Headed to Nor Cal in March Looking for ideas
 

Wife is going out for business. I am flying out with the kids toward the end of the week (girl 13 and boy 12) to get away from the frozen Mid West. Plan on staying in the city Saturday and Sunday, doing the touristy stuff, (Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf etc) On Monday the plan is go to Muir woods and then cruise down highway 1 to Santa Cruz and then on to Monterey before flying home on Thursday. Any thoughts, ideas and/or suggestions?

Darren

Sonoma and Laguna Seca site inspections? If you haven't been on site at either track it's worth it IMO.

So, i'd do the Muir woods on Sat or Sun, then do the drive down Highway 1 on the other day (sat or sun) to Santa Cruz, bout an 1 1/2hour drive, then another 45 min to Monteray. Theres alot to do/see in Santa Cruz and they are two entirely different towns. Then do the SF wharf/Alcatraz mon/tues/wed when the Bay Arean's are back at work, it'll still be crowded, but its really packed during the weekends there.
Remember to pack for cold weather, its not freezing cold, but it gets down right chilly by the bay. I ski in the sierra's wearing a t'shirt cause it feels warmer than being by the bay when the fog rolls in....

Thanks for the heads up!

“The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”

Mark Twain. Funny, i had wrote that in my reply, but hit "that" button, and the paragraph disappeared

At the age your kids are at you might check out the Exploritorium on the Embarcadero in the city. Cool place.

Tim

So you MUST take a trolley..... just because there aren't any anywhere else. Yeah you'll have to stand in line and wait - but do it.


Also if the fog hasn't rolled in - the crookedest street... LOMBARD.... only takes a few minutes but the houses and flowers are cool and of course if you have a car - ya got to drive it. Then park and watch others for a few minutes.


If you're a walker -- you can actually walk from Fishermans Wharf (a terrible tourist trap but WTF ya gotta do it) all the way back downtown to Union Square... That will wear the kids out and they'll sleep like babies. LOL
While at Fisherman's Wharf the must have is the clam chowder in a sour dough bread bowl at ALIOTO'S....

Spend some quality time doing Carmel!!

The pier at Monterey is just kind of a tourist trap.... not really worth the effort IMHO.

Carmel by the Sea -- is far better than Monterey.... it really only takes a little bit to walk all the shops.... then you drive the 17 miracle miles (yes they actually charge you to do this - pay the $9 and do it!!) ... and have a bit of lunch or drinks and some snacks at the LODGE AT PEBBLE BEACH... It looks really fancy - but don't be put off by that... you can go in -- go downstairs to THE BENCH and eat outside if the weather is good (kids are fine) and watch the people play the 18th. If you do this -- make certain you get the DUCK FAT truffle fries!!! They're OMG good. There's nothing "ducky tasting about them"!


http://www.pebblebeach.com/dining/th...bench/our-menu


You'll love it -- hope the weather is good for you!! Prepare for not so great... it's miserable being cold.

ALSO ---- BRIZIO'S STREET RODS -- Is in SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO not far from the airport... 505 Railroad Ave. It's a very cool hot rod shop that even the wife and kids will like. Tell them you're my friend - and please - if you have any common decency do not mention you know Charlie Lillard.

thanks for the suggestions. Kids are walkers, no problems, Trips to NYC and Chicago are common place so they know when we go, we will be walking. My daughter wants to go whale watching in Monterey, I think we can arrange a night in Carmel for sure. I have a buddy that knows Brizio as well, so that will work. It will more than likely be me and the boy, although my wife is a good sport about car stuff. In and Out burger is on the list as well! Go low brow and then try the duck fat fries in Pebble Beach! As far as weather, it has to beat the nasty cold mid west!

Darren

Yes the weather does. Just watch the AT&T pro/am right now. And yeah, everything Greg said is spot on (that ahole is right almost all the time, but dont tell him i said that).....

and I should mention that the wife and I are HUGE craft beer fans! So feel free to recommend breweries, beers and brew pubs!