help with itinerary for family trip to Monterey and Yosemite

Question

I'm hoping to get some suggestions for a family trip to Monterey and Yosemite this June.

We have 3 children (tweens and teens) and will be flying in and out of SFO in late June. I'm trying to figure out what to do with the 2 bookends of the trip when we have time near SF.

The plan so far is to arrive at SFO at noon, and I need to make a plan for that first afternoon/night.

We will drive to Monterey the next morning where we have a hotel for 3 nights. Planning on hiking, the aquarium, walking around Carmel, and driving down the coast.

Then we will drive to Yosemite, and stay for 2 nights. Looking at staying near Oakhurst.

Then we will head back to SFO to fly home, and I'm trying to figure out whether to just stay in Yosemite an additional night (so that would be 3 nights total instead of 2), and that would mean driving the 3+ hours to the airport in the morning to catch an afternoon flight. It is doable, but it would be a really long day because we have 6 hours of flying.

Alternatively, instead of a 3rd night in Yosemite, we could possibly head back toward SF and spend the last night in Napa or Sonoma just to see it briefly and go to a good restaurant before we fly home. But I would like to hear from those who are familiar with the area. Any other ideas?

To summarize, the itinerary could be:

Day 1 - arrive at SFO noon. Spend afternoon in SF.

Spend the night where? Near SF, Sausalito? Or just get out of town and stay somewhere between SF and Monterey and potentially save some $ that way?

Day 2 - drive to Monterey.

Day 3 - Monterey area

Day 4 - Monterey area

Day 5 - check out of Monterey hotel and drive to Yosemite area.

Day 6 - Yosemite

Day 7 - drive to Sonoma? (or other location near SF?) spend the night where?

Day 8 - fly out of SFO at 3pm

Thank you very much for any tips or ideas! I haven't been to the SF Area in 15 years but have seen the news about the problems there so I don't know that we will plan to spend a night in town.

But I'd love to hear from those with recent experiences. Thanks again.

Answer

For a family trip to Monterey and Yosemite in late June, it’s good to balance sightseeing, driving times, and accommodations to keep the kids comfortable. Since you are flying into SFO at noon, the first afternoon and evening can be light and not too stressful after the flight.

Day 1 – Arrival at SFO:

After landing, instead of staying in San Francisco, which can be busy and pricey, you could consider staying south of the city along the peninsula or just across the Golden Gate in Marin. This avoids the worst of SF traffic and gives you a nice evening to relax.

Option 1: Stay near Sausalito for a quick sunset stroll, waterfront views, and easy access to restaurants.
Option 2: Stay in South SF, Redwood City, or Palo Alto area if you want to start your drive to Monterey early the next day and potentially save on hotel costs.
Option 3: Burlingame or Millbrae near the airport, convenient for a short evening and early departure.

Day 2 – Drive to Monterey:

The drive from the SF area to Monterey takes about 2–3 hours without stops. You could consider taking the scenic route via Highway 1, stopping at Half Moon Bay or Santa Cruz for a quick break or lunch. Arrive at your Monterey hotel and spend the evening relaxing.

Days 3-4 – Monterey Area:

Monterey Bay Aquarium – allocate a few hours for this world-class aquarium.
Carmel-by-the-Sea – walk the charming streets, enjoy local shops and cafes.
Coastal drive – take scenic stops along 17-Mile Drive or nearby beaches.
Optional short hikes – for teens and tweens, trails like Point Lobos State Natural Reserve provide easy, rewarding hikes with ocean views.

Day 5 – Drive to Yosemite Area:

Depending on where you stay, driving from Monterey to Oakhurst or other Yosemite gateway towns is roughly 4–5 hours. Stop for lunch along the way in small towns like Mariposa. Check in to your hotel and rest, or take a short evening walk near the hotel.

Days 6-7 – Yosemite Exploration:

Spend Day 6 exploring Yosemite Valley – iconic sites like Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Fall.
Day 7 options:

Option A: Spend another morning in Yosemite, then start your drive back toward SFO. You could stay overnight in Sonoma or Napa to enjoy a nice dinner and a brief wine country experience before your flight.
Option B: Skip the wine country and spend a third night in Yosemite area. Then leave early on Day 8 to drive 3+ hours to SFO. This is doable but makes for a longer travel day before your flight.

Day 8 – Return Flight:

Plan at least 3–3.5 hours for the drive from Yosemite/Sonoma to SFO, plus 2 hours for airport security. Aim to leave early enough to ensure a stress-free arrival.

Other tips:

Booking hotels along your route in advance is key, especially for Monterey and Yosemite gateway towns.
Try to minimize city driving in San Francisco with the family—parking and traffic can be stressful.
Highway 1 scenic stops can be quick for photos and short walks if pressed for time.
Check for any road closures in Yosemite, as late June can still have some restrictions in higher elevations.

In summary, for ease and relaxation, it’s generally better to stay south of SF on Day 1, enjoy Monterey for 3 nights, spend 2 nights near Yosemite, and optionally have a brief overnight near Sonoma/Napa before heading to SFO. This keeps travel times manageable while allowing quality experiences with the family.

help with itinerary for family trip to Monterey and Yosemite

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