Weekend getaway destination from San Francisco with the parents?
November 30, 2015 5:14 AM Subscribe
My husband and I are visiting my parents, who live in San Francisco, over the Christmas holidays. Something within a 2-3 hour drive, 2 day trip. We took them to Sonoma last time, which went down decently, but now that it's winter we're not as sure where to take them this time. Some restrictions below the fold:
- My parents are retired and around 70 years old (mother is a bit younger than that, father a bit older). Usually long walks are great, but my mom recently hurt her ankle and it's taking ages to heal so I think any sort of walk would need to be broken up with frequent breaks.
- They don't speak English that well (Korean).
- My dad likes a drink, my mom doesn't. Good food goes down well with both.
- Dad golfs, mom doesn't. They both can ride bicycles but mom's ankle will need to be kept in mind.
- They are well travelled (pyramids, Great Wall of China, Vatican, been there, done that, all without me!). They've most recently come back from a week long cruise that ended with a visit over 5 states. So they like seeing "stuff".
- That said, I think they just want to spend time with us. I personally like to have some sort of activity to spur conversation particularly due to the language gap.
Considering:
- Grass Valley. Has anyone been? I'm wondering if it's too cheesy or small.
- I thought Monterey would be nice but would it be too cold in the middle of December?
- Same for Half Moon Bay
- Hearst Castle: Just a wee bit further than I wanted and my mom took me there as a child, but if my dad hasn't been this could be an option as they have a Christmas themed tour which could be fun. But what else is there in San Simeon to fill out two days?
Off the list:
- Yosemite: Too cold and relies on too much hiking for entertainment
- Tahoe: We've been there as a family quite a number of times.
- Napa: Too much like Sonoma
- My parents are retired and around 70 years old (mother is a bit younger than that, father a bit older). Usually long walks are great, but my mom recently hurt her ankle and it's taking ages to heal so I think any sort of walk would need to be broken up with frequent breaks.
- They don't speak English that well (Korean).
- My dad likes a drink, my mom doesn't. Good food goes down well with both.
- Dad golfs, mom doesn't. They both can ride bicycles but mom's ankle will need to be kept in mind.
- They are well travelled (pyramids, Great Wall of China, Vatican, been there, done that, all without me!). They've most recently come back from a week long cruise that ended with a visit over 5 states. So they like seeing "stuff".
- That said, I think they just want to spend time with us. I personally like to have some sort of activity to spur conversation particularly due to the language gap.
Considering:
- Grass Valley. Has anyone been? I'm wondering if it's too cheesy or small.
- I thought Monterey would be nice but would it be too cold in the middle of December?
- Same for Half Moon Bay
- Hearst Castle: Just a wee bit further than I wanted and my mom took me there as a child, but if my dad hasn't been this could be an option as they have a Christmas themed tour which could be fun. But what else is there in San Simeon to fill out two days?
Off the list:
- Yosemite: Too cold and relies on too much hiking for entertainment
- Tahoe: We've been there as a family quite a number of times.
- Napa: Too much like Sonoma
Given the fact that you're not on fire to actually see anything in particular, and that your Mom is having mobility problems, perhaps you ought to hang out in town and do some things close to home.
While any of us who have lived in San Francisco for any length of time feel like we've seen and done it all, obviously there are tons of cool things to do every day of the week. The added benefit is that if your Mom is not feeling up to it, she can chill at home while the rest of you go out.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:53 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
While any of us who have lived in San Francisco for any length of time feel like we've seen and done it all, obviously there are tons of cool things to do every day of the week. The added benefit is that if your Mom is not feeling up to it, she can chill at home while the rest of you go out.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:53 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Wintertime is desert time. Death valley? Palm springs? Joshua Tree Park? Living Desert is very neat.
posted by notned at 6:07 AM on November 30, 2015
posted by notned at 6:07 AM on November 30, 2015
Carmel is nice. Solvang is maybe near San Simeon, with Danish and Christmas Overtones. Anya Neuevo Beach for elephant seal watching. There are some old missions near San Simeon. If you stay closer North, Alice's Restaurant is up on La Honda, I always recomment Duartes Tavern for seafood at Pescadero (very comfortable and high end delicious.) If you wanted to stand on a beach for a few, San Gregorio is just a mile west of Pescadero. The Stage Road, north out of Pescadero is the quintessential northern Cali drive. The roads through the redwood areas of La Honda/Pescadero are lovely. There is a beach near Pacifica a preserve covered with miniature shells. You can't take them, but meditatively exquisite, and very accessible.
posted by Oyéah at 7:49 AM on November 30, 2015
posted by Oyéah at 7:49 AM on November 30, 2015
I spent last Christmas in Pacific Grove with my family, including my elderly father. It was great. The downtown is very cute and walkable, it's close to the restaurants in Carmel and the aquarium in Monterey, and you can walk to the waterfront and along the coast and watch for dolphins, whales, and sea otters. If you like beachcombing there's the awesome Asilomar State Beach, and a lighthouse at Point Pinos next to the public golf course.
We rented a house through VRBO, and it was lovely and not too expensive, and came with a hot tub and a barbecue.
The weather was brisk but acceptable, and lovely in the sun.
posted by suelac at 8:47 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
We rented a house through VRBO, and it was lovely and not too expensive, and came with a hot tub and a barbecue.
The weather was brisk but acceptable, and lovely in the sun.
posted by suelac at 8:47 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you do Hearst Castle, you can combine it with a drive through BIg Sur, if it's not really foggy on the Coast, or you could visit Morro Rock. You could overnight at Moonstone Beach in Cambria, which has a lovely boardwalk along the scenic beach.
The coast is chilly all year round, but often nicer in winter than in summer.
Another option might be Mendocino area. Quaint small town and very scenic even without lots of walking.
posted by vunder at 9:47 AM on November 30, 2015
The coast is chilly all year round, but often nicer in winter than in summer.
Another option might be Mendocino area. Quaint small town and very scenic even without lots of walking.
posted by vunder at 9:47 AM on November 30, 2015
I spent this weekend in Carmel/Monterey.
It is a bit cold but not really any worse than hanging around the ferry building or the Marina in SF.
For me the highlight was driving along 17 Mile Drive. Some of the landscapes of the coast and cliffs are breathtaking, and there are golf courses nearby if your dad wants to play, including Pebble Beach. It is pricey, though.
The aquarium is a bit overrated. If you've been to an aquarium before then you won't see much that's new. The jellyfish and sardine exhibits are cool, though.
Carmel is quaint and low-key but you'll still probably be driving everywhere.
Driving down Route 1 is also pretty amazing, weather permitting. For me the best parts were between Carmel and Big Sur. A common thing to do is watch the sunset from one of the many vantage points. Be aware that the drive back north is hell.
posted by rq at 10:32 AM on November 30, 2015
It is a bit cold but not really any worse than hanging around the ferry building or the Marina in SF.
For me the highlight was driving along 17 Mile Drive. Some of the landscapes of the coast and cliffs are breathtaking, and there are golf courses nearby if your dad wants to play, including Pebble Beach. It is pricey, though.
The aquarium is a bit overrated. If you've been to an aquarium before then you won't see much that's new. The jellyfish and sardine exhibits are cool, though.
Carmel is quaint and low-key but you'll still probably be driving everywhere.
Driving down Route 1 is also pretty amazing, weather permitting. For me the best parts were between Carmel and Big Sur. A common thing to do is watch the sunset from one of the many vantage points. Be aware that the drive back north is hell.
posted by rq at 10:32 AM on November 30, 2015
I think we need to know what you consider too cold. (I'm a native San Franciscan now living in the Northeast and my definition of too cold has changed dramatically!)
When I go back to visit my friends and family, I always do a drive down Highway 1. Half Moon Bay's nice, but I'm kind of in love with Pescadero, which is teeny but charming. Half Moon Bay and Pescadero are a day trip at best, though.
I think the Carmel/Pacific Grove suggestions are really good ones and you could tack on HMB easily. Taking HW1 instead of 101+HW1 will take a bit more time but oh, it's worth it!
posted by smirkette at 2:42 PM on November 30, 2015
When I go back to visit my friends and family, I always do a drive down Highway 1. Half Moon Bay's nice, but I'm kind of in love with Pescadero, which is teeny but charming. Half Moon Bay and Pescadero are a day trip at best, though.
I think the Carmel/Pacific Grove suggestions are really good ones and you could tack on HMB easily. Taking HW1 instead of 101+HW1 will take a bit more time but oh, it's worth it!
posted by smirkette at 2:42 PM on November 30, 2015
As someone who has had a broken ankle, I'm thinking anything that involves a lot of walking on cement is not going to be a good choice for your mom.
What about a train trip from SF to somewhere else in California? One idea is to pop up to Sacramento - you could go to Old Sacramento (wooden sidewalks would be easier on the ankle), then head to the Capital or train museum close by. The main attraction would be riding the train. You can see train ride options here.
Even if Sacramento isn't appealing, just keep the limited walking thing in mind.
posted by mulcahy at 6:48 PM on November 30, 2015
What about a train trip from SF to somewhere else in California? One idea is to pop up to Sacramento - you could go to Old Sacramento (wooden sidewalks would be easier on the ankle), then head to the Capital or train museum close by. The main attraction would be riding the train. You can see train ride options here.
Even if Sacramento isn't appealing, just keep the limited walking thing in mind.
posted by mulcahy at 6:48 PM on November 30, 2015
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Monterey could work - the aquarium is outstanding, though it might be more walking/standing than your mom's ankle is comfortable with.
posted by rtha at 5:36 AM on November 30, 2015