Trisha & Jonathon
California Roadtrip Ideas
Our Ten Day Trip Recommendation
I know a lot of you are VERY lost as to how to make a trip out to California for the wedding work, so if you're treating it as a cracking summer trip here's what we'd suggest. Of course add to this, but this would be our suggestion for a great ten day tour. Fly into San Francisco and spend a couple of days exploring that mad city you've seen in Mrs Doutbfire and The Rock amongst other 90s classics. Rent a car and drive up to Grass Valley (Wedding venue and Trisha's home town) arriving on the Friday. If you fancy, stop off in Sonoma Square Wine Country for some tasting on the way. If you are in town over the weekend see the 'Schedule of Events' page for what we've got planned. By the Monday/Tuesday after the wedding continue heading East to Lake Tahoe, it's just a stunning spot that's probably the highlight of Northern California. Spend a couple of days there for your California beach/swimming experience. Drive back down to San Fran for your flight home.
San Francisco
recommendations by Kayla (a bridesmaid & she lived there for 7 years) and Sandy -The Mission District for tacos/mural walk or bars in the evening. Check out Valencia Street/16th st/Mission st. -The SF Giants Major League Baseball team play at Oracle Park in Downtown SF. They are playing the Arizona Diamondbacks Aug 15th-18th at home. -Dolores Park for a picnic (they do summer movie nights too) -Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, and Ghirardelli’s chocolate factory is a fun waterfront area to wander. Scomas is the top choice, alternatives are Alioto’s and Tarantino’s for good seafood places-the clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl is a San Francisco classic. -Ride a cable car! Its an SF classic- there’s one that leaves from outside the chocolate factory. -Golden Gate Park is gorgeous and has the California Academy of Sciences and the De Young Art Museum. -Ocean beach-a beach on the edge of the city, you can drive right to it and go put your toes in the sand.
SF part 2
-The Cheesecake Factory is a chain, but is very tasty. There’s one in Union Square with a high view. -Lower Haight St bar hopping - Try Toronado or The Alembic. -Fillmore Street Jazz- Head to the Geary St & Fillmore St intersection & check out John Lee Hooker’s Boom Boom Room or Sheba Piano Lounge. -David's Burrito Talk :) "I love a good burrito. For big forearm size ones that are a bit greasy there's El Farolito. There's ones that are a bit more manageable but still very good at El Metate. And there's one more that's called El Papalote with the best salsa ever. And if they have time there's a Mexican Salvadorian restaurant called Los Panchos on Mission St that is my fav restaurant of all time. I wouldn't get a burrito there but their plates are fantastic!" He grew up in SF and had very strong opinions about burritos :) - On your way to Napa from SF there’s a scenic viewpoint just across the bridge from the city where you should stop and get photos with the bridge behind you!
Wine Country stops
Northern California is famous for it's wine, why not go try some at source. Recommendations from Jenna (a bridesmaid) and Alexis both work in wine and live or have lived down there. These recommendations are mostly food and wineries. Sonoma- hit the square to wander the shops and gather wine and cheese and snacks from specialty shops and wineries. Then picnic in the park at the middle of the square. Downtown Napa- for sure go to Oxbow Market, Stone Brewery, and Mark Harold Winery tasting room. R+D Kitchen in Yountville - 2 different friends recommended this Ad Hock in Yountville Schrambsburg Winery does a great tour. Sterling Winery - they have a tram up a mountain to the winery. Coppola Winery Stoney Hill in Calistoga Gott's Roadside
Muir Woods
Muir Woods National Monument – is a beautiful old growth forest of giant redwoods. It’s just across the Golden Gate Bridge and down a valley. If you want to hit the redwoods this is the closest place. The Park is part of California’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area, north of San Francisco. It’s known for its towering old-growth redwood trees and lots of walking trails.
California/US classics to hit on the road…..
In & Out Burger --burgers and milkshakes YOU MUST EAT HERE IF YOU SEE ONE WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING Chipotle -- basically Subway for Mexican food & delicious Peet’s Coffee -- (lot of people prefer it to Starbucks)
Yosemite
The most stunning national park if you really want to make the trip special. Can be difficult to reserve a place to stay as it is so popular. Also it’s not really near anything else so it’s a drive over or through the mountains to get to that part of the state. Then again - it’s known world wide for a reason. Absolutely beautiful scenery! My parents honeymooned there years ago and UK friends Sam & Chloe and Mark & Heather both visited recently on their honeymoons.
Lake Tahoe, North Shore
Recommendations by Sandy, Greg and Stacey (She lived in North Shore for 40 years) Tahoe is a big favourite. It was a highlight for Sam and Chloe too when they came on their honeymoon from England. –Head to Kings Beach and enjoy the gorgeous lake. - Grab a drink or lunch at Garwoods Bar & Grill with a great lakeside view. -Stop in at the CalNeva Lodge to straddle the state lines between California and Nevada. -Check for live music events when you arrive- lots of great outdoor music this time of year. -The Hyatt has a great restaurant, the Lone Eagle Grill. The Golden Eagle cocktail is what they’re known for. **The Hyatt has also got great fire pits on the beach! They have loads of rental equipment like kayaks if you want to get on the water in the day as well. -For a special meal out try Soule Domain, a tiny cottage restaurant in Crystal Bay. It’s a cozy upscale romantic cabin. It is very small and you’ll need to make a reservation but it has wonderful food.
Carmel
If you want the longer tour down the coast south of San Fran (headed to LA) Carmel is a beach stop. Recommendations from Nicole -The Highlands Inn is a ‘very nice’ restaurant. -Point Lobos- for a beautiful scenic walk -One of my favorites is Demetra Cafe (it's not really a Cafe, but it is amazing!) -Another cool classic place to check out is Clint Eastwood's bar called Hog's Breath Inn. It costs a bit more for drinks but the bar is very tucked away and unique: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hogs-breath-inn-carmel -A great seafood place is Aw Shucks: https://www.yelp.com/biz/a-w-shucks-cocktail-and-oyster-bar-carmel?osq=Aw+Shucks A cool trick here is to ask for the "Local Burger" and you can get a really good burger at a discounted rate. Just as an FYI it is not on the menu, but I promise it is a real thing! As for things to do there is always the aquarium, but the beaches in Carmel are beautiful. The top two are Asilomar and Carmel State Beach.
Pismo Beach
Headed down the coast -- Walking the beach has tons of options as it’s kind of a one street town. For breakfast try Zoro Cafe. Places suggested for Lunch/Dinner are The Cliffs resort and the Dolphin Bay resort restaurants and Splash Cafe for clam chowder. A great winery to check out is Laetitia. Some fun activities in Pismo are Pismo Ridge hike, Monarch Butterfly Grove and Pismo Beach Pier.
LA County
If you find yourself celeb hunting in Los Angeles Recommendations from Dana - Hollywood Walk of Fame. It's dirty and a tourist trap, but kind of a must see. Keep an eye out for the historical stuff; Ex: the Chinese theater (a lot of movie premieres happen here, and it’s where actors put their handprints/footprints in the cement), different celebrities’ stars, etc. Tip- Don't take pictures with the people in cosplay as they’ll expect money. -California Science Center and the Natural History Museum (Or really all of Exposition Park) The Science Center is very similar to the Cal Academy of Sciences in SF. Though SF is focused more on Ecosystems and natural sciences. CSC in LA is more about space and human body/ societal development. If you are space fans, the Space Shuttle Endeavor is on display and is very cool. -Aquarium of the Pacific- Dana works here. There’s so many great animals to see here! - Malibu State Park- it’s sandy, tropical looking and gorgeous with lots of tide pools.
LA County part 2
-Whale Watching- It's summer is Blue Whale Season. Fun fact: only 1% of the world's population has seen a Blue Whale. -Disneyland OR Downtown Disney- Disneyland costs an arm and a leg. But Downtown Disney is free (parking is like $14 an hour, but with a $20 purchase in the shops or restaurants you can get it validated). If you want a bit of the magical experience, check it out. Recommended: Ralph Brennen’s Jazz Kitchen Express- it's a jazzy New Orleans bakery and you should 100% get the beignets. They are MOUTH WATERING. - Upright Citizens Brigade on Franklin- in an improv theater that has nightly shows, really cool history and great comedy! It’s a very local’s thing. Lots of stars got their start here. Occasionally they will still come back and make an appearance.
Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo
Some fine Santa Barbara restaurant recommendations from Don: Zaytoon (Mediterranean) Arigato Sushi Los Agaves Bouchon (French) Opal (American) Stonehouse Restaurant (American) Bettina (Italian) Lure (Seafood) Ideas from Kelsey: The funk zone in Santa Barbara has wineries and breweries. The pier is nice to walk down. There’s a restaurant called Cubaneo my friend owns. It’s open for lunch and there’s also a bar and brewery there too. On the drive down to SB you can’t go wrong stopping in San Luis Obispo. My favorite restaurant there is Novo, but Firestone Grill has great Tri tip and pulled pork sandwiches. There are also wineries in SLO and in Paso Robles. A few include: Chamisal, Kelsey See Canyon (I’m biased) Turley, Baileyanna, and J. Lohr. SLO also has a great deli called Gus’s. There’s an awesome ice cream shop called McConnell’s and Handlebar and The French Press for good coffee.
San Diego
The baywatch town, but we're right on the border of Mexico now... -Kayla suggests checking out the GasLamp District, Coronado Island, and Mission Beach. -A highlight for Jon and I was touring the retired navy ship the USS Midway- we were there for 4 hours and loved it! Dana suggests: -La Jolla Cove is the best place to snorkel; weather and ocean conditions dependent. There are rental shops around, or you can check out AirBnB experiences. -Old Town San Diego is a historical district with the BEST Mexican food. My personal favorites are Cafe Coyote for it’s great atmosphere and good margaritas and Miguel's for chips and salsa and queso dip. It’s free. Need I say more? -Torrey Pines State Park has great coastal hiking trails and epic ocean views. Keep an eye out for whale blows. .https://torreypine.org/reserveinfo/
San Diego Part 2
-San Diego Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country (arguably the world). A trip to this zoo would be a full day event to see: giant pandas, giraffes, galapagos tortoise, koalas, etc. -Kyler recommends checking out Liberty Station down by the airport, it has Stone Brewery, markets, and a few other restaurants. The Miramar neighborhood has a bunch of really good and well known breweries too (Ballast Point, Alesmith, Duck Foot). Idk how touristy you want to be lol but the USS Midway Museum is pretty cool. So is Balboa Park (which also has botanical gardens there). Also he says Broken Yolk and Harry’s are where to find good breakfast.