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Originally Posted by rlander
We are planning a trip to California this summer. Our plan is to start in Sacramento and drive for 1 to 2 hour increments per day until we reach Disneyland. We need help from some local folks. Can anyone give some advice on the areas we pinpointed below and maybe some local insights. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Sunday
Fly from Indianapolis to Sacramento
Sacramento hotel
Monday
Drive from Sacramento to Napa (1 hr)
Spend day in Napa
Napa hotel
Tuesday
Drive from Napa to San Francisco (1hr)
Spend day in San Francisco
San Francisco Hotel
Wednesday
Drive from San Francisco to Monterey (2 hrs)
Spend day in Monterey
Monterey Hotel
Thursday
Drive from Monterey to ??? (2hrs)
Spend day in ???
??? Hotel
Friday
Drive from ??? to Santa Barbara (2hrs)
Spend day in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Hotel
Saturday
Drive from Santa Barbara to Beverly Hills (LA) (1.5 hr)
Spend day in Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills hotel
Sunday
Spend day in LA
Drive to DL Hotel
Monday
Spend day in Disneyland
DL Hotel
Tuesday
Spend day in California Adventure
DL Hotel
Wednesday
Spend day in Disneyland
DL Hotel
Thursday
Spend day in California Adventure
DL Hotel
Friday
Drive to LAX airport
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What a wonderful trip! I love it when people come and explore my state, and HWY 1 sure is a treasure
I'm in the SF bay area and I'm going to assume a few things here--it will be your family (are you a family of 4?) and you are looking to spend the night in moderate hotels, nothing fancy or super low-cost (but I may have suggestions for that as well). Keep in mind I'm not sure yet what you want to see or where in these towns you want to stay...
Sacramento: Do you wnat to see anything, or are you just spending the night here?
Napa: I take it you want to tour the region and drive around here this day. My mom recently stayed at the Napa Valley Redwood Inn (a simple motel that was very, very clean) and I have stayed a the Embassy Suites in Napa (the actual town of Napa is very built up). These both make a good starting/ending point to tour the valley.
You can drive up the Silverado Trail and back down the 29 making a loop (or up the 29 and down the ST) stopping at wineries to tour and having lunch with the family at Taylor's Refresher (taylorsrefresher.com for menu and map) in St Helena (it's a burger stand with a Napa Valley twist- think wine and Ahi burgers- and a big grassy lawn for the kids to run on) or you can buy a picnic lunch from one of the many little markets along the way find a spot and call it yours. This is a lot of driving and you can make a full day of it if you like, or just drive for 2 hours one way then turn around and drive back.
San Francisco: Only one day
If you would like to stay in the city and do city tourist things (see fisherman's wharf/Pier 39, ride a cable car, etc) I'd suggest staying at the Handlery on Union Square (I am very comfortable with my kids here). It's a nice property in a fantastic location (avoid the restaurant--too $$$ for what you get--I can give you suggestions). Smallish rooms, but very clean and 1/2 block off the square and around the corner and down a block from the cable car line (the hotel is on Geary at Powell), and a block from the Disney Store
(not big, but it's there). One of the best things about this property other than location and value is the PARKING is very easy to get in and out of (Cyril Magnum st ends at the lot--easy to navigate in and out of). Parking in the city is expensive even as a hotel guest, so ask about fees and see if there is a rate that includes parking (where ever you stay).
If you just want a place to rest your head for the night and not see the city, there are lots of places near SFO on 101 that I can suggest, let me know.
Monterey: You have to see the Aquaruim--buy your tix in advance if you can. I like the Otter Inn. It is 2 blocks from the aquarium and Cannery row is fun to ramble about with your family.
The next day, I'd suggest driving from Monterey to San Simeon (Hearst Castle is here), **Cambria, Morro Bay (I have family here) or Cayoucus. It is longer than you hope for (95 miles, but you must drive slowly on curvy Highway 1 ), but it will put you about 150 miles from Santa Barbara.
This part of the coast is one of my favorite places in California--sleepy and just beautiful. I'm not sure how old your kids are, but look into touring Hearst Castle or just taking a quiet day beachcombing here. Cambria would be my fist choice to stay. Look at cambriachamber.org Cambria Pines Lodge is the only hotel I personaly have stayed at and it was just great (we rent a cottage or stay with family). My SIL is from Cambria, so I can get the scoop on other properties if you see one you like.
Santa Barbara: Look at the West Beach Inn, or for a splurge Fess Parker's Doubletree are two places I stayed and like a lot. I like to visit the Mission Santa Barbara for some CA history and beauty, Stearn's Wharf for fun and eat at Brophy Bros (better places in town, but it's a tradition to eat here).
BH--Are you staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel (I used to work there) or do you need a suggestion for BH?
I hope this post isn't too long, lol. As you can see, I have lots of ideas and I'm all too eager to share them
This really will be a great trip for your family. Can I ask what month you are traveling?