California trip itinerary help

Question

Hi, Really appreciate any help on this: we are a family of 4 (girls age 20 and 15) planning on our big California trip in August. after many reading we come up with (specified the night over places - so removing the driving time sometimes leaves half a day before or after):

04-Aug San Diego - arriving at 10 am to LAX

05-Aug San Diego

06-Aug San Diego

07-Aug Anaheim

08-Aug Anaheim (Disneyland day)

09-Aug Sequoia NP

10-Aug Sequoia NP

11-Aug Yosemite

12-Aug Yosemite

13-Aug Lake Taho?

14-Aug Lake Taho?

15-Aug San fransisco

16-Aug San fransisco

17-Aug San fransisco

18-Aug San fransisco

19-Aug Montrey

20-Aug Montrey

21-Aug Morroe Bay/Cambria

22-Aug LA

23-Aug LA

24-Aug LA

25-Aug LA

26-Aug LA

27-Aug fly home in a morning flight from LAX

sound reasonable? the girls are not early birds :-)

I am thinking of maybe adding one night at Yosemite and one night elsewhere instead of Lake Tahoe? what would be better?

Thanks!!!

Answer

Your proposed California trip itinerary is ambitious but feasible. It covers many of the state’s highlights, from Southern California beaches and theme parks to the Sierra Nevada mountains and Northern California cities. Since your girls are not early risers, you’ll want to factor in realistic start times and allow for some flexibility.

Observations and Suggestions:

San Diego (4-6 Aug): Three nights is a good amount to explore Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, La Jolla, and beaches without feeling rushed.
Anaheim (7-8 Aug): Two nights are perfect for Disneyland. Arriving the evening before gives you a less stressful start.
Sequoia NP (9-10 Aug): Two nights are ideal for exploring Giant Forest, Moro Rock, and Crescent Meadow. Driving from Anaheim will take 6-7 hours, so consider leaving early on the 9th.
Yosemite (11-12 Aug): Two nights are generally sufficient for Yosemite Valley highlights (Yosemite Falls, Tunnel View, Mirror Lake), especially if you’re not hiking extensively.
Lake Tahoe (13-14 Aug): One night may feel rushed, given the drive from Yosemite (~4-5 hours). If you’re looking for more relaxation and scenic activities, consider staying two nights, but keep in mind that your overall itinerary is tight.
San Francisco (15-18 Aug): Four nights gives a nice pace to see key areas (Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate, Alcatraz, Chinatown) and allows one slower day for rest or flexibility.
Monterey (19-20 Aug): Two nights is perfect for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and 17-Mile Drive.
Morro Bay/Cambria (21 Aug): One night works, though it is mostly a travel day with a short visit to scenic coastline.
Los Angeles (22-26 Aug): Five nights in LA is generous. Allows for Hollywood, Santa Monica, Griffith Observatory, Beverly Hills, and possibly a day trip to Malibu or Disneyland if desired.

Regarding Yosemite vs. Lake Tahoe adjustment:

If your priority is national parks and iconic scenery, consider adding an extra night in Yosemite instead of Lake Tahoe. This allows a more relaxed pace for Yosemite Valley and even a short hike or Tioga Pass drive if open.
Alternatively, if you want a mix of lake recreation and mountain scenery, keep Tahoe but plan two nights there. You can skip some of the smaller stops along the way or shorten the LA portion slightly.
Another compromise is to reduce LA nights to four and split the saved night between Yosemite and Tahoe, giving you more time in both natural destinations without rushing.

Other Tips:

Consider driving times: Some legs are long (Anaheim → Sequoia, Yosemite → Tahoe, Tahoe → San Francisco). Start mid-morning or earlier to avoid fatigue.
Book accommodations early, especially in Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, as August is peak season.
For late risers, focus on afternoon/evening activities in cities and plan early mornings only for drives or unavoidable sightseeing.

Overall, your itinerary is reasonable, but the key decision is balancing Yosemite and Lake Tahoe nights. For scenery and iconic sights, extra time in Yosemite may offer the best experience, while Lake Tahoe is more about relaxation and lake activities. Adjusting LA nights can help free up time for the parks.

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