California - totally overwhelmed by where to go!

[CocktailsAndDreams]

This summer we are going to California. We have two DDs aged 12 & 13. We are going for two weeks. We've made a bit of a rookie error by booking (non-transferable) flights to and from San Francisco.

I'm trying to work out an itinerary for us but an getting overwhelmed by it all! 🤣 There is just so much to do!

Things that we difinitely want to do:

Alcatraz - going to book the night tour
Golden Gate bridge
Monterery, Big Sur drive etc
DH wants to do a couple of days in the wine valleys north of SF
Yosemite - looking for some kind of exciting activity rather than hiking
Death Valley
Maybe LA (I'm reluctant), so possible staying in Santa Monica?

How would you plan such a trip?

Also where to stay in any of these places? Looking at treating ourselves to a bit of luxury - this is our first long haul trip as a family and are prepared to go large.

San Fran may be a little chilly but Monterey big Sur etc will likely be lovely.

Not a lot in Sacramento; it is our state capital but very much a cow town. Agreed that Sequoia/Kings Canyon are nicer parks than Yosemite.

JWIM - its golf DH is interested in re Pebble Beach Not that he will be playing any there - just looking! We are going for the last two weeks of July/early August for a fortnight.

Joshua tree national park and Route 66. We did this (Death Valley, slide rock and Grand Canyon) with 4 dc last year and it was great. We went for two weeks and wanted to make the most of it as we were in LV for my Dsis wedding. Capped it off by visiting our old neighbours in LA, was such a great trip, fitted in lots with 4 dc on a pretty tight budget. We flew in and out LA though.

I think Big Sur is still closed due to the landslide at the moment, so you have to take diversion inland & miss the best bit of the coast, sadly. It will be hot, hot, hot at the end of July, although the coast can be very foggy & SF much cooler (and the wind on the Golden Gate Bridge is vicious)

I’d stay north of California only, add Carmel, leave out LA and Death Valley. Create a road map on google maps and you’ll see that some of the distances will prohibit where you go.