Sequoia — Monterey — San Francisco

Question

My tentative plan for an end of July road trip:

Fly into Fresno and rent car.

Days 2-3: Sequoia and KC NP

*I keep going back and forth on Sequoia vs Yosemite. I’m more interested in the forest hiking so am tentatively planning on Sequoia. I know it can less busy than Yosemite in summer as well. We don’t have time for both.

Day 4: Drive to Monterey through Cambria, up PCH. Full day just for driving so we can make stops.

Days 5-6: Explore Monterey and Carmel. The aquarium is the only must-do on our list right now.

Days 7-8: San Francisco.

Fly home from SF day 9.

Would love any thoughts, especially around the parks. Thanks!

PacificNWFamily · Accepted Answer

HI

First suggestion ... use the California state forum. This one is more about longer road trips, usually including several states.

Second, Hwy 1 will probably not be open this summer. The slide at Rat Creek was bad. So spend that time staying in Monterey, driving down Hwy 1 and back up.

Third, laying out an itinerary with nights sometimes makes more sense.

Three nights in Sequoia

Three nights in Monterey

Two nights in SF (Note that SF has been hit hard by the pandemic and may not have as much open or 'ready' this summer as you want. Check the SF forum.

.

All of this is dependent on safe travel conditions. I really hope that California will be welcoming visitors by July.

ThanksSocialSecurity · Answer

Day 4: Drive to Monterey through Cambria, up PCH. Full day just for driving so we can make stops.

That's not possible currently as a section of the highway has fallen into the Pacific Ocean. It probably won't be repaired by this summer. So drive to Monterey and use it as a base to drive south to Hwy 1 as a day trip.

Dan P · Answer

HWY 1 gat a land slide taking out the highway.

PacificNWFamily · Answer

I sure hope that after three different members mentioned the closure on Hwy 1 that the Original Poster has the information. Here is a picture: http://tinyurl.com/Hwy1-Slide-2021

travellerCA · Answer

Make sure you return the car when you get to SF. You don't need a car there, parking is horribly expensive, and scarce besides.

kes1979 · Answer

Yes, I totally forgot that I had seen this. Glad I asked! Big Sur is a big bucket list for me, so we will head straight to Monterey instead, and just hit that area up one day. Thanks!

PacificNWFamily · Answer

I think you'll pay a one way drop fee for the rental car if you pick it up at FAT and drop it at SFO or in downtown SF (there are some motels/hotels w/ free parking in SF, if you want to keep the car.)

I would spend all morning of Day 4 somewhere in the mountains (jointly managed Sequoia / Kings Canyon NP) and drive to Monterey mid-afternoon. Then spend Day 5 driving down Hwy 1 & back, plus some time in Monterey. Spend Day 6 enjoying the Monterey Peninsula (kayaking up the Elkhorn Slough? rental bikes?) including your time at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. On Day 7, maybe visit Henry Cowell Redwoods on the way to SF.

Note that Sequoia / Kings Canyon (SeKi) has its own forum with some tips. Also use the NPS website.

When you choose to visit Yosemite, get lodging reservations in Yosemite Valley or maybe in a nearby vacation rental about a year in advance.

Valiantsontour · Answer

Did anyone mention Hwy 1 is closed? 😉

rjr0810 · Answer

It's a different piling on than in recent times which is not a bad thing IMO :). Safe travels OP.

Fearless802748 · Answer

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.What are forum guidelines?

Sequoia - Monterey - San Francisco - Road Trips Forum

Sequoia - Monterey - San Francisco