2 weeks in California++ in April - Need suggestions on itinerary
Mar 5th, 2015, 08:47 AM
#41
I don't have a problem at all with you seeing the Grand Canyon 
However if you are coming from Los Angeles, maybe you could skip Las Vegas on the inbound leg and take a more direct southerly route on I-15 to I-40. There are quite a few places to stay in Williams, AZ (which has some cool nightime neon signs). From Williams you are only an hour or 1.5 hrs to the South entrance to Grand Canyon Village.
If you think Williams is too much driving (it's about 6 hours) then there is also Kingman. But I would probably try to make Williams.
That will gain you a day right there, which you can use for your return trip toward Yosemite or on the coast.
Have you considered staying at Maswick or Bright Angel instead of Yavapai? It's just slightly more convenient for your itinerary since you are coming and leaving from the west, as well as being closer to the Hermits Rest shuttle route where there is no private vehicle option.
However if you are coming from Los Angeles, maybe you could skip Las Vegas on the inbound leg and take a more direct southerly route on I-15 to I-40. There are quite a few places to stay in Williams, AZ (which has some cool nightime neon signs). From Williams you are only an hour or 1.5 hrs to the South entrance to Grand Canyon Village.
If you think Williams is too much driving (it's about 6 hours) then there is also Kingman. But I would probably try to make Williams.
That will gain you a day right there, which you can use for your return trip toward Yosemite or on the coast.
Have you considered staying at Maswick or Bright Angel instead of Yavapai? It's just slightly more convenient for your itinerary since you are coming and leaving from the west, as well as being closer to the Hermits Rest shuttle route where there is no private vehicle option.
Mar 5th, 2015, 10:22 AM
#42
Y'know, flights from LAX to Las Vegas are around $50 one way in May, and flights from LAX to Phoenix around $90. If you don't want to drive the 9 hours from LA to Vegas to the Grand Canyon, why not fly to Phoenix and drive 3 1/2 hours to the canyon from there, or maybe go via Sedona (which adds maybe 20 min. to the drive?)
Return the car to LAS or PHX and fly to San Francisco ($40 from LAS, $70 from PHX) and resume the tour there. I'd actually be inclined to skip Yosemite, especially if it's close to the Memorial Day holiday weekend when you get there, and substitute those days by heading north to the Redwoods and/or the Sonoma/Mendocino coasts. Much less crowded, the redwoods are unique and stunning, and the drive to and from San Francisco is less boring than the one to Yosemite.
Sadly, this is such a poor snow winter throughout the west that the Yosemite waterfalls might not be at their best, and the Mariposa Grove of giant Sequoias is closed this year, so swapping the redwoods might actually be a win-win. Overall, less driving, and definitely less boring driving.
Just some thoughts to confuse the issue further.
Return the car to LAS or PHX and fly to San Francisco ($40 from LAS, $70 from PHX) and resume the tour there. I'd actually be inclined to skip Yosemite, especially if it's close to the Memorial Day holiday weekend when you get there, and substitute those days by heading north to the Redwoods and/or the Sonoma/Mendocino coasts. Much less crowded, the redwoods are unique and stunning, and the drive to and from San Francisco is less boring than the one to Yosemite.
Sadly, this is such a poor snow winter throughout the west that the Yosemite waterfalls might not be at their best, and the Mariposa Grove of giant Sequoias is closed this year, so swapping the redwoods might actually be a win-win. Overall, less driving, and definitely less boring driving.
Just some thoughts to confuse the issue further.
Mar 5th, 2015, 11:19 AM
#43
Gardyloo, probably because you need to leave for LAX about 3 hours before your flight, which may or may not be delayed for an hour, and then add in the flight time 1.5 hours, the hour to wait for and collect your luggage and your car, and the 3.5 drive time.
So guess what, you're now at 9 hours anyways!
So guess what, you're now at 9 hours anyways!
Mar 5th, 2015, 09:33 PM
#44
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Thanks Again for the inputs. I have no plans to replace car with flight in any part of the journey. as mlgb mentioned flying short distances does not really save any effective time or even hassle considering the location and connectivity to the airports involved. Btw, I am a frequent flyer in Gold or platinum grade on most the airlines as my job involves extensive traveling.
I need help from you on an alternate plan which skips LV and GC while keeping rest of the plan intact. It seems to be difficult considering the gap of 4 nights from LA to Yosemite bookings. How to use that period in the best possible way? Should I look at booking one more night in Yosemite or nearby (Mammoth?) and spend the rest between DV and Lone Pine ? Should I skip one night in SFO and drive to the coast instead ?
I need help from you on an alternate plan which skips LV and GC while keeping rest of the plan intact. It seems to be difficult considering the gap of 4 nights from LA to Yosemite bookings. How to use that period in the best possible way? Should I look at booking one more night in Yosemite or nearby (Mammoth?) and spend the rest between DV and Lone Pine ? Should I skip one night in SFO and drive to the coast instead ?
Mar 5th, 2015, 09:58 PM
#45
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@Mlbg, Thanks for your comments. I will evaluate staying in Williams or Kingman instead of LV on the outbound trip. Even though this does not save a day/night, it does seem to save some driving and avoid the back and forth through LV.
Mar 6th, 2015, 06:58 AM
#47
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Options to above:
1. Stay 3 nights (instead of 4) in San Francisco. Mid-day, drive to the Gold Country, visit a few Gold Country towns, and spend a night in Columbia, Murphys, or Groveland where we stayed (Groveland hotel) when we did this itinerary 3 years ago. This will shorten to drive to YNP and also give you an added half-day there.
2. Stay in the Gold Country after YNP and spend only 2 nights in Carmel/Monterey. This will also give you added time in YNP and less driving in a day.
Stu Dudley
1. Stay 3 nights (instead of 4) in San Francisco. Mid-day, drive to the Gold Country, visit a few Gold Country towns, and spend a night in Columbia, Murphys, or Groveland where we stayed (Groveland hotel) when we did this itinerary 3 years ago. This will shorten to drive to YNP and also give you an added half-day there.
2. Stay in the Gold Country after YNP and spend only 2 nights in Carmel/Monterey. This will also give you added time in YNP and less driving in a day.
Stu Dudley
Mar 6th, 2015, 07:58 AM
#48
petemadz, actually if you make it to Williams, you will have virtually all of the next day to see the Grand Canyon. I have done short trips where I spend the first night in Williams, and only one night in the GC itself.
So Day 5 really becomes "Drive to the GC"
Day 6 would be a full day, sunset at the Hermit's Rest end, and spend a night at the GC
Day 7 you could make a half day to include the sunrise and if you want, a morning hike (going out to the east end to Ooh Aah Point for example)and then continue on to LAS (5 hours).
I can't see adding time in the Gold Country instead of GC, if you decide to drop that leg I would add time to Yosemite and perhaps more nights around the Monterey Bay area.
Yosemite in particular takes a while to get into and out of.
So Day 5 really becomes "Drive to the GC"
Day 6 would be a full day, sunset at the Hermit's Rest end, and spend a night at the GC
Day 7 you could make a half day to include the sunrise and if you want, a morning hike (going out to the east end to Ooh Aah Point for example)and then continue on to LAS (5 hours).
I can't see adding time in the Gold Country instead of GC, if you decide to drop that leg I would add time to Yosemite and perhaps more nights around the Monterey Bay area.
Yosemite in particular takes a while to get into and out of.
Mar 6th, 2015, 08:23 AM
#49
There are also other spots along the California coast that you might enjoy, the beaches south of San Francisco to Santa Cruz have lots of interesting stops (such as Ano Nuevo), Santa Cruz itself, Pacific Grove IMO is nicer than Monterey (someone mentioned Point Lobos but there is also Asilomar State Beach). I do like Pismo/Grover Beach (great for walking, once saw a man walking a pig on the beach), there is a classic restaurant in Casmalia (Hitching Post), Lompoc and Santa Ynez Valley are good for wineries, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, etc.
Often Big Sur gets the publicity but it is mostly for the views. I usually blow through it in a day. It's easier to do north to south so you can pull over to the right instead of crossing traffic.
Often Big Sur gets the publicity but it is mostly for the views. I usually blow through it in a day. It's easier to do north to south so you can pull over to the right instead of crossing traffic.
Mar 6th, 2015, 09:10 AM
#50
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>>I can't see adding time in the Gold Country instead of GC>if you decide to drop that leg I would add time to Yosemite and perhaps more nights around the Monterey Bay area. SF > Gold Country/YNP > Carmel provides a lot more flexibility. Except for the long "haul" from LA to SF - there isn't a huge amount of driving (vs coming from LV/GC). So if they feel like it, they can linger in SF, linger in the Gold Country, linger in YNP, before heading off to the next destination. IMO, their planned SF > Carmel > Pismo Beach in 2 days is an abomination.
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
Mar 6th, 2015, 09:13 AM
#51
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Here is one itinerary avoiding LV and GC. Let me know if this makes sense.
four nights in LA
>> two nights in San Diego (see Sea World and Safari/Zoo)
>> Drive north to Lone Pine and stay a night
>> Drive to Mammoth Lakes and stay a night
two nights in YNP
two nights in SF
one night in Monterey
one night in Pismo
This will save about 500 miles of driving and gives more time in YNP.
four nights in LA
>> two nights in San Diego (see Sea World and Safari/Zoo)
>> Drive north to Lone Pine and stay a night
>> Drive to Mammoth Lakes and stay a night
two nights in YNP
two nights in SF
one night in Monterey
one night in Pismo
This will save about 500 miles of driving and gives more time in YNP.
Mar 6th, 2015, 10:41 AM
#53
I probably wouldn't stay in both Lone Pine and Mammoth. I might suggest splitting the baby and staying in Bishop. It really depends on what exactly you planned to do along the way. Two nights in Yosemite may not be enough if you like hiking, and if the road to Glacier Pass is open by then. But if neither is true, than two nights is probably fine.
6 nights between LA and San Diego seems like a lot vs just 2 nights in SF. I think I would add another night in SF, you could include a visit to Marin in that (unless you have already been there, done that.)
6 nights between LA and San Diego seems like a lot vs just 2 nights in SF. I think I would add another night in SF, you could include a visit to Marin in that (unless you have already been there, done that.)
Mar 6th, 2015, 11:47 AM
#55
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On our April 2012 trip, we stayed for 2 nights in Death Valley. Then I planned to drive up 395 and stay in either Bishop, Lone Pine, or even Mammoth. My wife & I were so under-whelmed with these places that we decided to "push-on" and we stayed in South Lake Tahoe instead. Actually, after about a 45 min drive starting from about Lone Pine - the Sierras from that side got a little boring/repetative. Compared to Yosemite Valley and Tahoe - it didn't really "measure up". We enjoyed the western Sierra foothills (Gold Country) a lot more also.
I would certainly add more time in YNP, SF, or Carmel/Big Sur instead of Bishop/395. Also, I think you should head north after LA - not south to San Diego. That entire LA/Orange Co/San Diego corridor is very "similar" in look & feel compared to the diversities in YNP, Gold Country, SF, and Carmel/Big Sur coast. Do your "endless inner-city driving" in LA/Orange county and then head up north to the "no need to drive" SF, the Gold country, YNP, and Carmel/Big Sur.
Stu Dudley
I would certainly add more time in YNP, SF, or Carmel/Big Sur instead of Bishop/395. Also, I think you should head north after LA - not south to San Diego. That entire LA/Orange Co/San Diego corridor is very "similar" in look & feel compared to the diversities in YNP, Gold Country, SF, and Carmel/Big Sur coast. Do your "endless inner-city driving" in LA/Orange county and then head up north to the "no need to drive" SF, the Gold country, YNP, and Carmel/Big Sur.
Stu Dudley
Mar 6th, 2015, 12:21 PM
#56
I've never heard of anyone before that thinks the west side of the Sierras with the view of Mt. Whitney is boring. I think we have some irreconcilable differences.
When we were younger one of the stops we often made was to the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, but then we continued onward. There is also Manzanar if you are interested in that history.
I don't think Santa Barbara is all that interesting and is somewhat repetitive if you are going to tour the Monterey historic district. Also, there is a significant homeless presence downtown, plus the beach isn't as nice as Pismo. It is worth a stop, but lodging is overpriced.
Perhaps Stu missed the part where there is a 12 year old along for the trip. So that is probably the reason for San Diego.
If your party doesn't get seasick you might want to do a whale watch trip instead of Sea World, especially if your trip also includes the aquarium in Monterey. Dana Point, Newport Beach or even Long Beach are possibilities at the south end of your trip.
When we were younger one of the stops we often made was to the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, but then we continued onward. There is also Manzanar if you are interested in that history.
I don't think Santa Barbara is all that interesting and is somewhat repetitive if you are going to tour the Monterey historic district. Also, there is a significant homeless presence downtown, plus the beach isn't as nice as Pismo. It is worth a stop, but lodging is overpriced.
Perhaps Stu missed the part where there is a 12 year old along for the trip. So that is probably the reason for San Diego.
If your party doesn't get seasick you might want to do a whale watch trip instead of Sea World, especially if your trip also includes the aquarium in Monterey. Dana Point, Newport Beach or even Long Beach are possibilities at the south end of your trip.
Mar 6th, 2015, 12:44 PM
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Hi Petemadz,
My husband and I traveled to California in June 2008 with our one-year-old toddler. We did a ton of driving in 16 days and loved every minute of our trip. If you want to take a look at our final itinerary, this was the thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-itinerary.cfm
I thought I'd written a trip report (which I almost always do!), but somehow can't find it on here! If I find it, I'll let you know : )
Not sure if I should confuse matters and not really sure how/where you'd fit it in, but I saw that you had originally wanted to visit wine country and I would highly recommend the Paso Robles area. It's a beautiful drive from Santa Barbra and the Paso Robles area is lovely. If you've ever seen the wine-tour movie, Sideways - the movie is filmed there and every bit as beautiful. We also hit Sonoma on our trip, and much preferred Paso Robles. Very laid back, beautiful countryside, and lots of great restaurants. We went to the Hitching Post for steak (like they did in the movie) and had an amazing night. While my baby son couldn't handle tons of wine tours, we fit in one and also did a few tastings. The surroundings were so beautiful that it was lovely for him just to get to wander around... I highly recommend the area and it sounds like it may be something that you could to fit in...
Have a WONDERFUL trip - we loved our California trip so much!
My husband and I traveled to California in June 2008 with our one-year-old toddler. We did a ton of driving in 16 days and loved every minute of our trip. If you want to take a look at our final itinerary, this was the thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-itinerary.cfm
I thought I'd written a trip report (which I almost always do!), but somehow can't find it on here! If I find it, I'll let you know : )
Not sure if I should confuse matters and not really sure how/where you'd fit it in, but I saw that you had originally wanted to visit wine country and I would highly recommend the Paso Robles area. It's a beautiful drive from Santa Barbra and the Paso Robles area is lovely. If you've ever seen the wine-tour movie, Sideways - the movie is filmed there and every bit as beautiful. We also hit Sonoma on our trip, and much preferred Paso Robles. Very laid back, beautiful countryside, and lots of great restaurants. We went to the Hitching Post for steak (like they did in the movie) and had an amazing night. While my baby son couldn't handle tons of wine tours, we fit in one and also did a few tastings. The surroundings were so beautiful that it was lovely for him just to get to wander around... I highly recommend the area and it sounds like it may be something that you could to fit in...
Have a WONDERFUL trip - we loved our California trip so much!
