We are from Houston flying to LAX this Summer in June. We are trying to plan a 12 days road trip from Long Beach to San Francisco and back :( Here is what I have so far:
Day 1- Start out in Long Beach (around 8am) driving up north to Santa Barbara, then stop at Solvang Village square for pictures and lunch (3 hours driving and maybe 1 hours for sight seeings/lunch). Then after that, will drive a long the coast to see Elephant Seal Vista Point. Then drive to Monterey Is it too ambitious to drive all the way to Monterey on day 1 with all those itineraries or we should find a place to stay overnight before heading to Monterey. If so, then will find a place to stay in Cambria, the next day will try to squeeze in a day trip to Sequoia National forest before heading to Monterey. Is it duable?
Day 2-5: We plan to stay in Monterey at least 3 nights - during this stay will try to do the famous things it is known for: Scenic 17 miles drive, visit Carmel, Big Sur, Monterey Aquarium.
Day 5-8- Leave Moterey to drive to San Francisco, stopping by Santa Cruz on the way. Plan to stay in San Francisco for 3 nights. Teenagers very excited about going to San Fran, but parents are weary about it from hearing news about how unsafe the city has become. Itineraries we have to do here are: San Francisco tour, Goden Gate, Alcatraz, Japanese town, Chinatown, Muir Woods tour (is it where we can see the redwoods), Sausalito, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco University of Art. Lombard road. We would want to take a break from driving and take the tour bus or cable rides to the places of interest, if we can, and if it is safe. Any suggestion here is much appreciated- also on dinning places and safe place to stay. We hear parking in San Fran is very difficult so perhaps staying outside San Fran so if we choose to stay outside San Fran and drive in for day trips may not easy? or it is not too bad? How about Uber, for family of 5. Also, we think of squeeze in the tour to further north to see red woods and Napa Valley while we are in San Francisco, so that we don't have to drive further up.and most tours start in San Fran. That 's why we are thinking of staying in San Fran. Also want to go to Point Reyes National Seashores for a day trip to see whales (1 hours from San Fran?) Is it worth it? Wonder if that is too many things to do. We also need to watch out our budget. This part of the trip may cost the most. Any suggestion to save money is also much appreciated.
Day 8-10 From San Fran we drive to Yosemite National park. If we drive to Point Reyes on day 8 before heading to Yosemite, then will get to the park late in the afternoon. So, thinking about spending 2 nights in Yosemite.
Day10- Leaving Yosemite, stop by Mammoth lake, heading to Sequoia National Park before driving back to LA. Or if teens do not want to go to another national park, then just drive directly to LA.
I give myself a couple days extra in case plan needs to be altered, or we need to visit relative on the way. Any suggestion would be very much appreciated.