Day 1: Union Square is a cesspool and it is nothing like it was 10 years ago. I would not go there. I would do Alcatraz and Angel Island together. There's a great hike called Lands End. Basically you park around the old Cliff House and hike through Lands End and down to Baker Beach, walk through a neighborhood and you end up at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. Hike over the GGB to Vista Point and call an Uber to take you back. This hike gives you photo worthy glimpses of the bridge around every corner. It is spectacular!
Yes, go to the obligatory Fisherman's Wharf, but only because the sea lions are there and they are hilarious to watch play "king of the mountain" and watch them strut their stuff for who is alpha. Scomas Seafood is a great restaurant.
Muir Woods is a day by itself. You must make reservations far in advance for all of it.
Skip Napa. Your teens will be bored out of their mind. There is really nothing there that you can't find elsewhere. If you must go, riding the gondola up at Sterling is unique and/or going to Castello di Amorosa is also unique, spendy, but might be more interesting. Do not do the stupid wine train. But, if you go have dinner at the Rutherford Grill.
There are far better wines found in Sonoma, Livermore or Lodi.
Yosemite is a must on the list. The falls are running pretty strong right now. Nevada Falls and Mist Trail are beautiful. It's at least an hour drive up to Glacier Point for the best stargazing, but you could be lucky and hit it on a night an astronomers club is there. We have several times and they are generous with their telescopes and nerdy enough to talk endlessly about the 360 panoramic view.
Mariposa is also a very long drive from the valley floor and should have a day to itself.
I'd skip Monterey. Summer is the worst time to go and it is likely to be foggy and cold. The cold Alaskan waters hit the warm land and create fog. Spring and fall are the best times to go here. The aquarium is as good as any anywhere else. If you decide to go, Cannery Row is interesting and I'd visit the John Steinbeck Museum in Salinas along the way. Read some of the novels before you go. It is an area with a very rich history.
Dress is layers. You will be surprised how cold SF can be in the summer...like really surprised.
Your itinerary is very ambitious. Things take longer than this one supports.
If you have an extra day, go to the Giants or As game!
Yes, go to the obligatory Fisherman's Wharf, but only because the sea lions are there and they are hilarious to watch play "king of the mountain" and watch them strut their stuff for who is alpha. Scomas Seafood is a great restaurant.
Muir Woods is a day by itself. You must make reservations far in advance for all of it.
Skip Napa. Your teens will be bored out of their mind. There is really nothing there that you can't find elsewhere. If you must go, riding the gondola up at Sterling is unique and/or going to Castello di Amorosa is also unique, spendy, but might be more interesting. Do not do the stupid wine train. But, if you go have dinner at the Rutherford Grill.
There are far better wines found in Sonoma, Livermore or Lodi.
Yosemite is a must on the list. The falls are running pretty strong right now. Nevada Falls and Mist Trail are beautiful. It's at least an hour drive up to Glacier Point for the best stargazing, but you could be lucky and hit it on a night an astronomers club is there. We have several times and they are generous with their telescopes and nerdy enough to talk endlessly about the 360 panoramic view.
Mariposa is also a very long drive from the valley floor and should have a day to itself.
I'd skip Monterey. Summer is the worst time to go and it is likely to be foggy and cold. The cold Alaskan waters hit the warm land and create fog. Spring and fall are the best times to go here. The aquarium is as good as any anywhere else. If you decide to go, Cannery Row is interesting and I'd visit the John Steinbeck Museum in Salinas along the way. Read some of the novels before you go. It is an area with a very rich history.
Dress is layers. You will be surprised how cold SF can be in the summer...like really surprised.
Your itinerary is very ambitious. Things take longer than this one supports.
If you have an extra day, go to the Giants or As game!
Statistics: Posted by mrsbetsy — Sat Jun 15, 2024 12:37 am