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Flying in to San Francisco and spending 4 days there in late September, but have 5 days to go somewhere else. Las Vegas was the plan, I went over 30 years ago but my wife has never been, but now I just dont fancy it. I have considered:
Driving south on the Calfornian coast
Vancouver
San Diego
Even Hawaii
Any suggestions to those who have had a similar quandary?
Just head south on a mini road trip, Monteray, Big Sur, Santa Barbara are all well worth a visit or you could do mini break in Yosemite, which would be a lot less busy so finding somewhere to stay would be easier. I’m jealous, California is amazing.
I thought this was a different question and would have answered "Brighton" (in a nice way).Quote:
Originally Posted by Peajay
You're arriving and departing SFO? US 1 is a good call if you like costal scenery. You could do a short diversion to Napa too. There are some nice small towns on the way down to LA to stop at. Only issue is you'd have to drive all the way back on the same road or the interstate.
Vegas you can keep. Awful place, full of losers (literally).
I’ve done this trip a few times. Personally I’d head to Tahoe in late sept- you might be there for the fall colours. You could stop at napa valley to break the journey but I wouldn’t.
I don’t like Monterey; the big sur is beautiful but you spend quite some time in the car. That time of year, I’d say Tahoe.
The next time I go to San Francisco I plan to head north to Seattle however for a recommendation I'd say head to Yosemite
I agree Monterey isn't all that, nice enough and beautiful location but pretty forgettable as a town. The whale watching was fantastic 4 years ago when last there though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Optimistic Nick
Yosemite is relatively quick to get to from SF, and if you want a much more pleasant casino experience, you can easily do Reno and then Lake Tahoe at that time of year. We drove across from Yosemite in April and the roads were just about good without chains, so September would be fine. Reno was a great little place, and so much fun. Really local feel to it, and the bars were just so welcoming. Can't wait to go back there at some point. Tahoe is stunning too.
We flew to San Francisco which is fantastic
Headed down to Santa Cruz (did the Lost Boys Boardwalk)
Then across to Yosemite which was the highlight!!
Down to Santa Monica did theme park
Then onto LA then down to San Diego and stayed at where they filmed Top Gun
God I wish I could do that again
Just drive to LA. Long drive but worth it.
As you only have 5 days in San Francisco (Very cold in September) I wouldn't drive that far. It was Mark Twain who said "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" .I went south to San Simeon (Randolph Hearst's castle) about 3.5 hrs away and ate in the local town where they serve the best Pizza I have tasted. Santa Cruz is a possibility but not to my taste - nice beach, dilapidated but characterful pier where there are loads of vagrants or go down as far as the Big Sur and Carmel (Clint Eastwood was the mayor) on the 17 mile drive near Monterrey only a couple of hours from SF. PLenty of places to visit if you drive south on the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway1).
If you can fly home from LAX then all well and good.Quote:
Originally Posted by NYCBlue
If you're flying home from San Fran I would not entertain this. LA is a 6 hour drive. Min.
September will still be very hot, possibly smoggy and may well be fires again.
You'd lose 2 days traveling. If you take Highway 1 it will be more.
I'd recommend Yosemite too. A loop with Sacramento(old town with boardwalks, great museums and decent social life), South Lake Tahoe(stunning scenery, boat trip possibly and several Vegas casinos such as Bally's, Harrah's and Hard Rock just across the state line) and Mono Lake, returning through Yosemite would be ridiculous.
There's a great Six Flags in Vallejo en route too and loads of malls/outlet shopping.
Something for everyone.
He has 4 days in SF and 5 to spend elsewhere :thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Vindec