West Coast Trip Ideas

“Hi all,

I'm working on planning a trip for the beginning of August. I want to head somewhere in California, where I can fly in to San Francisco, San Diego, or some place like that, rent a car, go backpack for a few days in an amazing park out there, and then spend a day or two enjoying the city that I flew into. I'm very much an east coaster, so I don't know too much about the parks out there, except big things like Yosemite. Let me know if anything comes to mind. I really appreciate it.

Happy Hiking,
Charles”

“You gotta check out Troll Forest in Trollsonville.”

“What kind of scenery are you looking for? (mountains, coast?)Are you a multi-mile a day hiker or do you like to set up camp and dayhike from there?

Mountains? I'm partial to Yosemite, though by August the waterfalls won't be too impressive. Coast? Try the Lost Coast...the best beach backpacking in CA.

Jon Shannon
www.YosemiteTrailsDVD.com”

“Fly into San Francisco and spend time there, go north and do wine country, then head south to LA stopping at coastal parks along the way and fly out of LA. I think inland hikes will be too hot at that time of the year. There are many day hikes along the coast.

If you are serious and have 9 days or more, buy, the CA hiking guide by that Stienestra guy or whatever his name is or get it from the library.

Get tickets for Jay Leno if it's not too late.”

“sierranomad - Sounds like a great DVD. Are you associated with Sierra Nomad Photography?
Videomaker Magazine”

“nowslimmer:
Yes, that's me. It amazes me. The web is a big place. It always surprises me when I run across someone I've had contact with on another forum.
Enjoyed your pictures. I'll try not to get you angry. :)

Jon Shannon
Sierra Nomad Photography
www.YosemiteTrailsDVD.com”

“back to the original question..........

I would suggest flying into SF and heading for Lake Tahoe, Desolation, Ansel Adams, Emigrant Wilderness or something western Sierraish but then I am partial to Northern California. Just remember that California is a big state so getting from point A to point B can take many hours. The north coast is also has some great possibilities but I am not as familiar with them. I haven't spent much time in Yosemite mostly because I have the impression that it is a three ring circus. Many people do find solitude there and it is undeniably beautiful. It is just that everyone from out of state heads there.

With all due respect to LH, bag the LA idea, especially in August. The coast is one long hot drive and once you are in LA you are really sunk. The coast will be in the 90s and the Sierra actually cools down at night.

2cents from a Southern California gal who is happy to now live in Northern California.”

“Ditto what Pepper said, I think Northern CA is just about impossile to beat! I like the JMT, all the area around Yosemite & the "better known" locations, but it's hard to beat those she mentioned and they're less populated (except Tahoe of course).

Hi Ya Pepper... howz it going? I'm off to Desolation this weekend, join in if you can (bring the girls!)
last edited: 6/30/05 1:27:38 AM”

“pepperdog - Thanks for all the due respect for LA!!

Since you are talking about August, the temps would be nicer in SF than in LA.

Anywhere in the Sierras will be nice. From SF you could go to Yosemite, or even to Sequoia-Kings Canyon. Yosemite waterfalls will be down a bit by then, but we had a great snowpack this year so that helps. Yosemite has a lot of backcountry, in addition to the famous Yosemite Valley.

Central Valley will be hot, so perhaps not a good place to explore. Lots of wine country to explore within an hour or two of SF plus some coastal stuff.

When I go to SF I am happy getting a room somewhere near the wharf and using that as a starting point. You can do a lot in SF in two days. Where your earthquake shoes (j/k).”

“Tuolumne Meadows will not be as crowded as the Valley (Yosemite). If you plan on backpacking and we knew how much time you had we could offer some specific suggestions.

SierraNomad
www.YosemiteTrailsDVD.com
last edited: 6/30/05 11:25:34 AM”

“what I mean by "how much time you had" is how long of a hike/backpack trip you have in mind.”

“Or you could just go to Oregon or Washington and not worry about high temps at all. LOL!”

“Phil - the "due respect" was for Lipstick Hiker, not LA.

Funny that charlesharrison hasn't piped up, what with all these great suggestions flying around. Maybe Sarge is right (for once).”