Huntington Beach, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, San Francisco and Alcatraz
For this trip, T had just turned 1 and P was 2 almost 3. This was an interesting trip and we did so many different types of activities. This trip started out with my grand idea to swim from Alcatraz back to Aquatic Park, did I mention I like to swim? Several organizations put on this swim, and I went with Sharkfest Swim. We planned our dates around the swim, and the Multiple Sclerosis 150 mile fundraising bike ride I participate in every year, which was June 9-11. Due to the dates of the swim and the bike ride, we decided to start in Huntington Beach and finish in San Francisco.
I was actually born in California, but moved when I was really young, and I hadn't been back yet. We were really excited for the opportunity to see family, meet new family, and see where some of my family had grown up. We then decided to make the trek to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks before heading to San Francisco for the swim.
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We stayed in almost every type of housing, an Airbnb, a B&B, a cabin, and a hotel. The only thing we were missing was a tent! We purchased the CityPASS for while we were in San Francisco, this allowed us to ride the Muni and if I recall correctly, we were able to get into the Aquarium of the Bay and Exploratorium either for free, or a discount.
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Trip Dates: May 27-June 5, 2017
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Itinerary
Day 1 - May 27
10:00 a.m. - Depart MSP
12:00 p.m. - Arrive at LAX
pick up van and drive to family's house in Huntington Beach
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~1 hour - 36 miles
Dinner with family
Stay at Airbnb
Day 2 - May 28
Spend day with family
Swim with locals at Pirate's Cove Beach at Corona Del Mar State Beach Park
Huntington Beach Pier
Stay at Airbnb
Day 3 - May 29
Spend day with family
Swim at the beach
Dinner at Solita
Stay at Airbnb
Day 4 - May 30
Day with family
Swim with locals at Pirate's Cove Beach at Corona Del Mar State Beach Park
Pontoon Boat trip
Stay at Airbnb
Day 5 - May 31
Leave for Sequoia National Park
5 hours 11 minutes
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Stay in B&B 7 miles from the south entrance
Day 6 - June 1
Drive through Sequoia National Park
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Lunch: Picnic lunch
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Stay in a Grant Grove Cabin 2D
4:00 p.m. - Check-in
Day 7 - June 2
Drive through Kings Canyon
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Then drive to San Francisco
4 hours 30 minutes from park entrance
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4:00 p.m. - Check into hotel
Return Van
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Koret Children's Playground to let kids burn off stem
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Dinner at Mel's Dinner
Day 8 - June 3
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9:30 a.m. - Ferry Boarding
Departure
10:00 a.m. - Alcatraz Tour
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Lunch at Pier 23
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Exploratorium
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Dinner
Day 9 - June 4
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5:00 a.m. - Emily walk to beach alone
5:45-7:05 a.m. - Athlete Check-in
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7:15 a.m. - Pre-race meeting
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7:25 a.m. - Walk to ferry
8:45 a.m. - Race Starts
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Marcus to meet Emily at the finish
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Eat Lunch
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Aquarium
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Bus to Golden Gate Bridge
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Dinner
Day 10 - June 5
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10:40 a.m. - Ride to airport
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1:05 p.m. - Depart SFO
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6:45 p.m. - Arrive MSP