Expert: Ernest Tufft - 9/21/2007

Question
QUESTION: Great site - I would like to take a great friend to these places.  I was considering the route in the subject line - but I'm open to suggestions (although we have to fly in out of SF b/c using air miles).  We arrive in SF Sat noon (11/3) and thinking of touring a bit Sat and Sun then leaving for Yosemite.  Stay at Ahwahnee Sun. Mon. drive to San Simeon and tour it Tuesday afternoon.  Go to coast hotel (Ventana?) Tues. Wed. night, head to Monteray Thursday night and leave from SF on Friday 3pm.  Any suggestions.  We like fattening food - fauna and big nature.  Also she is pregnant and we are in our early 40's

ANSWER: Frank, check out my pages at Virtualtourist.com as a preview for these places.  I have an extensive collection of images for Hearst Castle for example.  The route you are taking is a good one.  Normally, I suggest finding a way to bum around town, walking and using public transit within the city, and then taking BART to the end of the line where a rental car can be taken.  But, given your friend's pregnancy, you'll have to decide what to do.  Use the rental car websites and BART's website to find the precise plan for getting around the city in anycase.  The drive from Yosemite will be more pleasant, and cheaper, if it begins at some distance from the center of the urban core of SF, and driving in the city is a hassle.

In Yosemite, I recommend eating lunch at the Wawona Hotel during the trip to see the Big Trees of the Mariposa Grove.  Be sure to get reservations for dinner at the Awahnee, although by this time of year you probably won't have trouble getting in.  Bear in mind that the timing of your visit will be very close to the closing of the high country roads, such as the one to Glacier Point and Tioga Pass.  Unfortunately, Yosemite Falls and some other magnificent falls could be dry at the time you visit.  But, the fall colors will be beautiful in the valley.

From Yosemite to the south central coast, you can take Hwy 41 almost directly and avoid both Hwy 101 and I-5.  This will lead southwest across the central valley over to Paso Robles.  I assume that by touring San Simeon, you mean Hearst Castle, because the town itself is not so impressive.  The only thing here is that a tour will involve several hundred steps, up and down the narrow stairwells of the exotic home.  I recommend staying in Morro Bay, or possibly in Cambria, both small towns with more to offer that are within 30 minutes of Hearst Castle Entrance.  I like the scenic rock at Morro Bay and the motels here are a good deal.  The sea lions beaching on the coast at San Simeon still may be possible, but I'm not sure what is going on during Nov. in this regard.  The trip up Hwy 1 on Wednesday should still be fog free, so stop off the road side often for views.  The FlyingFish Grill in Carmel is one of my favorite restaurants of all time in the Monterey Bay area.  No views, just fantastic food and great wine list.  I'd stay in a Pacific Grove B&B, not Monterey.  Consider stops at Moss Landing for lunch, and an evening in downtown Santa Cruz for dinner.  Need more ideas?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: THANK you so much for your thoughtful and fast response.  We may have a chance to stay in Berkley on Saturday night - perhaps we should do that after seeing what we can of SF on Saturday?  

Yes, my friend is interested in seeing Hearst Castle and asked if we could stay at a spa - I found Ventana on some lists and it looks nice (and expensive).  Then I thought we could meander up the coast - you think fog will be minimal because of the time of year?  I did this 15 years ago in June and could not see a thing.  

Also found a geological website that pointed out many things along the route - so excited about that as well.  Thanks so much - again.  Frank

Answer
May-June are the foggy months along the coast.  Winter is free of fog, but then overhead rain clouds can ruin the view too.  First week of November is typically still free of major winter storms.  She should prepare for a nearly exhausting tour day at the Castle.  We took two tours recently and were quite fatigued at the end despite otherwise being in good physical shape!  There are hundreds of places with spas along the central coast area, but the best mineral spas are at Calistoga in the Napa Valley.  Consider stopping at wineries on the way through the Paso Robles area (see www.pasowine.com--I like Turley Vineyards).  Yes, visit Berkeley after SF, and maybe there is the place to get the rental car before continuing onward to Yosemite?