Fly into San Fran or San Jose, whichever is cheapest for you. April will be lovely (maybe a little rain) and green. The waterfalls at Yosemite should be starting. Are you rich? Stay at the Ahwanee! Camping will be VERY cold. Tahoe - want casinos, go south shore; serene natural beauty - north shore. Have a couple of bucks to spare? Stay at Hyatt in a cottage at the water's edge. Worth cashing in Hyatt points. You probably could ski Tahoe area then, if you like. Take a balloon ride in Napa. If you land in SJ, go south to Monterey - take the 17 mile drive. Gorgeous in April with ice plant blooming along the ocean in Pacific Grove. There are B&B's along the ocean and a number of chains: Hyatt, Marriott, Doubletree, etc. Asilomar in the woods. See the aquarium and walk along Cannery Row. Believe me, your eight days will fly. Naturally, you will want to ride cable cars in SF...when you get home, tell everyone that the smog burned your eyes and you were scared stiff over earthquakes. We have plenty of people here already!!!