tammydavisg

Any thoughts on where to stay when we travel to the Grand Canyon and over to California from 10/22 through 11/6? We've book a few places already but they are refundable if there is a better place to stay. Most I haven't started on.

Our budget is around $200/night. We prefer quiet, quaint, family oriented and scenic places. Not opposed to a big hotel either if it's convenient. We frequently stay at the Marriott courtyard when we travel or similar level hotel to give you an idea.

Grand Canyon - Maswik Lodge in Grand Canyon Park (only available in the park for our duration)
Yosemite - Narrow Gauge Inn in Fish Camp, CA
San Francisco
Monterey/Carmel or Big Sur
Cambria/Pismo Beach
Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Palm Springs

janisj

Just a quick comment . . . I would not stay in Fish Camp. It is 35 miles from Yosemite Valley and the drive takes well over an hour. If you can't get into Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, then try for Yosemite View Lodge just outside the park entrance in El Portal.

J62

At GC, Maswik is just fine. It's a no frills, basic hotel rooms set about 1/2 mi from the rim back in the Pondersosa forest, but the rooms are clean and comfortable enough.

Since all the GC South rim hotels are run by xanterra, you will be able to switch to a different lodge closer to the rim without any issues, should there be an open room.

Since you can cancel up to 3 days before arrival, chances are good that a room at Bright Angel, Kachina or Thunderbird will open up for you.

tammydavisg

Thanks that's helpful about the cancellations. Hadn't thought of that.

On Fish Camp, according to Google Maps it's 7 minutes away though it looks like Yosemite is huge and there may be multiple entrances?

J62

Yosemite is the size of Rhode Island. Fish Camp is 7 mi away for the Wawona entrance, but as janis said it is an hour from Yosemite Valley.

The Sequoia grove near Wawona is worth seeing, but Yosemite Valley is the main draw of the park.

janisj

The entrance to Yosemite doesn't mean anything, that is just where they stop you to collect the entrance fees.

Assuming Yosemite valley is what you want to see (that's the bits w/ the waterfalls, half dome, etc) - then Fish Camp is about 70-75 minutes from the Valley.

tammydavisg

Thanks. We will be moving to the other entrance of Yosemite.

Do you know much about Hwy 1? After we leave San Fran, we are heading to Carmel/Big Sur for two full days, driving on the 3rd to our next stop at the Sequoia & Kings Canyon. Debating between finding one location to stay for 2 days and driving South down 1 and moving locations so we aren't going back and forth. Should we just stay two days in carmel/big sur or move and if so, where would the base for day 2 be?

emalloy

Drive down the coast hwy and find a place to stay farther south. You would not want to have to drive after dark on that road. I would guess one day in the Carmel/Monterey area and one farther south, maybe Cambria.