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DRIVING ACROSS COUNTRY EAST TO WEST MID MAY TO JUNE

DRIVING ACROSS COUNTRY EAST TO WEST MID MAY TO JUNE

Old Apr 24th, 2014, 09:33 AM
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DRIVING ACROSS COUNTRY EAST TO WEST MID MAY TO JUNE

Hi everyone. I am new to this site and will have several questions as am hoping to travel across country and back, mid-May through June. Right now I am trying to decide where I'd like to visit and what is feasible in terms of time and driving distance. I might be able to extend my trip til mid-July.

I am planning to travel down from Boston, Ma to the Outer Banks then stop in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Northern Texas and definitely Grand Canyon and Utah's 5 National Parks. Right now what I am caught up on is whether to travel to San Diego. I'd also love to visit Death Valley National Park but is it too hot to visit in June? So my first 2 questions as a new user is: 1) Is it worth the drive to visit San Diego? I have been north of LA before. 2) Is Death Valley too hot to visit in the summer?

Thank you in advance for answering my questions!
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Old Apr 24th, 2014, 10:13 AM
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> Is Death Valley too hot to visit in the summer?

Depends on your definition of "too" hot. People visit the place at all times of the year and, by using simple precautions
http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/yoursafety.htm
your greatest danger will be speeding on curvy roads, not the heat.

The afternoon will be uncomfortably stifling, no way to avoid that fact. But it you properly plan and prepare your visit, you can reduce this to nothing more than, "It's hot out here!"
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Old Apr 24th, 2014, 01:21 PM
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I love San Diego but it is up to you on what interests you. Some great beaches down that way, especially on Coronado. I love driving the coast down to LA from SF but not everyone does. Google weather for Death Valley. Could be toasty warm or hot. one never knows with this crazy weather......
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Old Apr 24th, 2014, 06:11 PM
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One way or the other, visit the parks in New Mexico and Colorado as well as some of the ones in Arizona like:

Bandelier, Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, Rocky Mt. NP, Mesa Verde, Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, Walnut Canyon, and a bunch more

Get a National Park Pass at your first park, it lets you into all the National Parks, Monuments, Historic Sites etc.

Get a cooler and fill it with ice, drinks, water, snacks, sandwich material etc.

Fill your gas tank when it gets to half as there are places where stations are few and far between.

Have a fantastic trip.
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Old Apr 25th, 2014, 05:40 AM
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We are doing much this same trip in Aug. We will drive thru New Mexico, AZ into San Diego and then Death Valley, LV, Zion and most of the Utah National Parks. It will be over 100 degrees in Death Valley when we are there. YOu can check your temps here: http://www.weatherbase.com/
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Old Apr 25th, 2014, 09:22 AM
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Living less than 100 miles from Death Valley, I'll tell you in mid-June it CAN be really uncomfortable in the afternoons. But, you just never know for sure bout the desert weather. It can e 115 in mid-June or it can be less than 100. If you plan, plan outdoor activities in the evenings and before 10 a.m. for the best comfort.
If you're a golfer, the Furnace Creek course in Death Valley offers pretty cheap rates in the summer.
Whatever you do in and around Death Valley just stay hydrated, use sun screen, wear a hat, be sensible and you'll be fine.

San Diego is worth a visit if you have time. Balboa Park offers a lot to see and do, the USS Midway museum on the waterfront is great, the Old Town and Gaslamp District along with the beaches mean you never lack for something to do,
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Old Apr 26th, 2014, 12:39 PM
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i live in North Texas and I would advise you to just skip it, (except where you have to drive through the panhandle) and spend more time visiting national parks in CO, NM , AZ and UT.
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Old Apr 26th, 2014, 01:03 PM
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You don't say why you are interested in visiting San Diego, but I personally wouldn't go there given your itinerary. It doesn't seem to fit in at all, it would take a lot of extra time to go there, if you don't have a real reason, I wouldn't. I used to live in CA for about 15 years and only went there once or twice and I lived in LA. I just don't consider it that fascinating that I'd go so far out of my way to go there, if you were doing a CA trip and were in that area, sure.

I wouldn't go to Death Valley in summer myself given the heat. You know the hottest temperature on earth was recorded there in July. It will probably be 100 or more in the afternoon in June. If you do go, go early in the morning.
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Old Apr 29th, 2014, 02:30 AM
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Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond. I truly appreciate it! Christina, in terms of San Diego, i have alway heard how beautiful it is. I love the Pacific Coast and thought it would be nice ti drive right to the other side. I hear ya though, as I map out my trip it is somewhat out of ny way. It's going to be a tough ddecision. Maybe one i can make as i get closer.
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Old Apr 29th, 2014, 02:34 AM
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Thank you PaulRabe. You are correct. What is my definition of too hot? I guess I just wanted to know that I wouldn't be the only person visiting in the summer. Take precautions, got it.
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Old Apr 29th, 2014, 02:37 AM
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Connie, that's my plan in terms of Texas I laughed at myself yesterday because as I was mapping out my drive i forgot about Texas!!! Thank you!
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Old Apr 29th, 2014, 02:39 AM
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Shar, I am sure I'd love San Diego as I love the ocean! ! I guess I'll plan for it and see what happens by then. Thanks for your advice!
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Old Apr 29th, 2014, 03:51 AM
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Since you are going there and back, you might look at more of a loop and perhaps save things on the east coast for the return.
Are you visiting the US for a time, or will you have another opportunity for some things. I might choose a number of different natural wonders/parks personally.
San Diego is a beautiful city and if it is your goal to get to the Pacific, then that is fine.
Oklahoma/north Texas? Maybe Dallas up to Denver and through the Rockies to Utah?
Maybe straight through Tennessee/Missouri/etc. to Denver. Return via a southern route and go up the east coast--Charleston.
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Old Apr 29th, 2014, 05:44 AM
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Shar, I am sure I'd love San Diego as I love the ocean! ! I guess I'll plan for it and see what happens by then. Thanks for your advice!
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