SF/Sacramento tourism

[Labcat]

The San Francisco tourism thread inspired me to inquire about things to do on my trip.  

I'm graduating next week with my B.S. in Laboratory Science and my parents are giving me a week vacation wherever they have a time share.  I chose Angels Camp in California and now I'm trying to figure out what to do while my husband and I are there.  We are flying in and out of Sacramento (May 4-11) and are renting a car.  So far the only two things on the must-do list are Calaveras State Park and Alcatraz.  I'm not a drinker so the whole wine thing is out.  What are your suggestions for fun things to do in the Angels Camp/San Francisco/Sacramento area?

[Deleted]

Why Angels Camp?

[justme]

Don't rent the car while you're in San Francisco! Crazy drivers and parking is ridiculously expensive. I had a few heart attacks just taking public transport (even the cable cars!) and the few cab rides I took.

Book your Alcatraz tickets now, they sell out.

I really did like Muir Woods. If you could swing it I'd do Yosemite and Sequoia Parks, since that's what I want to go back and do. If you like parks, Golden Gate Park is huge and you could spend a whole day in there visiting the sights/museums if you wanted to.

That's about all I have beyond what's already in my thread.

Enjoy your trip!

[Labcat]

Apr 15, 2014 15:43:45 GMT -5 @atsahsreborn said:

Why Angels Camp?

That was the only Wyndham place in northern California that had a decent point value.

[Labcat]

Apr 15, 2014 15:44:32 GMT -5 justme said:

Don't rent the car while you're in San Francisco! Crazy drivers and parking is ridiculously expensive. I had a few heart attacks just taking public transport (even the cable cars!) and the few cab rides I took. I have the car for the week but based on your thread I was wondering if there was somewhere I could park it outside of SF and take transit into the city.

Book your Alcatraz tickets now, they sell out. Yup, I already missed out on the night tour but there are plenty of day tours left that I'll book tonight.

I really did like Muir Woods. If you could swing it I'd do Yosemite and Sequoia Parks, since that's what I want to go back and do. If you like parks, Golden Gate Park is huge and you could spend a whole day in there visiting the sights/museums if you wanted to.  I'll look into these, we enjoy parks and hiking.

That's about all I have beyond what's already in my thread.

Enjoy your trip! Thanks!

[Bonny]

Are you going to stay one night in SF?

Although Map Quest says it's only a 2hr 40 minute drive one-way plan it being much, much more. Probably closer to 4 hours each way.

You're in the heart of the Gold Country which is a lot of fun. Here's a link to Trip Advisor:

 www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g29094-Activities-Angels_Camp_California.html

Yosemite is also doable. King Canyon/Sequoia is quite a bit further south and east. I wouldn't want to do that in a day and back either. Mariposa Grove in Yosemite has Giant Sequoias so you can get a taste of what they are like.

A friend and I were in Yosemite last year just in time for the Government Shut Down. We got about 3 hours in the park on the Monday. Do take the tram tour. It's a little pricy but well worth it.

Visit the Ahwahnee Hotel. If you want to eat dinner there you will need to make reservations ASAP. But even eating outside in the bar area is pretty wonderful.

We took 120 out to Mono Lake. Going over the Tioga Pass is amazing. Mono Lake is other worldly.

We also went down to Bass Lake but given how close you are to other lakes I would probably skip it.

The one good thing about the shut down was that by some reckoning and good luck we were able to find a back way into the  Mariposa Grove and snuck in. We had all those big trees nearly to ourselves.

Have fun!

[Mardi Gras Audrey]

When are you going?  They have the "jumping frogs of Calaveras County" competition there during the summer.

Angels camp is REALLLLLLLLLLY far from SF.  I wouldn't count on day trips to SF from Angels Camp, the commute would be horrific.  Maybe one but not multiple days.  You can drive to Pleasanton (on 580) and take the BART into SF.  From there, you can easily get to the touristy parts of SF (Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, etc).  You could also drive to Stockton and take the train from Stockton to SF.  I would take the train from Stockton if you are going in the morning because the morning commute from the Central Valley to the Bay Area (across 580 to Pleasanton) is horrific.  It is bad coming the other way in the afternoon also.

As far as what to do in the Angels Camp area, that part of CA is Gold rush country!  Go to Columbia State Park (Old miners town... You can pan for gold, ride a stage coach, etc).  Go caving at Moaning/California/Mercer? caverns.  You should definitely drive to Yosemite and spend a day or so.  There is lots of outdoor stuff to do up that way (rafting, hiking, etc) and lots of historic stuff from the Gold rush era. 

Definitely take a day trip to Lake Tahoe.  The drive is beautiful and it isn't too far...

[Mardi Gras Audrey]

grrr.. double post!

If you do stay in SF, I recommend the Cow Hollow Motor Inn and Suites.  It has FREE PARKING, is super clean, and reasonably priced (I stayed there last week for 1 night- $96 + tax)!!! and is located in the Marina district, which is nice.  There are a lot of restaurants/shops in the neighborhood.  You could drive in, park, and then walk/cab/public transport to fisherman's wharf/Alcatraz/marina. 

I do recommend having a car if you want to see the West side of SF and Golden Gate Park.  Those areas are nice (lots of good views of the Pacific Ocean, hiking/jogging trails, etc).  If you go to SF, maybe drive one day, stay at Cow Hollow Inn, park the car and explore the east side of SF (the car-hating side) one day with the other day being on the west side (Lands End, Cliff House, Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach, etc).  

[Bonny]

If you want to spend time in the City add a day to your itinerary and stay somewhere local and BART in. I've stayed at this hotel in South San Francisco. On the weekends it's pretty reasonable.

www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g33116-d119617-Reviews-s1-Inn_at_Oyster_Point-South_San_Francisco_California.html

[Labcat]

Apr 15, 2014 16:15:11 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Although Map Quest says it's only a 2hr 40 minute drive one-way plan it being much, much more. Probably closer to 4 hours each way.

And this is why I wanted to ask the locals. Thanks.  I'll look into perhaps staying the night nearby.

We aren't the type to try to pack everything possible into a vacation.  We would mostly be happy chilling in the hotel reading or relaxing in a park.  

[Labcat]

Apr 15, 2014 16:25:29 GMT -5 Mardi Gras Audrey said:

When are you going?  

May 4-11

[Mardi Gras Audrey]

Labcat, just to give you some perspective- the roads east of Hwy 99 going into the foothills (where Angels Camp is) are windy and 1 lane in each direction.  The speed limit is 55 but you get stuck behind agricultural vehicles (A lot of America's food is grown here), campers/RVs, and other slower vehicles.

Hwy 4 (Stockton to the Bay Area) is also a small 1 lane, windy country road.  Most people who live in the Central Valley (Stockton, Modesto, etc) commute to jobs in the Bay Area (Pleasanton, SF, San Jose, etc).  

The only Major route to the Bay area is across the Altamont Pass on 205/580.  This means that the traffic is really bad on Hwy 4 and 580/205 going West (into the Bay Area) in the AM and East in the PM.   

Even if something is "60 miles" just know it will take a lot longer than 1 hour to get there, especially at rush hour time.

[Labcat]

Just looking at Google Map it's giving me three options.  Two go to Stockton: and either take 580 or 4.  The third option is 12 to 160 to 4.  Does 205/580 make the most sense?

I'm from metro Detroit so I'm familiar with 60 miles not equally 60 minutes but I've always heard stories about California commutes.

[Mardi Gras Audrey]

205/580 makes the most sense.

It is bad though between like 6-9 AM (West bound) and 4-7 (east bound). 205/580 are interstates that are 2-4 lanes in each direction. Monday AM are probably the worst westbound and Friday evenings are worse eastbound so try to avoid those times.

4 and 12 are one lane in each direction (They go through smaller towns and are somewhat dangerous, as they don't have barriers between each side). 

Once you get into the Bay area, it shouldn't be too bad (if you are outside of normal commute hours- mornings/ late afternoon-evening). The Bay area is mostly interstates.   The approach to the Bay Bridge can get crowded no matter what time but it doesn't seem as bad if you come from the southeast on 580 (versus from the northeast on 80).  Coming from 580, you can also go across the San Mateo Bridge and come into SF from the South if traffic is bad on the Bay Bridge.  This way is farther distance wise but it seems to have less aggravation (especially if you are going to the West side of SF- you bypass all of the traffic on the east side).

[Bonny]

Apr 15, 2014 16:55:42 GMT -5 Labcat said:

Apr 15, 2014 16:15:11 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Although Map Quest says it's only a 2hr 40 minute drive one-way plan it being much, much more. Probably closer to 4 hours each way.

And this is why I wanted to ask the locals. Thanks.  I'll look into perhaps staying the night nearby.

We aren't the type to try to pack everything possible into a vacation.  We would mostly be happy chilling in the hotel reading or relaxing in a park.  

If it were me, I would do San Francisco in a separate trip altogether. SF can be a fun Couple's Long Weekend Away trip.

BTW I don't know if you're going to job hunting after graduation or what you're looking for but given your screen name I thought I'd let you know that the hotel I listed is mainly used by folks coming or going to Genentech. The campus is about a block away.

[Labcat]

Apr 15, 2014 19:35:00 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Apr 15, 2014 16:55:42 GMT -5 Labcat said:

And this is why I wanted to ask the locals. Thanks.  I'll look into perhaps staying the night nearby.

We aren't the type to try to pack everything possible into a vacation.  We would mostly be happy chilling in the hotel reading or relaxing in a park.  

If it were me, I would do San Francisco in a separate trip altogether. SF can be a fun Couple's Long Weekend Away trip.

BTW I don't know if you're going to job hunting after graduation or what you're looking for but given your screen name I thought I'd let you know that the hotel I listed is mainly used by folks coming or going to Genentech. The campus is about a block away.

I'm not job hunting yet - I have a 6 month internship to do at a local hospital.  I took a look at that company though and some of the jobs posted are something that I could potentially do later.  Thanks, you've given me something to think on.

ETA: We could definitely do SF another time if necessary.  My SIL is moving to Sacramento this summer so I'm sure we'll be out to visit again in the near future.

[Mardi Gras Audrey]

Your SIL may want to go to SF during the summer. Summers in Sac are really hot and people go to SF to escape (Gotta love going from 100 degrees to 60 degrees in 70 miles!)

If you are a movie buff, you can see where Back to the Future 3 was filmed (the scenes in 1885).  These were filmed near Jamestown, near Angels Camp. 

This shows where some of the scenes were (Spots 20 and 21):

www.panamintcity.com/otherplaces/backtothefuture.html

There is a railroad park that you can go check out the trains/take rides... Railtown 1897 near Jamestown.

[t-dog]

Ok I got this one! Angels Camp, walk the small downtown main street and look at all the frog jumping plaques on the sidewalk. There are lots of adorable small stores - my favorite has 3 walls lined with cookie cutters. 9 miles up highway 4 from Angels Camp is Murphys. I spend a lot of time in Murphys. Main street murphys also has great shops. Aria is an amazing bakery - try the breads and baked goods. Lila and Sage is an award willing cupcake bakery. Gold Country roasters makes great coffee. Ironstone winery is just outside of town - I know you said not into the wine thing, but they have a massive gold nugget in their gift shop that is worth viewing. Jamestown has Railtown with an historic train and roundhouse.  Off Parrots Ferry Road (closer to Murphys than Angels Camp off highway 4) is a great cavern.  Hidden bridge is an easy hike a bit further down Parrots Ferry Road.  If you continue all the way down Parrots Ferry you end up at Columbia State Park where you can try your hand panning for gold.   

Lake Alpine is beautiful, but a 45-hour drive further up Highway 4 from Murphys.  In Arnold you should see Big Trees state park since you like hiking. 

Sacramento is my town - Old Sac is a must.  The California Railroad Museum is great.  The Capital has a nice tour. Sutters Fort is interesting. The Crocker Art museum has a nice collection. If you are in town on a game night, check out the Rivercats at Raley Field - cheap baseball in a nice park (they are the AAA affiliate of the A's).

PM me if you need more info! 

[lynnerself]

Apr 17, 2014 15:48:55 GMT -5 t-dog said:

Ok I got this one! Angels Camp, walk the small downtown main street and look at all the frog jumping plaques on the sidewalk. There are lots of adorable small stores - my favorite has 3 walls lined with cookie cutters. 9 miles up highway 4 from Angels Camp is Murphys. I spend a lot of time in Murphys. Main street murphys also has great shops. Aria is an amazing bakery - try the breads and baked goods. Lila and Sage is an award willing cupcake bakery. Gold Country roasters makes great coffee. Ironstone winery is just outside of town - I know you said not into the wine thing, but they have a massive gold nugget in their gift shop that is worth viewing. Jamestown has Railtown with an historic train and roundhouse.  Off Parrots Ferry Road (closer to Murphys than Angels Camp off highway 4) is a great cavern.  Hidden bridge is an easy hike a bit further down Parrots Ferry Road.  If you continue all the way down Parrots Ferry you end up at Columbia State Park where you can try your hand panning for gold.   

Lake Alpine is beautiful, but a 45-hour drive further up Highway 4 from Murphys.  In Arnold you should see Big Trees state park since you like hiking. 

Sacramento is my town - Old Sac is a must.  The California Railroad Museum is great.  The Capital has a nice tour. Sutters Fort is interesting. The Crocker Art museum has a nice collection. If you are in town on a game night, check out the Rivercats at Raley Field - cheap baseball in a nice park (they are the AAA affiliate of the A's).

PM me if you need more info! 

Yes to all of this.

Too bad you're not into wine, this region is awesome. But agree that all the little towns are great.

Definitely go see the railroad museum in Old Sacramento.

[Labcat]

How is the drive time between Angels Camp and Sacramento? We're cool with saving San Francisco for another trip but would a day trip to Sacramento make more sense? It didn't seem all that congested the last time we were there.  When we were there for SIL's wedding we were mostly in Davis and Woodland (both of which we really liked).

Thanks for the ideas! I'll check them out.

[t-dog]

Labcat -

Its an easy drive. I take 99 to 4 and that gets you right to Angels Camp. Its about an hour and a half to hour and 3/4 depending on how many big trucks you get stuck behind. As mentioned earlier, 4 is 1 lane so be prepared to have some slow sections while waiting for an opportunity to pass.

Day trip to Sac is easy from there. In fact memorial day weekend I will be driving between Murphys and Sac daily so we can vacation with the family in Murphys and be in Sac for baseball tourney games for the boy daily.

[Ombud]

Mardi Gras Audrey, a train runs from Stockton to SF?? Never knew that but I've only been in Diablo Valley for 40 yrs

IMHO Angels Camp isn't near anything

[Bonny]

Apr 24, 2014 14:36:25 GMT -5 Ombud said:

Mardi Gras Audrey, a train runs from Stockton to SF?? Never knew that but I've only been in Diablo Valley for 40 yrs

LOL, I think she skipped a step.  Good catch!

[t-dog]

So labcat...how is the trip going? Update us locals on what you actually did. I'm heading to Murphys myself weekend after this one.