Trip to West No.2 - National Parks in California

Yo Sake · Jan 8, 2011

We had a great trip to PNW last year. Thanks, Matt/Joe and others for your help. I have never posted photos so here are some. 
 
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/71567/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="111_1537.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15875" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15875/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/71569/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="SAM_0226.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15876" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15876/width/375/height/500" style="; width: 375px; height: 500px"></a><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/71571/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="SAM_0306.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15877" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15877/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/71573/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="SAM_0358.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15878" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15878/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/71575/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="SAM_0368.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15879" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15879/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a>
 
Now I have started planning a trip to California. We would like to cover some of the places you guys mentioned last year but we couldn't visit due to our focus on OR/WA. 
Here is a list of places we are going for sure (in this order due to lodging limitations). We are likely to flying to San Jose;
- Yosemite (cabin booking done!) - 3 nights
- Kings Canyon/Sequoia (lodge booking done!) - 3nights (may shorten)
- San Francisco
 
Questions;
- We would love to visit Mono Lake/Lake Tahoe area. It doesn't seem to make sense to drive from Sequoia to the area and then to S.F. Should we drive via Mono/Tahoe Lake to get in Yosemite, from San Jose? We can fly one day earlier than planned so we have a day to spend around the lakes. Then Yosemite, then Sequoia.
- We have a total of possible 11 days; it would be great if we could extend our trip to Death Valley (from Sequoia), or going north from SF to Redwood. There seems to be no direct way to east from Sequoia to DV... not sure how long it will take to get to DV going around the south of Sequoia. Plus once you get DV, driving back all the way to SF seems to be a pain. Would it make sense to come back to the Bay area after Sequoia then drive to Redwood and spend a day? Or, forget the additional park and enjoy SF and Napa and all that fun for 4 days or so. 
 
Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated.

hobey · Jan 8, 2011

Can you do an open jaw airfare and fly into Reno (if you really want to do Tahoe) or Sacramento and fly out of SJC or SFO? I would really recommend flying into Sacramento if only to avoid the nasty Bay Area traffic. DV will be a stretch. I would pick either DV or Sequoia, not both. Plus there are so many cool things to do in and around SF i.e. wine country, the beaches, Santa Cruz, etc. Having spent a lot of time in the area and having been to DV, I would spend the remaining amount of time in SF proper. Save DV for when you do a Utah/Las Vegas type vacation.

Swimmerbee · Jan 8, 2011

I'd suggest you include tahoe but save mono/eastern sierras dv for a trip from LV or So Cal. Too much slow windy driving, I like it but its a lot of driving. If you do go to the area, suggest you stay in the June Lake area (that's mono area). For Tahoe its a lot of $$ so you may wish to reserve in advance. I can't picture in my mind sequoia to tahoe but there should be a way if its summer not winter (I am always there when roads are closed by snow or fire). Consider flying into Reno its usually cheaper then do a rt hitting sequoia and yosemite and San Fran.

MBannon · Jan 8, 2011

Sequoia is not on the way to or from anywhere, unfortunately.
 
Mono Lake is interesting for about 30 minutes. Maybe less.
 
Eastern Sierras (Bishop, etc) are AWESOME, but require a lot of research, driving, wandering, and improvising. I would avoid the area for this type of trip.
 
Yosemite is incredible. Be sure to get up to Tuolomne Meadows and hike around.
 
Red Woods are great for a couple hours, but Yosemite has a Sequoia grove that is 80% as good and a whole lot easier to visit (since you are already in the park).
 
Death Valley - haven't been.
 
Joshua Tree is phenomenal in the off season. Wouldn't want to be there in prime time (April-Oct). Would be too hot and too crowded.
 
Lassen is neat for about 20 minutes.
 
The beach is...the beach. Great, but crowded.
 
Tahoe/Donner is crazy-awesome if you are willing to rent mountain bikes for a day. No joke, some of the most amazing biking EVER. If you don't bike, the area is beautiful, but rather crowded and touristy.
 
Wherever you end up settling on, let me know - I know lots of "semi-secret" gems down in that area. Natural hot springs, cheap camping, etc. I could spend my life exploring California without ever getting bored.

jenotter · Jan 8, 2011

So many parks/cool places, so little time!!
 
Personally, I love the Mammoth/June Lakes area - it's awesome any time of the year. Make sure to see Devils Postpile - quite an amazing sight. I think further up that highway is a small city called Bridgeport and there used to be a place to stay called Doc & Al's that was very close to fishing and a fun, rustic place. I have no idea if it's still there or what shape it's in, but it was great when I was younger!
 
I would also put in a plug for visit to the Bristlecone Pine Forest...super old trees, really neat to see. We went there on a camping trip when I was a kid and it has remained one of my favorite memories.

Yo Sake · Jan 8, 2011

Thanks guys, I knew I would get very helpful info. I looked at flying Reno and returning from San Jose - that would work well with our schedule since we would like to visit Lake Tahoe. And thanks for your suggestions not to stretch out to DV or Redwood - it looks like we would have more time enjoying the places of our visits instead of doing too much driving. DH and I have been to SF areas a few times, but kids haven't. It looks like we will spend good amount of time admiring the natural beauties (and people watching... due to this trip being in the toward the end of August) from Lake Tahoe ~ Yosemite ~ Kings Canyon/Sequoia and enjoying the big city stuff around SF.

Yo Sake · Jan 8, 2011

Jen - I got to check out the area/place!
 
Speaking of memories.... when I was 16-yrs old (living in Japan), I had a great opportunity to come to CA as my city's ambassador/exchange student for 6wks. The city I lived in had a sister city relationship with Burbank CA. I spent 3wks near Burbank and another 3wks near Sacramento. One of the trips was to Mammoth Lake with many new Japanese & American friends. Boy, I had a time of my life, still remembering all-night conversation about the life (how we the bunch of teenagers knew) with them in my poor English. Wonderful memories.

jenotter · Jan 9, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Yo Sake <a href="/forum/thread/72048/trip-to-west-no-2-national-parks-in-california#post_1975103"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Jen - I got to check out the area/place!
 
Speaking of memories.... when I was 16-yrs old (living in Japan), I had a great opportunity to come to CA as my city's ambassador/exchange student for 6wks. The city I lived in had a sister city relationship with Burbank CA. I spent 3wks near Burbank and another 3wks near Sacramento. One of the trips was to Mammoth Lake with many new Japanese & American friends. Boy, I had a time of my life, still remembering all-night conversation about the life (how we the bunch of teenagers knew) with them in my poor English. Wonderful memories. 
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Definitely! There's really some amazing things in the eastern Sierras.
 
Ok, let's talk food. If you make it to Bishop, you have to stop at Schat's bakery - <a href="http://www.erickschatsbakery.com/" target="_blank">http://www.erickschatsbakery.com/</a>. Just amazing. And if you make it further to Big Pine, there's a place called BBQ Bills that used to be really good. Ohhh...only 3 stars on Yelp. But I loved it! <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-b-q-bills-oneys-bishop" target="_blank">http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-b-q-bills-oneys-bishop</a>. And in Mammoth, Oh! Clutch my pearls...there's a Schat's there too. That must be new! There is a Chart House - it's a chain (west coast??), but the food is always fantastic. Best blue cheese salad dressing.
 
Yeah, I'm a foodie.

I grew up not far from Burbank and I have a cousin who lives there now! Small world!

Yo Sake · Jan 10, 2011

Looks like Mammoth/Bishop area will be for a future trip along with DV. 
 
Now about Tahoe.... if we stop only 24hrs or so - a whole afternoon and next morning - (no time for mtbking), is it worth it? Other than enjoying the scenary & having a relaxed morning trot nearby, what would you do? Also, is the driving from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite via CA395 (and stop over at Mono Lake) and Tioga Pass a nice drive? Lake Tahoe seems to be a destination in itself to stay for more than a few days to enjoy water sports, etc., not just for 24hrs, look around and move on. 
Your opinion?

Swimmerbee · Jan 14, 2011

Food: Schats at mammoth and bishop are two different owners with a little rivalry. Breakfast is better at mammoth and the bread at Bishop also try the take n bake pizza on academy in bishop and the little asian cafe in mammoth (cna't think of the name). I didn't liek the food aroudn tahoe but there's a great bbq place in June lake. Bridegport got cut off by a change in the river for a while and kind of went downhill, stop at the ranger station and ask how to get to the travertine hotsprigns or email me before you go! THere's a great hamburger place in ...walker ..i think between tahoe and mono lake. 
 
The drive from Tahoe to Mono lake is sort of monotonous, high hills, grasses distant peaks but the rest of the eastern sierra is more interesting, you will pass the hamburger place and hot springs (but you have to know how to find them) but I think it's going to be a bit of a let down after Tahoe and I start to cheer up when I finally get to mono lake. It always seems long. mono is a very interesting volcanic area and its nice to arrange a canoe trip on the lake but the level is rising and I'm not sure how the tufas are doing, still a very interesting area. Food and gas are very very expensive there so fill up in bridgeport.
 
Tahoe -disclaimer not my favorite place-have a nice swim in the lake, paddle the lake, drive or ride around the lake. I like to stay 24 hours and move on but if you like the big boats and such you should stay!
<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by jenotter <a href="/forum/thread/72048/trip-to-west-no-2-national-parks-in-california#post_1975210"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Yo Sake <a href="/forum/thread/72048/trip-to-west-no-2-national-parks-in-california#post_1975103"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> Jen - I got to check out the area/place!
 
Speaking of memories.... when I was 16-yrs old (living in Japan), I had a great opportunity to come to CA as my city's ambassador/exchange student for 6wks. The city I lived in had a sister city relationship with Burbank CA. I spent 3wks near Burbank and another 3wks near Sacramento. One of the trips was to Mammoth Lake with many new Japanese & American friends. Boy, I had a time of my life, still remembering all-night conversation about the life (how we the bunch of teenagers knew) with them in my poor English. Wonderful memories. 
</div>
</div>
 
Definitely! There's really some amazing things in the eastern Sierras.
 
Ok, let's talk food. If you make it to Bishop, you have to stop at Schat's bakery - <a href="http://www.erickschatsbakery.com/" target="_blank">http://www.erickschatsbakery.com/</a>. Just amazing. And if you make it further to Big Pine, there's a place called BBQ Bills that used to be really good. Ohhh...only 3 stars on Yelp. But I loved it! <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-b-q-bills-oneys-bishop" target="_blank">http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-b-q-bills-oneys-bishop</a>. And in Mammoth, Oh! Clutch my pearls...there's a Schat's there too. That must be new! There is a Chart House - it's a chain (west coast??), but the food is always fantastic. Best blue cheese salad dressing.
 
Yeah, I'm a foodie.

I grew up not far from Burbank and I have a cousin who lives there now! Small world! 

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Trip to West No.2 - National Parks in California

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