Need help with my CA vacation

[MyMopar]

I can use some assistance with the following.  At the end of September and begining of October I'm going on vacation, actually our 10th year annivers. so this is what were doing.  If you know of anything that is a must see or any special events/places to go, I sure could use the help.

Planning on Las Vegas 9/26 - 9/30 (Don't really need help there  )
Then we are going to fly to San Francisco becuase she wants to see the Golden Gate Bridge and the crazy city hills, streets, etc..
So anything special in SFO to see?
From there we are driving down the PCH to Anaheim (yes Disney)  We do plan to stop along the way and stay overnight somewhere and do some exploring as we go.  Any must see's along the PCH or nearby attractions?
Then we are going to head to San Diego and check out the zoo, Sea World and hopefully the Aircraft carriers.  Anything else in that area that I should put on my list?

Overall, the one thing I want to do is find a nice hot air balloon company and take a sunset ride, I heard the Napa valley is nice so I'll look into that there unless someone knows of another spot.

[Charger_Fan]

Then we are going to head to San Diego and check out the zoo, Sea World and hopefully the Aircraft carriers.  Anything else in that area that I should put on my list?

It's been a bunch of years since I've been to San Diego, & I've forgotten half the things we saw...Balboa Park was nice to walk around in. We stayed on Mission beach when we were there, with the ocean just outside our door.
If you go to Tijuana, take a bus across...don't drive, it's a friggin' zoo there!

[Shakey]

SFO

Stay at the Fairmont
Have a drink at the Top of the Mark
Alcatraz
Golden Gate Bridge
Haight Ashbury
Pier 39
Chinatown
The Embarcadero
Cable Cars
Coit Tower
Alfred's Steak House
Scoma's Seafood
The Cliff House for a drink
Knob Hill
Lombard St.
Sausalito
Sonoma
Napa Valley

Going South towards LA

Stay in Big Sur at Ventana Inn http://www.ventanainn.com/
or keep going South to
Pismo Beach / Grover Beach
and there is lots to do in LA also but I can add more later if the SoCal guys don't chime in.

Keep in mind that although Hwy # 1 is beautiful, you must be patient.  Long and winding single lanes, you get stuck behind an RV going up the hills and you will have wished you took the 101 or the 5.  Still a must do.

[Ponch ®]

Any must see's along the PCH or nearby attractions?

Closer to So Cal...you get to Pismo, Santa Barbara - go wine tasting like in "Sideways", Solvang (the Danish town), you can do some shopping at the outlets in Oxnard. after that, youre basically in L.A.

[ChargerBill]

Stay at the Fairmont - but it IS expensive, so be warned
Have a drink at the Top of the Mark - I agree
Alcatraz - great trip
Golden Gate Bridge - definitely worth it...one of the MUST do's on this list.
Haight Ashbury - if you don't have time, scrap this one
Pier 39 - and get some fresh sourdough bread and crab
Chinatown - a great experience, but off the beaten path
The Embarcadero - cool but secondary if you run out of time
Cable Cars - also a fun experience...beats walking the hills
Coit Tower - at night..very cool
Alfred's Steak House - haven't been there for years..thanks for reminding me what I'm missing.
Scoma's Seafood - best in town
The Cliff House for a drink - my uncle is part owner...beautiful view and great atmosphere
Knob Hill - definitely fun, but will take a majority of your time
Lombard St. - yes, it is real and still there...very cool, but don't try to drive a Hummer down it.
Sausalito - man it's been a long time...this is definitely worth it
Sonoma - give or take
Napa Valley - a long drive

you forgot
The Exploratorium
The Aquariums
The Planetarium & Observatory

Look them up online...might be of interest and might not. I remember they were all a blast last time I went.

[MyMopar]

Aquariums are always a big plus for me, I 've got a nice salt water reef tank.  The planetarium is worth looking into also.
Thanks for the advice, I'll start some research to find out what these places are and I'll look into staying in the suggested places.  We were suppose to go to Hawaii for our 10th but for whatever reason the wife decided not to go  but it doesn't matter to me. I'll go anywhere.  Thrifty rents Chrysler products and it would be about $400 w/taxes and all the BS, unlimited miles, now I'll have to decide 300C or Magnum.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Any must see's along the PCH or nearby attractions?

Closer to So Cal...you get to Pismo, Santa Barbara - go wine tasting like in "Sideways", Solvang (the Danish town), you can do some shopping at the outlets in Oxnard. after that, youre basically in L.A.

they also have an indian casino there

[MichaelRW]

The Hearst Castle is just off PCH1 at San Simeon. They have 4 different tours and they are all quite interesting. If you stop at Pismo Beach be sure to get a bowl of clam chowder at the Splash Cafe. Address is 197 Pomeroy St. It's very near the pier. If the line goes out the door don't worry, it moves quite fast.

[MichaelRW]

How could I forget? 2 must see's for car guys is the Peteresen Automotive Museum in LA at 6060 Wilshire Blvd & the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park. My wife is not a car person and she liked both of these places.

[Ponch ®]

How could I forget? 2 must see's for car guys is the Peteresen Automotive Museum in LA at 6060 Wilshire Blvd & the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park. My wife is not a car person and she liked both of these places.

the petersen rules. I havent been to the one in 'dago, but ill put it on my list for the next time im down there.

BTW - IIRC, the petersen and most museums in L.A. are closed on mondays.

[MichaelRW]

The Petersen is the better of the two but the San Diego one is still worth the visit

[ChargerBill]

Dang, how could I forget Balboa Park? The Automotive Museum is pretty cool, but The Aerospace Museum is awesome...a definite must see! Also, the SD Zoo is pretty cool too. And then there's Sea World....

WAY too much to do...you're going to run yourselves ragged if you try to do HALF of this stuff.

[Shakey]

the SD Zoo is pretty cool too.

Heard it is one of the best in the world!

[ChargerBill]

Heard it is one of the best in the world!

I would think so...one of the best I've ever been to. Back in the day when I was a kid the SF Zoo was pretty good, but it has since delapitated and isn't that great. San Diego's Zoo is an awesome experience for kids and adults.

[MyMopar]

I have been to LA before and made sure to go to the Peterson museum.  It was way cool and my wife is into cars so it was made even better.  I remember renting a 2000 300M and cruising Toganga Canyon (sp.) and that was awesome and beautiful.  That car really ripped up the roadways.  We ended up on the PCH and drove down to Santa Monica pier.  I don't think we'll be spending any time in the LA area.  The air museum Ill have to look up.  My dad used to own a Piper Cessna and we would fly around the east coast a lot.  I'm big into planes and cars, heck anything fast. 

Thanks for the info guys, anything else just let me know.  Right now I have much to research and plan.

[TK73]

You actually want to go to California??  Land of Fruit & Nutz from what I hear, bunch O' liberal hollywood pansies down there... 

[Shakey]

You actually want to go to California??  Land of Fruit & Nutz from what I hear, bunch O' liberal hollywood pansies down there... 

What do they refer to all the beatutiful tree huggin', granola eatin', coffee drinkin' hairy leg & armpit chicks from the North West as?  Democrats or Republicans?   

[Charger Aficionado]

  You need to do Yosemite after Frisco.   If I still have my rental vacant, you can crash there...  Yosemite is the most beautiful place on this planet.'

[TK73]

What do they refer to all the beatutiful tree huggin', granola eatin', coffee drinkin' hairy leg & armpit chicks from the North West as?  Democrats or Republicans?   

Gaia goddessess