling in for the day can. These photos were both taken ~05:30 on the 7th of June:
Death Valley
Is cool...but it's most of a day's drive each way from the rest of the itinerary. Possibly skip it. In June heatwave it was a "touch warm," (50ish).
Other ideas:
Down the coast from SF, across to Yosemite (3 nights, if you can as it's just gorgeous) and then a loop up to Tahoe or Napa?
San Francisco:
Hmm. I often take reports of a city's decline as hyperbole but my SF experience was a little from ideal. We got there on a Thursday evening with plans to stay 3 nights. On Friday we walked ~20kms around the city...and I had a knife pulled on me at 14:00 in the afternoon by a chap who was a few cards short of a deck and "chemically altered." This was in one of the better / safer areas.
We decamped sharpish the next day (I wanted to make my dinner reservations that night) and driving through the parts of the city we hadn't walked, the last few years (covid?) haven't been kind to SF.
I still love SF and want to go back...but suggest caution at this time.
I flew to San Fran on 3rd June and out on the 3rd July. Did Napa wine by lecky bike as the train has doubled price since 2018. Then to Lake Tahoe, Ely and furthest was Moab. Vegas was the same old, Death Valley was a tad hot but not as hot as lake havasu. But if just visiting Death Valley, quite agree that winter is better, in fact there mid December coming.
San Francisco, stayed the palace hotel for two nights,and got there at 10pm and no bars open. !! Had to go across the road for a g@t.
Peir 39 has gone down hill, a favourite restaurant changed hands and was so awful, left. Found a nice one though.
San Francisco, stayed the palace hotel for two nights,and got there at 10pm and no bars open. !! Had to go across the road for a g@t.
Peir 39 has gone down hill, a favourite restaurant changed hands and was so awful, left. Found a nice one though.
Should Probably update this as my itinerary is coming along nicely with 3 weeks to go.
Due to the work schedules of my friends and theyre existing plans we've decided that the first 7 days will be spent travelling around CA. Then most of the second week will be spent with them in between SF and SJ.
There's still a few things i need to do, like hammer out an exact itinerary for the second week, book car hire and sort out the first two nights accommodation. I've found accommodation is more expensive than i thought, but that's not a massive deal breaker.
Due to the work schedules of my friends and theyre existing plans we've decided that the first 7 days will be spent travelling around CA. Then most of the second week will be spent with them in between SF and SJ.
There's still a few things i need to do, like hammer out an exact itinerary for the second week, book car hire and sort out the first two nights accommodation. I've found accommodation is more expensive than i thought, but that's not a massive deal breaker.
EJH said:
driving through the parts of the city we hadn't walked, the last few years (covid?) haven't been kind to SF.
Our friends have been living out there a few years and echo this. I was planning to visit SF whilst the ladies went off on a short holiday but they advised me against it so east coast it is. djc206 said:
Are you just planning on nipping into Yosemite for a few hours?
Don't forget to arrange permits for Yosemite. Also note that the road to glacier point is closed this year so it would have to be a hike up 4 mile trail to get to the top (it’s fairly brutal).
We're staying two nights at coulterville, probably do one and a half days in Yosemite.Don't forget to arrange permits for Yosemite. Also note that the road to glacier point is closed this year so it would have to be a hike up 4 mile trail to get to the top (it’s fairly brutal).
I'd happily do a reasonable hike but the wife is more of a casual walker. More than about 2.5hrs continuous trekking and she really starts to go on about it, that's before you add in some gradients too.
Also, thanks for the heads up on pass into Yosemite. $2 for three days. Just sorted that out
Edited by Ambleton on Monday 5th September 23:04
Ambleton said:
We're staying two nights at coulterville, probably do one and a half days in Yosemite.
I'd happily do a reasonable hike but the wife is more of a casual walker. More than about 2.5hrs continuous trekking and she really starts to go on about it, that's before you add in some gradients too.
Ok. In which case you’re probably best doing the Mist Trail up to Vernal Falls. There’s a bar at Curry Village to reward yourselves with a pint upon your return. Sometimes you can get lucky and park at the Yosemite Valley Trailhead parking but it fills up quickly which means parking at Curry Village and taking a stroll to the trailhead. Personally I’d try and push on up to Nevada Falls but it sounds like your wife might not fancy that much. Another nice thing to do that’s not very strenuous is rent some bikes from Curry Village and take a potter around the valley floor. You can spend a few hours doing that at a leisurely place getting some good views of Half Dome, El Capitan etc. last time we did that we got lucky and saw a bear. Also worth a drive up the Tioga Pass at least as far as Tenaya Lake.I'd happily do a reasonable hike but the wife is more of a casual walker. More than about 2.5hrs continuous trekking and she really starts to go on about it, that's before you add in some gradients too.
Wear layers. Last time I was there in late September it was a few degrees just after sunrise and then high 20’s by the early afternoon.
I've enjoyed visiting -
Lake Tahoe and up to Heavenly Mountain on the Cablecar. Wonderfull views across the lake.
Yosemite, simply amazing.
Monterey the old drinking village with a fishing problem.
Napa and Sanoma, - (great food and wine).
Sacramento Old Town. (Jaegermeister on draft)
The Outlets in Vacaville
Muir Woods just north over the Golden Gate Bridge for the Giant Redwood Trees. The Chipmunks are very friendly.
Lots to see and do.
Hope you have a great time.
Lake Tahoe and up to Heavenly Mountain on the Cablecar. Wonderfull views across the lake.
Yosemite, simply amazing.
Monterey the old drinking village with a fishing problem.
Napa and Sanoma, - (great food and wine).
Sacramento Old Town. (Jaegermeister on draft)
The Outlets in Vacaville
Muir Woods just north over the Golden Gate Bridge for the Giant Redwood Trees. The Chipmunks are very friendly.
Lots to see and do.
Hope you have a great time.
I stopped in Three Rivers in April this year.
Whilst there I drove a loop in and out of Sequoia NP. There was still snow at the top. I seem to remember it taking a long time to do the loop...I took the 245 back through Badger, which is possibly the twistiest road I've ridden... and a Harley Fatboy was totally the wrong bike for riding it.
Three Rivers Brewing has a decent outdoor area and Mexican food truck.
I also stayed 3 nights in Curry Village which I would recommend. It is very basic, but allows you to experience the early morning and late night sights and sounds of Yosemite Valley.
Have a good trip
Whilst there I drove a loop in and out of Sequoia NP. There was still snow at the top. I seem to remember it taking a long time to do the loop...I took the 245 back through Badger, which is possibly the twistiest road I've ridden... and a Harley Fatboy was totally the wrong bike for riding it.
Three Rivers Brewing has a decent outdoor area and Mexican food truck.
I also stayed 3 nights in Curry Village which I would recommend. It is very basic, but allows you to experience the early morning and late night sights and sounds of Yosemite Valley.
Have a good trip
I know you said not much travelling initially but I would imagine you'll push 1000 miles by the end of the itinerary.
In July / early August we went SF, Monterey, Fresno, Sequoia, Ridgecrest, Las Vegas
SF - Monterey, consider stopping off at the elephant seal sanctuary place and walk out to see them
Monterey - We went Whale watching for a morning....saw blue whale and humpback along with dolphins
Monterey to Carmel you can drive around Pebble Beach (17 mile drive) which you have to pay for the privilege....we enjoyed looking at how some of the other half live. Carmel is nice if you like art galleries
Sequioa and Kings....don't underestimate how long it will take to drive through here...it's switchback roads climbing to 7000ft. We enjoyed a walk near General Sherman tree, intending to stay 1 hour but stayed 3 hours when we got away from the throng and into the woods (Circle meadow trail). With your drive that day you might need to watch the time ! Stunning scenery and we didn't even go through Kings Canyon
Had a great time but consider the US is now an expensive option, especially with the exchange rate 1.15 & tips expected at 20% on anything relating to service (bar, food etc etc ) it's worse than 1:1.
Enjoy !
In July / early August we went SF, Monterey, Fresno, Sequoia, Ridgecrest, Las Vegas
SF - Monterey, consider stopping off at the elephant seal sanctuary place and walk out to see them
Monterey - We went Whale watching for a morning....saw blue whale and humpback along with dolphins
Monterey to Carmel you can drive around Pebble Beach (17 mile drive) which you have to pay for the privilege....we enjoyed looking at how some of the other half live. Carmel is nice if you like art galleries
Sequioa and Kings....don't underestimate how long it will take to drive through here...it's switchback roads climbing to 7000ft. We enjoyed a walk near General Sherman tree, intending to stay 1 hour but stayed 3 hours when we got away from the throng and into the woods (Circle meadow trail). With your drive that day you might need to watch the time ! Stunning scenery and we didn't even go through Kings Canyon
Had a great time but consider the US is now an expensive option, especially with the exchange rate 1.15 & tips expected at 20% on anything relating to service (bar, food etc etc ) it's worse than 1:1.
Enjoy !
Edited by Steve Campbell on Wednesday 7th September 17:29
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