Mumsnet Talk

Hi, I posted a bit back about planning a California holiday and got some fantastic tips and idea, was originally planning it for 2014 but thanks to DH taking on some extra work think we could go next September instead, so very excited! Now I need some realistic times, plan on being there 2 weeks....

We plan to fly into SF, stay there for maybe 3 nights then hire a car and drive to San Diego. What we want to see/do is: drive the coast highway (obviously!), Monterey/Carmel, LA (as DH is a huge film fan), Disney Anaheim (just for a day though!) and San Diego. So a mix of tourist sightseeing and relaxation really.

So can I pick your brains about how many days/nights in each place? And where to base ourselves in LA, had thought about Santa Monica...do you think this would be ok to relax at for a bit and also take in all the touristy film things about LA and Hollywood Studios?

Thanks

I'd definitely recommend a visit to Hearst castle.

We did a similar trip last year. Spent a week in Sonoma Valley, which is the wine area next to Napa Valley, beautiful and not as packed as Napa. Did hot air ballooining, zip wire in the redwoods canopy, lots of hiking, and had a house on the Russian River with boats which was great.

Then drove down Highway1 in fog (in August), stopped at Carmel for one night which was nice, lots of good restaurants but quite cold.

Then a week in Santa Barbara, in a beautiful house with a pool, lots to see and do.

Drove back up North, stayed for 4 nights in San Francisco, saw all the sights etc.

Personally I'd avoid LA, it looks kind of boring, in that it's a big sprawl with no centre. Santa Monica would be nice, though.

Also don't underestimate how long it takes to drive everywhere. Driving from Santa Barbara to San Francisco took about 10 hours, with an hour for lunch in San Jose. Looking at the map it should have taken about 5 or 6 hours.

Thanks

Afraid LA is a must because of my geeky film fanatic DH! Should also have mentioned we will have DS2 and 3 with us who will be 5 and 11.

Definitely stay in Santa Monica in LA. It's nice to be able to walk around (rather than having to drive everywhere) and pretty much everything you need (outside the tourist traps stuff) is there. An easy drive to Hollywood (although avoid doing that drive btw 5 and 7pm, when the traffic is crazy) for that stuff, likewise to Universal if you want to go there. If you want to spend time at the beach, avoid SM beach (that's where the drunks and homeless hang out). Head north past Malibu to, e.g. Leo Carillo, which is beautiful and rarely busy.

Btw, the PCH drive from SF to LA doesn't take as long as everyone thinks it does. You can do it in a day, easily. Not that you would necessarily want to, but when I lived in California and friends came to visit they were always surprised at how the drive is really not a road trip in itself. Big Sur is a nice stop off too (with some very fancy hotels if you want a splurge) as is Santa Barbara. And a second vote for Hearst Castle, which is totally bonkers in an utterly brilliant way. Book in for multiple tours, because when you've done one, you will want to do more, I promise. Easy to spend a day, or a significant part of it there.

As to how many days in each place - that surely is up to what you want to do in each place. I could kill a month in San Francisco no problem. LA I think you can get an ok sense of in 3 full days (1 doing H'wood touristy stuff, maybe driving around Bev Hills, one doing Universal, and one just hanging out around Santa Monica), but you could easily fill more time as there's more to it than movies and beaches (e.g. great hiking in the hills, some interesting museums and a good foodie scene - check out the food trucks, which you can track down on twitter). Likewise, you can just overnight in Big Sur/ Carmel, but you could spend longer if you want to do some hiking or just totally chill out at a nice hotel for a few days.

Happy planning!

It takes 5-6 hrs if you don't drive along the coast, but take the flat boring nothing to see route via I-5.

I agree that the driving times can be huge. If there was any way that you could manage longer than 2 weeks it would be well worth it, to give you longer to enjoy each part. There is so much to see.

I would suggest 4 nights in San Francisco because your first day/night are taken up with your flight etc. And there is so much to do.

Probably only one night in Carmel area.

Santa Barbara is lovely and very relaxing so maybe 2-3 nights there.

I'm not a huge fan of LA, but Santa Monica is a good base... You have the beach, pier etc, but only 30 min drive or so to Hollywood etc. Also has Third Street Promenade for a wander in the evening-great restaurants and street entertainers to amuse the children. I would suggest 3-4 nights in LA at least.

We stayed in Laguna Beach/Newport Beach area last time we were there and it was very child-friendly and absolutely idyllic!! It's actually closer to Disneyland than central LA I think.

San Diego also has loads to do so again, maybe 3-4 nights.

You will have an amazing time!!

citydweller and lumpy thank you, its a case of fitting in what we can because its the "holiday of a lifetime" cliche, we will never have as much time as we want in each place really...but its really helpful to get the days tips you have said! Ideally would love 3 weeks but financially and more essentially time off work its a no-no!!

We've just done something similar - although we factored in Yosemite (just awesome!) from SF, then back to the coast at Monterey, which increased the driving. Can recommend Evergreen Lodge in Yosemite.

Agree about underestimating journey times, even using googlemap directions.

Fog at the coast in SF and a surprising way south (almost to San Luis Obispo) until mid-late morning is not uncommon. It is on the cold side of chilly! Even in August. Travelling from Yosemite to Monterey, the temperature dropped from 108 to 58 in two hours!!

While staying in Monterey, and did a whale-watching trip there. The board-walk/fisherman's wharf there is nice, but Carmel (5-10 miles South) is prettier and quainter. Hardly any hotels right on the ocean there though, which was what we wanted, hence picking Monterey.

We stayed at Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo. Great place - very quaint and not your usual "chain."

In LA we stayed with friends in Pasadena but again, LA is HUGE and what looks like a quick hop along a freeway seldom is. We did all the usuals there that others have mentioned here. We only had time for one theme park and chose Universal (as we've done Disney a couple of times and kids bit past it now). They're doing a 2 days for 1 deal at the moment, but I wouldn't say there's enough there for two days really. We managed a visit to the beautiful Grove shopping mall - they do a lot of location filming there (Modern family, for instance) and in fact they were shooting a celebrity entertainment news slot thing while we were there. Max Greenfield, whoever he is - kids knew! You can google to find out where in the city they're filming various shows on which days. We didn't go to Southern LA (where Long Beach/Disney etc is) but I was at University there many years ago, so felt I'd "done" it - besides, no time left. San Diego is another 3 hours at least south of LA.

We then flew back to SF, as we couldn't face the road trip back up. If you're flying out of LA back to London then not a problem, but we found flights much more expensive to go into one city and out from another and we were able to use airmiles for the hop back up to SF.

We had a FANTASTIC trip and I would go back in a heartbeat and do it all over again.

Yes to Santa Monica, it actually has a precinct with a car park and shops you can walk round.

I loved San Diego, Polynesian restaurant with a view of the whole bay on Shelter island was amazing.

Google Bali Hai, I'm pretty sure that's it and check the reviews it was too long ago to be the same cooks.

clam thanks! You had replied on my original thread and I was wondering if you had been yet, glad you had a fantastic trip!

I am booking through Trailfinders, mainly because if we book it as a package we will only need about a £500 deposit whereas if I was booking it independently I would have to pay the cost of the flights up front, which as the most expensive bit we just dont have just now.

So how does this sound:

Day 1-4: San francisco
Day 5-6: Carmel/Monterey
Day 7-8: Santa Monica
Day 9-10: Hollywood
Day 11-14: San Diego or Laguna Beach

Really want to give Disney a miss, dont think my boys would be that disappointed as we have been to Disney Paris. Obviously 2 weeks is not long enough for everything but the thought of spending a few precious days at Disney makes me go "NO"!! ...well because sightseeing around hollywood will be exhausting for us all, so want to rest and relax after that. they both love beaches so thats why I thought of Laguna Beach. Wasnt originally planning on staying actually in Hollywood but think now it would be easier regarding travelling around and seeing what we want to see.

lumpy still thinking about your suggestion of Santa Monica as a base to drive into Hollywood though, is parking easy to find does anyone know?

With DC that age I would put in Disney. Disney America is totally different in atmosphere to Paris (though many rides the same). We stayed in some hilton nearby for cheap rates but had a lovely pool.

Another vote for Santa Monica. Disney Ahaheim is actually 2 parks, Disney and Disney California Adventure. They are both really good (I'm not a Disney nut) but would need a day in each. We stayed in Hyatt Regency Anaheim and that was a good base for the parks.

Shesariver: Finding short stay parking in downtown Hollywood (from our limited experience of the neighbourhood) took us about five minutes to locate.

We parked in a 'built up' Hollywood late June 2011 between lunch and 5pm - very near to the Hollywood walk of fame - in a shopping street two blocks away at most. We followed a neon arrow that said 'parking' and drove inside a building, up two levels and ended up in a very strange 'lot' with cars 'butted up close' and not what we are used to at all. It was about 20$ plus tip.

Later that day we also parked near the 'Big W' hotel in Beverley Hills and that was about 20$ for three hours in a more regular style rooftop car park.

Having visited Leeds city centre last month the charges were comparable and it was easier in LA!

You can do the PCH in a day - we did. But I'm not sure its something I would recommend unless you had to. It is a long drive and doing it in a day doesn't give you much time to stop. We left LA at 7am (and we were staying just on the outskirts of LA) and didn't arrive at hotel in SF until 9pm in the end with a few relatively short stops along the way. (You need to stop at the seal colony btw).

Last year there were a lot of road collapses on the PCH and a lot of roadworks as a consequence. I have a friend who lives out there and said that it had been partly closed at time during the year - so this is something to check as its highly likely that the repairs are going to continue for sometime potentially until next year - and thats without considering new landslides that might have occurred since.

Should also have said that on another day it took us over 2 hours to drive from Santa Monica to Beverley Hills. The distance is actually only about 6 miles.

While we were there One Direction were staying at the Big W in BH recording their first album hence our repeated visits.

I can only recall 2 roadwork closures in August of this year. One of those was pretty major but we got through the lights after one wait. But that doesn't mean there won't be more to come.

We had loads of little stops en route - photo opps mainly. Seal colony, yes, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns Park (fabulous beach with a waterfall) and another confusingly similar Pfeiffer Park further north too. Had lunch on the beach there - about 2 miles off the PCH. Oh and due to a lapse in dh's the map-reading, we accidentally ended up on a small detour through a fabulous little place called Solvang - very Germanic, Disney-fied town that looked like it had come straight out of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

We took 2 days to travel down from Monterey to LA, stopping overnight in San Luis Obispo. I wouldn't have wanted to do it in one - it's very pretty for one thing, but it's also quite a winding slow road.

Oh, and the freeways in LA at rush hour are hideous - just like here. We got by as we had a native with us, who took us on useful shortcuts, but we'd have wasted a lot of time otherwise.

CLam
May I ask what you paid for your flights this summer please and how far out you booked?

If you do it in too much of a hurry you won't have the trip of a lifetime, just window blur. Highway 1 is mainly not dual carriageway! Places like Carmel, Monterey, Santa Barbara all have a different feel. We also spent an evening at some beach just north of LA where locals gather to watch the sunset, the dolphins come out to play and there was a little seafood grill - recommended if anyone can name it !!

We booked relatively late, at the end of March/April and paid £3100 for 4 of us with US Airways. Found the flights on Skyscanner, but booked direct through their website, as got a slight reduction for dd (14) on there. Bet you could get cheaper though in advance. Also, we didn't fly direct, but via Philadelphia, which wasn't as bad as everyone said it would be. Also a few hundred quid cheaper to do one stop.

We had free flights back up to SF from LA with American (airmiles) but got clobbered for baggage fees though. $25 each!

For our trip we flew into Vegas and out of Vegas as it worked out considerably cheaper than to fly to LA or SF even with extra mileage - we barely spent any time there and went up to the Hoover Damn on the way to LA.

Return flights from the UK to SF worked out the most expensive returns, it was cheaper to get returns to LA. And flights into SF or LA and out of the other worked out even more expensive. If memory serves me I think it was cheaper to get a return and then get a one way flight than book openjaw.

Also flew USAirways. They were truly awful. Worst Airline I've flown with. Give me RyanAir over them. No free alcohol (which I'd expect on a transatlantic as standard) and the service on board and the attitude of staff was abysmal. They were only cheaper by about a tenner, and I wish I'd spent my money elsewhere tbh.

Really? I found them OK.

I booked direct with Virgin website 11 months before I travelled.

Thanks Clam. So you did Heathrow to San Francisco with the internal to cut back on the driving. We are still concentrating on southern california for the time being.

Shesariver I wouldn't try to do both San Francisco and San Diego in the one trip. Choose either or. You will be in the car far too long and it will feel like you are on business trip following an imposed itinerary rather than relaxing and having fun... I'm with the others who say take your time and avoid window blur...

shesariver There was lots of parking in the hollywood and Rodeo Drive areas. You'll see lots of neon parking signs- loads of them are underground car parks in the Rodeo Drive area but there were open air car parks just a couple of blocks back from The Walk of Fame etc.

We really loved the Laguna Beach area- so so pretty.

I really love Disneyland in Anahiem- it's far smaller than Disneyworld so very "do-able" in a day. Alternatively, there is a Legoland halfway between Laguna and San Diego.

You really will have an incredible time!!

My neighbour was discussing US Airways last week. He travels twice yearly stateside and was saying the US Airways has good staff but their fleet is older so tend to have the old-style shared tv monitors and are not generous with the drinks. He favours Air New Zealand and Virgin. Personally if I can keep to our budget I will travel with just about anyone.

In 2011 we did a home exchange with a couple from Orange County who wanted to be in the UK. We had a fab time and borrowed their car and swimming pool. We were five miles from the disney parks in Anaheim but for us it was quite the best location as we were 20 minutes from all the wonderful beaches. We flew into Orange county / John Wayne airport (SNA)which was about £30 per person more expensive than LAX but was a ten minute taxi ride away from our base. We had two stops and three flights and while we thought this would be a pain actually it kept our interest and I would probably choose to do it again if we can't bag the Air NZ or virgin flights direct.

We never made it much beyond Santa monica or San Diego for the fortnight altho did Knotts Berry x 1 and Disney x 1 and we tried to stalk One Direction (unsuccessfully).

We're doing a repeat trip in 2013 and going to the same house but this time making a contribution to our new friends' accommodation while they travel the Med (and hiring our car with Avios.) It would have been wonderful to have taken in San Francisco in 2013 but the driving for us is too tiring after the work slog to actually get away.

For everyone considering california I'd suggest SNA as a destination airport to save you a whole lot of transfer time if especially if you're heading south.

Shesariver you will have huge fun planning you trip. Your thread already has given me loads of things I want to search out!

Many US carriers now charge pax baggage fees (particularly if you have a second bag) on many US internal flights which can amount to a fair bit of cash. I note too that USairways now charge their transatlantic pax $100 for a second bag - outrageous!. I would never willingly use a US based carrier to cross the Atlantic.

Would also recommend using BA's flight into San Diego; its direct and they do not hit their transatlantic pax with hefty bag fees.

SD is a very nice city to visit for a couple of days.

Atilla, Lumpy, Fluffy, Clam and Co are any of you heading for California again if you can?

If I could save money on transatlantic flights I'm tempted to buy a couple of nights' hotel accommodation and tour north of LA around Santa Barabara, Carmel etc and mirror a little of Shesariver's possible road trip.

What sort of money are you budgeting for a hotel room that sleeps four? $200 -$250?

Visited CA this summer.

Think the amount per night you're quoting is probably about right. You may also want to look at suite room based hotels e.g Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites etc.

I would also vote to do Disney for a day at least with kids that age. The American's do Disney so much better.

Having done it, I would strongly recommend not doing Carmel to St Monica in a day, we did this BC (before children) and it was too fast, with kids I would definitely stop somewhere on the way to sniff the air and enjoy the scenery.
Don't feel you have to do something every day either. Part of the fun is finding little known tourist sites, and visiting diners.

If you like Snoopy, you might fancy a trip to

Knotts Berry Farm

Check out the childrens rides

Not sure what we averaged price-wise on hotels. My starting point was £100 a night, most were a fair bit over that (Yosemite/Hilton Doubletree in SF and upgrading to an ocean view at the Best Western Plus in Monterey, worth it if only because of the dolphins passing our bedroom window!) but one or two came in under - airport overnighters (Vagabond Inn exec and Courtyard LAX and the lovely Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo). But don't forget to add in tax to any quotes you get! Not to mention flipping tips! It all adds up.

We had 2 double beds in each hotel room, which we coped with because we also had 6 nights in friends' houses where we could get away from the kids spread out a bit.

Not that you'll be there at Hallowe'en, but Knotts Berry Farm does a seriously scary evening of events.

Oh, and we had individual seat-back TVs on our flights with US Airways. The transatlantic ones anyway. Had to resort to ipad/laptop on internal ones. Food was nice!
I used to think American Airlines was good - not any more! At least, not once I experienced Emirates anyway.

We did California many moons ago before the dc. We flew into LAX, stayed in Anaheim, then down to San Diego. Across desert to Phoenix, Arizona to the Grand Canyon. Hoover Dam, then Las Vegas. Back to LA via Palm springs.
Fabulous and hope to do something similar again with the dc.

Yes Im having lots of fun planning, so thanks again everyone for their help and have taken lots of ideas on board!

We are now considering going back to original plan of 2014 rather than next year, for a start we could save and go for 3 weeks rather than 2 which I think would give us better scope to see and do what we want. Im impressed by the number of people who book their own flights and accomodation and delaying it would mean being able to save up and book flights like this to. And then of course book the accomadtion - I know the flights tend to go on sale 10 months before, realistically how far in advance would we need to book accomodation and do you pay the full amount when you book?

Decisions....my heart is saying book 2 weeks through travel agent for next year but my head is def saying wait and book 3 weeks independently!

I always book flights 11 months ahead with Virgin or B.A and have to pay in full.
I'd go for booking for next year as the way flights have gone up over the last few years who knows how much they would cost by 2014. Plus its easy to over think holidays or find a reason not to go. I've never regretted any big trips I have done with my dc. Two weeks would be fab and once it's booked you will have something to look forward to throughout winter. Also you would need a lot less spending money for two weeks compared to three. What is your budget and how old are your dc if you don't mind me asking?

I would add a night in Big Sur to break up the driving, this hotel is amazing, gorgeous little wood cabins that you stay in and great food. There's a magical feel to it.

We book our flights by credit card and then pay in full when the statement is due. I'm sure everyone on here would offer guidance and hand holding if you decide to assemble all the holiday elements yourself and d-i-y.

We stayed in the UK in 2012 and just had a week at Granny's so we could save up for next year. Saving up is a real slog.

Nice place Sleep

We have had lots of driving holidays in the US where we didn't book accommodation except the beginning and end. But we did luck out in 2002, as we managed to get some rooms in very nice places because of the attacks the previous years. Places like Yosemite or even SF you have to book, others it can be more relaxed, depends on how many hotels/motels are in town, and if its a holiday weekend.

USairways, I preferred their internal planes to their trans atlantic ones.

Flights you'd have to pay at the point of booking, but most hotels take credit card details and you pay on checkout.

We had a fantastic time, as I've said, but I'm not sure I'd have wanted to do 3 weeks actually. We were away 2 weeks and 2 days and it was simply exhausting. I'd underestimated the irritations of living out of a suitcase and never properly unpacking. That's a minor point in the grand scheme of things, but nevertheless worth bearing in mind.

fluffy DS2 is 10 just now and DS3 is 4. Would love DS1 to come to but hes 19 and realistically would be bored with us despite it being America!

sleep Ive saved that recommendation, thanks!

Thanks everyone who has responded

clam did you buy cool bags there in a supermarket? I remember this getting discussed on a previous thread!!

I would go for 3 weeks rather than 2 as it's an awful lot of driving and with a 4 YO, it's nice to be able to stop when you want, rather than feeling you want to rush to the next place.

Between LA and San Diego, Palos Verdes and/or Balboa/Newport are really nice places to stop over

Would say break the journey up quite a bit new did 3 nights SF, loads to do then 2 nights Monterey - the aquarium was fab, we spent all day there. Next two nights Pismo Beach near St Luis Opisbo. This was our favourite place in a way, not a lot happens there but there was a pelican colony in the grounds of our hotel, it's near enough to Hearst Castle to spend a day there and you can get surf lessons on the beach. We had a couple of days in Santa Barbara which was ok, not really my cup of tea. The next week we took an rv to Sequoia, then Yosemite. this was fab too, like a different holiday. You've given me itchy feet!

Oh that's right, I remember! Well we went to Target and got a padded bag-type thing. Unfortunately, most places that sold ice only had massive bags of it, which was way too much, even though we were intending to decant it into small freezer bags. The one time we did do this though (in Yosemite, where their village store sold manageable quantities), they leaked and our sandwiches got soaked!
So, not very successful really. What we ended up doing was putting the bottles of water into the hotel room fridges overnight, and keeping them in the cool bag, minus ice, during the day. It was good enough I suppose.

September can be our warmest month in San Diego. Our pool (small solar heater only) is 82 deg F right now for instance. Most of the tourists have gone home so it is less crowded everywhere once Labor day weekend is over.

Oh hopandskip, sitting here in Glasgow and its cold (well at least its not raining!) and Im so jealous, would love to be in your pool just now!

Can I join in?
We are hoping to do much the same trip July 2013 , for 3 weeks.
No idea where to go, how long to take anything really.
But need to start in LA as one family member flying in to join us for the trip.
I have a 8 yr old, 9 yr old and 3 adults. The kids are wildlife crazy so whale watching a must.
Would prefer just one day a Disney, dh will refuse to go so need to plan who goes when and where, but he will do sea world.
Would like to do a some camping/glamping or a ranch and the beach.
Any ideas and advice would be very, very welcome
Budget is flexible as this really is the holiday of a lifetime, haven't had a holiday in 2 years to save up for this big one so far.

Hi zaz - wish we had 3 weeks!

Anyway after a few tweaks Trail-finders have did an itinerary for us.

So

2 nights New York (for my DH)
4 nights San Francisco
1 night Monterey
1 night Santa Barbara
4 nights LA
4 nights Laguna Beach

Have decided to take out San Diego unfortunately as dont want to overdo things. Hoping to book in the next few weeks!

Bear in mind, if you're camping, that you presumably won't have any gear with you. We ended up camping just one night in Yosemite (unintentionally - long story) but everything was provided - tent (already erected) airbeds, bedding, towels, hurricane lamps etc..

Late to the party but marking my place if anyone wants to comment further….

OP, we have the same vague itinerary. We have nearly 3 weeks though really want to squeeze in san diego AND nappa or sonoma.
2 kids, 5 & 9.

Thinking:

- 4 nights San Fransisco

- 2 nights in Big sur to break it up (Is the drive from Big Sur to La really long? would a 2nd night stopover in san luis obispo be easier?)

- 5 nights in LA

- 5 nights san diego and fly back to San Fransisco bay area

- 3 night nappa or sonoma

Would be most grateful if anyone could indicate driving times between each leg.

Do people recommend Trailfinders or are we better booking independently ourselves?

Not read whole thread - so sorry if already been said.

Laptop we drove from SF to Newport Beach (just south of LA) with dt3. We stopped for 1 night in Carmel, so a bit further north than Big Sur I think, although it was a few years ago. We stopped for a night again near near Santa Barbara. I'm glad we had 2 stops - IMO too far without.

rubyruby - we went independently and I'm pretty sure would be cheaper that way. We hired holiday homes direct from owners for the longer stops and only stayed in hotels if it was one night at a time.

V jealous of you all planning the trip - we had an amazing time and I'd love to do it again

thanks for replying

I have just booked flights independently as DH has had air miles and there was a flight sale that started today so we saved almost £1000 on airfares.

I'm going to enquire independently for accommodation as online you can only book 4 per room and yet when I have emailed direct some have said we can put all 5 of us in 1 room. Trailfinders have automaticlly put us in 2 rooms which obviously puts the price up a lot. I have time to research so will probably do it myself.

<<excited>>

Hi rubyrubyruby

We have just booked all our stays and all 5 are in the same room in all hotels. Booked via an independent travel agent.

Happy to share which ones if it helps?

We are doing 3 nights sf and then 2 nights Yosemite and then 2 nights Monterey and then the final week in somewhere like Newport but just looking for somewhere to rent (see other post!)

Thanks style - I'm doing ok so far.

Glad you have sorted yours out. I will PM you if I get stuck!

Ragged Point Inn is a good location. Not far from Hearst Castle (a chance to see what real wealth buys in both good and bad taste) and right on the cliffs. LA - SF is nearly 400 miles of driving. Whale watching in Monterey was good apart from everyone on the boat was sea-sick at some point.

Another vote for Hearst Castle.

We are going to CA next year, but hiding a camper van. I love the redwoods, but it may be to far north. Have a great time (you will)

Looking at doing kind of same trip, flying into San fransisco, napa, Yosemite, Monterey, Santa Barbara . Fly out of LA. I'm trying to organise this independently but am struggling to find any accommodation in Yosemite area, unless I want to spend 1000 dollars for three nights. Did you use travel co?. Any tips

Lived in central California for just under a year. Agree that Hearst Castle is pretty good.
PCH is fantastic--takes longer but the view is amazing!
If you decide to stop at Pismo Beach, eat at the Splash Cafe. The line will probably be out the door and around the corner, but it moves fast and is SOOO worth it. Best clam chowder soup ever! Order it in a bread bowl with seafood topping.
Also YY to the aquarium in Monterey. Best aquarium I have ever visited.
Loved Napa and am dying to get back to Cali for a trip to Sonoma and the Redwoods.

Thanks again for all the tips (Im the OP ), will look out for the Splash cafe!

op, please dont answer if you feel this is cheeky, but can I ask how much your trip is costing? It sounds absolutely fab. And are your kids adult prices or childrens prices, have heard this makes a difference.

ssd of course its not cheeky!

Its a shed load of money, we have been saving for years to pay for the holiday plus my DH is a childminder and so will be getting extra money over the summer holidays that we will put towards spending money. So its:

2 nights New York (for my DH, plane goes there anyway)
4 nights San Francisco
1 night Monterey
1 night Santa Barbara
4 nights LA
4 nights Laguna Beach

Our hotels in NY and SF have rooftop pools and our hotel in Laguna Beach is on the beach, and we paid extra for a beachfront room!

We have 1 days car hire whilst we are in SF so we can drive up to Bodega Bay (where The Birds was filmed), plus tickets for Alcatraz and hop on bus for 3 days. We also have the hire of a big car when we leave SF so we can fit our luggage in for the drive. Our boys are 11 and 5 so still child prices but there really wasn't much difference in the flight prices, the child ones were about £100 cheaper I think. All in all it was around £6200 as far as I remember, eeek...£500 of that was the 2 nights in NY mind you that my DH added on!

The kids generally stay free as the hotels were saying 2 children stay free based on 2 adults.

wow, but sounds fab!!

Flights were the most expensive part, think they were about £3000 of it!

I really recommend the big sur coastline-so beautiful.Expensive but if you say off the beach you can find affordable- we stay here when we go there

http://www.rosehavencabins.com/

You have to stop and have a beer here- amazing views- we ate once and it was pretty avearge so i would just have a drink to enjoy the view
http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/

Deetjens is amazing too for breakfast- overpriced for dinner but so lovely.

http://www.deetjens.com/

As for LA- both The Getty and the getty villa are free- fabulous part of a day out.
I would do Universal with kids that age- i think it is a great day out and at 80 bucks a pop cheaper than disney-the studio tour there is more fun than the Warner one which is much more a working studio tour-the universal one gives you far more bang for your buck.

Cheap eateries if you want to keep the food bill down on some days- the food truck of LA are indeed amazing.
In and Out Burger
Panda Express- we eat here as a family for$15 each week
Soup Plantation ( really healthy fresh saladey stuff- 3 course is maybe 12 bucks a head and 5$ for kids
Wholefoods have a great food bar.....

Sometimes it is helpful to know where you can eat for 20-30 bucks for a family when you are on the road as we found that stuff really added up till we worked out which places were very reasonable for everyday meals!
You will love it-it is an amazing state.

pitmountainpony the Big Sur is the thing I am looking forward to the most although we are not staying anywhere, it will just be a days drive from Monterey to Santa Barbara. Im actually having goosebumps just thinking of it.Thanks so much for the links

Definitely planning on Universal, my boys cant wait for the Jurassic Park ride, we chose it over Disney because of the movie tour part of it, plus we have been to Disney Paris so I don't really feel the need for it again

Your recommendations regarding eating are so worthwhile so thanks a lot, I know everyone says its cheaper to eat in America etc but we are not used to having to budget for eating out for all our meals on holiday as our usual holiday is a self-catering in a villa or cottage in France where we take a lot of our own food with us.

Words cant describe how much Im looking forward to this - its been a big dream of me and DH for the last 10 years!

Well do not miss Pffiffer beach as you drive down , just after the big sur post office and well worth the 5 bucks to park......hard to find as it is not signed...but it has purple sand and looks like it is from a movie. Trip adviser gives clear disrespect ions or ask a local. Big sur bakery is a good, non break the bank eatery with lovely outside seating.
The waterfall is also unmissable......drive back if you drive past like we did one year......short walk from road but the most stunning view and photo opportunity.

The Madonna inn is pretty crazy....your teenagers will love it....straight out of the movie Casino.....so lurid and American.
Good stop off for a burger and drink before you get to Santa Barbara.
The mission at Santa Barbara is worth a look and is opposite a lovely big green space where you can picnic.

In San Fran there is the best food van for the freshest fish n chips....a Brit couple run it and honestly the last time we had fish n. chips that good was Rick Steins in Cornwall. It is down on the wharf so you can then go sit near the boats to munch on them

We really love a walk in Muir Woods a short drive from SF......massive redwoods and where both Star Wars and ET were filmed....the wood scenes anyway.
We are back up there in August and cannot wait.
California really offers the perfect vacation as there is such a diversity of experiences.
In LA, when you do your beach time I recommend point Duane beach....a whale popped up last time we went there and then stop at Malibu Cafe for fresh lemonade in their garden......your kids will love it, outdoor pool tables, paddle boats, swinging basket chairs, fire pits.....maybe 7 miles inland from the pch but so worth it just for a drink.........you see the mountains of Malibu too. There is a seafood shack just north of Malibu which offers amazing good priced meals. All the locals eat there and yes it is worth the line if you hit it at weekends. Eat your meal looking out at the ocean....maybe 10 bucks a head........we no longer take a picnic when we beach it, so amazing is this eatery.

You will have an amazing time. Enjoy the anticipation as much as the trip!