West Coast USA holiday - advice needed

[bizzylizzy]

Hi everyone
We're thinking of booking a holiday to the states. We've not been abroad for many years as we couldn't/wouldn't leave our beloved dog in kennels or with friends as she was poorly and on a stringent drugs regime. Sadly she died last year and now we feel we can book a holiday. We love America and wanted to either do the drive from LA to San Francisco, or simply book a city break in San Francisco. We're both tired and need a relaxing break, but we're not beach types, we like to do the whole tourist thing. Would you say the West coast drive would be more relaxing or stressful, or should we just book a week in San Francisco and chill out there and take in the sites? Any recommendations for anything - hotels/motels and touristy things to do would be very gratefully received. We like music, galleries, museums, food and wine by the way. Thanks again.

[sitges]

You could write a book on what you are suggesting. The drive from LA to SF is nice and there are a lot of things to see. Lompoc , Santa Barbara,Hurst Castle, Santa Maria,
Monteray,then San Francisco. All nice little laid back towns with old missions to visit on the way and a lot of wineries.
San Francisco is a good walking city which can be divided in several area's and explored at leisure. Depending on the time you have, I would suggest at least a week from LA to SF and a week in SF in order to enjoy everything and still be able to relax. There is always more to do in SF then you can get to. You should be able to go on line and get entertainment info for SF for the times you will be there.

[jno]

I've just done this. The distances are considerable, though the roads are good (except for the coast road up to Carmel, which is spectacular but very winding and quite hard work) and petrol is cheap, even with the present poor exchange rate. As sitges says, there is lots to see. It all depends how long you have. LA has more culture than people think, quite apart from theme parks; there's a good museum in Pasadena for instance. But San Francisco is more fun. I also enjoyed San Diego, if you want to go that far south.

There are hundreds of hotels and motels. With the aid of booklets of discount vouchers that you can pick up in supermarkets, we usually kept below $60 a night for a room (including tax), but at that price you won't get anything special - just Econolodges and Quality Inns and so on. You can find fancier and more expensive places in the cities.

[bizzylizzy]

Two great answers, thanks very much that's been very helpful. Any other contributions very welcome. Any special recommendations or places to avoid. Recommended hotels etc, all advice gratefully received.

[janbee]

when you're in SF, you could visit Sausalito. It's very pretty. Have a great time. I did SF to LA many years ago and loved it. SF is one of my most favourite cities. It's absolutely beautiful and the people are very friendly.

[VHG]

I have been to the USA about a dozen time (on business and holiday) and San Francisco is the nicest place I have been to in the USA.

Many US cities have pretty awful centres (downtown), with large skyscrapers and are dead after work and at weekends.

But San Fransisco is a REAL city, with loads of nice victorian wooden houses and as someone has said, it is a real WALKING city.

It does have its toursit parts (Fishermans Wharf for example) and that it a great place to stroll around and people watch.

And there is also Alcatraz Prison, Golden Gate bridge, Chinatown, Golden Gate park, the trams and so on.

The people in SF are also frendly, and I think you could have a great holiday in JUST San Francisco.

The weather in SF is also good. Because it has water all around it it never gets too hot in summer, or too cold in winter. It has an nice steady temperature all year round.

[VHG]

Here is a pictureof San Francisco to whet your appitite.

The cable cars, with Alkatraz prison in the background

http://www.btbmarketing.com/iitc/images/San%20 Francisco,%20CA%20hi-res.jpg

[jaynethepain]

We did this two years ago and its one of the best we've done!

First, San Fran - look at the Chancellor Hotel on Union Square - great value and great location, you won't be dissapointed. Check out TripAdvisor.

Second, Alcatraz - book tickets before you go online. If we hadn't done that, we wouldn't have been able to get tickets for three days which was too late. We also bought the extended trip which carries on to Angel Island after Alcatraz. We really liked it there.

Third, do you want to go south? You could go north and east like we did. Sausolito very pretty, Muir Woods very pretty and on to Napa Valley (you really have to like wine though) and then we drove to Yosemite. By far the more gorgeous place I have ever visited!

We then had a few days in Carmel - lovely town, nice beach but beware, weather (as I understand it) is better in September than July and August.

We did this in 2 weeks and came back totally relaxed. If you want any more info, feel free to get in touch - we loved it!

[bizzylizzy]

These are all brilliant answers, thanks for the offer jaynethepain, I might just take you up on that offer. The hotel you recommended seems very popular. Any other recommendations, places to go, places to stay would be ever so gratefully received. We're just deciding when to go - September's looking good at the minute. We don't have children, so we always try and avoid the school holidays. Whether to go to San Francisco and maybe a few days sampling some wines or try to do the drive down the coast, we're still deciding, but you've definitely whetted our appetites. Thank you so much.

[mikey4444]

If you are going to be in the SF area, it would be a terrible shame if you missed out on a trip to Yosemite. Its probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Definitely worth hiring a car and getting into those mountains for a few days.

Monterey is also worth visiting...read some Steinbeck first ! Recommend Canner Row !

Also walk over the Golden Gate Bridge and back.