<p>Thanks everyone, great suggestions. Lets please keep the suggestions to areas around San Francisco, the wine country or Tahoe. That is all that is on our radar for this trip.</p>
<p>We’ll visit you and your DS next trip, LP :)</p>
<p>Go south and coastal.
Carmel/Monterey is a great area to visit.</p>
<p>Further up Hwy 1 is Ano Nuevo SP for elephant seals up close and personal.</p>
<p>We are going to SFO. Not going to SO Cal. Thanks for suggestions for another time.</p>
<p>Carmel/ Monterey Bay is about 90minutes south of SF.</p>
<p>Oh didn’t think it was that close 
Pretty area. Is it warm this time of year?</p>
<p>weather.com has it raining later in the week but temp ranges look from 60s-40s.</p>
<p>Jym, you worry too much. Where is your sense of adventure? The weather is bound to change in the next 4 weeks. You’ve got your car and plane reserved … and plenty of open options between Lake Tahoe, the wine region, and San Francisco. Put DS in charge of the details!</p>
<p>What is the worst than can happen to someone with great company, a four-wheel drive, and a nice stack of credit cards? :)</p>
<p>LOL. DS and his gf are only along for the ride through Monday. The rest of the week we are free (oops, did I say that?) If the snow is wonderful we would stay at Tahoe, but dont want to book a condo for a week and be stuck with rotten conditions. Under those circumstances I’d much rather be wining, dining, sauna-ing, mud-bathing (if I dont get scalded again) and driving down the coastal highway to the beach area. I suppose we could try last minute lodging on priceline or something.</p>
<p>jym626- looks like you are going to have to make numerous trips to visit your S. Lots to see and do in that area of the state.</p>
<p>I spotted some grayish clouds during lunch! And it’s never really “warm” in Monterrey, but I think it’s beautiful in the winter. N. Cal beaches aren’t beaches like S Cal and Long Island and southern beaches. I think they are for looking at, not getting in!</p>
<p>I would probably be unwilling to put a bathing suit on even if it were 100 degrees, Shrinkrap!! That said, I have started working out again in preparation for hitting the slopes. Please do a snow dance, Shrinkap! </p>
<p>Last time I was out I had a lovely visit with some cc’ers, saw several college campuses, drove down to Santa Cruz, hung out on the water, went to the Mountain Winery (gorgeous!!), dinner in Los Gatos (just missed the chocolate festival, poo) and had a spectacular time. Previous trip involved bicycling over the Golden gate bridge to Sausalito and ferrying back, trip up to Napa, and a few days in SF. These were all pre-DS living there.</p>
<p>And mom60- would love to visit several times to cover all the wonderful suggestions made by everyone! We want to ski a few days with our DS and his gf. We didnt get to the slopes last year because of my dads illnes and passing, so we really want to get some snow time in and skiing with the family is a tradition for us. The rest is all up to what you guys suggest!! </p>
<p>Sounds like we should hit North Tahoe from what everyone tells me- for best chance at good conditions. We dont care about gambling. Am I correct?</p>
<p>I don’t think you are going to get the same answer from everyone, but I think North is the way to go.</p>
<p>Thanks. DS and gf just skiied Northstar a few weeks ago but it looks like it has the most # of chairs open of the northern resorts at the present time. The got a groupon ticket for Kirkwood but it isnt good Pres weekend.</p>
<p>A star belongs in Squawllywood. </p>
<p>[Squawllywood</a> | Skiing Magazine](<a href=“http://www.skinet.com/skiing/1999/11/squawllywood]Squawllywood”>http://www.skinet.com/skiing/1999/11/squawllywood)</p>
<p>And, making a good impression on the GF should be paramount. Travel in style!</p>
<p>I think we already made a good impression on the gf when they lived on this coast. Will have to impress her parents though…</p>
<p>
Shrinkrap beat me to it but I was going to say it’s rarely ‘warm’ in Monterey/Carmel but it’s not freezing either and regardless, it’s a nice area to visit. I second Ano Nuevo SP for a peek at the elephant seals. It’s something different but check first to see if they’re there this time of year - I can’t remember if they are or not.</p>
<p>Hopefully there’ll be adequate snow for you though so you can still do Tahoe. There’s still time left.</p>
<p>I think you are worrying too much about the ski conditions because by the time you go, they are bound to have more snow. The current situation there with regard to snow is unusual and I’m sure conditions will improve. Right now, it is mostly groomed stuff in that area. I’m sure there will be some skiing for you guys.</p>
<p>wow… Squawlleywood! If jym is that caliber of skier, she should apply to HYPMS and some. I won’t even want to meet you guys… no wonder those broken bones! Yes, Squaw is the way to go for “expert” skiers and there is no end of cliffs to jump from. I was on the “Fingers” and it is STEEP and dangerous. My friend fall on the index finger and he was into the Titaniam(spell?) insertion category. I would NOT even get any where close to it, I was luck to get off from the wrist. I did survive from all the gates of the Siverado though.</p>
<p>With the conditions as of now, none of the trails I just mentioned will be open.</p>
<p>they were predicting rain here by now, but the front is staying further north and is tracking toward the northeast. Seattle is getting slammed with snow. Not a flake or drop of H2O in the Sierras so far.</p>
<p>My daughter fractured her wrist at Squaw Valley three weeks ago!</p>