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Yosemite, CA has beautiful mountains, waterfalls and rivers. May is my favorite month to go there because it's warm enough to wear only a light jacket but it hasn't hit full-blown tourist season yet. In June-August, it's warm enough to raft down the Sacramento River (inner tube at a slow, calming pace), but the water is still chilly. The most popular part of the park is the waterfalls, though the hike to the top is essentially switchback after switchback; the largest waterfall is at the bottom though and it's only a ten-minute stroll.
The Wawona Hotel and the famous but more expensive Ahwanee Hotel both offer gluten-free options and if you call ahead they will make sure there is something available to your tastes.
The only drawback for an out-of-state visitor is that it's 3.5 hours away from both the San Francisco and Sacramento airports.
But close to San Francisco, Point Reyes is a great beach/outdoors location. It's easy walking and absolutely stunning - I would recommend May or June to catch the wildflowers. There are no restaurants or snack bars so you would have to picnic it out, but it's close enough to San Francisco that you can zip back for some shopping.
I gather from your blog that you're from Sac and that you're a foodie. Mendocino could be a great option. Good food, good wine, interesting shopping, gorgeous beaches. The Panache Gallery has some truly beautiful sculpture. However, Mendocino is even further from the Sac airport than Yosemite; I think it's around four hours. The only gluten-free menu I know of is at Raven's Restaurant, but Mendocino has a few gluten-free exports so it stands to reason that there are more restaurants.
Source(s):
1. http://www.yosemitepark.com/default.aspx
2. http://www.yosemitepark.com/Dining_WawonaDiningRoom_Menu.aspx
3. http://www.yosemitepark.com/Dining_AhwahneeDiningRoom_Menu.aspx
4. http://www.nps.gov/pore/
5. http://www.mendocino.com/
6. http://www.ravensrestaurant.com/dinner.html
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These would be fun places that have most of what you are looking for. Venice would not have mountains.
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On the other hand... if you want something memorable and cheap, go to Las Vegas! Hotel prices are a steal right now, and you will definitely have a great time.
If you like camping, Joshua Tree National Park is beautiful and great for a weekend get-away. Or Big Bear, which has amazing views and some great hiking trails.
As for beaches... Santa Barbara is beautiful, although a little pricey. Santa Cruz is very fun and quaint, but I don't think you can beat good old Venice beach in Los Angeles for excitement. You'll definitely find gluten-free food in LA. In fact, there is a vegan/organic restaurant that is new to Venice beach, right on Pacific, which I noticed when I was there yesterday.
Source(s):
Personal experience
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Nature v/s Entertainmnet
If you purpose is Entertainment and have never been in West Coast, definetly Southern California. Sea World, Disney, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Shopping, plus some beautiful beaches.
If nature is your choice then Yosemite National Park.
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Answered Question
M$1
March 19, 2009 05:14 AM
Where would you suggest two sisters should travel along the west coast of the US?
Can't decide on a location for my sister and I to travel to sometime b/t May-Aug this year. One of us is in CA and on is in AZ, and we don't want to pay an arm and a leg in airfare. San Diego and Hawaii are out. It would just be a quick trip, fly out Friday afternoon, home Sunday night. Suggestions?
We like shopping, some outdoor adventure, the beach, and the mountains. A location that is also known for being gluten free friendly would be handy.
We like shopping, some outdoor adventure, the beach, and the mountains. A location that is also known for being gluten free friendly would be handy.
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| March 19, 2009 11:11 PM |
The Wawona Hotel and the famous but more expensive Ahwanee Hotel both offer gluten-free options and if you call ahead they will make sure there is something available to your tastes.
The only drawback for an out-of-state visitor is that it's 3.5 hours away from both the San Francisco and Sacramento airports.
But close to San Francisco, Point Reyes is a great beach/outdoors location. It's easy walking and absolutely stunning - I would recommend May or June to catch the wildflowers. There are no restaurants or snack bars so you would have to picnic it out, but it's close enough to San Francisco that you can zip back for some shopping.
I gather from your blog that you're from Sac and that you're a foodie. Mendocino could be a great option. Good food, good wine, interesting shopping, gorgeous beaches. The Panache Gallery has some truly beautiful sculpture. However, Mendocino is even further from the Sac airport than Yosemite; I think it's around four hours. The only gluten-free menu I know of is at Raven's Restaurant, but Mendocino has a few gluten-free exports so it stands to reason that there are more restaurants.
Source(s):
1. http://www.yosemitepark.com/default.aspx
2. http://www.yosemitepark.com/Dining_WawonaDiningRoom_Menu.aspx
3. http://www.yosemitepark.com/Dining_AhwahneeDiningRoom_Menu.aspx
4. http://www.nps.gov/pore/
5. http://www.mendocino.com/
6. http://www.ravensrestaurant.com/dinner.html
| Asker's Rating: |
• You offered a lot of great information. Not sure if my sister and I will do this, or my fiance and I will, but Yosemite is in my future. Thanks.
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Other Answers (4)
March 19, 2009 06:52 AM
I suggest that you look up some info on either Venice, Malibu or Catalina Island. These would be fun places that have most of what you are looking for. Venice would not have mountains.
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March 19, 2009 11:56 PM
San Francisco is a great weekender-location. I took my sister there and we had a great time! Watching the seals relaxing on the bay is wonderful. Plus, the shopping is great! You can also explore Berkeley, which is also great for shopping and food, and there are plenty of national parks for hiking. On the other hand... if you want something memorable and cheap, go to Las Vegas! Hotel prices are a steal right now, and you will definitely have a great time.
If you like camping, Joshua Tree National Park is beautiful and great for a weekend get-away. Or Big Bear, which has amazing views and some great hiking trails.
As for beaches... Santa Barbara is beautiful, although a little pricey. Santa Cruz is very fun and quaint, but I don't think you can beat good old Venice beach in Los Angeles for excitement. You'll definitely find gluten-free food in LA. In fact, there is a vegan/organic restaurant that is new to Venice beach, right on Pacific, which I noticed when I was there yesterday.
Source(s):
Personal experience
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March 20, 2009 02:28 PM
I should have included SF on my cities that were out, as we've been many times, but Los Vegas might work.
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March 20, 2009 06:19 PM
Two categories depending on your preference. Nature v/s Entertainmnet
If you purpose is Entertainment and have never been in West Coast, definetly Southern California. Sea World, Disney, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Shopping, plus some beautiful beaches.
If nature is your choice then Yosemite National Park.
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March 22, 2009 05:51 PM
I did mention San Diego was out, meaning we've done most of the tourist stuff in SoCal.
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But someone else suggested Las Vegas and that's a fantastic idea. I would definitely recommend catching a Cirque du Soleil show! I've seen Kooza (which isn't in Vegas) and Mystere and they are the only performances to ever literally make my jaw drop. I would envy you if you saw "O", which has underwater acrobatics.
Cirque du Soleil: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/lasvegas/en/home/index.asp
And here's an extra source to find good shopping: http://www.visitlasvegas.com/vegas/play/shopping/