We're looking to head out to California next fall and I'm looking for tourist information from someone who lives out there. Please email me at deepsea29c@yahoo.com. Thanks, Cousins
Hi cousins; tourist information on California--that's a pretty tall order. Did you have any particular area in mind, or the whole State? I've found AAA to be a terrific source of tourist information. If you are a member they will not only plan your trip for you, but give you all the brochures and information you could possible read. And we've had very good experiences with their travel agency as well (and no, I'm not connected with them in any way--just a satisfied customer)
Posts: 3124 | Location: Costa Mesa, California | Registered: November 16, 2006
Cousins that is a tall order. I love my area, Yosemite, but we go to Monterey Bay allot. There is also San Francisco, Death Valley, Palm Springs, San Diego, Wild Animal Park, Zoo, Disneyland, Los Angles, Hearst Castle, The Northern Redwoods, Shasta, Sacramento, Tahoe, Wine Country...... I could go on forever
Thanks guys for replying. We were thinking of flying into Fresno renting a car and going to the Sequioa and King National Park area then driving or flying over to Monterey Bay/San Fran and returning home. We want to see the beauty of the other coast. We were at one time going to do this AND tack on a Panama Canal Cruise but we ended up having a wedding for my daughter coming up JAN of '08 so there went that money! We are from So. FL and we want to see the beauty of CAL in 10-12 days.But with this plan are we "missing the boat" is there better national parks or scenic drives or is what we've listed good enough to get the gist of things.????
Sequoia and Kings Canyon are worth a good look. Also within a days drive is Yosemite National Park. There are a few stops on the way to Yosemite. I would recommend, Lewis Creek, and Nelder Grove. Many people stay in Fresno and do King's Canyon Sequoia as a day trip. Just depends on the amount of time you want to spend there. For Yosemite they usually stay in the Oakhurst area. There are some shady areas in Fresno so watch where you stay.
Monterey Bay is well worth the trip, The aquarium is one of the best in the world. San Francisco has an endless amount to do.
Gary: What about flying into Visalia and driving up RT 198 and then RT 180. Some sites we were thinking about seeing: Mount Whitney, Crystal Cave,Giant Forest, Moro Rock, Crescent Meadow, Marble Fork Canyon, Lodgepole up to Grant Grove, Panoramic Point Road, Boyden Cave, Grizzly Falls, Roaring River Falls, Mist Falls. General Sherman Tree? Do you know anything about these sites? Do you know if any commercial airlines fly into Visalia? Would you recommend the John Muir Lodge. How are the leaves in Oct?
I do not think you will have any luck flying into Visalia. You are probably better flying into Fresno and taking RT 180. All the place you are thinking about seeing are worth while. I enjoyed both the caves a few years ago and they were great. You will not be able to see Mt Whitney unless you are on the other side, the east side of the Sierras. You would have to get to it off Rt 395. You would have to take 99 south to 58 east to 395 north, maybe a 300 mile drive. The color in October depends on the year. However you probably will not see much unless you are late October. The water in the rivers will also be low or gone so the falls will not be very good, unless we have a better than average snow pack. The good news is that the tourist tend to slow down after labor day.
I have not stayed at the Muir Lodge but have heard good things about it.
Feel free to ask any other questions. Hope my answers helped some.
Gary: You are such a great help. We'll skip Mt Whitney. There are flights into Visalia. But I'm not sure about the rental car situation. Renting a car in Monterey and returning it in Visalia...I know it costs more and hopefully these towns have such a thing (we did this in Fairbanks to Anchorage- but they were big cities) So, would the end of May or Sept be better as far as the waterfalls? If we only went to one place of the following which would you recommend: Yosemite or Sequoia/Kings?
Ok, here I go, adding my two cents to this thread. I just had to say that you should in no way miss either Yosemite or Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Somehow, find a way to do both. That is my advice. ellie
Ellie is right both area are worth seeing. If you go by tourist count most go to Yosemite. The valley is really something to see. If you are in early Oct, or during a dry fall you can go to Glacier Point. After the 1st snow it closes. If I had to choose one it would be Yosemite, but I grew up backpacking there. She is my first love and the place I call home. Kings Canyon/Sequoia has much to see and you will not regret going there if you can just do one place.
Cousins sorry for the delay I have been gone more than home lately. I can speak for the Oakhurst area. There are several options for lodging. Starting from the South and working North towards Yosemite. The Chukchansi Casino. It is right off HWY 49 8 miles from Oakhurst and 25 from Yosemite. Rooms are fairly new and anyone who stays there loves it. They have a good cheap lunch and Dinner Buffet. Rooms will run you $150.00 to $250.00 Next up the hill is in the town of Oakhurst. There is Best Value (stay away!!), Comfort Inn, Days Inn, and Oakhurst Lodge. These will cost in the $100..- to $150 range. Also there is Best Western and Shilo Inn. These are about $25.00 more but a lot better and you will enjoy them more.
Up the hill and to the right about 6 miles is Bass Lake. A very nice Lodge. It will cost $175-$200. A very beautiful place right on the Lake. Ducey is the place to eat there. Dinner is a little $$ but very good. Breakfast is $6.99 for their Ham and Eggs, with all the fixin. The Ham is supposed to be 16 oz, but I think it is bigger than that.Of course there is many more items on the menus. It is a good place to visit and eat no matter where you stay.
Tenaya Lodge is next. It is in the $190.00 and up range. Very top of the line. The Last is inside the Park Wawona Lodge. It is in the $170 to 250 range. An older but well keep place.
I did not use these links to check prices. I just listed what people have told me. The prices might be higher or lower. If you have any question ....please ask.
