California Coast trip

[katiesue]

I'm taking the munchkin on a road trip up the coast from San Diego and looking for any suggestions on fun places to stop along the way. She studied California history last year in school so I thought it might be fun to see some of it.

Current plan is-

Day one - up the coast from San Diego, hit Santa Barbara and stop in Solvang. I have reservations to stay in San Simeon night one.

Day two-
Hearst Castle tour in the morning. Then meander up the coast to Monterey. I have aquarium tickets. Staying the night in Monterey.

Day three-
Santa Cruz. Marianne's ice cream and the Mystery spot. Then we head to my cousins in Livermore to stay the next four nights.

Day four-
We have Alcatraz tickets and munchkin wants to ride a cable car.

Day five-
My cousin wants to take her to Columbia in the gold country.

Day six -
running through the sprinklers. Since we live in an apartment this was the only thing munchkin wanted to do on our trip.

Day seven -
Straight down the 5 home.

So any suggestions on fun places to stop and or see along the way would be appreciated. My traveling companion thinks gourmet means the chicken nuggets come in shapes so nothing to fancy. Any fun wacky places a 10 year old might find fun.

[wendybeth]

Napa Valley wine country. :D


Sounds like a way fun trip- I'm envious!

[katiesue]

I'll need a week at a Napa spa when I'm done. 7 days on the road with a ten year old and no air conditioning. Oh yea. Good times.

[scaeagles]

I grew up in Napa. Great place.

[Matterhorn Fan]

Hearst Castle and the Aquarium in the same day? Is that even possible?

I wouldn't make it past day 2!


Oh yeah--and Napa's awesome.

[CoasterMatt]

Santa Cruz - Beach Boardwalk!!! Absolutely fun place, great selection of rides (including a couple of goofy old traditional dark rides) - other than Disneyland, my favorite amusement park in California.

[DisneyFan25863]

I know it sounds dorky and kinda early...but take her to a college. My parents took me to UCLA when I was like 8 to show me the "big people's school" and I really think the awe and inspiration stuck with me. The west coast has a lot of beautiful schools around.

[Alex]

Its pretty tight. The San Simeon tours run around 2 hours. The drive from there up to Monterey is about 2.5 hours (a bit faster if you get really lucky and never get stuck behind someone going godawful slow).

But if it isn't vital to take your time on everything at either location it is doable if a hectic and tiring day.

You could stop at the Madonna Inn in SLO and sneak her into the men's room. She'll probably like the waterfall. One thing she might like if chicken nuggets are high cuisine is a stop at Old West Cinammon Rolls in Pismo Beach. They're pretty good and it could be a quick beach stop. Also, I once swam at Pismo Beach at two in the morning while wearing street clothes. You're daughter will probably appreciate you having some tenuous connection to crazy people.

Make sure your daughter understands that the Mystery Spot is fun with optical illusions and doesn't believe the ramblings of the tour guides. I was exposed to Oregon's version, "The Vortex," at a young age and it caused me no end of confusion.

I'm trying to think of things of interest in the Dublin/Pleasanton/Livermore area that might make for a day with less driving but am drawing a blank. Unless you're daughter is fascinated by business parks. I can tell you where to see a large flock of wild turkeys (and, at the moment, young turkeys) though.

[Snowflake]

I'll need a week at a Napa spa when I'm done. 7 days on the road with a ten year old and no air conditioning. Oh yea. Good times.

You'll be on the coast, you will have nature's AC.

Day 4, if it is on a weekend, I'll be glad to meet up with you, have dinner, lunch or ride the cable car with you! PM me if this is a possibility.

[Snowflake]

Santa Cruz - Beach Boardwalk!!! Absolutely fun place, great selection of rides (including a couple of goofy old traditional dark rides) - other than Disneyland, my favorite amusement park in California.
A nice old wooden coaster, too and a gorgeous carousel!

[katiesue]

Thanks for all the great ideas. I figured if the Hearst Castle/Montery Aquarium was too much for one day we can always move the aquarium to day 3, since we'll be staying in the area.

Snowflake, day 4 is Thursday but I'll pm you info just in case.

We did the Mystery Spot when I was about 10 I think, which was why I put it on the list. Always thought it was weird and cheesy.

Apart from Hearst Castle and Alacatraz which I have set reservations the rest of the trip is play it by ear, go with the flow. I have tickets to the Aquarium but I can use them anytime. I figured I'd try to get lots of ideas and then just see what happens along the way.

[CoasterMatt]

You can get deep fried twinkies at SCBB...:D

Check out this audio slideshow (http://www.mercurynewsphoto.com/2006/07/11/boardwalk/)

[katiesue]

Yum ketchup covered fried twinkies? Salty the clown is a little creepy.

[mousepod]

Let me know when you're going to Alcatraz. Perhaps I can meet you at the Wharf for some sourdough goodness.

[katiesue]

Alcatraz is Thursday, August 17th at I think one or 1:30. I'll PM you my cell. I will be with my Crazy Aunt and cousin too.

[innerSpaceman]

I have no further suggestions than the ones given (though, if you had a time machine, I would recommend visiting Elf Land while in Santa Cruz) .... but would you mind doing a big of research for a future LoT outting while you're at Hearst Castle?

Can you inquire if they still do the night tours where everyone dresses up in 20's garb? And if so, get us some details. Fringe-dripping Flapper dresses and White Tie & Tails while spending the evening at Hearst Castle sounds simply too swanky to pass up!

[katiesue]

Can you inquire if they still do the night tours where everyone dresses up in 20's garb? And if so, get us some details. Fringe-dripping Flapper dresses and White Tie & Tails while spending the evening at Hearst Castle sounds simply too swanky to pass up!

Of course, I'll see if I can find out any information.

[katiesue]

Looks like they do a night tour where the docents are in costumes- Link (http://www.hearstcastle.org/tours/evening_tour.asp)

[Matterhorn Fan]

That sounds like too much fun!

[MouseWife]

If you are driving up the coast on highway one, it will take a very long time. I can't recall how long it takes us to get from Monterey to San Simeon. {our usualy route}. It is long and exhausting.

So, if you want to take your time, Julia Pfieffer Burns State park is a beautiful place to stop for lunch {as we do}. Look it up, sorry, rebooted computer, no favorites anymore. They do say there are mountain lions so if you go and walk around the area {on your right coming north, you go under the road on a tunnel, walking to a path overlooking the ocean} tell the little one to stay close. This is something I always worry about. {well, not always, just when there are mountain lions posted about}.

There is also a Big Sur River Inn that is cute to stop at for a potty break {strange bathroom, though} and a walk to the river where you can sit in chairs in the river. It is cool. The general store has schtuff you might need and next door is a cool shop with all sorts of goodies. For adults mostly.

We did hwy 49, taking the Boy to Sutters Mill and Jamestown. He enjoyed panning for gold and we enjoyed watching him. It was all beautiful, old towns, old buildings, some dilapitated, a lot restored. Nice to ponder their stories.

Where are you staying in San Simeon? We usually do the Best Western but found that the 'Sand by the Sea' was just as nice after its' refurbishment. {just in case...}. The best western has nice fires on the beach at night {and sometimes in the morning} but we still partook of them when we stayed at the SbtS. Also, walking along the beach we found fossils. That was cool.

Have fun with the kiddo and give her a camera of her own {disposable is fine}. It will be fun to see what develops.

[Kevy Baby]

My €0.02

In SLO, also stop on Monterey Street and check out Bubblegum Alley (http://www.locallinks.com/bubblegum_alley.htm) - great gross factor that kids like.

And if a University is in the plans, I of course will pitch for my alma mater, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (http://www.calpoly.edu/) (Cal Poly - SLO).

While Highway 1 IS a slow way to go North, it is the best route from San Simeon to Monterey. However, take the 101 up to San Luis Obispo from LA (from San Diego, the best is 5 North to the 405 North to the 101 North.)

In San Jose is the Winchester Mystery House (http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/) - always a favorite of mine.

And I agree with Alex - Hearst Castle and Monterey Aquarium is probably not do-able in one day. While individual tours at San Simeon are two hours, the drive up and down the hill adds another hour or so. And the aquarium requires at least a half day. I doubt you could do both adequately in one day.

[Kevy Baby]

If you are driving up the coast on highway one, it will take a very long time. I can't recall how long it takes us to get from Monterey to San Simeon. {our usualy route}. It is long and exhausting.
That section is a little over 2 hours

[Stan4dSteph]

Okay, as far as university tours go, Stanford wins hands down. There's a great museum with the largest collection of Auguste Rodin's work outside of Paris (http://museum.stanford.edu/view/rodin.html). Plus, the architecture is stunning. If you decide to stop by, let me know and I can give you some more tips.

Also, I highly recommend the audio tour for your trip to Alcatraz; it includes former inmates telling their stories. Well worth any extra cost.

[Gemini Cricket]

Yeah, it's going to be really, really hard to do HC and the MBA in one day. You need about 2 or 3 hours to do HC and about 3 hours to do the MBA. (imho)

When you're in Monterey, try Sea Harvest Restaurant. They have good clam chowder. Or if you're going north, hit Phil's Fish Market (love their chowder, too) in Moss Landing up the 1. I'd avoid the clam chowder in the MBA cafeteria... bleh! But if you do have to eat there, the chicken caesar salads are good. (Ask for Margit, she makes the best salads. If you get the other guy, he puts too much dressing on it...)

I really liked Hearst Castle. There's a book in the bookstore I'd check out. It's called the Golden Days of San Simeon. It talks about all the parties he threw and all the celebs that went for a visit.

:)

[katiesue]

Thanks for all the great advice (I'm printing all this out to take with). Our Hearst Castle reservation is for 9:30 AM so we'll see how it goes after that. We can always do the aquarium Wednesday morning.

Hadn't thought of a college tour. I was going to drive her by San Jose State since my parents, myself and her dad all went there. It's not much of a campus though.

Steph my Grandmother is a Stanford Alum, she also taught there briefly. Time permitting we may stop there. My sister's favorite Stanford feature is the Shirley Temple doll collection. We did get the audio tour for Alcatraz.

The munchkin has her own digital camera so she can take her own shots. She's actually pretty good. It's one of the best presents I've ever gotten her. She's spent hours taking photos of her stuffed animals etc and it's a great hit at slumber parties and sleepovers. Keeps them entertained and it's cheap.

In San Simeon we're staying at the San Simeon Lodge.

Thanks again for all the great info.

[innerSpaceman]

Are you sure you don't just want to go to DCA instead?

[katiesue]

Are you sure you don't just want to go to DCA instead?

Would be easier. The Munchkin thinks Golden Dreams is very educational and wants to watch it every time.

[Kevy Baby]

The Munchkin thinks Golden Dreams is very educational and wants to watch it every time.My condolences.

[mousepod]

After missing them at Pier 39 before their Alcatraz trip, I was delighted to meet Katiesue and her gang at the pier when they returned from the ex-prison. What a swell bunch of folks. I'm sure that katiesue will chronicle her trip report on her return - it sounds like they're having fun. Here's a quick snapshot to tide you over:
http://mousepod.com/lot/katiesue.jpg

[katiesue]

So nice to meet you. Thanks for coming out. The gang says hello and had a great time meeting you.

[innerSpaceman]

We will expect a full trip report when possible. :cool:

[katiesue]

Here you go - tried to keep it shorter.

Day one-
We headed up through LA to Santa Barbara and had lunch at the ubber swanky McDonalds. Madz was uninterested in stopping at anything along the way so no missions etc. We then kept heading north and stopped in Solvang.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/kathyteater/100_3887.jpg
She was not a happy camper but started taking some photos so that kept her busy until we found a candy store. She wanted clogs but I’m not getting her $95 clogs so she settled for Crocs which she wore the whole trip. We then made a quick stop at Andersons in Buellton for some cans of soup, then headed up Highway one to San Simeon. Had dinner and a nice walk on the beach there.

Dinner at the hotel resturant was interesting. They had a sort of psuedo egyptian theme, african masks and a disco ball. And crap overpriced food.

Day two-
We got to Hearst Castle a little early so took the first tour of the day, which was great as it was smaller. We took zillions of photos between us. It was all so amazing. Her favorite was the Neptune pool,
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/kathyteater/100_3938.jpg
mine was the indoor pool.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/kathyteater/IMG_1258.jpg
Fascinating that both were heated by wood burning boilers originally. The detail work was just amazing.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/kathyteater/100_3963.jpg
By the time we came back down the hill the place was just packed so I’m glad we got there early. We were back on the road at 11:30ish.

I made her stop to look at the Elephant Seals, you’d have thought I made her walk over glass barefoot. Then back on the road to Monterey after some short stops. We got to the aquarium around two.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/kathyteater/IMG_1376.jpg
It was really packed but we had a good time checking it all out. Madz got a kids passport that had different stations all over and when you got all the stamps you got a poster. She calls it the jellyfish aquarium as there were many many different jellyfish exhibits.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/kathyteater/IMG_1294.jpg
When we were done there we headed to our hotel in Marina. Dined at the oh so swanky Denny’s. They had a nice indoor Jacuzzi which was nice after a long day in the car.

Day three-
Lounged around at the Jacuzzi again after breakfast and headed north to Santa Cruz. First stop was the Mystery Spot. Madz loved it. She spent the whole time trying to figure it all out.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/kathyteater/IMG_1398.jpg
Then we went and got ice cream at Marriannes. She didn’t like either of my favorites, bubblegum or watermelon, and had vanilla. She did not want to go to the boardwalk at all so we just drove by. She spent the whole day asking when we’d get to my cousin L’s house.

We took Highway One up through San Francisco to the Golden Gate Bridge. I’d never been able to stop and go out on it before so we did that. Well we got about 40 feet out before the whining got louder than the wind.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/kathyteater/IMG_1419.jpg
So into the car, drove over the bridge and then around the bay to my cousin L’s in Livermore.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/kathyteater/IMG_1431.jpg
She’d picked up her other cousin B who’s Madzers age so they had a great time hanging out.

Day four-
We got the girls up and headed to the Bart station to go into the City (this was Madzer’s favorite part of the day).

We got off Bart and had some lunch then walked through the Ferry Building, which is really impressive, to Pier 39. We used to drive around by the Piers a lot when we were kids and they’ve done so much to clean it all up it’s amazing. Did a little shopping and the girls rode the Merry go Round. My Aunt, who works in the city, joined us there. Mousepod called to try and possible meet up before we got onto the boat for Alcatraz at 1:45. Of course my phone wacked out about then and we missed him, but decided to try again after Alcatraz. http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/kathyteater/IMG_1503.jpg

Took the boat out to Alcatraz and did the audio tour and watched the film. It was very interesting but the place is literally falling apart everywhere. The girls liked the audio tour. They spent some time photo taking and getting practically blown away on one side of the island. We got in touch with Mousepod on the ferry ride back and met up at the dock. We had promised the girls ice cream so stopped at Ben & Jerry’s. My cousin needed to get home to sign some documents on her re-fi so we were kind of out of time. Luckily Mousepod helped us find the cable car stop, map reading apparently isn’t my Aunt’s forte. Said goodbye to Mousepod and took the cable car to the end and then Bart back to Livermore.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/kathyteater/IMG_1569.jpg

Day five –

We let the girls sleep in a bit then got in the car and headed to Columbia. We went through Oakdale on the way and decided to check and see if there were tours at the Hershey plant. They apparently stopped them in 2001, bummer. But there was a yummy gift shop. Back in the car to Columbia. It’s kind of a big gold mining/tourist trap place but the girls had a great time. Panning for gold was their favorite. They did it for a good two hours. they were sure they were going to strike it rich.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/kathyteater/IMG_1639.jpg
We walked around and saw all the different buildings. Had a little lunch. More gold panning. Then drove back to Livermore.

Day six-

My mom, sister and niece came over as well as my aunt. We just hung out in the backyard and let the kids play all afternoon. Nice relaxing day.

Day seven-
Straight shot, one stop, all the way back down the 5. Madz watched a few movies and listened to some cd’s.

We had a great trip. I’d love to go back and do some of the other tours of Hearst Castle. ISM they didn’t have any other info on the night tours with costumes other than the dates.

Huge thanks to Mousepod for taking the time to meet with us (and it took him two trips to the docks). I think my aunt has a little crush. Sorry we ran out of time to try and meet with Snowflake. I definately need to make a trip without Madz so I can actually do things.

[Not Afraid]

I wonder if I was that whiney when my parents threw me in the car and made me travel? I probably was, but I have great memories now and it instilled in me a love of travel. Here's to Mom's and their infinate amounts of patience! And, to road trips!:cheers:

[katiesue]

"Mom you're the best mom ever. Well except for the ones on TV."

[Not Afraid]

Awwwww, the little angel! :)

[innerSpaceman]

Nice pics.


So, um, when's that swanking at San Simeon???

[katiesue]

The basic schedule is Friday and Saturday nights. There were a couple of the days in October that were "special events" so not operating those dates. They go every day the last two weeks of December excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

[Tramspotter]

Nice pics.
So, um, when's that swanking at San Simeon???

I was just there and the tour guide said that they will be having a charity dinner party opening up the grounds early September for some charity and it's something rediculous like 10,000 per plate.

We took the latest Tour and no one was dressed up and it was getting awful cold at the end I think even if they did do some kind of special night tour it would be tapering off now due to weather.

There are like 5 different tours avalible 22 bones each,
We did the recomended novice one.

And even though this is too late advice... if going to Solvang stop off and feed the ostrich's in-between beulton and solvang for 5 bucks it's worth the pictures alone :cool:

[katiesue]

And even though this is too late advice... if going to Solvang stop off and feed the ostrich's in-between beulton and solvang for 5 bucks it's worth the pictures alone :cool:

I so wanted to do that but the kid wouldn't do it. It was beneath her or something.

The website says the evening tour is spring and fall only. Link (http://www.hearstcastle.org/tours/evening_tour.asp)