Hi everyone,
We're planning a trip to California and I'd love some ideas on what are "must see's. We are a family of 4, 2 kids (12 and 8), and we're flying from Melbourne to LA on xmas day ($600 cheaper!). We're visiting friends so will be in LA for around a week. I think I'm ok for LA activities & San Diego, it's just after that. We're hiring a car and I'd like to take in the Grand Canyon, visit a wild west ghost town and then Yosemite / Lake Tahoe before heading for San Francisco and then driving back to LAX. If we can go skiing that would be great, I'm struggling to find the balance of not spending too much time in the car and trying to cram too much in. So if anyone has any suggestions of things we really shouldn't miss, or even any great / quirky places to stay that would be great. We're definitely more interested in the countryside/wildlife/massive trees than cities. Thankyou! Helen

Your best skiing options are in the Reno/Lake Tahoe areas. My favorite is one of the smaller areas, Kirkwood but there is also Heavenly, Squaw Valley, Mt. Rose. In the area of Grand Canyon, off Route 66 is the old western ghost town and gold mining camp of Oatman which might fit your requirements for a ghost town including wild burros roaming the streets.

If you want massive trees, when in the Yosemite area, check out Sequoia NP. While at the Grand Canyon, look up for condors, hawks, eagles catching the thermals and deer are everywhere

Last year at this time I took 2 grandchildren (17 and 12) and we drove down the coast from Monterey to Dana Point. We were mainly about whale watching but the other great things were the elephant seals near Hearst Castle and the #1 spot Lobo point just south of Monterey.

>>Last year at this time I took 2 grandchildren (17 and 12) and we drove down the coast from Monterey to Dana Point.>the #1 spot Lobo point

Have you already bought your return ticket? It would be ideal if you didn't have to backtrack to LAX.

>>It would be ideal if you didn't have to backtrack to LAX.

Skiing at Lake Tahoe
South Shore - Heavenly Valley is excellent coupled with magnificent views of Lake Tahoe

North Shore - Best is Squaw Valley that is also linked to Alpine Meadows.

There is a small ski area north of Las Vegas.
https://www.mtcharlestonresort.com/m...-las-vegas.php

Baily124 Recommended Oatman. I agree. It is on famous route 66. So just stay on that road east, past Kingman, until it meets with I40 at Seligman. Then continue to Williams.
http://www.theroute-66.com/route-66-arizona-map.html



Vaga

Thanks so much everyone, I'll take a good hard look at our plans. Perhaps Grand Canyon might need to wait for another trip. All advice much appreciated.