California Trip... HELP NEEDED!!

[Wcdhtwn]

Hello TRF, particularly those of you in CA. Our spring break is the week of 3/11 and we have planned a trip to CA, leaving on the 8th, and returning on the 16th, flying into and out of San Jose.

We initially planned to spend the 8th - 11th in Sequoia National Forest, we have reservations at the Wuksachi Lodge and it looks terrific. However reality of the recent, and seemingly endless, snow there has us concerned about being able to get there. I understand 4x4 is strongly recommended and tire chains may be required, they are required right now. My rental car company won't guarantee that we can get a 4x4 or AWD. And even if we can get there with 10+ feet of snow on the ground we risk being snowed in, or very limited in activity once there. So we are now looking for alternate plans for the week, especially the days we were planning to spend in Sequoia National Park.

We are looking for an outdoorsy type of vacation, hiking, staying in hotels, but they don't need to be fancy. So I am looking for some recommendations and some insight as to the condition of areas out there. We are looking at the Big Sur area but are seeing reports of much of it is closed from all the rain and mudslides, is this accurate? We are also looking at Garrapata State Park and Point Lobos Reserve. Are those good areas, especially given the rainy conditions, to consider spending a few days hiking and taking in the views? My kids are 9 & 11.

We will spend time in Carmel and at least 2 nights in San Fran, so that's on the plan. If anyone could recommend good places to hike and be outside, weather permitting of course, that would be very appreciated. And what are the museums, animal sanctuaries, other sites, that are worthwhile visiting in the area. I think Santa Barbara is a far south as we'd drive, and maybe that's farther than really makes sense. We are pretty open to ideas at this point, so if there are places around San Fran, even north that are good options, given the weather, some suggestions would be great! We'd like to see some Redwoods while there, if possible, but not required.

I guess finally, if anyone has different information than what I'm hearing about Sequoia National Park that would be great to know... it would be far easier to stick with the current plan.

Thanks in advance for any insight as to how we should/ could spend our week.