West1010

Hi All!
I'm currently planning a 3-ish week road trip around the west coast of USA for me and my bf and I would really appreciate any advice you can offer! We plan to go in May next year (2015), hopefully when it's not too hot?
On our road trip we want to visit the main cities and national parks, with enough time for some site seeing and hiking along the way. So far I've come up with a rough plan as follows -

Day 1: Arrive in LA
Day 2: LA
Day 3: Six Flags Theme Park
Day 4: Drive to San Diego
Day 5: San Diego
Day 6: San Diego
Day 7: Drive to Las Vegas
Day 8: Las Vegas
Day 9: Drive to Grand Canyon
Day 10: Grand Canyon
Day 11: Drive to Bryce Canyon
Day 12: Drive to Zion National Park
Day 13: Zion National Park
Day 14: Zion National Park
Day 15: Drive to Lone Pine via Death Valley
Day 16: Drive to Yosemite
Day 17: Yosemite
Day 18: Yosemite
Day 19: Drive to San Francisco
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Drive to LA
Day 23: Fly Home

It's not ideal having to drive back to LA at the end, but I think cost of flight/car rental wise it's a good option. Do you think I've tried to fit too much in? Is Monument Valley worth a look or is it too far out of the way? Any must see recommendations?

Thanks for your help!

RVvagabond

Significant time on the road ---
I'd skip SD and allot more time in LA. Endless touring.
From Universal studios
http://www.universalstudioshollywood...?__gps_b_socal
to
crazy/whacky/exciting Venice Beach
http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/bl...ice-california

Six flags - only reason are the roller coaster rides - long drive in heavy traffic.
SF - ??? - I'd skip that also unless you enjoy Chinese food (in China Town) Very expensive. Add more time in LV.

Yosemite - extremely difficult to obtain hotel reservations
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/where.htm

Tooo much driving
Spend more time in Grand Canyon by taking a Mule Ride, overnight, to the bottom and back up. Reservations mandatory. Must weigh under 200 pounds, or so.
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/mule_trips.htm

Vaga

kawh

i agree with RV in skipping San Diego... not sure what you want to see there, but would highly recommend you spend that time instead with time in LA in Santa Monica and Venice... on the same ocean, and really fun. also agree about 6 flags... unless you just absolutely love rides, it can be an awful, awful drive from LA... though less so if you don't have to drive to S.D. in the opposite direction the next day.

i would use those extra (S.D.) days on the drive from San Francisco down to LA.... this is a world class drive if you take your time along the coast, so why not enjoy it? Carmel, Big Sur, cliffs, beaches, hiking, Esalen... so many great things to see. Santa Barbara is nice as a tourist town as well. I would take the coast down and stop somewhere like Ripplewood with a cabin along the creek....or, with a bigger budget, Deetjens or beyond. it's magical.

it is a lot of driving... but i know it's hard to say 'no' to many of these places... let us know when you are ready for more specific recommendations on food and lodging...

btw... we live here in sonoma county (north of san francisco) and it's pretty great, too!

tomfuller

For 2 people to go to 6 Flags from LA take the MetroLink Antelope line to Santa Clarita http://metrolinktrains.com/stations/...a_clarita.html
and take a taxi from there. Go back to LA Union Station and take an Amtrak Surfliner train to San Diego. This saves a lot of driving in unfamiliar territory and getting lost.
You can get from SD to Las Vegas by taking a Surfliner back to LAX and an Amtrak California bus. That bus drops you off a couple of blocks from the Fremont Street Experience. Rent your car in Las Vegas (much cheaper).
You may or may not be able to drive over the Tioga Pass into Yosemite in May. It could be still snowed in.
Take the car back to Las Vegas and then fly to Los Angeles if you have to return from there instead of a direct flight from Las Vegas.

happytrailstoyou

We seldom see such a well thought out itinerary. One change I would make is to reserve time at the end of your trip to make a more leisurely drive from San Francisco to LA. Highway 1 from Monterey to Santa Monica is one of the most beautiful drives in the USA, and treats await you along the way.

Also, as tomfuller has noted, Tioga Pass may not be open in May. That would really mess things up because the drive from Las Vegas to Yosemite through Bakersfield is long and unappealing.

HTtY

jamie99

I agree with HTTY, take two nights along Highway 1, one of the most beautiful drives in the USA.

West1010

Thanks for all the replies!

I think I'm definately going to listen to your advice and take out San Diego and spend the extra time on the drive down to LA from San Fran (it does look amazing!). What would you consider the best places to stop along the way?

The news about the drive to Six Flags isn't great, I'm a bit of a roller coaster fan so really wanted to do a big american theme park... I'm not sure it will be worth it if the drive is awful though!

Also, the fact Tioga pass may still be closed in May is a little worrying (should have done better research). Has anyone got any suggestions of how I could still incorporate Yosemite but in a more drive friendly way?

As for national park reservations, i was hoping planning this trip almost a year in advance would give me enough time to book? Or do they really book up that far in advance?!?

kawh

you won't be sorry! where to stop/stay really depends on what you like. one night or two?

santa cruz if you want to go to an amuzement park that goes way back in time. (i find it charming, others find it sleezy.)

carmel if you like the upscale adorable town vibe.

big sur is a magic place and so many choices... from cabins like the one i mentioned above or a tree house at post ranch inn for a thousand a night.

hiking in any of the parks along the way.

if you have any desire to visit hearst castle, it's along the way. some cute little beach communities nearby like cayucos.

santa barbara is a beach town/college town that many like to visit... but i'm thinking you like to be more outdoors than shopping in your activities?

let us know what you like best.

tomfuller

Go directly from Los Angeles to Yosemite coming in through the south entrance from Fresno and Oakhurst. If the Tioga Pass is open use it to go to Las Vegas by way of Death Valley.
If the pass is not open you might choose to go to San Francisco after Yosemite.
There is a roller coaster at Buffalo Bill's casino at exit 1 on I-15 on the California-Nevada border.
If you want to go to 6 Flags, you can spend a night in a motel in Santa Clarita or Newhall.

RVvagabond

Agree wholly with highway 1. Note it is 1 NOT 101 which is not along the coast.

Suggest making California to Canada, along the coast, a separate vacation. At least two very full weeks covering 1,250 miles (one way)
On the way back,visit Reno (gambling), scenic Lake Tahoe and to Yosemite on the Gold Road - highway 49. (Google it) This tour visit the famous gold rush of 1849 that started at Sutter's Mill. A slow 160 scenic drive.

Vaga

West1010

So I think after reading all your advice I've got to a route I'm happy with which gives me a bit more time in LA and to enjoy the drive from San Fran to LA, what do you think?

Day 1: Arrive in LA
Day 2: LA
Day 3: LA
Day 4: Drive to Las Vegas
Day 5: Las Vegas
Day 6: Drive to Grand Canyon
Day 7: Grand Canyon
Day 8: Drive to Bryce Canyon
Day 9: Drive to Zion National Park
Day 10: Zion National Park
Day 11: Zion National Park
Day 12: Drive to Lone Pine via Death Valley
Day 13: Drive to Yosemite
Day 14: Yosemite
Day 15: Yosemite
Day 16: Drive to San Francisco
Day 17: San Francisco
Day 18: San Francisco
Day 19: Drive down coast and stop
Day 20: Drive down coast and stop
Day 21: Drive to LA
Day 22: Fly Home

If the Tioga pass is closed how long roughly would the drive be via Bakersfield?

As for the drive from San Fran to LA, I'm still to decide on where to stop but I'm liking the sound of the cabins at Big Sur! I'm really into anything outdoors.

Has anyone got any tips on must do/see things along the route?

Thanks!

tomfuller

Are you planning on renting a car in LA on Day 1?
You should do a comparison of rental car prices in LA v. Las Vegas. If you don't like the idea of an Amtrak California bus to Las Vegas you can also make the short flight and save driving hours through the desolate Mojave Desert.
Friday afternoon and evening are the worst time to drive I-15 from LA to LV. Sunday evening can be heavy traffic from LV back to LA.
It was wise to drop San Diego from your itinerary.

jamie99

I'd stop in Carmel, Monterey if you want a bit less expensive. The Big Sur lodging is limited as is dining, places are either uber expensive (Post Ranch Inn, Ventana Lodge) or rustic.
For your second night maybe Cambria (if interested in Hearst Castle) or Pismo Beach, where you can rent ATVs or take a Hummer ride on nearby Oceano Dunes.

kawh

For Big Sur, as i had said above, we love Ripplewood, where we like to get a cabin on the creek (about $180) . At their website, it shows exactly where their cabins are located on the property and you can choose one. Riverside Campground has cabins, and you can come in at about $100 if you go with a separate bathroom. (have not stayed, but have friends who have.) There are lots of others if you look online.

Esalen is way too expensive, but would recommend getting a massage there (expensive too) and you can see the grounds, and use their amazzzzzing natural hot tubs at the edge of the sea. Magical. Otherwise, if you are adventurous, you can just go take a soak in the tubs for a fee, but only after 1 or 2 in the morning.

RVvagabond

Highway 1 guide
Google; highway 1 California guide

Vaga

cd

We just returned from much of your trip. There is a Hwy between Bryce and Capitol Reef that is one of the most scenic roadways we have ever traveled! http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...way-Utah.htmlt And we loved Capitol Reef. The Scenic Drive thru the park takes you to a couple of dirt roads you are permitted to drive on that takes you thru tall stone gaps on a little narrow road.

If you can't get park lodging for Zion, let me recommend Cable Mountain Lodge. It is a 5 min walk over a little bridge into Zion where you are met by the Zion buses. The buses have 9 stops. You can hop on and off at will and they run all the time, we never waited longer than a few minutes. (you can't drive your car thru the park, buses are mandatory) Cable Mountain has kitchenettes and a little market next door where we purchased breakfast items. We then ate our main meal inside Zion at the Lodge. If you go ask for a balcony room overlooking the Virgin River. It is just a little river but I took my coffee there every morning, they have picnic tables and it was such a peaceful way to begin the day. http://www.cablemountainlodge.com/

My husband enjoyed Monument Valley more than I did. We only stayed about an hour. It was too friggin hot. What I enjoyed the most was being on a reservation and learning about the Navajo People.

mpflim

Some doubt if the full schedule permits a stop on Day 21 at Magic Mountain, it is adjacent to the I-5 in Valencia as you head south towards Los Angeles.

michele_d

If you cannot go the Tioga Rd, the drive from Zion to Yosemite is over 600 miles via Bakersfield. I live in Tehachapi, approximately 400 miles from Zion and 1 hr east of Bakersfield. If the Tioga Pass is closed you will need to alot a stop from Zion to Yosemite. You can do this on day 12. It is a bit longer but definitely doable. Just watch the weather when you are in Bryce and Zion.

I also recommend doing Six Flags on the way down from SF to LA.

West1010

I just had a google of Capitol Reef, it does look impressive, although I'm not sure how I could comfortably fit it into the itineary. Do you have any suggestions?

As for Monument Valley I would love to see it but I think it may be just that little bit too far out of the way...

Do people think I would be better postponing the trip to June so that there's a greater chance that Tioga pass into Yosemite will be open? I'm just a little worried about the heat!

Visiting Six Flags on the way from San Fran to LA is a great idea, thanks!

For the coastal drive, I think I'm leaning towards Carmel and Cambria for the stop overs. Does anyone have good accommodation suggestions for these places?

Thanks for all your help!

emalloy

Seei f you could start with Vegas, day 1 fly to Vegas, then do your days 4 through 21 then do your days in LA and then drive to Vegas for the flight home. I would guess the flights would be about the same and the car rental would be less .

I do prefer the south rim of GC, but the north means less car time. North rim does not open until mid/late May depending on road conditions, so if you are in early may you would have to go to the south rim anyway.

Carmel and Cambria are great places for stopping on the coast. Do look to making reservations in the parks now!

Sounds like a wonderful trip.