California Holiday

Looking for recommendations of places to visit in California / Nevada. We are planning a family (wife + 11 & 14 yr old girls) trip next Easter and want to do many of the main sites, San Francisco, Yosemite, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, but I would also like to get some biking in for a couple of days out of the 2 weeks. I’m think Lake Tahoe and Sedona but also mindful of the massive driving distances. We are not bothered about LA and even the kids don’t want to go to any of the theme parks.

Anyone done a trip like this and any recommendations?

The higher areas of Yosemite may still be snow bound at Easter even though it is late next year, the valley should be ok. Ditto for Sequoia NP although that is well worth visiting if you can get up there.

On the other hand it’s a good time to visit Death Valley if you want to go that far south.

Went to CA in April in the mid 90’s and it was really good but some places in the high country were closed and the weather at the coast was misty and cool. Having said that seeing the Golden Gate emerging from the fog was one of the visual highlights

I’ve driven the coast road from San Diego to LA as well as from SF north across Golden Gate, Sausalito, Marin County and out to Point Reyes. I wouldn’t bother with the former, but north of SF is worth it, particularly making a visit to the Muirwoods National Monument.  Early in the year it can be pretty wet – I was planning to drive further north but the roads were flooded in places. I only got out to Point Reyes as I had a 4×4 truck with extra clearance – the ranger was surprised to see anyone. Depending on the time of year and weather you can see elephant seals, sea lions and migrating whales. I’d originally planned to go to Yosemite, but it’s pretty well a day’s drive from SF.

If you can sort a bike and someone to show you the ropes I’d recommend a day in Santa Cruz. The trails behind the University are excellent. You’ll need a guide though. And you can pretend to be a Lost Boy on the beach afterwards.

you can daytrip sedona from vegas if you leave the wife and girls doing some shopping, but its generally a pretty chill place to hang out for a while anyway (lots of hippy type shops there). There’s also prescott forest a bit further round, and some riding in flagstaff. I’ve also ridden Kingman but there’s not a huge amount there (worth it if passing through with a bike).

There’s a lot of riding all over the place, I’d just stick you’re very loose nonbiking itinerary together, open trailforks in a different tab and see whats what.