EDIT: Just read the part about 7-9 days.How 'bout this:
Spend a few days in SF then drive to Yosemite for a couple of days. Get on I-5 or the 101 and make your way to the California coast and Redwood National Park. Spend a couple of days driving down the CA coast. Be sure to go through Ferndale and Petrolia via Mattole Road which will take you right alongside the beach. This is the Lost Coast and it is beautiful. Visit Humboldt Redwood State Park.
Go through Mendocino County along Highway 1 (the Pacific Coast Highway or PCH). I would say drive PCH from the town of Mendocino to the town of Jenner. Beautiful scenery. From there make your way to a fine inn or B&B in the Napa Valley.
Save Sequoia and Crater Lake for another trip. You'll be getting tons of incredible tree scenery by doing this route.
And +1 on what Fixed said about Yosemite. Expect lots of traffic. I think they might be shuttling visitors in and out of Yosemite valley.
Originally Posted by imjps
^ ^
This is sage advise.
almost. replace Napa with Sonoma County.
Originally Posted by Jesse D Smith
You can always tell the guy that started his day with a proper shave versus the guy who started his day slappin' it to internet porn.
Yosemite, Kings Canyon/Sequoia - Yosemite is cool, great views, the valley is crowded in the summer, even on weekdays, drive up towards toulamne(sp) meadows to escape the crowds. Kings/Sequioa is cool, and in many ways just as cool but less crowds. but if you can only go to one, go to Yosemite.
Redwood NP - nice but not necessarily worth the drive. but I also live around redwoods. my neighbor has one growing out their backyard! Big Basin, Muir Woods, Armstrong woods = closer to other stuff and just as nice. if you really want to get adventurous and see the tallest tree, drive up to Ukiah, take Orr Springs Rd. towards the coast and stop at Montgomery State Reserve. The tallest tree in the world is located somewhere in there. It's not a big place but it's one of the coolest redwood groves i've ever been to. feels like something out of the Land of the Lost.
The Sonoma and Mendocino Coast drive up Hwy 1 is probably the best stretch of the 1 in the entire state. Big Sur is cool, but doesn't really compare IMO. Also everyone knows Sonoma has better wine then Napa. And if you like beer instead, Russian River Brewery in Santa Rosa and Lagunitas in Petaluma make some of the best beer in entire world.
But my favorite NP in the state is Lassen NP. It's probably the most pristine NP in the country and one of the least visited, so you don't have to worry about crowds. It's got a volcano you can climb to the top with great views, boiling sulphar springs and mud pots, steaming vents. wildflowers, etc.
Originally Posted by Jesse D Smith
You can always tell the guy that started his day with a proper shave versus the guy who started his day slappin' it to internet porn.
Good info. I was under the impression that Kings Canyon is sort of an uncrowded version of Yosemite. Am I wrong about that? I was thinking if we went to Sequoia we could also see Kings Canyon for high country. Also thought it would be easier getting reservations there.
Everything I hear about Yosemite is that it's the most incredible but also very crowded. We would be there doing the weekdays tho. Will probably arrive on a Saturday and spend 1-2 nights in San Francisco before heading to the parks. Timing of visit is probably mid- to late-July. Side trips to wineries are likely. No bikes, too hard to travel with, but hopefully lots of hiking.
I am aware of the differences between coastal redwoods and sequoias but they're all gonna look like big trees to us. I was thinking the coastal scenery would be nice as its so different from the East Coast and the weather cooler. My wife overheats easily and then doesn't want to hike. I would love to do some back country hiking in Yosemite, Sequoia or Kings Canyon but afraid that my wife would get too hot and not want to go hiking.
it gets pretty warm in yosemite, Kings/Sequoia during the day, especially down in the valleys. may not be as bad at the higher elevations.
the redwoods and giant sequoias may be related but look nothing alike. the coast is always cooler/cold. in the summer, it tends to be foggy in the mornings. the hotter the central valley gets, the foggier it will be along the marin, sonoma, mendocino coasts.
Originally Posted by Jesse D Smith
You can always tell the guy that started his day with a proper shave versus the guy who started his day slappin' it to internet porn.
The Sonoma and Mendocino Coast drive up Hwy 1 is probably the best stretch of the 1 in the entire state. Big Sur is cool, but doesn't really compare IMO.
See Snap's pic above.
But they're both really good.
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Napa is too touristy. Sonoma has better vibe and better wine. Second, there are plenty of Redwood groves along the Russian River. You can enjoy Sequoia Sempervirons w/out having to go way up to Mendocino, although the drive is lovely. Highway 1 North from Jenner (South isn't bad either is lovely)
If you've never ben to Yosemite you NEED to go. It is a life changing experience. My guess is it is too late to get a camp reservation so show up early AM early in the week @ White Wolf campground. It is a first come, first serve place and Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday AM are great times to find a spot. It is in the high country which means lower temps. Spend 1-2 days hiking the high country and a day or 2 in the Valley.
The Valley: Do the Mist Trail up to Nevada Falls, return via Muir Trail (it's the most popular for very good reason) http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemit...mist-trail.htm
You can do the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias at the Southern end of the park, so you can skip Sequoia / Kings Canyon.
one nation, under surveillance with liberty and justice for few
Good info. I was under the impression that Kings Canyon is sort of an uncrowded version of Yosemite. Am I wrong about that? I was thinking if we went to Sequoia we could also see Kings Canyon for high country. Also thought it would be easier getting reservations there.
Everything I hear about Yosemite is that it's the most incredible but also very crowded. We would be there doing the weekdays tho. Will probably arrive on a Saturday and spend 1-2 nights in San Francisco before heading to the parks. Timing of visit is probably mid- to late-July. Side trips to wineries are likely. No bikes, too hard to travel with, but hopefully lots of hiking.
I am aware of the differences between coastal redwoods and sequoias but they're all gonna look like big trees to us. I was thinking the coastal scenery would be nice as its so different from the East Coast and the weather cooler. My wife overheats easily and then doesn't want to hike. I would love to do some back country hiking in Yosemite, Sequoia or Kings Canyon but afraid that my wife would get too hot and not want to go hiking.
but it is no Yosemite by no means. Crowds thin @ Yosemite in later July, you spend most of your time in the high country, do a day or 2 in the Valley (see my other post) You can hike the Mist Trail and do all the valley hikes (most are short) afterwards so your crowd exposure is limited. There are plenty of campgrounds that do 'first come first serve' in the high country and your ability to handle more primitive campsites increases your ability to find a space. I've never had any trouble going w/out reservations
one nation, under surveillance with liberty and justice for few
As was mentioned earlier, Muir Woods is a great place to get your "tree fix." You can be there in 45 minutes from SFO. I would try to avoid the weekends, especially in the summer. Muir Woods National Monument - Muir Woods National Monument
It is also right near Highway 1, if you want to head north up the coast. Highway 1 from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach is probably the windiest road that I have ever been on. Also, the stretch from Muir Beach to Stinson Beach is not for the squeamish, with sharp turns, little to no shoulders on the road, and steep drop offs. Add in the constant damage from mudslides and erosion, and you get quite a piece of road. However, the views can be spectacular, and its worth doing it at least once if you are in the area.
If you are going to cross the Golden Gate, think about walking the bridge. Take the very first northbound exit after crossing the bridge. This will put you on the north end on the Marin County side. From here you can walk onto the bridge. I had spent a fair amount of time in the Bay area throughout my life, but until a year ago I had never taken the time to walk on the bridge. I am glad I did.
back to Highway 1: Twenty minutes north of Stinson Beach is the Point Reyes National Seashore, which might be worth a visit. At some point you just have to decide how much beautiful wind swept beach and shoreline you wish to take in. Highway 1 is NOT a good way to make time.
As others have said, I would go to Yosemite just to take it in, even if its crowded.
I have never seen a naked person walking around San Francisco.
since we're going OT... Me either, though a few in Berkeley and it was fairly commonplace at UC Santa Cruz back in the 80's & '90s when I was a student there. I was occasionally 1 of 'em on campus & at beaches where it was kosher from Santa Cruz & north.
We had quite a few "woodsies" (people who lived off the grid in the campus woods) that wandered around nude in my long undergrad tenure living at UCSC's trailer park. On warm days, there usually someone sunning themselves in a field or quad. I don't think UCSC is still a clothing optional campus or grade optional, for that matter... bummer!
I have never seen a naked person walking around San Francisco.
They're here...unfortunately. And why is it those who choose to go in such a manner are often the last that should. I mean where's all the "hot womenz" going naked in SF.
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Originally Posted by il sogno
