scoobydoo15

We are considering travelling to SF in October and then on to LA. We have already done the Highway 1 drive, but this time are thinking about driving over to Yosemite, then Mono lake and then straight down from there to LA. Is this something that would be recommended during the middle of October and if so, how many days would you suggest that we stop in Yosemite (first visit). Also what is the drive like from Mono Lake to LA at this time of year. I know lots of questions, but we are from Uk and want to make the most of our trip. Thanks

Mote

Hi you have a good trip ahead ! I stayed in Yosemite two times, and both two days. Enough for me to see its wonders, do a little trekking ( vernal falls, noy much eater at this time ), visit Awhanee Hotel, go to Glacier Point (a must ) ang get an idea of this wonderful place. On your way to LA, consider Mammoth Lakes, wonderful place, very scenic lakes, a Polo Ralph Lauren Outlet, etc. Enjoy yur trip !
Mote, Mallorca, Spain

J_Correa

I would recommend 2 full days in Yosemite - 3 if you have the time.

gigib

The drive from Mono Lake to L.A. is somewhere around 6 hours, beautiful eastern Sierra scenery for the first half, desert the second half. VERY different from the coast drive. The highway is fine, wide open, relatively empty. Death Valley wouldn't be too far a detour if you have the time to spend a night there. The bleakness is quite a contrast to your green UK. How much time do you have? The weather in October is often our best, clear and dry, we don't usually get rain until November.

Surfergirl

This is a GREAT time of year to visit! I've taken my friends visiting from England up there (from L.A.) many times over the last 25 years around this time, and they loved it. Great for camping, not a lot of people or crowds, and right before the first snow.

mlm59

Be sure to take warm clothes for Yosemite. We were there a little over a week ago and it snowed at the higher elevations. The temperature at night was at or below freezing and it was quite cool during the day in the valley. We were there 2 days and were able to see only part of the park. The part we did see was spectacular - the valley, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove, the Wawona, and the Awhanee. Yosemite is well worth a visit if you can fit it into your schedule.

Michael

Be prepared to change your itinerary in case the pass is closed because of snow. But Sequoia National Park is also worth a visit if you can't go over to Mono Lake. If you can get to Mono Lake, see if Bodie State Park is still open (just north of Mono Lake).

Otis_B_Driftwood

Usually, Tioga Pass stays open thru October but there is always the possibility of an early storm.

I just came through Tioga Pass and Yosemite Valley a couple of days ago and the visibility is currently very poor because of control fires that are burning in several parts of the park including the Valley. These fires are necessary to re-establish the health of the forests but are not very very kind for tourists looking for lovely vistas.

Usually, the aspen are at their height of turning color in mid-October along US 395 from Lee Vining down to Bishop but this year they are already turning in late September and may be past their prime by mid-Oct.

Check out the hot springs at Hot Creek near Mammoth Lakes.

If you need a place to gas up or stay the night, consider Mammoth Lakes. Gas is 20 to 30 cents cheaper than Lee Vining and the motels are empty in October. However, if you can make it to Bishop, the gas is even cheaper.

There's an interesting museum in Independence and there are the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine to explore. Gunga Din was filmed there. Also, there is the Manzanar site where Japanese citizens were concentrated during WWII.

The Brits invented concentration camps during the Boer War but they reached their height of popularity during WWII by the Germans and Americans.

scoobydoo15

Thanks for all your help, some good advice there. Can any one advice on best rental car to get for the trip. We normally a hire a 4 door saloon whilst in the states, do you think a 4 x 4 would be better for this trip? (2 adults and 2 teens)

Surfergirl

Scooby, you're messaging Americans, most of whom don't know what a "saloon" is (having lived in England, I know it's a station wagon, not a bar!). A saloon should be fine -- many of our station wagons are equipped these days with 4-wheel drive, everything from the lowly Subaru wagon, which I drive (13 y.o. and in mint condition!), to a Mercedes E320 wagon. The 4X4 SUVs, while you sit higher up, are gas guzzlers and not in tune with the environment -- I don't know, for this kind of trip into the natural beauty, I kind of cringe on taking a light-truck categoried vehicle into this terrain. All the roads are well paved, so you don't need an off-road vehicle, and I frankly don't think there's a lot more room. Having said that, most of the vehicles you'll see these days around Yosemite and Mono are RV's and SUV's, so it wouldn't look out of place, especially if you have a big expense account for the gas (petrol). Now that I think about it, the price of our gas, which we think is the biggest rip-off -- I've heard from another poster that in the areas where you need a gas station the most, it's close to $3.00 a U.S. gallon -- is beans compared to what the English pay for their petrol.

Another word about gas: about 6 or so years ago, the last gas station in Yosemite Valley was closed, so make sure you fill up your tank before heading in. I forget where the last station is coming in from SF -- I'm sure someone else could tell you that, since we come up through Oakhurst on the 41 and usually gas up there, although there's one last station at Wawona.

wildblueyonder

Sorry, Surfergirl - but a 'saloon' isn't a station-wagon - it's an ordinary car - well, a saloon car!! (Like a Dodge Stratus, which is what we hired when we were there).
Petrol. Yes, the gas station in Wawona was open and running (2-3 weeks ago), but the one at Crane Flat (Oak Flat road) was well and truly shut - so, if you're heading on that road scoobydoo - make sure you have plenty in the tank!
We were only able to spend 2 nights in Yosemite, but we saw plenty. My advice to you would be to stay inside the park if possible - or, if the lodge is full and camping is not your thing, then there are nice places to rent in West Yosemite, which is just 10 miles from Wawona and one side and Yosemite Valley on the other. If you stay in Oakhurst or similar distance from the park entrance, then you lose half a day in getting there!
Have a great trip - we loved it and want to go back SOON! (Actually, next up for us is hopefully Yellowstone - but don't know when!)

Surfergirl

Oops, you're right. I was thinking estate car, not saloon car.

Otis_B_Driftwood

"If you stay in Oakhurst or similar distance from the park entrance, then you lose half a day in getting there!"

Oakhurst has some of the best lodging in the Yosemite region and it's only an hour or so from the Valley, not half a day.

wildblueyonder

"Oakhurst has some of the best lodging in the Yosemite region and it's only an hour or so from the Valley, not half a day."

Well yes, sorry - I exaggerated a little! But that is still 2 hours out of a day - and if you don't have much time to spare, perhaps 2 hours too much. The accommodation in Oakhurst is fine, no doubt (nearly booked there myself) and it's a lovely place - but I was glad we were inside the park (time-wise).

Scoobydoo - forgot - there are some pics from here, if interested http://www.braininajamjar.co.uk/usa16.html Take no notice of the writing - it's just note form; nowhere near finished (studying for exams .. eek).
Again, have a great trip; I'm sure you'll love it!