Lisa P.
Peaceful, Worshipful, Joyful
- Joined
- Aug 27, 1999
Hi! We're planning a CA trip this month and I'm hoping for a few tips to make it a great, trip-of-a-lifetime!
We are really looking forward to this!!!
We probably won't make it out to CA again for many years and we're on a very tight budget. We're a family of 5 without little kids (youngest is 17). Spending up to 6 hours of driving time in the car, plus fun stops to fill the day, is ideal for us on travel days. We're finding lodging options at this late date, within our budget, to be very limiting. But we're a pretty flexible family who are more excited about being able to explore, see and do things on a road trip, than about fancy lodging and restaurants, this time.
We are really looking forward to this!!!
We probably won't make it out to CA again for many years and we're on a very tight budget. We're a family of 5 without little kids (youngest is 17). Spending up to 6 hours of driving time in the car, plus fun stops to fill the day, is ideal for us on travel days. We're finding lodging options at this late date, within our budget, to be very limiting. But we're a pretty flexible family who are more excited about being able to explore, see and do things on a road trip, than about fancy lodging and restaurants, this time.
- Arrive in LAX, mid-afternoon. Drive 405 to 101 to 1, up to San Simeon, sleep. Where would you stop for an affordable supper?
- Day at Hearst Castle (must do, long story) and 2nd night in San Simeon.
- Spend the day driving from San Simeon up 1 along the coast to San Francisco. Anywhere in particular that's lesser-known or not well-marked but a great place to stop?
- 4 nights in a SF timeshare, sightsee for 3 days. With 3 college kids and 2 40-somethings on a tight budget, besides Alcatraz and Fisherman's Wharf, any other must-see or must-do activities?
- Drive to Fish Camp or Oakhurst, near Yosemite, sleep. Can't find affordable, available lodging for our family of 5 for our dates in May, in the Valley or in Mariposa. Been on tons of websites looking... Other ideas for cheap, clean last minute lodging for a long weekend near Yosemite this month are most appreciated!!!
- 2 full days exploring Yosemite Nat'l Park and 2 more nights's sleeping in an area town, within 2 hrs drive of the park.
- Drive to Sequioa Nat'l Park, Rte 41 to 180 via Fresno and 198 - Is this the best route between Yosemite and Kings Canyon/Sequioa NPs? 1/2-day visit to the highlights only, at this park - tips welcome.
- Then continue, the same day, on down to Oxnard, taking 198 to 99 to 5 to 126 to 118 to 232.
- Have a timeshare week in Oxnard. Plan to meet up with an aquaintance/friend in Ventura, see Santa Barbara and Malibu, drive to N Hollywood for a TV show taping or two. Any other special places in the Oxnard area? Then we'll fly back home, out of LAX.