What to do in March in California?

Hi there!

I'm in San Francisco for a business trip until end of February. Then I will have 6 days off : from the 3rd of March until the 9th of March.

I would like to know what cool things (bouldering or climbing) I can do in California in a such period of time. I was thinking about going to Yosemite parc and Lac Tahoe with a rented car. Or find a place to make some bouldering but about this point, I'm not sure that March is a good period to do it.

Could you give some advices about :
- is it a good period (wheater, price) to do it? If not, what I should do then?
- what's the best way to rent a car? should I be cautions about the snow?
- what budget I should prepare?

Thank you for your help.

It all depends on the weather and right now, early March is predicted to be wet.

If the weather is sunny, you have many options. Yosemite valley is doable, mostly south-facing climbs in the winter. Tahoe is a higher elevation, but there are probably some climbable crags

Do you already have a partner? If the weather is bad in the Bay area, you could bite the bullet and drive to Joshua Tree or Red Rock for better winter weather.

And, although not world-class, The Pinnacles are within a couple of hours of San Francisco. Lots of climbing, too. Actually, I think it's not very good, but a lot of people like it. It is unusual and has good hiking, too.

Edit: You can be required to carry tire chains in Yosemite, so keep that in mind.

Go to Bishop. It's a hike, but there's every imaginable type of climbing nearby and it's mostly wicked good. If you have the dough, flying to Mammoth Lakes will make the travel more bearable.

If you're willing to drive a ways, I would agree Bishop is the spot. Usually great weather in March and TONS of climbing and hiking, and hot springs.

7 hr drive and the car rental looks like it will be around $80 for 6 days. Also gas is super cheap right now.
There's really nice free camping in Bishop as well, if you have the gear.

SFO has direct flights to Mammoth in March. Trims out two days of travel and pick up rental car there. You'd be hard pressed to find a better hang than the east side. The Bishop area is beautiful in spring, amazing community, easy partner connections, variety of climbing and well... the views are spectacular too.

Hi guys, thank for your help. I really appreciate. I heard a lot about Bishop and it seems really a good place to be. There are few things that it makes me hesitate :
- in 6 days, spending 2 days to go and go back it is a little bit too much
- I have no partners to spot me, I don't know if it is easy to find there or I should find partners before
- I do not have crash pads (and as I see, it seems that boulders are high problems), perhaps I could rent it as well?

But definitely I could go in Bishop if you recommend me strongly to go there. I used to climb in Fontainebleau and it seems that climbing in Bishop is different. It seems there are beautiful lines! :)

I was focused on Yosemite Park because it is the major thing to do for me in California. It's a little bit frustrating to be in California without seeing El Capitan... May be I should forget the idea to see it and plan an other trip.

Yosemite will probably work well unless there is another huge snowstorm. Was there this past weekend (high in the low 50s) at it was pretty wonderful, climbed in a tshirt even in the shade, and not crowded at all (hoped on 3 super-classics and only saw one other party).

Unfortunately there is little chance that Tioga Pass will be open by March. Otherwise you could view The Captain and be scaring yourself at the Peabodies all in a day...
Fly to Mammoth and drive from there to Bishop. The weather is gorgeous right now and there are plenty of people with pads to spot you.
You'll be happy about it.
And what Susan said about the views...phew. Amazing.

Pine Creek Canyon and Owens River Gorge are also great rope climbing options in Bishop.
Driving will still be the best option unless you can leave March 2nd to make a 3:30 pm flight for $275....otherwise you'll pay $500 for it. If money's no problem go for the flight!