We are thinking of honeymooning in California next year (travelling
from the UK).  the idea is to spend sometime in San Francisco, the
Wine valleys, Yosemite NP and some of the smaller towns south of SF
such as Carmel.  We are travelling at the end of July and beginning of
August.  Clearly these are popular holiday destinations at high
season.  my concern is that everywhere will be mobbed by other
tourists and very busy.  is this likely to seriously impact the
enjoyment of our trip?  Neither of us are fans of big crowds or
'group' activities.

If you like peaceful day-trips, I?d highly recommend a day in
Pescadero, a few miles south of San Francisco. There is an enormous
Oceanside state park there where you can walk along the beach in quiet
solitude and explore the daily tidal pools (pools that form in the
rocks along the beach and trap small marine wildlife such as crabs,
sponges, colorful fish, etc). Across the highway is Pescadero Marsh
Natural Preserve, a popular spot for bird and wildlife watchers and
other naturalists.

PESCADERO
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/scruz2.html

From there you can take a 27 mile boat ride out to the Farallon
Islands where you can see dolphins, seals, sea lions, sharks, and
pelagic birds such as albatrosses and tufted puffins in their wild
habitat. While the time frame you mentioned is not ideal for seeing
whales, you may in fact see a few stragglers in the annual migration.

For lunch you can drop by Arcangeli Grocery, an early American deli,
where you can get fresh homemade breads and delicious meats and fruits
of all kinds.

ARCANGELI GROCERY
http://www.arcangeligrocery.com/

I don?t know if these things appeal to you but they certainly made
quite an impression on me.

Regards;
Tutuzdad-ga

I have had many wonderful weekends in San Fran here are some of my recommendations:
I would stay at the W hotel
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=1153
Ask them to make reservations for you at The Butterfly (
http://www.butterflysf.com/embarcadero/index.htm ) and they will take
you in a car. The restaurant is Asian Fusion and a DJ mixes music int
he background. when you get back to the hotel, go down to the martini
bar and sit in a leather booth and people watch. When you get back to
your ultra trendy luxury room, the music will be on and your bed will
be turned down.
The next day I would make my way to Napa Valley. I highly recommend
the Villagio, spend the day at the wineries. The must sees are
Cakebread, Silverado, Plumpjack, Mondavi (if you would like to have
some wine and cheese outside) your final stop must be Regusci to watch
the sun over the hills. O would recommend Bistro Jeanty- across the
street from your hotel. GET the tomato soup with the puff apstry
cover. You would need to make reservations now. Try www.opentable.com
.
The next day I would drive down the coast:
Do the 17 mile drive through Pebble Beach and stop along the way. You
will make your way through Monterey and Carmel. Read "cannery Row" by
Steinbeck on your flight over.
Then when you get to Big Sur you absolutley have to eat at Nepenthe
http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/
Sit on the side facing the water and ask the bartender to recommend a
great wine. Save room for dessert and dessert wine. Make your way over
to the fire pit when you are done. There are usually local musicians.
Make plans to spend the night and visit Los Padres National Forest.
Stay in Carmel http://www.ticklepink.com/rooms.htm
Then you can drive back up the coast and make your way to Yosemite.
There are accomodations there as well
http://www.nationalparkservices.org/yosemite.htm
You are traveling at a busy time of year, at the wineries they try
very hard to make personal each visitor's experience and I think with
the ones I recommended you would not find the droves of people and you
will find some of the best wine.
Yosemite will be busy but they do limit the sizes of groups I think
you would be comfortable.
Hope you ahve an amazing trip- I had the time of my life in San Fran:)

If you like to star gaze hit the Bubble Room in San Fran.....

www.youdriveusa.com

itinerary from los angeles and/or san francisco

Comngratulations on your coming marriage. I do hope you will be as
happy as I have in my 37 years of married life.

For California accommodation, you will find a comprehensive list at:
http://www.a1touristguide.com/usa/state.asp?state=CACalifornia

They also have route-plan feature to help you select day trips from
your chosen Calfornia base location at:
http://www.a1touristguide.com/usa/index.html

I do hope this helps.

regards

Tog