California in August

[whoruntheworldgirls]

Hi, we have booked our holiday, 2 adults and 7yr old girl, starting to look at what to do (other than plenty of walks)
Any suggestions?
Itinerary is:
Monterey 2 nights
Santa Barbara 2 nights
Sequoia national park 3 nights
Yosemite 3 nights
Mammoth lakes 2 nights
South Lake Tahoe 3 nights
Then last night nr San Fran airport so husband can go to a baseball game
Thank you

Mono Lake is a must see, inbetween Mammoth and Lake Tahoe. It really is other-worldly!

Thank you, added to the list

Bump

Depends what you like doing but:

17 mile scenic drive near Carmel
Gilroy Gardens family theme park
Do you like water slides? - that's a good chill out day in August temperatures! Both Raging Waters or California's Great America are near
Lots of options for activities like climbing & kayaking
There is a kids Fairyland park if she likes that, or Pixieland, Boomers Livermore or Six Flags if she likes rides
Tons of stuff in San Francisco
Beach day

Why Santa Barbara?. That is a bit off track given the other places you plan on visiting which are all in the northern part of this state. CA is huge and from top to bottom is longer than the UK. Santa Barbara to Sequoia is also over 5 hours driving so I would give that part of the itinerary a rethink.

You do not want to spend so much time behind the wheel of a car given you've come a long way to see this part of the world.

Printable Schedule - 2023 | San Francisco Giants (mlb.com)

You should go with him to the baseball game!.

Going to a baseball game is great fun for all the family, but as other pp has said - you've got a lot of driving, especially with a 7 yr old.

I'd skip Santa Barbara and give yourself more time, you're going to be spending most of the holiday in the car by the looks of it. Its over 4 hours from monterey to santa barbara, same with most of your other journeys. California is huge and 2 weeks isn't much time, I'd stick to the North or extend by a week.

Winchester Mystery House in Santa Cruz

The aquarium was the only thing I really liked in Monterey, Big Sur/Carmel are nicer. Also Id rather see Grand Canyon rather than Santa Barbara. Are you flying in and out of san fran? You can fly into las vegas and out of san fran.

In and out of San Fran, it's all booked (though balance not paid off yet) so not sure if i could change Santa Barbara, booked there as friends said it was nice, we are aware of the drive times as we went through it all before booking to be sure we were ok with it, will be looking at stops along the way of things to do, thankfully daughter is fine on long journeys.
Not sure she'd be keen on the baseball game, he has tried on TV, she's not a sport fan at all 😂
Hoping to go on a whale watching boat trip in Monterey if anyone knows a good company

Thank you I'll take a look at these, she likes rides but is a bit short so might be restricted as to what she can go on

I would rethink visiting Santa Barbara as that town is far more south than the other places you want to visit. You are spending a lot of time here behind the wheel all the same.

Sounds wonderful op, Monterey has an aquarium that is supposed to be fantastic. There’s also the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, fisherman’s wharf, cannery row. 17 Mike drive is lovely & you can also see Pebble Beach golf course.

The drive from Carmel to Santa Barbara is fantastic if you drive down the coast. You can go through Big Sur, head to Solvang (a little Danish town with windmills!), see seals, cross some cool bridges, before arriving in Santa Barbara.

If you’ve never visited San Francisco before then I would recommend you trying to carve out some time here. It really is a great city with so much to see and do.

Doh! *17 mile drive

I love Santa Barbara but it works better with an LA in and out

I'd also scrap Santa Barbara and spend some time in San Francisco instead. There is so much to do - sounds like you are quite active so cycling across the Golden Gate bridge and getting the ferry back to the city from Sausalito might be a good choice for you.

Be aware that it might be quite cold on the coast - we get a lot of fog in summer so you should definitely bring a warm hoodie or jacket, and wear sunscreen even if it is foggy.

Monterey Bay Whale Watch are brilliant! If you can, book the morning trip as it's longer and if you see anything interesting they can stay out longer to follow the whales. Monterey Aquarium is also amazing - best one I've ever been to

I second cycling across Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito! It's not an undemanding cycle so be prepared for that - uphill, and then the Golden Gate Bridge itself is fairly long and busy. Sausalito is lovely.

San Francisco is fantastic and worth a good explore. Alcatraz is fascinating.

We drove along the coastline from LA to SF and there are so many sites to stop at along the way - seals, zebra, Big Sur. it's incredible.

I'm jealous OP, you're going to have a fabulous time! Enjoy!

Great advice so far

May I suggest

www.facebook.com/groups/260330804175501/

For great ideas and advice

Thank you for the tips, should have mentioned we're not staying in SF as have been before.
Is the Monterey aquarium worth the cost?

Monterey Bay aquarium is fantastic. It is huge and has loads to see and do.

Santa Cruz beach boardwalk is also one on my faves, and as anther poster said, the mystery house is brill.

You're going to have an amazing time!

Californian here! Given your Yosemite/Mammoth Lakes location, Bodie ghost town is a must! I love that place.

Though it’ll be smokin’ hot in the day and cold at night. Desert. You can expect the mercury to hit 32 in the day then drop back down to 12 overnight.
Your DD will be fascinated by Bodie! I promise.

Yes, Santa Cruz boardwalk! Especially if you're a Lost Boys fan 🧛🏻‍♂️

Thank you this is great