To San Francisco for 8 days
Oct 28th, 2014, 03:27 AM
#1
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To San Francisco for 8 days
My boyfriend and i would like to visit the west coast and would be landing in SF airport and leaving from SF airport from Singapore. For the 8 days, we would like to visit SF, Las vegas, grand canyon (maybe) or have some road trips around. It would be during Dec 26 for 8 days.
Can i ask for advice or suggestion on some places we must visit and during the trip from SF to LV, should we drive or take a plane?
Please let me know
Thank you!
Can i ask for advice or suggestion on some places we must visit and during the trip from SF to LV, should we drive or take a plane?
Please let me know
Thank you!
Oct 28th, 2014, 04:43 AM
#2
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Have you looked at the weather in these various places?
You're coming in winter and while winter in SF is usually fairly mild (high will be in the 50s and lows in the 40sF), Grand Canyon is at a high elevation and has a true winter, often with snow. Las Vegas, although a desert, will also be chilly and do understand that pools will be closed for the season.
As for driving - depending on your route through the mountains some roads may be closed due to snow and IMHO driving in winter weather is not something you should do without experience since it is a very different skill.
If you want to see just those 3 places I would fly SF to LV and do the Grand Canyon as a tour from there to limit having to drive in winter weather. You don;t mention wanting to see any other outdoors - and I would reco seeing redwoods at Muir Woods near SF and avoiding heading into parks in the mountains that time of year.
You're coming in winter and while winter in SF is usually fairly mild (high will be in the 50s and lows in the 40sF), Grand Canyon is at a high elevation and has a true winter, often with snow. Las Vegas, although a desert, will also be chilly and do understand that pools will be closed for the season.
As for driving - depending on your route through the mountains some roads may be closed due to snow and IMHO driving in winter weather is not something you should do without experience since it is a very different skill.
If you want to see just those 3 places I would fly SF to LV and do the Grand Canyon as a tour from there to limit having to drive in winter weather. You don;t mention wanting to see any other outdoors - and I would reco seeing redwoods at Muir Woods near SF and avoiding heading into parks in the mountains that time of year.
Oct 28th, 2014, 04:54 AM
#3
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HI NY traveler,
Thank you for the inputs.
Is redwoods an outdoor too? I do not mind seeing outdoor places but i am worried about the weather. Do you live in California?
I welcome all ideas. Generally we are rather adventurous and fun and do not mind having good food and nice music or even fun attraction!
Thank you for the inputs.
Is redwoods an outdoor too? I do not mind seeing outdoor places but i am worried about the weather. Do you live in California?
I welcome all ideas. Generally we are rather adventurous and fun and do not mind having good food and nice music or even fun attraction!
Oct 28th, 2014, 05:26 AM
#4
A road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas/Grand Canyon in December/January isn't a very good idea. For one thing it is a very VERY long drive. SF to LV is almost 600 miles (965 km) and it isn't a nice drive. Mostly ugly because it is not on the coast and not in the mountains. It is through a vast/flat valley that is often fogged in, and then through desert (and not scenic desert)
The only practical way to get to Las Vegas is to fly. You would not need a car. SF, LV and a coach tour from LV to the Grand Canyon. Then fly from Las Vegas back to SFO.
Or - If you want a car trip you could spend your whole time in Northern California. San Francisco for a few days and then collect a rental car and spend maybe 4 days traveling down the coast and back to SFO. There is a very nice Redwood park near San Francisco -- Muir Woods and other redwoods near Santa Cruz and Carmel south of San Francisco.
This is (hopefully) out rainy season - we are currently in a drought but if things get back to normal it will be cool/chance of rain/fog but you can also luck out and get some lovely weather.
The only practical way to get to Las Vegas is to fly. You would not need a car. SF, LV and a coach tour from LV to the Grand Canyon. Then fly from Las Vegas back to SFO.
Or - If you want a car trip you could spend your whole time in Northern California. San Francisco for a few days and then collect a rental car and spend maybe 4 days traveling down the coast and back to SFO. There is a very nice Redwood park near San Francisco -- Muir Woods and other redwoods near Santa Cruz and Carmel south of San Francisco.
This is (hopefully) out rainy season - we are currently in a drought but if things get back to normal it will be cool/chance of rain/fog but you can also luck out and get some lovely weather.
Oct 28th, 2014, 05:49 AM
#6
Nice place? Are you asking about hotels?
If so, what is your budget?
Also do realize that December 31/January 1 is New Years and both San Francisco and Las vegas hotels will be very expensive for the holiday (and in LV, possibly the following Friday and Saturday too)
If so, what is your budget?
Also do realize that December 31/January 1 is New Years and both San Francisco and Las vegas hotels will be very expensive for the holiday (and in LV, possibly the following Friday and Saturday too)
Oct 28th, 2014, 05:54 AM
#7
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If you don't want to drive you can fly from Fresno (close to Yosemite) to Las Vegas on this budget airline: https://www.allegiantair.com/
Oct 28th, 2014, 06:55 AM
#9
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Here are my ideas of things to do & see around San Francisco.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm
Stu Dudley
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm
Stu Dudley
Oct 28th, 2014, 07:30 AM
#10
To follow up on janisj's Fresno idea - Take the Amtrak bus #6612 from Fisherman's Wharf at 6:50AM to Emeryville to connect to the #712 San Joaquin train at 7:40AM (guaranteed connection).
The #712 arrives in Fresno at 11:31AM. Take a taxi from the train station to the airport to pick up your rental car.
You can get something to eat on the train before you get to Fresno. The fare for 2 of you in coach on Dec. 26 is $66 if you buy more than 15 days before your trip.
Return the rental car to FAT and take the taxi back to the train station for the San Joaquin to Bakersfield with an Amtrak bus that takes you to Las Vegas. The Amtrak bus station in Las Vegas is very close to the Fremont Street Experience and the Golden Nugget.
If there is snow in Yosemite, you may have to skip it and just go to Las Vegas and rent a car to go to Death Valley and Valley of Fire.
The #712 arrives in Fresno at 11:31AM. Take a taxi from the train station to the airport to pick up your rental car.
You can get something to eat on the train before you get to Fresno. The fare for 2 of you in coach on Dec. 26 is $66 if you buy more than 15 days before your trip.
Return the rental car to FAT and take the taxi back to the train station for the San Joaquin to Bakersfield with an Amtrak bus that takes you to Las Vegas. The Amtrak bus station in Las Vegas is very close to the Fremont Street Experience and the Golden Nugget.
If there is snow in Yosemite, you may have to skip it and just go to Las Vegas and rent a car to go to Death Valley and Valley of Fire.
Oct 28th, 2014, 08:14 AM
#11
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No do not live in CA - but have been in SF in Dec and Jan - which is warm for us - NYC is MUCH colder and often gets snow.
And LV will probably be cool but not a problem. The reason I mentioned going to the redwoods at Muir Wood (near SF) is that it won't involve driving into areas with snow - as would crossing the mountains or going to some of the national parks.
And sorry - there is no way I woud be trekking across CA by bus and train - tomfuller is a huge proponent of train travel and recos it for every trip - no matter if it makes sense or not.
If you really want to see national parks I would look into a coach trip (not sure that time of year) so you are not responsible for driving - but the distance and drive is very long and sights may be limited by weather.
And LV will probably be cool but not a problem. The reason I mentioned going to the redwoods at Muir Wood (near SF) is that it won't involve driving into areas with snow - as would crossing the mountains or going to some of the national parks.
And sorry - there is no way I woud be trekking across CA by bus and train - tomfuller is a huge proponent of train travel and recos it for every trip - no matter if it makes sense or not.
If you really want to see national parks I would look into a coach trip (not sure that time of year) so you are not responsible for driving - but the distance and drive is very long and sights may be limited by weather.
Oct 28th, 2014, 09:03 AM
#13
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If you want to see Vegas, fly roundtrip from SFO for 2 nights. Skip the Grand Canyon--you don't sound too enthusiastic about it, weather might be an issue, and in 8 days you really don't have time to do San Francisco, Las Vegas and the Canyon properly considering how long it takes to get from place to place.
Forget about Yosemite and Fresno (??), I have no idea what those ideas are even doing in this discussion!
Forget about Yosemite and Fresno (??), I have no idea what those ideas are even doing in this discussion!
Oct 28th, 2014, 11:18 AM
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I'd fly straight from SFO to LV, because you do not want to be in Las Vegas on New Years unless you pay a fortune and reserve NOW. A former coworker and hubby went a long time ago without ressies and got the last room in a dumpy Motel 6 at hugely inflated prices.
So my idea is do Las Vegas first and maybe take a tour bus there but do not do any helicopter trips as they will take you to tourist trap Grand Canyon West. Then fly back to SFO where you can spend 4 days or so exploring that pretty city.
So my idea is do Las Vegas first and maybe take a tour bus there but do not do any helicopter trips as they will take you to tourist trap Grand Canyon West. Then fly back to SFO where you can spend 4 days or so exploring that pretty city.
Oct 28th, 2014, 04:02 PM
#17
jamie99 makes a good point. Fly to Las vegas mmediately after arriving at SFO. Do Vegas and the Grand canyon on 3 or 4 days and then fly back to SFO to finish your 8 days/New Years in San Francisco.
Nov 7th, 2014, 07:51 PM
#18
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One note on SF weather. Temp in degrees is just one aspect. It is also damp due to the cold pacific ocean and fog. Trust me - it chills the bone marrow. Suggest waterproof/windproof jacket.
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/sfd_sjc_...D_CLIMATE3.php
Winter temperatures in San Francisco are quite temperate, with highs between 55�F and 60�F and lows in the 45�F to 50�F range. The main source region of wintertime fog in San Francisco is the Great Valley. Radiation fog is formed in the moist regions of the Sacramento River Delta and is advected through Suisun and San Pablo Bays and into San Francisco Bay on cool easterly drainage winds. This type of fog is less common than that of summer, but is typically much denser and has a greater impact upon transportation systems due to greatly reduced visibilities.
Wine -
If you enjoy fine wine, Napa Valley is THE place. About a 70 miles, one way, drive.
http://www.visitnapavalley.com/napa_...winery_map.htm
Vaga
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/sfd_sjc_...D_CLIMATE3.php
Winter temperatures in San Francisco are quite temperate, with highs between 55�F and 60�F and lows in the 45�F to 50�F range. The main source region of wintertime fog in San Francisco is the Great Valley. Radiation fog is formed in the moist regions of the Sacramento River Delta and is advected through Suisun and San Pablo Bays and into San Francisco Bay on cool easterly drainage winds. This type of fog is less common than that of summer, but is typically much denser and has a greater impact upon transportation systems due to greatly reduced visibilities.
Wine -
If you enjoy fine wine, Napa Valley is THE place. About a 70 miles, one way, drive.
http://www.visitnapavalley.com/napa_...winery_map.htm
Vaga
Nov 8th, 2014, 05:02 PM
#19
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Why not consider flying into SFO and out of LAX or San Diego? I agree to fly directly to LV.. tour the Grand Canyon. If its snowing the IMAX theater is great, and should be seen no matter what. Then fly from LV somewhere else. I agree to skip where its going to snow or be cold. Stay by the coast. Southwest Air is pretty cheap and they don't charge for suitcases.
Nov 9th, 2014, 05:46 AM
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If you're not absolutely stuck on Las Vegas you might consider driving south down the coast of CA instead. The drive is can be beautiful, and there are many wonderful places to visit, e.g. Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, LA, Newport Beach, San Diego, etc. Plus, the weather will get warmer as you progress. Then you could leave from LA or San Diego.
Las Vegas is great for many people, but it's not everyone's cup of tea.
Las Vegas is great for many people, but it's not everyone's cup of tea.
