Expert: Ernest Tufft - 2/7/2008

Question
My wife and I are spending a family holiday with our 4 children (17, 16, 12 & 9)over the Easter period in CA and surrounds.  We have not been to CA before.  We have researched areas we think we would like to experience, would you be kind enough to comment on destinations/routes/distances involved and advise if realistic etc.

20/3/08 arrive LAX, spend a night in Santa Clarita with a expat Brit' cousin.
Day 2: Drive to El Morro.
Day 3: Drive via 'Big Sur' to Monterey.
Day 4: Drive to Oakhurst (Nr Yosemite, not sure which route to take)
Day 5: Yosemite area.
Day 6: Drive to Las Vegas.
Day 7; Drive to Grand Canyon (Booked 2 nights within the park)
Day 9: Drive to Joshua Tree NP, stay in Yucca/19 Springs????
Day 10: Drive to San Diego.
Day 11: San Diego area.
Day 12: Drive back to LA.
Day 13: LA area;
Day 14: 02/04/08 fly back to UK.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated along with any must see/do's that you would recommend.

Regards

Richard (from Cornwall, UK)

Answer
Hi Richard,

Your children are of an age to really appreciate many of the places you have chosen to visit in California.  So, if you are asking for my blanket approval, I have to say yes.  But, my first impression of the itinerary is that it is too compact.  Driving long distances everyday will provide little time to actually enjoy the benefits of this great state.  And, by the end of the trip everyone will get on each others nerves.  Add more vacation time if possible.  Another week would provide a fantastic improvement in this regard.

If this weren't a spring break holiday, my recommendation would be to simply delete the trip to San Diego and Joshua Tree NP.  Another modification would be to remove the coastal drive, and simply drive from Santa Clarita over to Hwy 395 to see Death Valley and Mono Lake, before returning south toward Las Vegas.

But, Yosemite and Monterey are great tourist resources.  Use Mapquest to show the preferred route from LA to Paso Robles, which includes using quick and easy I-5.  An early start and this route will save a lot of time.  If you like, you can skip Morro Bay and drive in a day direct up coast Hwy 1, stopping to watch the sea lions along the way.  If you want to camp in Big Sur, do your best to reserve a campsite now.  You can also get reasonable accommodations in Monterey within easy walking distance of Fisherman's Wharf and the Bay Aquarium.  It is very safe and easy for young people to walk around this part of town and find their way back to their hotel room.

I'm not sure why you are visiting Oakhurst, but you can easily drive direct from Monterey to Yosemite within about 5 hours, via the Pacheco Pass.  Again, use Mapquest for route details.  This has been a snowy winter, and so by spring, the water falls of Yosemite Valley will be at their best.  Days should be getting warm enough for UK visitors to easily enjoy.  Get reservations NOW for Camp Curry or stay at one of the lodges outside of Wawona.  Yosemite Valley is also a safe and great place to simply let the kids go free while parents do their own thing.  Bicycles can be rented and there's a free tram that goes around the valley floor.  I actually find Yosemite more pleasant and inspiring than the Grand Canyon, so don't short your family time here.

This will give you some ideas.  If you want to ask more specific questions, please feel free to do so.