help with planning - SF to LV
Jan 25th, 2003, 12:54 PM
#1
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help with planning - SF to LV
we plan to come from UK in October. This site helped greatly last year with our travel plans, so here goes again. Plan 4/5 nights in San Fran, pick up hire car on way out to Yosemite (stay 1/2 nights outside), onto Bishop (1 night), onto Death Valley (1 night), onto Las Vegas (2 nights)- return hire car and fly home. What info can you give me on this?
For example, recommended hotels for first 4 destinations, any useful websites, is there services for food, gas etc on route to all these places? As it's October what weather can we expect at SF and Yosemite, will it be rainy, cool? Greatly appreciated.
For example, recommended hotels for first 4 destinations, any useful websites, is there services for food, gas etc on route to all these places? As it's October what weather can we expect at SF and Yosemite, will it be rainy, cool? Greatly appreciated.
Jan 25th, 2003, 01:25 PM
#2
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October weather in SF and Yosemite can range from cool to very warm. We have late Indian summers.
October is the month that rain starts. Unfortunately unless you catch rain the waterfalls in Yosemite will be dry or very slight.
Hwy 120 through Yosemite to Hwy 395 will be open. There is always a rare change that you will hit snow. Hwy 395 is a scenic drive and plenty of places to get gas. Infact the only place you will have to worry about gas is in Yosemite Valley. The removed the gas station.
Utahtea
October is the month that rain starts. Unfortunately unless you catch rain the waterfalls in Yosemite will be dry or very slight.
Hwy 120 through Yosemite to Hwy 395 will be open. There is always a rare change that you will hit snow. Hwy 395 is a scenic drive and plenty of places to get gas. Infact the only place you will have to worry about gas is in Yosemite Valley. The removed the gas station.
Utahtea
Jan 25th, 2003, 08:42 PM
#3
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4 or 5 nights in SF seems like a lot to me. From my past experience 2 nights is plenty of time to see everything in SF. On the wa to Yosemite you should also consider staying a night or 2 in Monterey or Carmel and San Jose which are both on the way.
www.monterey.com
www.sanjose.org
www.monterey.com
www.sanjose.org
Jan 25th, 2003, 10:17 PM
#4
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I agree, 3 nights in San Fran should be enough, definitely not 5. I'd add a night on In Las Vegas instead, especially since your first day there you'll be tired from your trip.
In San Fran we love the Best Western Tuscan Inn, Columbus Motor Inn is another decent choice.
In San Fran we love the Best Western Tuscan Inn, Columbus Motor Inn is another decent choice.
Jan 26th, 2003, 01:08 AM
#5
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cheers, some good Info there - we are reconsidering time spent in SF. why we chose 5 nights was because it's such a long way for us from UK first night doesn't really count, secondly we thought we could do day trips to Carmel and Napa etc without actually packing up and moving on. What do you think?
Jan 26th, 2003, 08:06 AM
#6
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You would be much better off staying overnight in Napa, Carmel, and San Jose rather than doing day trips from SF. Driving times from SF to: Napa (1.5 hrs.north of SF). San Jose (1.5-2hrs. south of SF), and Carmel 3-3.5 hrs. south of SF) Accomodations in Carmel tend to be expensive. You may want to look into staying in either Monterey or Pacific Grove instead. Also, you could easily take daytrips from San Jose to Monterey and Carmel. If you are in the San Jose area, definitely visit the Big Basin Redwoods State Park (www.bigbasin.org). Also, in the nearby town of Felton, you can take a steam train tour of the redwoods at Roaring Camp Railroad (www.roaringcamp.com)
Have a nice trip
Have a nice trip
Jan 26th, 2003, 10:59 AM
#7
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San Jose is NOT two hours from San Francisco! It's a bit over an hour with heavy traffic.
I would suggest skipping Carmel (as suggested) - that's quite a drive and not a day trip from San Francisco.
Your original itinerary looks great. I've never done Bishop or Death Valley - but you will enjoy San Francisco, Yosemite, and Vegas.
October weather in San Francisco should be good. I've found that September is the best with October nights getting slightly chilly. Coming from the UK, I'm sure you'll find it quite pleasant. Roadside services should be easy to find along your route and clearly marked near freeway exits.
Sounds like quite the trip! Enjoy!
I would suggest skipping Carmel (as suggested) - that's quite a drive and not a day trip from San Francisco.
Your original itinerary looks great. I've never done Bishop or Death Valley - but you will enjoy San Francisco, Yosemite, and Vegas.
October weather in San Francisco should be good. I've found that September is the best with October nights getting slightly chilly. Coming from the UK, I'm sure you'll find it quite pleasant. Roadside services should be easy to find along your route and clearly marked near freeway exits.
Sounds like quite the trip! Enjoy!
Jan 26th, 2003, 11:16 AM
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Bill,
Sorry, didn't mean to ruffle your feathers, but I drive between SF and San Jose at least once per week and it usually takes about 2 hours during the commute time, sometimes a tad bit more. Without heavy traffic it will be about 1.5 hrs.
Lynn,
I am not sure where the suggestion to skip Carmel was made as Bill pointed out, but I would keep Carmel on the must see list, but not as a day trip from SF but rather an overnight stay.
Sorry, didn't mean to ruffle your feathers, but I drive between SF and San Jose at least once per week and it usually takes about 2 hours during the commute time, sometimes a tad bit more. Without heavy traffic it will be about 1.5 hrs.
Lynn,
I am not sure where the suggestion to skip Carmel was made as Bill pointed out, but I would keep Carmel on the must see list, but not as a day trip from SF but rather an overnight stay.
Jan 26th, 2003, 01:30 PM
#9
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Lynn: Your original itinerary was fine, actually. California is so vast and offers so much - it would never be possible to see/do it all. Everyone's suggestions are good (except that 1 hour to San Jose bit is daft - simply not possible except at midnight).
I agree - Carmel is not a good day trip from SF. Napa is more doable - but I would recommend the Sonoma area instead. A little easier drive and just as many wineries, etc.
If you wanted to cut one day out of SF (You are correct about the first day/night in SF - it wll be a killer) you could head down Hwy 1 through Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz and Monterey and spend the night somewhere on the Monterey Peninsula -- Carmel is fine but Pacific Grove, Carmel Valley and Monterey are also good.
Then carry on with your itinerary to Yosemite as originally planned.
(I am a native Californian and lived in the UK for 5 years. The differences in distances and driving is amazing - you shouln't try to over do)
I agree - Carmel is not a good day trip from SF. Napa is more doable - but I would recommend the Sonoma area instead. A little easier drive and just as many wineries, etc.
If you wanted to cut one day out of SF (You are correct about the first day/night in SF - it wll be a killer) you could head down Hwy 1 through Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz and Monterey and spend the night somewhere on the Monterey Peninsula -- Carmel is fine but Pacific Grove, Carmel Valley and Monterey are also good.
Then carry on with your itinerary to Yosemite as originally planned.
(I am a native Californian and lived in the UK for 5 years. The differences in distances and driving is amazing - you shouln't try to over do)
Jan 26th, 2003, 03:25 PM
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If you decide to go to Carmel and Monterey, I would not take Highway 1 all the way down from SF. That will take at least 4 hours. The coast north of Monterey is not nearly as scenic as the stretch from Monterey Bay south to Big Sur. From SF you would be better off taking the scenic 280 freeway south toward San Jose then 17 south toward Santa Cruz and 1 south to Monterey. It is a quicker route and the scenery through the Santa Cruz Mountains on Highway 17 is very nice.
Jan 26th, 2003, 06:42 PM
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Tom gives a good alternative - but I would actually still recommend Hwy 1. The San Mateo and Santa Cruz county coasts are very nice and the traffic over 17 can be horrendous depending on on the day/time you travel it. Probably 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other.
Jan 26th, 2003, 06:51 PM
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Traffic over Highway 17 is only a concern during the commute hours of 3-7PM on weekdays. Assuming that you will be driving Highway 17 at a time other than that, you should have no problem. Highway 1 from SF to Monterey along the San Mateo coast can be slow if it is foggy, which is likely in October. Also, Highway 1 along the San Mateo coast will take you through the Devil's Slide area. I think that the name speaks for itself. Even experienced drivers along this stretch of road get white knuckles from gripping the steering wheel.
Jan 26th, 2003, 07:14 PM
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In my expereince I have encountered fog in October when there are storms coming in off the coast. The wind can also present a problem as well. I really don't see how smog has anything to do with affecting one's driving. Smog is really nonexistent in the San Jose area in October because of the cooler weather at that time of year. 4 hours is optimistic when taking route 1 all the way from SF to Monterey.
Jan 26th, 2003, 07:34 PM
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Paul,
Really, then all those clouds I see coming on shore in October I am just imagining I guess. I have driven route along the San Mateo coastline numerous times, and in the fall season in October it can be a dangerous and slow drive. Being that Lynn is from the UK and probably not used to driving in the US, I would not recommend this portion of route 1. This stretch of road is even dangerous for those of us who are familaier with it.
Really, then all those clouds I see coming on shore in October I am just imagining I guess. I have driven route along the San Mateo coastline numerous times, and in the fall season in October it can be a dangerous and slow drive. Being that Lynn is from the UK and probably not used to driving in the US, I would not recommend this portion of route 1. This stretch of road is even dangerous for those of us who are familaier with it.
Jan 26th, 2003, 07:41 PM
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What are you all talking about - Fog and storms in October?? Sure there COULD be bad weather (and if it did turn bad Lynn could always change routes at the last minute) but October is one of the warmest least foggy times on the No. Calif coast. Don't scare them with tales of nasty weather - Highly unlikely.
You MUST admit hwy 1 would be a more scenic drive than through silicon valley. And British drivers are MUCH more used to winding, narrow roads than most Americans. They drive them every day. I have a LOT of experience driving in both countries and folks from the UK have a much easier time driving in the US than most Americans have driving in the UK.
You MUST admit hwy 1 would be a more scenic drive than through silicon valley. And British drivers are MUCH more used to winding, narrow roads than most Americans. They drive them every day. I have a LOT of experience driving in both countries and folks from the UK have a much easier time driving in the US than most Americans have driving in the UK.
Jan 26th, 2003, 07:52 PM
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Janis or is it Paul?
I think you have stated your opinion. I am not trying to scare anyone, but merely trying to state the facts about Route 1 along the San Mateo Coastline. The nices part of route 1 is without a doubt in the Monterey Bay Area anyway. Also, 280 is a very picteresque road as is Highway 17 through the Santa Cruz mountains.
I think you have stated your opinion. I am not trying to scare anyone, but merely trying to state the facts about Route 1 along the San Mateo Coastline. The nices part of route 1 is without a doubt in the Monterey Bay Area anyway. Also, 280 is a very picteresque road as is Highway 17 through the Santa Cruz mountains.
Jan 26th, 2003, 08:21 PM
#20
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Janis,
Gee, in reading the posts by you and Paul, they seem to be so similar, right down to the avoiding the Silicon Valley, as if it is some sort of black hole. Many people, tourists and locals alike drive through San Jose and Silcon Valley every day, and people even stop there to tour around as well, and nothing bad has happened to them. I just do not understand your obsession with suggesting that Lynn take a longer more dangerous road.
Gee, in reading the posts by you and Paul, they seem to be so similar, right down to the avoiding the Silicon Valley, as if it is some sort of black hole. Many people, tourists and locals alike drive through San Jose and Silcon Valley every day, and people even stop there to tour around as well, and nothing bad has happened to them. I just do not understand your obsession with suggesting that Lynn take a longer more dangerous road.
