First West Coast Trip

pad406

DIS Veteran
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
So, we now have a tentative plan for our first west coast trip, as normal for us it's over Christmas and New Year

21st Dec, direct flight DUB - SFO.Land mid afternoon, expect to be at hotel at 5:30pm approx. Staying in the Holiday Inn Express Suites at Fishermans Wharf. May do some general sightseeing in the area for an hour or 2.
From then to the 26th, general sightseeing & tours to include Alcatraz at night, Bike the bridge (if DS is upto it, he's not keen on heights and bridges, so we'll play that by ear), Walt Disney Museum, Chinatown, Union Sq etc. Currently planning on the San Fran Go Card as it covers a lot of what we want to do and should work out well.
26th am, pick up car and start a 2 day trip down to LA. Stopping off in Stanford for DD to have a look, Silicon Valley (DW and I both in tech). Overnight in Morro Bay and continue to LA, arriving early afternoon. Staying in the Orchid Suites for 4 nights. Whilst here, planning on Six Flags, Universal, Whale watch and sightseeing.
31st, check out and head to Disney, Grand Floridian for 4 nights.
4th, head down to San Diego for chill and relax in Humphreys Half Moon
7th Back to Grand Californian for 1N, 2D (late flight back on the 8th, direct from LA to DUB

Any opinions, suggestions?

(Oh, need to change my sig, above is this year not next, luckily were able to bring forward)
 
waves hi, Im from Dublin and off to California on Wednesday. Ive been going to California every year for the last 7 years. I flew Ethiopian direct Dublin to LAX last year and this year I'm on Aer Lingus Dublin to LAX direct. Ive been to Disneyland and Universal multiple times, this trip will be my first to Harry Potter Land and have also been up to Santa Barbara county , PCH , Santa Monica, Hollywood and Downtown LA. Feel free to ask any questions. :)
 
waves hi, Im from Dublin and off to California on Wednesday. Ive been going to California every year for the last 7 years. I flew Ethiopian direct Dublin to LAX last year and this year I'm on Aer Lingus Dublin to LAX direct. Ive been to Disneyland and Universal multiple times, this trip will be my first to Harry Potter Land and have also been up to Santa Barbara county , PCH , Santa Monica, Hollywood and Downtown LA. Feel free to ask any questions. :)

Hi thanks for the offer, you may regret it :)

I'm thinking we have a reasonable plan. How's your knowledge of SF? We'll be there Christmas day and not really sure what's going to be open. I asked on another thread and Chinatown was a suggestion as everything there should be open. We're planning to see it anyway, so that could be an option for us. We've been in WDW 3 times now so thought this would be a change. I know the weather won't be as nice, but hey it'll be better than Dublin :) Any must do's from your experience?
 
Hi thanks for the offer, you may regret it :)

lol, its ok, been helping the cruisers this year with their Dublin port day, so I'm well used to random questions :)

How's your knowledge of SF?
Not that much, its a city I want to return to. I just had a day there with family, so they took me to the main highlights. You plan in the first post is kinda what I want to return to, Fishermans Wharf, The Bridge , Alcatraz etc. I'm sure there will be other people here with lost of suggestions for you

We've been in WDW 3 times now so thought this would be a change. I know the weather won't be as nice, but hey it'll be better than Dublin :) Any must do's from your experience?

You will find California in general and Disney in partiular very different to Florida. Theres just a more laid back vibe to everything, kinda like Ireland in a way, lol. Christmas in California should be really nice, the locals will probably think it cold but you will love it.

The Pacific Coast Highway is just stunning, make sure to come off the motorway every so often and explore some of the small towns. Theres little hidden gems off the motorway like Solvang, a Dutch settlement town.

As for LA in general, its just huge and the distances especially for Irish people are hard to get your head around. For example, it could take about 1 hour to get from Hollywood Walk of Fame to Santa Monica and the coast. Its about 1 hour from Disney to LAX and about 2 hours between Disney and Universal.

Disneyland California is basically a bigger and better version of Disneyland Paris, 2 parks beside each other, so walkable park hopping, paper fastpasses and 60 days out dining reservations. I have my 2014 trip report in my signature :)
 


lol, its ok, been helping the cruisers this year with their Dublin port day, so I'm well used to random questions :)

I think we have posted on many of the same threads re Ireland :)

Thanks for the link to the Trip report, it's kinda hidden in the signature, hard to see that one is a link. I'm off for a read now
 
Definitely talk your DS into biking the bridge. It is scary if you have gephyrophobia, but once he gets going, he'll remember the ride and the views forever. The whole area from your hotel, through Fort Mason, Marina District, the Presido, etc will be full of runners, bicyclists, skaters, skateboarders. Join in that fun enroute to GG Bridge.
Chinatown is fun for a few hours. We used to drive from Berkeley every Friday night to eat there.
Stanford's campus is beautiful and well worth the visit.

If I were you, I'd leave SF a day early and spend a night in Monterey or Carmel. Monterey Aquarium is worth visiting.
Carmel is a charming city.

Solvang (BTW Danish, not Dutch) is okay. It was great 20+ years ago when it really seemed more Danish. Today it's devolved into Wine Tasting kitsch. (IMHO).

The rest of your trip itinerary sounds great. San Diego has the best overall weather in the world! The Zoo is world class.
Point Loma has a beautiful view looking back at San Diego to the East and of the Pacific looking West.

I'm partial to DLR, having grown up nearby and going hundreds of times.

Enjoy your trip!
 
Solvang (BTW Danish, not Dutch) is okay. It was great 20+ years ago when it really seemed more Danish. Today it's devolved into Wine Tasting kitsch. (IMHO).

oops lol, its been about 10 years since I was there, so my memory is a bit fuzzy :)
 


Definitely talk your DS into biking the bridge. It is scary if you have gephyrophobia, but once he gets going, he'll remember the ride and the views forever. The whole area from your hotel, through Fort Mason, Marina District, the Presido, etc will be full of runners, bicyclists, skaters, skateboarders. Join in that fun enroute to GG Bridge.
Chinatown is fun for a few hours. We used to drive from Berkeley every Friday night to eat there.
Stanford's campus is beautiful and well worth the visit.

If I were you, I'd leave SF a day early and spend a night in Monterey or Carmel. Monterey Aquarium is worth visiting.
Carmel is a charming city.

Solvang (BTW Danish, not Dutch) is okay. It was great 20+ years ago when it really seemed more Danish. Today it's devolved into Wine Tasting kitsch. (IMHO).

The rest of your trip itinerary sounds great. San Diego has the best overall weather in the world! The Zoo is world class.
Point Loma has a beautiful view looking back at San Diego to the East and of the Pacific looking West.

I'm partial to DLR, having grown up nearby and going hundreds of times.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for all that, I think we'll take the bridge issue one step (or pedal) at a time. Sometimes he can be brave and then really enjoy it:)

Leaving a day early isn't really an option as that would be Christmas day, so I think we'll just leave that as it is, but thanks anyway
 
Agree with others that walking or biking across Golden Gate Bridge is a must if it's not too hard on your son.

Are you driving down the coast from San Francisco to Morro Bay along Highway 1? It's an amazing drive, the scenery is fantastic. If you do it, though, make sure you leave early. Highway 1 is a very curvy road that basically is on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. You will want to drive slowly, and in December the road may be wet or worse maybe foggy. You will also probably want to stop every so often to get out and enjoy the scenery (although fear of heights may be a bit of a problem here). We took a week driving along the California coast once, one of my favorite trips. We also spent a night in Morro Bay, it's very pretty there. Highway 101 is another option, faster but no scenery.

I live about an hour from San Francisco, so let me know if you have any questions about the city. I'm not super experienced with the tourist attractions there, but I know a bit about how the city works. My in-laws live in Southern California, so we drive down there a lot.

Have a great trip!
 
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Agree with others that walking or biking across Golden Gate Bridge is a must if it's not too hard on your son.

Are you driving down the coast from San Francisco to Morro Bay along Highway 1? It's an amazing drive, the scenery is fantastic. If you do it, though, make sure you leave early. Highway 1 is a very curvy road that basically is on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. You will want to drive slowly, and in December the road may be wet or worse maybe foggy. You will also probably want to stop every so often to get out and enjoy the scenery (although fear of heights may be a bit of a problem here). We took a week driving along the California coast once, one of my favorite trips. We also spent a night in Morro Bay, it's very pretty there. Highway 101 is another option, faster but no scenery.

I live about an hour from San Francisco, so let me know if you have any questions about the city. I'm not super experienced with the tourist attractions there, but I know a bit about how the city works. My in-laws live in Southern California, so we drive down there a lot.

Have a great trip!

We're planning to drive through Sanford as DD would love to see it (she's thinking of perhaps going there), then into Palo Alto (DW and I are both in the tech business so want to just see it). Haven't checked into it too much yet, but I kind of fancy going through Big Basin Redwood Park and seeing the redwoods. If that's too time consuming will link up with highway 1 at Santa Cruz and then drive down.

I think DS would like biking the bridge if he can just get to start. I'll have to try and find a way to work him up to it, the trip (as always) is a surprise so I can't talk to him about it directly.
 
We're planning to drive through Sanford as DD would love to see it (she's thinking of perhaps going there), then into Palo Alto (DW and I are both in the tech business so want to just see it). Haven't checked into it too much yet, but I kind of fancy going through Big Basin Redwood Park and seeing the redwoods. If that's too time consuming will link up with highway 1 at Santa Cruz and then drive down.

I think DS would like biking the bridge if he can just get to start. I'll have to try and find a way to work him up to it, the trip (as always) is a surprise so I can't talk to him about it directly.

I'll just refrain from saying anything about Stanford. Downtown Palo Alto is actually pretty nice. There are a a few tech companies downtown, but they're in office buildings. I've interviewed a few times. It's not really going to be much more than office buildings. The majority of tech employment is going to be in office parks or large campuses. Having worked in Silicon Valley for years, the dominant architecture is the one or two story building with Spanish tile, although modern looking multistory buildings are also used. For the most it's not all that interesting unless you can find a way in.
 
Drive across the bridge and he may be able to judge from that if he is willing to bike on it. You also have the Walt Disney Museum in the Presidio.

If you are looking for ideas and doing it a little cheaper here are a few sights to check out. Also if doing Alcatraz, buy tickets in advance as they usually sell out.

Groupon.com

Travelzoo.com

Livingsocials.com

Just put the town in there.
 
We're planning to drive through Sanford as DD would love to see it (she's thinking of perhaps going there), then into Palo Alto (DW and I are both in the tech business so want to just see it).

We live near Silicon Valley and took relatives on a tech tour at their request. It was interesting visiting places we pass by all the time but never look closely at or stop.

We took them to these places:
- Google offices in Mountain View to see the Android sculptures:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attract...id_Lawn_Statues-Mountain_View_California.html
- Facebook headquarters for photos with the "like" button sign, at the entrance to Dumbarton Bridge
- Drove around the perimeter of the construction of the new Apple "spaceship" campus in Cupertino. We couldn't see much at the time, but I've been more recently and you can see the building taking shape now. Maybe by the time of your visit it will be done.
 
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We're planning to drive through Sanford as DD would love to see it (she's thinking of perhaps going there), then into Palo Alto (DW and I are both in the tech business so want to just see it). Haven't checked into it too much yet, but I kind of fancy going through Big Basin Redwood Park and seeing the redwoods. If that's too time consuming will link up with highway 1 at Santa Cruz and then drive down.

I think DS would like biking the bridge if he can just get to start. I'll have to try and find a way to work him up to it, the trip (as always) is a surprise so I can't talk to him about it directly.

The most famous part of the California coast is probably the Big Sur area, which starts a bit south Monterey down to San Simeon. If you were thinking about stopping at a State Park, and you are going down highway 1 anyway, I would suggest Julia Burns Pfeiffer State Park. It's a more famous Park and I think it would save you some time compared to Big Basin. After Stanford and Silicon Valley, you could continue down 101 and skip the Santa Cruz area, the cut across to Highway 1 at Monterey and continue south on the 1 from there. There is a famous cove where a small waterfall (McWay Falls) falls on to a beach at Julia Pfeiffer Burns state park just a few minutes walk from the parking lot:

Julia_Pfeiffer_Burns_State_Park.jpg

If you're short on time, you could probably walk there and back in 20 minutes. It is relatively flat and paved if I recall correctly. (Edit: looking at pics , it does not appear paved but it is an easy walk). If you have more time, there are longer hike options.
 
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I'll just refrain from saying anything about Stanford. Downtown Palo Alto is actually pretty nice. There are a a few tech companies downtown, but they're in office buildings. I've interviewed a few times. It's not really going to be much more than office buildings. The majority of tech employment is going to be in office parks or large campuses. Having worked in Silicon Valley for years, the dominant architecture is the one or two story building with Spanish tile, although modern looking multistory buildings are also used. For the most it's not all that interesting unless you can find a way in.
Curious now, what's up with Sanford? Bear in mind a dad thinking about his daughter going to college there

Drive across the bridge and he may be able to judge from that if he is willing to bike on it. You also have the Walt Disney Museum in the Presidio.

If you are looking for ideas and doing it a little cheaper here are a few sights to check out. Also if doing Alcatraz, buy tickets in advance as they usually sell out.

Groupon.com

Travelzoo.com

Livingsocials.com

Just put the town in there.
Unfortunately only getting a car on the last day. Will let him see it and see how it goes from there

We live near Silicon Valley and took relatives on a tech tour at their request. It was interesting visiting places we pass by all the time but never look closely at or stop.

We took them to these places:
- Google offices in Mountain View to see the Android sculptures:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attract...id_Lawn_Statues-Mountain_View_California.html
- Facebook headquarters for photos with the "like" button sign, at the entrance to Dumbarton Bridge
- Drove around the perimeter of the construction of the new Apple "spaceship" campus in Cupertino. We couldn't see much at the time, but I've been more recently and you can see the building taking shape now. Maybe by the time of your visit it will be done.
Thanks, never had heard of the Android sculptures, love em

The most famous part of the California coast is probably the Big Sur area, which starts a bit south Monterey down to San Simeon. If you were thinking about stopping at a State Park, and you are going down highway 1 anyway, I would suggest Julia Burns Pfeiffer State Park. It's a more famous Park and I think it would save you some time compared to Big Basin. After Stanford and Silicon Valley, you could continue down 101 and skip the Santa Cruz area, the cut across to Highway 1 at Monterey and continue south on the 1 from there. There is a famous cove where a small waterfall (McWay Falls) falls on to a beach at Julia Pfeiffer Burns state park just a few minutes walk from the parking lot:

View attachment 178694

If you're short on time, you could probably walk there and back in 20 minutes. It is relatively flat and paved if I recall correctly. (Edit: looking at pics , it does not appear paved but it is an easy walk). If you have more time, there are longer hike options.
That's fab, thanks a mill.
 
Curious now, what's up with Sanford? Bear in mind a dad thinking about his daughter going to college there

You mean Stanford? I am a graduate of their biggest rival. Just trying to avoid any of the typical snark.

I frankly like Palo Alto, but it's off the charts expensive there now. If you're looking to see tech companies, in PA it's either downtown offices with guarded front doors, or office parks. I find tech companies are rather boring unless you can actually get in and see the grounds. My BIL works at Microsoft, and I got a good look from inside. From outside it looked like an office park. I suppose the one place you can get in is the Apple Company Store. They used to mostly sell Apple tchotckes, but apparently they've expanded and are a full store except no Genius Bar, along with t shirts and some tchotckes.

http://mashable.com/2015/09/19/apple-store-cupertino/#PhZK.l.guPqL

If you're going to be at the Presidio, you might want to see the Yoda statue at Lucasfilm.
 
You mean Stanford? I am a graduate of their biggest rival. Just trying to avoid any of the typical snark.

I frankly like Palo Alto, but it's off the charts expensive there now. If you're looking to see tech companies, in PA it's either downtown offices with guarded front doors, or office parks. I find tech companies are rather boring unless you can actually get in and see the grounds. My BIL works at Microsoft, and I got a good look from inside. From outside it looked like an office park. I suppose the one place you can get in is the Apple Company Store. They used to mostly sell Apple tchotckes, but apparently they've expanded and are a full store except no Genius Bar, along with t shirts and some tchotckes.

http://mashable.com/2015/09/19/apple-store-cupertino/#PhZK.l.guPqL

If you're going to be at the Presidio, you might want to see the Yoda statue at Lucasfilm.

Ahh, that's fine, rivalry is ok. Just worried that there was something else behind your comment.

For Palo Alto we only plan to pass through to be honest, just see the place, not a big deal if we don't see much.

Thanks for the heads up on the Yoda statue, we'll be visiting the Disney museum so will likely pass by there on the way
 
Ahh, that's fine, rivalry is ok. Just worried that there was something else behind your comment.

For Palo Alto we only plan to pass through to be honest, just see the place, not a big deal if we don't see much.

Thanks for the heads up on the Yoda statue, we'll be visiting the Disney museum so will likely pass by there on the way

You know the usual talk about some place being boring, ugly, etc. Really - I have no problem with the place. It's a very big campus though, and basically getting as a student without a bike is near impossible. Parking is an issue on weekdays though, except for some limited public parking. It's impractical to park in the city and walk in, and in any case Palo Alto has parking meters everywhere. Most of the campus is faculty and student parking until 4:30 PM on weekdays.

If I can put in a plug, I might suggest a trip to UC Berkeley. Certainly a lot of history there and great views of San Francisco Bay. Might be out of your way though.

As far as the Yoda statue goes - here's a description. The lobby is also open to the public. There's another Yoda statue at Big Rock Ranch (next to Skywalker Ranch) in Marin County, but you would need to have an invitation or be there on official business.

http://thebubblybay.com/visiting-lucasfilm-yoda-fountain-at-the-presidio/
 
Ahh, that's fine, rivalry is ok. Just worried that there was something else behind your comment.

Don't worry, both Stanford and Cal are fine academic institutions. Cal graduates (my wife being one of them) have an abnormally high amount of school pride, though, with that comes hatred of all things Cardinal, LOL. I am a neutral third party, so you can trust me :D.
 

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