We are considering a family vacation in mid-August to northern California and I'd love any ideas or advice from those of you who know the area.

It's a family of 4 with two kids age 13 and 15.

The only thing so far on our "must see" list are the redwoods.

Ideas on acitivities, places to stay, places to avoide - whatever - are eagerly requested!

P.S. We're not really the family vacation type and I think my kids have seen the Chevy Chase "vacation" movies too many times. The kids are a bit skeptical....

I would suggest Lake Tahoe. The drive there is breath taking in both views and dangerous cliffs. They have many spots where you can stop the car, get out, climb or walk. Relax on the Queen Mary boat ride (make sure you purchase a warm choc chip cookie). The Redwoods are nothing short of amazing! You can even drive your car through a craved path right through one - just amazing trees can get so large. If you have time visit the capitol ... Sacramento. Never know when you'll see Arnold out and about the town. Have a blast JHB!

One more suggestion - Santa Cruz. They have the whole boardwalk with carnival thing going on along with some of the famous O'Neill surf shops - very cool clothing for the kids to impress with when they get back. I wouldn't spend more than a day there unless you are driving along the coast and stopping at spots along the way. Again ... views are breath taking including the megga houses ... you'll see dolphins & shark swiming near the coast. Oh ... how could I forget the Monterey Bay Aquarium! Eat lunch at Bubba Gump right next door ... freshest fish around! Again I wouldn't spend more than an afternoon unless you are adding in seeing more of the local sights.

sacramento is unbearbaly hot at times. and not as exciting. i would stick with the big city (the trolley cars are fun, the wharf, etc. ) and the coastal towns. lots of wine tasting around too, for the parents of course.
if your kids like jelly beans, there is a jelly bean factory/tour inland a bit. you can find them on the net.

A couple of suggestions - San Fran is great and lots of fun things to do there. We went sailing in the Bay last year (pricey) but the kids are still talking about it 18 months later. Our instructor let the kids guide the sailboat under the Golden Gate bridge and back. We were cold, wet and the boat was sideways most of the time but will definitely do this again!

If you have time to get up to Napa or Sonoma counties, I'd recommend a winery tour that focuses on growing, production and the 'chemistry' behind making a bottle of wine. We did Ferrari-Carano (http://www.ferrari-carano.com/) and the kids had a great time. They really focused on the geography of the area, machinery behind the business and the trees that produce cork for the bottles. Plus the gardens are just amazing and a real treat to walk through.

Muir Woods is a great park to walk through and is very close to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Santa Cruz- Hearst Castle- Redwoods- Carmel by the Sea (dunno if Clint Eastwood is still Mayor) - 17 Mile drive on the coast - da beach-- to just name a few

Me I'd stay away from the overpriced and nasty San Fran and the Liberal cesspool of America (ie Sacramento)