flyingboy

Hi
Planning a trip to California from the UK this year, arriving in Los Angeles on the 16th of June. My partner has decided that a visit to both San Fransisco and Las Vegas are a must.
(I must fly in to LAX due to a huge staff discount being offered to me for the flight)

My plans at present are as follows..

Spend 3 nights in Los Angeles area, allowing visits to Santa Monica beach area, Hollywood (+ a studio tour) and a day for something else... not decided yet ....

Spend two days Travelling up the coast road to San Fransisco. (Stop over Big Sur area).

Spend four nights in San Fransisco. Booked a half day coach tour of the city area.
Plan to visit Alcatraz, Fishermans Warf, Union square area, China Town etc.

From there (leavin a Friday) travel via Yosemite Park and Death Valley Park to Las Vegas. This is being planned as 3 days/2nights trip.

Then spend about 4 nights in Las Vegas, visiting the Grand Canyon and Hover Dam as well as the the Las Vegas attractions.

Finally, I reckon I have two nights left which I plan on spending travelling to San Diago before returning to Los Angeles for my flight home.

At present all I have booked and confimed are 4 nights in San Fransiscon and the coach tour around the city.

Can anyone see some GLARING issues with my planned trip. Can anyone suggest some MUST VISIT attractions which can be squeezed in ??

Any ideas where the best places to stop over on the traveling days would be great !!!

I have in total 18 nights to spare, returning on the 4th July from LAX.

Abi

Wow, sounds like a great trip. I would recommend spending a little more time on the coast between LA and SF as there is so much to see in between. I would recommend a day or two in Santa Barbara, Monterey, and San Jose on the way up to SF. Santa Barbara has a number of wineries in the area as well as just outside of San Jose. Hearst Castle, on the way to Big Sur I really like. If you go there be sure to make reservations. In the Monterey area Point Lobos, south of Carmel is beautiful. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is also excellent. In the San Jose area I'd recommend Big Basin for the impressive coastal redwoods, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum as well as the Tech Museum are also worth a visit. I am just listing some of the highlights, there's so much more you could do if you had the time.

flyingboy

thanks Abi.... so maybe that day I have spare in LAX would be put to better use in the travel up to San Fransisco...
Unless someone suggest something better ;-)

Thanks again Abi

Mollie

I agree with Abi. Spend some time around the Santa Barbara area. You might want to spend the night in San Luis Obispo, half way between LA and SF. There is a great Quality Suites on Monterey St. with a fabulous cooked to order breakfast. It's not far to Hearst Castle from there. Be sure to see the movie before the tour and make your reservations before you get there. Then have a late lunch in Cambria and continue to Big Sur, perhaps stopping to eat at Nepenthe while listening to the waves below. We like to spend the night in Carmel, which is so picturesque, then drive around the Monterey and Pacific Grove coast before heading up 101 to SF.
Don't miss driving across the Golden Gate and up above the bridge at the GG Recreation area to get a fantastic view of the City. Twin Peaks is also a great view with a different perspective and Golden Gate Park is interesting with much to see and do. Remember, the SF area is cooler than Southern Cal especially near the Bay. Try to visit Yosemite during the week perhaps staying in one of the cities south of Yosemite on Hwy. 41 before continuing on to Vegas. Enjoy!

makai1

Hi flyingboy,

We just did Carmel & the coast hwy last Oct. and the highlights were (Big Sur), Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Nepenthe for lunch, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, the Carmel Mission, Point Lobos Reserve (spectacular-spend hours here), walking Carmel beach, drive through Pacific Grove...

You might possibly stay overnight in Carmel or Pacific Grove. We stayed at the Tickle Pink Inn, (Rm 31) and loved it. From what I've heard on this board, there are many great places to stay in PG as well.

Santa Cruz is fun, I would've liked more time there.

In San Francisco, we enjoyed a lovely
lunch at McCormick & Kuleto's in Ghirardelli Square... great food, wine, and nice views. Don't miss driving up the Marin Headlands... spectacular!!

Bring much film! Have a wonderful trip.