As I mentioned before, the wife and I have grown tired of California and we’re relocating to the right coast this summer. Last night we’re talking. The wife mentions we should take the boys to Yosemite before we go. None of us has ever been. That got me to thinking, there’s a few places I’ve always meant to go, but never got around to. Like Disneyland and the Winchester Mistery House. So I need a list.
What other must sees should be on my list?
I can think of two places, while not in California, but worth at least one visit, Las Vegas and Mexico. Other than that…let’s see…I miss being close to Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park. Too bad you didn’t know sooner or I’d have suggested taking the kids to the Rose Parade in person. (I don’t know how old the boys are, so I am trying to think of “family memories” for kids of almost any age here). Death Valley may be worth a day, with Scotty’s Castle, and the weather should be about right for that now, before it gets too hot, but you could do that as a afternoon side trip on the way to Vegas 
Seriously, what I miss most about CA is the ocean (but I moved to the midwest, not another coastline) and GOOD MEXICAN FOOD! Best of luck to you and the family with the move and have fun planning excusions you think all will enjoy!
stuffin, sorry to hear you’re leavin, but can I have your electricity credits? 
If you’re thinking about places to go, especially with kids, how about Monterey Bay Aquarium? That’s a lot of fun. Nothing like Lake Tahoe, especially right now with all the new snow…
Good luck with the move, hope you have a nice place waiting for you.
Tequila Mockingbird Thanks for the Sea World, and San Diego Zoo ideas. Those go on the list. I’ve been to Vegas but the wife and kids haven’t so we may add that one too.
tradesilicon PG&E bills were the last straw for me, we’d been thinking about relocating awhile, that pushed us over the edge. We’ve made the Monterey trip. Isn’t it great? Btw, the kids are boys aged 6, 8 & 10.
Well, its kind of out of the way, but how 'bout zipping across the border the Oregon and hitting Crater Lake? I found this to be truly incredible. Plus, you can see the redwoods on your way up!
What part of the East Coast are you moving to?
BunnyGirl We haven’t made up our minds yet. I have employment gaurantees in both Newport News, VA & Asheville, NC. (businesses in both areas operated by family members) but we’re leaning towards Asheville. I’ve heard of crater lake but never been, I’ll add it as well. Of course we won’t be making all the trips, but I’d like to see some of the best stuff before we go.
Remember that the kids will spend most of the time in the hotel in Vagas. Not truely a palce to hit with the kids.
If you are going to Disneyland, go NOW! If you wait until the usual season, then the lines are way too long, take it from someone who lives nearby. Right now, lines and such are reasonable.
I would also recommend Joshua Tree National Park, Lava Beds National Monument and Mt. Shasta. Take a hike to the top of Mt. Whitney.
The Mustang Ranch?
If you have not taken a trip on Hwy 1 along the coast(from San Luis Obispo to Monterey) you have missed some spectacular scenery. Winter is a good time since you have more of a chance of no fog.
Hearst Castle should be a must stop point on your travels.
You are doing as I did, fleeing the land of beauty for lands of sanity. What you will miss most is variation in geography (there is precious little of that here in the East, though they love to call it a mountain if it is about 1000’ high (giggle).
Visit Mammoth Mtn. and the area in the spring, if you are still in CA at the time. Stop on the trip to see Mt. Whitney (go up to the Portal for a picnic lunch, about 4 hours from LA). There literally is nothing like the Eastern Sierras anywhere in the East.
Since you live in the bay area:[ul][li]Golden Gate Park:[/li][list][li]The Steinhart Aquarium[/li][li]The Strybing Arboretum[/li][li]The Japanese Tea Garden[/ul][/li]Hit the Submarine Shop in Portola Valley for lunch.
[sup](Around the corner from the Empire theater.)[/sup][ul][li]Ocean beach[/li][li]The Cliff House[/li][li]The Camera Obscura[/li][li]The Museè Mechnique*[/li]
Be sure to see Yosemite, if that is the only place that you go. I have given you easy to attain and highly entertaining places to go locally. You may wish to see Point Reyes, Mount Diablo or The Monterey Aquarium as well. The area has such a wealth of scenic beauty and culture it’s ridiculous.
One thing that you absolutely have to see are the Redwoods. Okay, I am a little biased because I work at a state reserve, but seriously, we have people from the East Coast come in all the time and just stare in amazment. A definate must go before you leave. They are something that you will not find anywhere near the East Coast. Plus it is great for the kids. I used to love going there when I was younger.
On your way to Crater Lake, try to see Shasta Caverns.
They are about a half hour past Lake Shasta, on I-5.
You geta boat ride to the cavern. And take the Shasta Dam tour, as long as you’re there. It’s free and they give it about every hour, every day.
Actually there is more things to do with kids there now, other than just the Circus Circus. Quite a few roller coasters, water parks, the MGM theme park, there’s also a few things tucked out of the way that are interesting. Antique cars, exotic cats, one of the Guiness museums. I was lucky enough to catch the Ripley’s traveling museum a few years ago too. I didn’t go to Vegas to gamble, myself, so I may be biased.
Geez, what the hell do I do with all of my time! I’m looking at the list of places you guys have mentioned and I can’t believe how few of these places I’ve been and I’ve lived here off and on for 20 years. These are really great suggestions guys, keep em coming.
You know Zenster I haven’t even been anywhere on your list.
Anyhoo, my plan is to leave here in mid summer say the end of July. So some of these wil be weekend trips, and a few will be in the summer. In April I’ll be visiting VA and NC, and we’ll make “THE CHOICE”.
If/when you go to Yosemite, for Heaven’s sake do not restrict yourself to the Valley floor. It is pretty, but so are Lake Tenaya, Touolumne Meadows, Tioga Pass, Wawona, etc. And, it is MUCH easier to get there because there are few crowds.
Of course, you could see the spectacular Hetch Hetchy valley, but you have to scuba dive to do so (thank-you, San Francisco 
).
All of the outings I have listed can be done on a weekend’s day. If you have never had Dim Sum (Chinese Breakfast) in SF’s Chinatown, put that first on the list of the second itinerary.
Feel free to email me and I’ll be happy to help you plan a fantastic day trip.