Anyone here live in California??

[The_Perfect_Picture_HAHA]

Looking for some ideas for my very 1st wedding annivesary....I live in Florida and was thinking about trying Northern California..

Looks like they have it all...They have the mountains, the beaches, whale watching, horse back riding on the beach, Wine from Napa Valley, balloon rides etc...

I was also looking at maybe traveling from there to both Yosemity (bad spelling I Know) and also the Grand Canyon.

Any help from anyone who might know where to stay or some things to do...I am also obviously bringing my camera and would like to know the best places to photograph..

Any help at all would be appreciated

Or if anyone has another idea all together I would be interested in hearing your idea...

Thanks Robert

[jazzfisher]

Robert,
I live in Southern California (San Diego). There are many many things to do in California (I know Dorrie lives up in Northern Ca.).
Just in size California is huge & has many different landscapes--for instance, it would take 8 hours to drive from Sam Diego to San Francisco & that's only half way up the state.
I'd be happy to give you the whole spiel about my area if you want it....:)

[Dorrie H.]

Robert,
Yes, there is a great deal to see in Northern California alone and a lot in Southern Calif. The Redwoods in Northern CA and, by all means, "Yosemite" are a plus. It would be hard to take in all the beautful areas in Northern CA in one visit. San Francisco & Fisherman's Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge are also wonderfull area to visit....Grand Canyon, though truly awesome, is not in Calif. If you choose Yosemite and plan to stay there, you had better make reservations in advance.

It looks like you have done some research by indicating many of the visiting spots, however I think you have to decide just where it is that you would like to go. Just as Sherry said it takes hours to get from one place to another.

I have lived in No. Calif. all my life and it has taken many years to see many of these beautiful spots. Can't do it all in a day.

Dorrie

[jazzfisher]

Well said Dorrie,
I was hoping you'd pop in with your 2 cents worth too!!!
I love all of Ca. but neither of us even mentioned the wine country on top of all else we mentioned!!

[Dorrie H.]

Sherry,
I figured he already new about the Wine Country as he did mention it in his message. I would be hard pressed to mention all that one could see in our Great State, but the Wine Country is certainly one of them, as long as you limit your "wine tasting". :D :D

Dorrie

[jazzfisher]

Opps Dorrie,
I must have been sipping some wine & missed that he already mentioned it!!!!:D

[Ken S]

Northern California really does have quite a bit of varied scenery -- that's one of the reasons why I love it here so much.

Yosemite is a must. May is a great time to go as the falls are at full strength from the snowmelt, the weather is nice and the summer crowds have not yet started to come in. If you go, plan on staying at least one night. It's a 4 hour drive from the SF Bay area so you'll want to make the most of it.

There's lots of places to stay. If you can book in advance, the Yosemite Lodge right in the middle of the valley is fairly reasonable but location-wise excellent. There are also many places to stay just outside of the park.

On the ocean side, the Monterey/Carmel area down to Big Sur has some of the prettiest coastlines. Again, you'll want to spend 1-2 night since it does take a few hours to drive down from San Fran.

In the SF area, there's quite a bit to see. It's really a picturesque city with the bridges and coastline. A short hop to Marin will also put you in access of the Marin headlands and Muir Woods redwood groves.

Ken

[Dorrie H.]

Ken, you have just added to what I've said about Calif....Lot to see, so much that it's hard for one to mention them all. So Robert take your pick, you can't go wrong no matter where you choose to go...

Ken, Where abouts in this Great State do you reside?

Dorrie

[Ken S]

Ken, Where abouts in this Great State do you reside?

Dorrie

Dorrie -- not too far from you. I'm in San Mateo.

Lovely weather we've been having!

Ken

[Dorrie H.]

Oh, you are close. Are you planning to go to the Elements seminar in San Francisco on the 18th? I hope to be there.

Dorrie

[jazzfisher]

Dorrie,
Oh do go--I did get a post card on it, but obviously it's too far for me!!! :( Even there's something in LA soon but it's in the middle of the week & a work day so I won't be able to go. Let us know how wonderful it is!!:)

[The_Perfect_Picture_HAHA]

Wow!! thanks for all the replies!! I was kind of looking for (if you know of some) hotels that are nice and also reasonable...I was looking in Half Moon however you guys are the locals help me out...

Maybe you could give me an example of how you would design a 10-14 day vacation if you were going to do it..Please include specific hotels as well as places...

Right now I was thinking of spending 2 days in San Fran, 3-4 in Half Moon, 2 days in Montery, 2-3 in Yosemite and scratching the Grand Canyon. This may be the only time I ever get to California so I want to see as much as I can.

ANY HELP is appreciated...Oops I almost forgot about Napa Valley...Yes I would like your advice on where to stop/stay there.

Thanks Robert

[Ken S]

I didn't even know about the seminar. Would you please enlighten me?

Ken

[randy_nacol2002]

Robert,
I live in the Central Valley, But moved from Fairfield, CA which is in North Bay area. Check out some of the Bed and Brkfst in or near Napa. Then once you get what you want out of Napa,Oh By the Way Check out Mondavi Winnery for sure, Great Tour and the Buildings are unbelieveable. Check out Stensan Beach,Spelling, and Sausilito. Have fun.

[Edmund]

Robert, Here is another idea and is what I would do. I did this trip in 1997 and it was a photographers dream come true. 10-14 days would be great, as I had less time I think 7 or 8. I won one of those trips out to Vegas you know 5 days four nights. Well 5 days in Vegas was enough for me so my wife and I rented a car and went up north to Utah, Zion Nat. Park. The Ranger there laid out a loop trip that included around 10 or so Nat. Parks & a few State Parks. Namely Zion, Bryce Canyon. Nat. Monuments, Dead horse point , the north Rim (We stayed at the north rim lodge) Escalontie. kodak point(or some thing like that). My memory fails me but if you looked at a map you would see what I mean and what parks you could visit. We also took a day rafting trip while in Vegas to the Hover Dam. Basically what I am saying is stay at Vegas a few nights the go up north to Zion in Utah and do a loop trip that includes all those parks . When you come back to Vegas you'll tour the south rim etc. My wife & I do a lot of hiking and back packing so this is the kind of stuff that we like. But every one to his/hers own choice. The only reservation was in Vegas. We lucked out at the north rim as when I inquired there was a cancellation moments before so we got a room This usually needs a long time in advance res. All the local motels were pick and choose as I never knew how far I would travel in 1 day as we tooks side trips and day hikes etc. Never had a problem with a good clean room. If you need more info PM me.
Enjoy your first Anniversary, we are coming up on 47 years.

[Dorrie H.]

Ken, check out the information about the seminar either on the Subscriber's page or the home page. It should be on the right hand side panel....It's says "Free Seminar" and it's listed near the bottom. You might have to scroll down a little to see it. The SF one says "South San Francisco". Hope you can make it. Another member Markay (Marcia) and I plan to meet there. If you do decide to go and would like to join us, send me a PM and we can exchange information on how we plan to do this.

Dorrie