Alright, ass-hats from the left coast...Mrs. Rumps and I are vacationing in Northern California this year. We're making a crazy attempt at San Fran, Sanoma/Napa, Monterey/Carmel, Yosemite, and Tahoe. I'm trying to figure out how far these places really are from each other. I know google maps gives me a desitnation time when I ask for directions, but down here in Texas I can usually beat that time by 20-30 minutes. Is this the case in California?
My tentative itinerary is this:
Days 1-3) Stay in San Francisco for three nights and do Napa/Sonoma on the third day.
Day 4) Drive down to Monterey/Carmel (2 hours???) early morning, do 17 mile drive, Big Sur, and stay the night.
Day 5) Drive to Yosemite (4 hours???), see a little of the sites and stay the night in a bed and breakfast.
Day 6) Spend all day in and around Yosemite, then leave out of there around 4pm and head up towards Tahoe (4 hours???)
Day 7) Tahoe
Day Drive back to San Fran early morning and spend the rest of the day there, stay the night.
Day 9) Fly back home.
Questions:
Is there a better way to plan this trip?
Maybe start out in Reno and work our way back there?
Honestly, how long is it from San Fran to Carmel, Carmel to Yosemite, and Yosemite to Tahoe?
Is the scenery so awesome that you don't even realize you're on a long road trip from place to place?
Personally, I've been to San Fran and Monterey/Carmel with my parents when I was seventeen. I don't remember the length of the drive or any of that shit. Mrs. Rumps has never been to Cali, so this is a first for her. She's not much of a traveler, but I was thinking the scenic views would distract her from all of the driving. Any suggestions would be cool, with the exception of your predictable fat jokes.
88 wrote:Go Coogs' (Regular Season Total Points Champ)
did a similar trip with the family 2 summers ago. ours was a little more stretched out. we started in SF, went south eventually getting to LA, east thru the dessert, up the backside of the sierra nevada, into yosemite, then north to portland, then back down the coast. we had 2 weeks and it wasn't enough. 1 week is not enough, IMHO for your trip.
i think a week for just SF and yosemite would be about right, or maybe SF and monterey. if there is anyway you can stretch it to at least 2 weeks, do it.
cali really is a stunningly beautiful place, which is just a handful of neutron bombs away to kill all the a-holes inhabiting it, from being paradise.
mvscal wrote:The only precious metals in a SHTF scenario are lead and brass.
I'd recommend avoiding The Biggest Little Shithole In The World at all costs.
They should change their motto to "At least we're close to Tahoe."
Napa/Sonoma is really easy from SF. Same with Monterey.
Tahoe is about 3 hours, give or take.
I'm sure RJack and OCMike can be more helpful than myself, since I just pass through occasionally, since you couldn't pay me to live there.
But as a non-resident, I'd say that when visiting NoCal, if you stick to the coast or the mountains, you're golden. The Central Valley is pretty darn forgettable (although you do need to cross it and go through Excremento to get to Tahoe). Depending what time of year you go, Tahoe can be buried under a million feet of snow. If it's summer, the inland places are about 1000 degrees, but you're from Houston, and it's a "dry heat."
smackaholic wrote:cali really is a stunningly beautiful place, which is just a handful of neutron bombs away to kill all the a-holes inhabiting it, from being paradise.
california rocks, except for the 36,000,000 little problems with it.
And if you're not near the coast, the weather sucks balls.
Nobody should help you out because you backed out of your promise to post RumpleTits, as you promised.
:x
My jeans have been floating around my ankles for months now in anticipation and you bailed.
Remember the proclamation of "Rumplewife 2.0 ~ You Will Shred Your Wrist Muscles When You See Her"?
Go to hell.
I proclaim a "Day Of Rumple-Rage". Brothers, join me and raise your (sadly, empty) fists!
rock rock to the planet rock ... don't stop
Felix wrote:you've become very bitter since you became jewish......
Kierland drop-kicking Wolftard wrote:
Aren’t you part of the silent generation?
Why don’t you just STFU.
Dude seems fixed on spending time in Fag Francisco.
Spending 4 days total seems like you want to troll gay bars there. Napa / Sonoma deserves more than a day. Forget Carmel and that area. Yosemite is worth more than a day, since there will about a bazillion people, mostly Chinks there. Tahoe is pretty nice, a day or more there is worth it, the casinos are nice there.
What Dins says abut the Central Valley and passing through Suckramento. Fuckin shitholes. Did my student pilot training down there years ago. Booorringgg to look at.
If you were a sports man, world class trout fishing up in the Redding area. Nice history in the Grass Valley areas. But go ahead and spend 4 days in Fag Francisco. You won't have any cash left after that.
Derron
Screw_Michigan wrote: Democrats are the REAL racists.
Dinsdale wrote:I'd recommend avoiding The Biggest Little Shithole In The World at all costs.
Goshen, Indiana?
kcdave wrote: ↑Sat Sep 09, 2023 8:05 am
I was actually going to to join in the best bets activity here at good ole T1B...The guy that runs that contest is a fucking prick
Derron wrote: ↑Sat Oct 03, 2020 3:07 pm
You are truly one of the worst pieces of shit to ever post on this board. Start giving up your paycheck for reparations now and then you can shut the fuck up about your racist blasts.
You'll be much better off just picking one instead of trying to hit both areas in the same day, especially if driving to and from San Fran is on the timeline as well.
This thread just reminded me to set up my Santa Cruz/Monterey mini trip in May.
Dinsdale wrote:I'd recommend avoiding The Biggest Little Shithole In The World at all costs.
Reno is pretty decent for drinking/football gaming weekend with friends and the amount of decent looking skanks out there is a nice surprise. Granted it's not like Spring Break in Florida but it's still above expectations and most of them no longer have any morals to compromise.
I didn't have my bachelor party out there for nothing.
First, a disclaimer: SF/silicon valley traffic is fucking horrid during commute times (6-9am & 4-7PM), but not too bad after that. Don't try to drive towards Silicon Valley in the morning, or towards San Francisco in the evening.
San Francisco to Monterey: It’ll take 2-2 ½ hours total, but that mostly depends on when you leave. A shitload of people commute from SF to Silicon Valley (Palo Alto-San Jose area) in the morning. Leave after 9am and you’ll be fine. Once you’re on HWY 17 going up and over the Santa Cruz mountains, it’s about 45 minutes of 40mph curves. Not the kind that you can take at 60, but the ones where the signs should probably say 30mph. Once you’re on the downhill side of the road, watch for cops. Speed limits are 45-55 here and it’s real easy to hit 70mph on a straightaway and the road is surrounded by thick woods that the cops love to hide in. Anywho, the drive on 17 is really beautiful, but once you get to Hwy 1 (Pacific Coast Hwy), you’ll be blown away. A long drive on PCH is something everyone should experience. The only thing that sucks is that it’s a slow windy road, since the highway itself follows the twists and turns of the coastline.
Once you’re in Monterey, instead of driving 17-mile drive, rent bikes and ride it. There are lots of downhill easy stretches that make it not that difficult, even if you aren’t in shape.
Monterey to Big Sur: Probably >1 hour…if you can get there. Right now PCH is closed between Monterey and Big Sur due to a large section of the cliff-side road falling off into the Pacific Ocean. It’ll supposedly be fixed in a couple of months, but unless your trip is in August, I wouldn’t plan on going here. Instead, visit Portola Redwoods State Park, which is in the Santa Cruz Mountains on the way back from Monterey/Santa Cruz towards SF. If you can, try to get there in the early afternoon. They have several short hikes that are even suitable for kids. If you’re a bit more adventurous though, there are several moderately-challenging hikes with absolutely breathtaking views.
SF to Yosemite: 4 hours? Uh, no. Your best bet is to visit one of the local Silicon Valley sites (Tech Museum, Rosecrucian Museum, etc) and spending the night somewhere in the north San Jose area. That cuts 45 minutes to an hour off your trip (compared to leaving from SF). From there it’s easy going for the first 3 hours, but the last 60+ miles is single lane 55mph (or less) hwy with Roscoe P Coltrane-type cops trying to catch speeding tourists. Plus, if you’re going to Yosemite any time in the summer months, well, so is everyone else. Traffic on 120 sucks balls during the height of summer, plain and simple. And the closer you get to the park, the worse it gets. Plan on 6 hours from SF and 5 from San Jose. That’ll give you time for piss breaks and grub.
BTW, if you have some time on your way back from Yosemite, the gold rush cities of Jamestown and Angels Camp are probably about 15 miles off of the highway you take back to SF.
Yosemite to Tahoe: Well, that’d be a gorgeous drive through small towns rich with California’s gold rush history…but it’d take at least 8 hours, driving almost completely on back roads. The only way I can think of justifying this drive is if you’re going to head up highway 49 through gold country, stopping in Sacramento to spend the night and see Old Sac (Yeah, people really call it that) and the CA State Railroad museum. Even if you’re not into railroad history, you can have a blast there. Very, very cool place.
From there Tahoe is 2 ½ hours or so. Tahoe is infamous for its tourist traffic, so if you can get there before noon, you’ll be REALLY glad you did.
Moving Sale wrote: I could easily have an IQ of 40
OCmike wrote:
Once you’re in Monterey, instead of driving 17-mile drive, rent bikes and ride it. There are lots of downhill easy stretches that make it not that difficult, even if you aren’t in shape.
Typically however, those "downhill easy stretches" usually lead to or follow some uphill horrific stretches.....
But yeah, it is a nice "drive".
Walk the beach below Pebble and you'll find some souvenirs...
OCmike wrote:First, a disclaimer: SF/silicon valley traffic is fucking horrid during commute times (6-9am & 4-7PM), but not too bad after that. Don't try to drive towards Silicon Valley in the morning, or towards San Francisco in the evening.
San Francisco to Monterey: It’ll take 2-2 ½ hours total, but that mostly depends on when you leave. A shitload of people commute from SF to Silicon Valley (Palo Alto-San Jose area) in the morning. Leave after 9am and you’ll be fine. Once you’re on HWY 17 going up and over the Santa Cruz mountains, it’s about 45 minutes of 40mph curves. Not the kind that you can take at 60, but the ones where the signs should probably say 30mph. Once you’re on the downhill side of the road, watch for cops. Speed limits are 45-55 here and it’s real easy to hit 70mph on a straightaway and the road is surrounded by thick woods that the cops love to hide in. Anywho, the drive on 17 is really beautiful, but once you get to Hwy 1 (Pacific Coast Hwy), you’ll be blown away. A long drive on PCH is something everyone should experience. The only thing that sucks is that it’s a slow windy road, since the highway itself follows the twists and turns of the coastline.
Once you’re in Monterey, instead of driving 17-mile drive, rent bikes and ride it. There are lots of downhill easy stretches that make it not that difficult, even if you aren’t in shape.
Monterey to Big Sur: Probably >1 hour…if you can get there. Right now PCH is closed between Monterey and Big Sur due to a large section of the cliff-side road falling off into the Pacific Ocean. It’ll supposedly be fixed in a couple of months, but unless your trip is in August, I wouldn’t plan on going here. Instead, visit Portola Redwoods State Park, which is in the Santa Cruz Mountains on the way back from Monterey/Santa Cruz towards SF. If you can, try to get there in the early afternoon. They have several short hikes that are even suitable for kids. If you’re a bit more adventurous though, there are several moderately-challenging hikes with absolutely breathtaking views.
SF to Yosemite: 4 hours? Uh, no. Your best bet is to visit one of the local Silicon Valley sites (Tech Museum, Rosecrucian Museum, etc) and spending the night somewhere in the north San Jose area. That cuts 45 minutes to an hour off your trip (compared to leaving from SF). From there it’s easy going for the first 3 hours, but the last 60+ miles is single lane 55mph (or less) hwy with Roscoe P Coltrane-type cops trying to catch speeding tourists. Plus, if you’re going to Yosemite any time in the summer months, well, so is everyone else. Traffic on 120 sucks balls during the height of summer, plain and simple. And the closer you get to the park, the worse it gets. Plan on 6 hours from SF and 5 from San Jose. That’ll give you time for piss breaks and grub.
BTW, if you have some time on your way back from Yosemite, the gold rush cities of Jamestown and Angels Camp are probably about 15 miles off of the highway you take back to SF.
Yosemite to Tahoe: Well, that’d be a gorgeous drive through small towns rich with California’s gold rush history…but it’d take at least 8 hours, driving almost completely on back roads. The only way I can think of justifying this drive is if you’re going to head up highway 49 through gold country, stopping in Sacramento to spend the night and see Old Sac (Yeah, people really call it that) and the CA State Railroad museum. Even if you’re not into railroad history, you can have a blast there. Very, very cool place.
From there Tahoe is 2 ½ hours or so. Tahoe is infamous for its tourist traffic, so if you can get there before noon, you’ll be REALLY glad you did.
wouldn't leaving yosemite through tioga pass (east side) make more sense? It is a beatiful drive and mono lake looks kinda cool. it will look familiar if you are a clint eastwood fan. a free rack to whoever gets that connection.
mvscal wrote:The only precious metals in a SHTF scenario are lead and brass.
lawrence, lowell, fitchburg, brockton and countless other quaint little burgs surrounding beantown wish they were as nice as framingham.
Marty knows of which he speaks. Anywhere in mAssachussets is a fuck hole, but Framingham tries to pretend to be otherwise.
WacoFan wrote:Flying any airplane that you can hear the radio over the roaring radial engine is just ghey anyway.... Of course, Cirri are the Miata of airplanes..
Yes, that's a beautiful drive also. But what makes more sense is doing neither drive and making a separate visit to Tahoe some other time.
And even though Yosemite is gorgeous, we've all seen it in Ansel Adams posters on the back of the bathroom door while dropping a deuce at a friend's house. I,d opt for a Bed n Breakfast in Murphys and a day at Calaveras Big Trees (giant redwoods). But I like the path less travelled and I know some people (read: the wife) will want to see the famous sites.
Moving Sale wrote: I could easily have an IQ of 40
nahhhh, framingham is a boring little suburb of springfield. there just isn't enough there to make a decent sized shithole. it's claim to fame is being the home of friendly's restaurants. it is about a half hour north of me.
mvscal wrote:The only precious metals in a SHTF scenario are lead and brass.
San Fran to Monterey, then to 17 mile drive (gate fee is now $9.50), rent bikes (where are you going to rent them?), and then to Big Sur (it's a region, not a town just so you know) in one day? Not happening. My family has lived in Pebble Beach for half of my life and I guarantee you that you'll get lost as soon as you veer away from the visible coastline. I guarantee you that.
Big Sur is a region with no real "town" to visit. I ca recommend this place called the Ventana Inn and also its restuarant that is 30 minutes south of Carmel. If you're driving the rental, you won't be doing any sight seeing as that is a very windy and narrow 2 lane bitch of a drive.
My suggestion would be to drive 5 miles south of Carmel and visit Point Lobos State Park. If you drive in then you'll pay $7.50 for the 1 mile drive, or you can park on the side of Hwy 1 and walk in for free. If you or Rumplewife aren't in shape then drive in and park.
Tahoe... same thing with physical conditioning. If you or Rumplewife aren't in shape then you'll be taking naps as the altitude will make your lives miserable up there... or ever in Jamestown as was suggested by someone else.
Bottom line, there is no fucking way you'll do the Monterey area in one day let alone about 4 days as a minimum.
Leave you fat ass wife in Fag Frisco, and head up to Lake Shasta. Hotter than hell in the summer time, but one of the better vacation spots activities in NO Cal. Been there and done that a few times.
Rent one of these:
The have an party and invite these :
End of vacation planning .
Derron
Screw_Michigan wrote: Democrats are the REAL racists.
Mrs. Rumps and I can hike and/or bike with no problems. We rented bikes in Breckenridge (9500ft above sea level) and rode them all the way to Frisco and back. It was over 20 miles round trip. I figure we can do the 17 mile drive with no problems. Again, I've been there before and know it's small potatoes compared to Breckenridge-Frisco ride. From what I can recall, my parents and I did the 17 mile drive and Big Sur in one day. We may have glossed over a few areas, but I never felt rushed.
To ocmike:
How far is the drive from Monterey to Yosemite? We're not going to Yosemite from San Fran or San Jose. If you Cali experts are thinking we're squeezing in too much in not enough time, then Mrs. Rumps and I can forego Tahoe. We've been there during the winter time a few years back, so it's not a mandatory stop on the itenerary. Just thought we could squeeze in a night of gambling and a boat tour on the lake the next day. But, if y'all say it's too much, then I'll scrap it for some extra time in Yosemite.
88 wrote:Go Coogs' (Regular Season Total Points Champ)
I would ditch Tahoe for more time in Yosemite. As Smackaholic suggested, taking the time to go out the east side of the park (on Hwy 120) will be worth your time. Some very interesting scenery out that way (Ellery Lake as well as Mono), and there's a gas station at the bottom of the hill with a 4 star restaurant (or at least it did when I left in '01).
88's suggestion of seeing the giant sequoia trees is a good one, but you don't have to go where he did (a 45 minute drive out of the way from Yosemite Valley...each way). There's a couple of groves of those trees as you enter/exit the park on 120 near Crane Flat, so no need to drive out to the Mariposa Grove when there's not much else to see out there (other than the old Wawona Hotel).
I also highly agree with the idea of setting out early. It's completely different when there's not a whole bunch of idiots tromping around you. You're more likely to see the wildlife (other than the employees at night) if you get out there early.
And while Derron is right about the number of asians in the park during summer, most of the ones I saw were part of tours from Japan. I doubt that there's going to be that many coming to the park this year. And most of those people, since they're traveling via tour bus, rarely venture farther from Yosemite Lodge than Yosemite Falls (a block away), Mariposa Grove (another reason not to go there), and Glacier Point. BTW, if you should go after summer vacation is over for the kids there are quite a few tour buses filled with frogs, but not nearly as many (although again, the japanese won't be there in large numbers this year).
As for speed enforcement on 120 west....I only saw the CHP out there, and only in small numbers. Derron must have timed his visit just right. :D
“Left Seater” wrote:So charges are around the corner?
Go Coogs' wrote:How far is the drive from Monterey to Yosemite? We're not going to Yosemite from San Fran or San Jose. If you Cali experts are thinking we're squeezing in too much in not enough time, then Mrs. Rumps and I can forego Tahoe. We've been there during the winter time a few years back, so it's not a mandatory stop on the itenerary. Just thought we could squeeze in a night of gambling and a boat tour on the lake the next day. But, if y'all say it's too much, then I'll scrap it for some extra time in Yosemite.
It totally depends on when you go (of course). I wouldn't recommend that drive AT ALL any time during the week, because you'd actually be fighting traffic from several different commutes if you're driving in the evening after spending the day at Monterey. If you can do it on a Sat or Sun, it'll probably take you 5-5 1/2 hours. And don't go by google maps, as the mileage and time estimates they give are way off because both the front and back end of your trip include lots of "country" single lane highways and slow corners.
As an option to a second day in Yosemite, as I mentioned before, Jamestown is on your way back to SF. My son and I have gone gold-panning several times with Miner John at Jamestown gold Panning. You have to work for it, but I've found gold every time I've gone out. And with this past year's unusually heavy rain and snow pack, this summer is the best time in decades to pan for gold.
Moving Sale wrote: I could easily have an IQ of 40
It sounds to me like you'd have a better time going from San Fran, Sonoma/Napa to Yosemite and then Tahoe and scrap plans going to the Monterey peninsula, let alone Big Sur. I've re-read your initial post and I'm not saying you couldn't physically do it, but you won't be able to really appreciate the area by spending so little time down there. I really don't know what would make a good experience for you two.
I'm just saying from my perspective that one day down there won't do it justice. I know the area very well, and you won't get the John Steinback "feel" by doing a fly-by. Also, you might wonder why there is a high school up the hill named after Robert Louis Stevenson... or not. My recommendation to visit Pt. Lobos St. Park is a good one but do you what you want.
You can't miss Yosemite this year."Its one of a kind.* , completely thrashed and may well be completely flooded if you visit, so beware. We have have 50 ft of snow this year and things have changed a bit up in the hills. It's unreal.
The central coast is so much better than the SFran/Napa Crap, better wine, beer and people.
SLO Rocks.. :D l I dare you and Mrs. Rumps to stay at Pismo Beach say at the Oxford Suites and party downtown SLO on a friday....:) Better get an early start.
smackaholic wrote:nahhhh, framingham is a boring little suburb of springfield. there just isn't enough there to make a decent sized shithole. it's claim to fame is being the home of friendly's restaurants. it is about a half hour north of me.
You're thinking of Wilbraham. Framingham is nowhere near you.
My home is near Modesto, which is centrally located to all the destinations you wish to visit.
Much of the driving times and availability/accessability you want to know about are dependent on when you plan to visit Cal. You didn't say when you will arrive, but I'll assume you're coming to visit between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I'll try to add suggestions to dates outside those time frames too.
First, San Francisco is a wonderful place to spend a week. There is enough to do and see from that city to keep you occupied for ten times that amount of time, but three days will let you see most of the touristy places and many of the less known gems. Understand it is expensive and very hilly. I say that because my suggestion would be for you to stay at Ft. Mason if you are prior military or are in the service now. It is cheap, located on the Bay, and is a short distance to most good spots around the city. If you aren't military, go large and stay at one of the better hotels like the Drake for example. Yes, it will cost you plenty, but the stuff to do and see is close by.
The hilly part? Well, unless you are willing to spend serious money, plan to go to a specific section of the city and spend the day there. Going from one place to another is very time consuming or exceedingly calorie intensive. The roads/sidewalks go straight up and down the hills and while San Francisco is quite small, you will easily walk 7-8 miles of steep hills that are 300-600 feet in elevation. Trolleys take forever to wait in line for, particularly around Powell St and Fishermans Wharf. Taxis are costly and you'll scare yourself unless you are a native of New York City. Flying down one way streets, getting light in your seats at the top of hills, bottoming out when you hit the intersection at the base of the hills makes Six Flags seem like It's a Small World at Disneyland. Buses are cheap, but again, you wait. And wait. And wait.
Carmel is easily a 5 hour trip, especially if you are unfamiliar with the route and you go at the wrong time of the day. <Side track here: That last statement applies to most of California. Avoid traveling anywhere during the hours of commuting. You'll just be bumper-to-bumper for hours.> You could spend the night at either the Seven Gabels Inn or The Green Gabel Inn (my wife's favorite). Can't go wrong there. Make a reservation though.
17 Mile Drive isn't necessarily worth a special trip unless you want to see the Lonely Cypress or Pebble Beach golf course if you're a duffer. Monterey is great though. It's quiet, full of great places to see and restaurants to dine at, and many things to do.
Napa isn't all that exciting unless you're big into wines. The sights are ok, I guess, but not spectacular. The wineries are pretty good and quite showy, but to me one winery is pretty much like another. Been there twice in 16 years and the second time was more than enough.
To get from SF to Yosemite is going to take you approximately 5-7 hours. If you can see if there is a bed available at the Ahwanee Hotel at Yosemite. Not too likely, but maybe someone cancelled for the time you'll be there. Winter is almost guaranteed to have rooms available and is the best time to visit Yose. No crowds, quiet, more relaxed, idyllic for a Christmas vacation. However, if you go in the months of June, July, and August and plan to drive in, it'll take you up to 10 hours to get there. Best if you are at the gate around 3 or am. No kidding. Otherwise you'll be bussed in from outside the park and STILL wait in line for all the cars in front of you to move. If you are there early you'll enjoy the day. Get ahead of the crowds, see the main attractions like Bridal Veil Fall, the little church, Yosemite Falls, and get a good seat at the Ahwanee for lunch. Otherwise you're screwed because every tourist from around the globe will be in line front of you. Think Yellowstone Park and all the congestion packed into a mile and a half by four mile area.
All that being said, if you get to Cal before Memorial Day or after Labor "Day the crowds are FAR fewer and visiting the park is very doable.
Side note: As an EMS helicopter pilot in that area for years, we had an exclusive contract with the Park Service that allowed us to fly in low level up the Merced River into the Yosemite Valley. Normally that is prohibited, but for EMS it's allowed. No words can describe Yosemite from the air. Just incredible.
Yosemite to Tahoe is going to be painful. No way around it. Three options: Either you go back the way you came in to the Central Valley, go east to Hwy 321 and add HOURS to the trip, or take Hwy 49 and get to Tahoe sometime in 2018. The Hwy 99 route upmthrough the Central Valley is the quickest but least scenic. East to Hwy 321 is scenic, but very lengthy since you go over the mountain pass with RVs, Harleys, and looky-loos in front of you. Worth it if you have the time. Last, you could go on Hwy 49, but it is twisty, steep, narrow, rutted, potholed, and filled with the other RVs, Harleys, and looky-loos too scared to go over the Tioga pass. If time is of the essence, the Central Valley is the way to go.
Head up to Sacramento, wave at my family as you go through the Modesto area since I'll likely be over here in Afghanistan, and turn east on eith Hwy 50 or I-80. 80 is going to be the quickest, but make sure you don't hit Sac and Auburn during rush hours (see note above). It has Donner Pass, and a quick way into Tahoe from the north and less commercialized part of the Lake. Hwy 50 has Placerville and a route to the southern parr of Tahoe with the casinos on the Nevada side. All told, it'll take you 7-9 hours to drive from Yosemite to Tahoe, traffic dependent. Staying in Sac overnight might be a good idea. Plenty of stuff to do there too to unwind after negotiating the drive all the while battling bluehairs in 50 foot mobile homes.
Finally, the drive back to SF will take you 6 hours easily, especially if you don't plan it right and get snarled in commuter traffic. Again. Sense a theme here? Let's put it this way. I live there and don't go to these places in the summer because of the crush of people. Those three months I mentioned are the best time to visit climate-wise (except SF, which experiences its' winter during the summer. Weird, I know, but it's a micro-climate thing.), but the worst for tourists. Ideally, you come to vacation the week before Memorial Day or the week after Labor Day. The climate is awesome, but the crowds have gone home to go to work or school.
That answer your question? I'd be happy to pick out specific places to go to or stay if you want to know, but your tastes may be different from the more staid and quiet locales I prefer.
You can't miss Yosemite this year."Its one of a kind.* , completely thrashed and may well be completely flooded if you visit, so beware. We have have 50 ft of snow this year and things have changed a bit up in the hills. It's unreal.
The central coast is so much better than the SFran/Napa Crap, better wine, beer and people.
SLO Rocks.. :D l I dare you and Mrs. Rumps to stay at Pismo Beach say at the Oxford Suites and party downtown SLO on a friday....:) Better get an early start.
Give me a shout out Rumps.
The Library still around? Frog and Peach?
Man those were some good college times down there and a highly recommended stop.
Seriously, it's a shithole even Fresnecks can look down upon.
Rooster wrote:
You could spend the night at either the Seven Gabels Inn or The Green Gabel Inn (my wife's favorite). Can't go wrong there. Make a reservation though.
17 Mile Drive isn't necessarily worth a special trip unless you want to see the Lonely Cypress or Pebble Beach golf course if you're a duffer. Monterey is great though. It's quiet, full of great places to see and restaurants to dine at, and many things to do.
Those Gabel Inn's are on the main drag between the Aquarium and Pacific Grove. PG has a community golf course like a Torrey Pines in San Diego. Then you have the golf courses inside the gated Forest: Spanish Bay (we are members there), Monterey Peninsula Golf Course, Spyglass, Poppy Hills, Cypress Point (the Pro-Am was played there until the members stopped it. They play from 0800 to 1100 and then the place is dead the rest of the day. They won't even allow any non-member to park on their premises. I don't think there are any minorities that are members there to this day). Finally, you have Pebble Beach which is near the Carmel gate.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is cool to see. That is easily a 3 hour visit but it's cool to see at least once in a lifetime. I've heard it's now expensive but then again I know where to park for free and get free passes to go in there when I'm bored.
If you toured the aquarium, drove the 17-mile drive from inside the Pacific Grove gate and out of the Carmel gate along the water, then to Point Lobos... I would say you've had a good time. My 2 cents...
Drive back to San Fran early morning and spend the rest of the day there, stay the night.
