[ktRolster]

Yosemite is still worth-while, at the top of the list, but it's a four hour drive. Mount Diablo is nice, and you can drive to the peak. Fremont peak is nice, and is a hike. Point Reyes is great hiking (I've seen a white deer there!). Pinnacles is great. Henry Cowell redwoods park is great, you've never seen redwoods like that.

Going south across the golden gate bridge, sometimes I just drive along the coast all the way south to half-moon bay, it's a great drive, and in December the Mavericks waves might be big. There is a black-sand beach along that drive, too.

[xelfer]

I'm a little worried Yosemite might be closed in the first week of winter or something? does it get snowed in?

[sizzzzlerz]

Yosemite doesn't usually close except for rare events like flooding. The valley will remain open through the winter. It's just the road over Tioga Pass that closes with the first snow since NPS doesn't plow it. Actually, winter is my favorite time of the year there. Snow (hopefully) blanketing the mountains and the valley floor and fewer people. Many fewer people.

[ktRolster]

Winter is a great time to visit. I recommend avoiding the weekend if you can, because it does get crowded.

This year, since the rainfall has been good, there will probably be some frozen waterfalls.

[xelfer]

Thank you :) I'll try check it out. 4 hours is fine after flying there 14 hours.