California Coast PCH Master Thread

[shiframeir]

Where are you staying in Yosemite ?

was told by a couple of people who did it that its really worth it to get housing inside yosemite, staying outside is really annoying (got to drive in for an hour each time).

Anybody ever stayed at the Super8 in monterrey (planning to stay there for a quick night on the way down)?
Is the monterey aquarium really worth a day (been told its the best in america, is it really?)

[wonderlust]

was told by a couple of people who did it that its really worth it to get housing inside yosemite, staying outside is really annoying (got to drive in for an hour each time).

Anybody ever stayed at the Super8 in monterrey (planning to stay there for a quick night on the way down)?
Is the monterey aquarium really worth a day (been told its the best in america, is it really?)

I was at the aquirm with some friends about 10 yrs ago- we thought was over rated & got our money back and bounced- was also told by everyone how amazing it was.. Could be for a family might be nice. If your in the area you should hit Carmel, much nicer area..

In Yosemite do you have a hotel reserved?

[shiframeir]

I was at the aquirm with some friends about 10 yrs ago- we thought was over rated & got our money back and bounced- was also told by everyone how amazing it was.. Could be for a family might be nice. If your in the area you should hit Carmel, much nicer area..

In Yosemite do you have a hotel reserved?

not going to yosemite this time, but there are a few places on site that are nice (for a price, james franco likes this place http://www.yosemitepark.com/the-ahwahnee.aspx .
 
What's good in carmel? current plan is go in the morning from SF to stop in monterrey aquarium and sleep in a super 8 (little scared about this, but got a 2 room suite for $61 with points), then carmel/big sur next day morning and then drive down to LA.

[mochada]

not going to yosemite this time, but there are a few places on site that are nice (for a price, james franco likes this place http://www.yosemitepark.com/the-ahwahnee.aspx .
 
What's good in carmel? current plan is go in the morning from SF to stop in monterrey aquarium and sleep in a super 8 (little scared about this, but got a 2 room suite for $61 with points), then carmel/big sur next day morning and then drive down to LA.

Do you have a hyatt CC night? If so, Hyatt Carmell Highlands is a bit past Monterey and if you ask nicely they will put you in a townhouse.  This is where we stopped.  If not, any UR or Marriott/IHG/Hyatt points? All those chains have hotels in Monterey proper.

[wonderlust]

not going to yosemite this time, but there are a few places on site that are nice (for a price, james franco likes this place http://www.yosemitepark.com/the-ahwahnee.aspx .
 
What's good in carmel? current plan is go in the morning from SF to stop in monterrey aquarium and sleep in a super 8 (little scared about this, but got a 2 room suite for $61 with points), then carmel/big sur next day morning and then drive down to LA.

the drive all along from monterrey thru bigsur is all amazing but Carmel in particular is just a beautiful white sand beach. Pismo beach ( if your going that far south) has really cool atving on the sand dunes by the beach. it's one of the only places in the country that has that

[wonderlust]

Any suggestions for best places (VALUEWISE) to stay for a night with 2 kids and a baby bw san fran and LA? was thinking some of the holiday inn suites or candlewood suites around san luis obispo/pismo beach. any experiences appreciated.

i find the marriott residence inns give you great value for these type of stays. only 10k points instead of 200$..

[thaber]

We went to the aquarium about 10 years ago,  it was pretty cool, but probably overrated. 

[MosheD]

So planning a westcoast road trip for july. Exact dates are very last minute but hopefully about 2 weeks long.
Im thinking SF/PCH/LA/LV or SD
Big first issue is ow rental. Any tips?
 Also we did book 2 2day silvercar rental on ddms deal (sorry Dan only gave you one refferal ). Will they let us play around with that (change location/date) or it is what it is?

[ushdadude]

Is the monterey aquarium really worth a day (been told its the best in america, is it really?)

Atlanta has the best aquarium in the country.

[shiframeir]

Do you have a hyatt CC night? If so, Hyatt Carmell Highlands is a bit past Monterey and if you ask nicely they will put you in a townhouse.  This is where we stopped.  If not, any UR or Marriott/IHG/Hyatt points? All those chains have hotels in Monterey proper.

thx, hyatt is 25k points for basic 2 person room (no guarantee on townhouse, and not showing availability for my night). have IHG etc, but those options dont seem as worth it. think we will rough it at the super 8 suite for 61 and 3k points...

[wonderlust]

Anyone care to weigh in: I plan on driving sat night from la to Fresno & then go to Yosemite Sunday. I have (as of now) a 9:20pm flight out of lax on Monday so here are the options:
1- stay in the valley for 250$ for Sunday night & get in another half day in Yosemite & head out around 1:00
2- do the same but stay in El Portal which is supposedly 30/45 min away & save 100$.

3- after sunset by glacier point go to the westin by mamouth lake & stay in that area until 1:00/2:00?

4- ditch the whole Yosemite ( I love it there but been there twice) and just go to the westin for Sunday/Monday.

I am hoping to get on later flight Monday night to buy me some more time.
Thanks

[mochada]

Atlanta has the best aquarium in the country.

+1000 

[Drago]

thx, hyatt is 25k points for basic 2 person room (no guarantee on townhouse, and not showing availability for my night). have IHG etc, but those options dont seem as worth it. think we will rough it at the super 8 suite for 61 and 3k points...

I stayed using a bought free night cert, came out to be a much better value.

[12HRS]

I stayed using a bought free night cert, came out to be a much better value.

cat 1-4 or sign up night?

[Dan]

Anyone want to wikify the top activities on the PCH?

[Yehoshua]

Anyone want to wikify the top activities on the PCH?

Maybe later today.

[Yehoshua]

Anyone want to wikify the top activities on the PCH?

Done, but feel free to add.

[Dan]

Awesome, anyone want to add reviews of those activities?

[Yaalili]

Done, but feel free to add.

Thanks, great wiki.

[Yehoshua]

Awesome, anyone want to add reviews of those activities?

Thanks. I've done all the activities listed with the exception of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Solvang.  More specific questions would be helpful.

Thanks, great wiki.

Thanks!