For those of you who don't know, my family is the Griswolds. We've road-tripped our way to 49 states as a family and this coming May-June, we'll be hitting 50 with a 3-week jaunt to California. I'm mapping the trip out now and I've got all of the usual suspects...historic locations, national parks, amusement parks, etc. I'm also a big fan of quirky. (Yes...we've visited the twine balls in Darwin, MN and Cawker City, KS!) What I'm looking for is suggestions of places to go and things to do that might often be overlooked. I can't promise that we'll have time for all of them since it's only 3 weeks and CA is a large state, but I'd certainly love to find more things to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated and no kind of attraction is out of bounds. Thanks!

You road-tripped to Hawaii? Impressive.

Okay...technically we had to fly there, but once we got there, we certainly didn't sit on a beach. We got some ideas from Kym and others and then drove the hell out of 4 islands!

I'm big on seeing nature, so I would be sure and see Sequoia, Redwoods, Yosemite, Death Valley, Mojave National Preserve, and Joshua Tree. That's a LOT of driving, from the top of the state to just about the bottom. I'd have to hit San Francisco for some sightseeing, sourdough, and cable cars. LA for the Hollywood landmarks, and San Diego for the zoo as well. But it seems like it would take more than 3 weeks to do all that.

Always wanted to see the sights on California. I'd have to see all the Hollywood stuff and San Francisco. I plan on one day flying to Hawaii and stopping in CA to spend a few days in the SF region on the way back.

Muir Woods

also stop by the Zappa's and ask Gail if you can visit the vault.

Have a drink at Barney's Beanery in Hollywood. Supposedly Janice Joplin spent her last evening there and Jim Morrison got banned for pissing on the bar.

Sort of like a typical day out with Chris.

Napa Valley is beautiful and SF is a great visit with a lot of history and unique sites like the World's Most Crooked Street.

Check out the aqueduct on the drive. The special feature on the Chinatown blu ray is a great prep to appreciate it.

Hwy 1 covers most of the state and it's a beautiful drive. It will take you thru Malibu, big sur, morro bay, San simeon and the red woods.

The special feature on the aqueduct from the Chinatown blu-ray is called "Water and Power".

Jeff covered most of the good stuff, and more (LA - yuk).

Some lesser stuff (do it if you happen to be in the area):
wineries
ocean carnival in Santa Cruz
Pebble Beach golf course
Monterrey aquarium

You could've driven out to Hawaii on a duckboat.

I had to include LA because I could not pass by seeing Grauman's Chinese Theater and other old Hollywood stuff (It's still Grauman's; I don't care what corporate sponsorship it has now lol). I love the classic film era. But otherwise, I would avoid LA, yes.

I'd want to see Mt. Palomar Observatory.

I agree. I took Hwy 1 from LA to SF. Loved it so much I took Rt 101 down to about Santa Barbara and redid it again.

That one month journey up the coast was one the best things I ever did in my life. I stopped and stayed in certain cities for long weekends or like Santa Barbara for a week to really get the feel of the locations. This was back in 1977, wow that long ago.

Rick A.

If you'll be in San Francisco, I'd recommend the Ai Weiwei exhibit on Alcatraz. Surely, the Griswalds would go to Alcatraz. And the exhibit titled "@ Large" is a beautiful expression of freedom while focusing on the plight of political prisoners; visual art and music too. Its brilliant and having it on Alcatraz is brilliant. The island itself is really fascinating and often one of the former prisoners is there to tell stories and sign his book.

And for more nature right in the city, make your way to Lands End for gorgeous hikes and stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. And, oh yeah, definitely walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Finally, for a fun, strictly San Francisco social experience, go to a coffee shop in the Sunset district called Trouble. Coffee and Cinnamon Toast and a socially responsible message and some of the best people watching imaginable. The toaster only has four slots so it takes about 40 minutes on a Saturday morning to get your toast. But, it's the City. And, it's cool and great!

Have fun!

Oh! Re: San Francisco, again: And for really quirky and cool....go to Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco, walk down the steps toward North Beach and watch for the Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. There is a documentary on these parrots for reference. There are about 200 living there and they move around in bunches (we saw bunches of half a dozen to about thirty at a time) swooping through the trees, squawking, and buzzing the tourists! It is quite an experience.

Jeff...very good! You hit most of the highlights that I've already mapped out. I definitely wanted to go back to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park. I had time for the things in Hollywood and Mulholland Drive. We'll also likely do time at Universal and Disneyland. The national parks you listed are the kinds of things that are really up my alley. I had kind of bypassed Mojave though. Would that be a mistake?

As for driving, I'm used to it. Past trips have often gone 1000s of miles and that's in two weeks. Thanks for your help!

P.S. Almost forgot..I definitely want to see "The Rock" while in San Fran!

I've heard of Muir Woods...not sure I had it written down though. Thanks!

You mentioned this to me before but I'd forgotten. Thanks for the reminder Smiff! (...and no, I won't be taking Chris on this trip!)

Oh absolutely...have to do Lombard Street with the kids!