I am planning a trip to California. My start point is the Los Angeles area since that is there my plane lands. I will travel up the coast and stay in Big Sur one night, visit friends in San Francisco for a few nights and then head back to see another friend in Ventura. I wanted to stop at Sequoia National Park but now think I may not be able to because I will have a rental car without chains and I guess there will probably be snow there. Can anyone verify that? So what should I see since I will have already seen the coast. Or can I risk it and drive into and see the park? Thanks.
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What should I see inland between San Francisco and Ventura in California on Dec. 7 & 8?
ConansOwner 10:01 am on December 24, 2009 Permalink
They are expecting snow showers for Sat 11/28. Check the weather site before you go.
The Drake 10:01 am on December 24, 2009 Permalink
Sequoia National Park will have the same things the coastal range has, Redwood trees, though not nearly as small as coastal redwoods. I think you should be OK as it really doesn’t snow much until Jan. Could still be wet and messy. I’d have a plan B and watch the weather the day before you travel back.
Also check out Pinnacles National Monument @ http://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm
jennifer 10:01 am on December 24, 2009 Permalink
If you are going to Sequoia Forest, that is near Fresno off Hwy 99. That usually gets foggy in the winter. You would return to L.A. from there on I-5 since it is a direct route but weather is not good esp toward the grapevine (where they meet). And anyway, that is way inland from the coast where you are going on Hwy 101 and Hwy 1. You can find tall redwood forest near the coast so it is not worth going to Sequoia Park.
If you are driving up 101 from Ventura you can stop in Santa Barbara. That is certainly worth a visit and to the S.B. Mission. It is a beautiful city and history of Spanish conquerers. It has everything. A good restaurant is Fuddrucker’s. You can go to the beach at Carpinteria, near S.B., then go a little ways north to UC Santa Barbara. You will be driving up 101 to San Luis Obispo and go toward Hww 1 to San Simeon and Hearst Castle. You may have to get tickets ahead. That is on the way north toward Carmel and Big Sur.
If you are going across the state to Sequoia Park, take Hwy 46 from Paso Robles and stop at the James Dean Memorial if that interests you.