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Advice on travel itinerary for SF, LA, LV, GC, Yosemite national park

Advice on travel itinerary for SF, LA, LV, GC, Yosemite national park

Old Jan 3rd, 2023, 10:44 AM
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Having only skimmed this thread and skipped all of the flight information posting, I will just comment on travel from the Los Angeles basin to Yosemite. Most of the frequent California posters do not live here so skew toward travel from the Bay Area or farther north. Or lived here a long time ago and are "armchair" travelers now.

From the Los Angeles area to the east entrance of Yosemite: One of the advantages of going in September is that Tioga Pass Road will be open. Because I have friends in Bishop, and because it is well supplied with hotels I often spend a night there. (Mammoth/June Lakes/Lee Vining/Bridgeport are other options for a night before driving up to Yosemite ). It is about 4 to 5 hours drive from Long Beach to Bishop. There are interesting stops along the way so we make a full day of it:
1) Lone Pine. Eastern Sierra Visitor Center south of town is a good stop for picnic and information gathering.https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo...a/?recid=20698

2) Stop at McDonalds and view Mt. Whitney from the Parking Lot, then quick spin up to the scenic Alabama Hills. (There are also a few motels in Lone Pine).

3) Manzanar Historic Site (Japanese internment camp) between Lone Pine and Independence. https://www.nps.gov/manz/index.htm. Best to arrive before 3 pm to have enough time to visit the museum/visitor center.

4) Bishop. Many motel options, traditional stop is Erick Schaat's Bakkery although there are better cafe and coffee shops now (Pupfish, Looney Bean, Black Sheep). Many of the Bishop options have been affected by pandemic staffing or close too early for dinner so the backup is Von's at the north end of Main Street. Yamatani used to be okay (my friend is Japanese-American), if it's open. Bishop is also the place to gas up (Bishop Paiute on the "res" may be a few cents less).

5) Bishop to Lee Vining on 395 (about an hour's drive without stops) Sometimes Devil's Postpile NM is a detour if you stay in Mammoth. We try to arrive before 7am when the shuttle is required.

6) Mono Lake Tufa area. There is a Visitor Center and boardwalk trails, it's spectacular at sunset/sunrise for photography.
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=514

7) Lee Vining to Yosemite via Tioga Pass. (The Mobil Station is a ripoff but some people stop there). About 20 miles to the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. About 2 hours from there to the first major viewpoint into Yosemite. Traffic can be awful. It could take you another hour or two to reach any lodging!

Note: You can also do this in the reverse direction, cutting over to go to Las Vegas via Death Valley.

In this case, come in from the South via Oakhurst/Fish Camp/Wawona (about 5 hours from Long Beach to Oakhurst). Some people do spend a night before in one of those places. If you come or leave via the south then you are closer to the Mariposa Grove of Sequoias and the access road to Glacier Point. The latter can usually be accessed early in the morning before they close the road to passenger cars. (Yes, I know that they were working on Glacier Point Road in 2022. I do not know if they finished the repairs).

Last edited by mlgb; Jan 3rd, 2023 at 10:56 AM.
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Old Jan 4th, 2023, 05:16 AM
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I have only visited Yosemite once and will say that it has to be a wonder of the world in any season. We also drove through from the valley to Tuolumne Meadows (spent the night in one of their platform tents) and it is also a worthy experience that the prior poster suggested.
We can certainly hope there aren't forest fires--why say "don't go because you can't see through the smoke" ETC. It's a year away!!
Please have a GREAT trip--and you've gotten some good advice well in advance of your trip for planning.
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Old Jan 4th, 2023, 05:44 AM
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To clarify -- I'm not saying don't plan on visiting Yosemite -- but definitely have a Plan B in case September is anything like the last couple of years when it seems the entire state was ablaze.
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Old Jan 4th, 2023, 09:00 AM
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Here's a thought. Plan a route from the south via Tioga Pass to Yosemite. You should still be able to view the Eastern Sierra from 395. Visit some of the stops I mentioned, perhaps staying in Lone Pine, Ridgecrest or Bishop. Cut over via Death Valley to Las Vegas, continue on to the Grand Canyon assuming the South Rim is unaffected.

By the way, one of the worst fires in 2020 was at Big Basin south of San Francisco, which was a lightning strike fire starting in August. You can view the recently issued State Fire Hazard Map for State lands (does not include National Parks and Forests). The before (2007) and after is shocking.

https://calfire-forestry.maps.arcgis...a642ae03c35677

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Old Jan 5th, 2023, 05:59 AM
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Gardyloo mrwunrfl thank you so much, this is really useful! Gardyloo also many thanks for the Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge suggestion. It looks like reaching these destinations is more convenient than driving to Yosemite and I'll look into including Portland in our itinerary as an alternative to Yosemite. We probably won't rent a car, but from a quick google search I found that there are day trips offered from Portland. Really appreciate your help!
mlgb janisj Gretchen J62 thank you very much for your advice, Yosemite is still something that I'm considering, but I'll look at other options as well as we don't really want to spend too much of our time driving.
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Old Jan 5th, 2023, 06:22 AM
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Well, a 4 hour drive to Yosemite from San Francisco also includes the giant redwoods.
https://www.dylanstours.com/san-fran...ok%20a%20hotel.
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Old Jan 5th, 2023, 06:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Gretchen
Well, a 4 hour drive to Yosemite from San Francisco also includes the giant redwoods.
https://www.dylanstours.com/san-fran...ok%20a%20hotel.

Nope - not a chance. SF to Yosemite including the Mariposa Grove (redwoods in YNP) would require taking hwy 41 via Fresno and Fish Camp. That is easily a 6 hour drive without any stops. A minimum of two hours at Mariposa Grove (you cannot park near the trees UNLESS one has a handicap placard. All others have to take a shuttle bus from the parking area). So that '4 hour drive' is more like 8 hours. From SF the only route that really make sense is hwy 140 via Merced. That drive IS about 4 hours but goes nowhere near the Grove. (Hwy 120 via Groveland is also an approx 4 hour option but is a much more twisty turny road -- I like it but others may find it too scary)
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Old Jan 5th, 2023, 06:53 AM
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I'm not aware of any coast redwoods in the Mariposa Grove; I believe they're all giant sequoias, a different species.
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Old Jan 5th, 2023, 07:52 AM
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To clarify some of Gretchen's post -- Giant Redwoods (Sequoia Giganteum) are the really big around ones and are in the Sierras, including YNP. Coastal Redwoods (Sequoia Semipervirens) are the really tall ones and are along the coast.
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Old Jan 5th, 2023, 08:25 AM
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IMO You are making a big mistake by deciding where to go based on "not wanting too much driving" vs what you had initially said you had prioritized. If you don't want to drive more than 2-3 hours a day there are places you can break up your drives with overnights and you can also include some train legs as others have mentioned. The drives themselves are scenic especially US395 up the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada. You can take a train from Union Station in Los Angeles to Williams, and from there another train to the Grand Canyon South Rim, where there are shuttle buses. That will allow you to spend a night or two in the Grand Canyon which is highly recommended over a day trip. https://www.thetrain.com/grand-canyon-railway/

You have 17 days which is plenty of time to see the iconic sights which include Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. You are traveling a long way, and going somewhere like Portland is just a waste vs what else you could include.

Last edited by mlgb; Jan 5th, 2023 at 08:30 AM.
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Old Jan 5th, 2023, 09:53 AM
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^^I agree with mlgb. You’re wanting to go to Yosemite and GC. Why change to Portland. The eastern side of the Sierra, Hwy 395 is spectacular and a nice combo with Yosemite.
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Old Jan 5th, 2023, 10:04 AM
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christtravel, you can add PDX (Portland, OR) and SEA (Seattle) to your Destination list for airfare search.

Ok, you are considering a change of plans. Cut drive time and car rental costs would be good reasons. Airfare differences could drive the decision, too, when two destinations are equally desirable.

>> including Portland in our itinerary as an alternative to Yosemite
You could fly to San Francisco and roundtrip drive out to Yosemite then train (or fly or drive) north. Spend some time to see beautiful SF. Fly home from PDX or SEA. Or do it in the opposite direction.

Last edited by mrwunrfl; Jan 5th, 2023 at 10:27 AM.
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Old Jan 5th, 2023, 10:19 AM
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Anytime you go throught a major airport you will be wasting half a day, between TSA security (departing), waiting for checked bags (arriving). Travel to your hotel and check in will easily add another hour. Transfering at any airport you should have a cushion of a few hours (3 is best) to allow for delays and getting between gates. So if you don't really want to go to Portland or Seattle, I would not include them in your search.

There have been major fires in Oregon and Washington. The risk is everywhere due to climate change and dying trees in the forests.

Last edited by mlgb; Jan 5th, 2023 at 10:27 AM.
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Old Jan 5th, 2023, 11:51 AM
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Portland is not a National Park, Yosemite is.
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Old Jan 5th, 2023, 03:45 PM
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I've honestly never heard of anyone flying half way across the world to see Portland, or even Seattle. I can understand San Francisco, Yosemite and Grand Canyon though.
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Old Jan 6th, 2023, 08:13 AM
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Originally Posted by jamie99
Portland is not a National Park, Yosemite is.
and Portland and Yosemite are not on the list of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
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Old Jan 6th, 2023, 04:36 PM
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I would never trade the views in Yosemite NP for anything in the Columbia Basin around Portland Oregon. The easiest route from Yosemite not involving an airplane and TSA is the YARTS bus to Merced and a San Joaquin train to Martinez and a wait in MTZ for the northbound Coast Starlight. The #14 Coast Starlight will get you to Portland late afternoon the next day. The TriMet red line will get you from downtown Portland out to the PDX airport (end of the line)
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Old Jan 8th, 2023, 08:10 PM
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A lot of good advice has been given but just in case you need more - we have seen all of the places mentioned (some multiple times), and I will rank them below in order of "worth seeing" from my side.
Regarding driving in the US, it is true there is a lot of traffic, and weather can be difficult in September ...but I would say the roads are plentiful and driving itself is much easier than in other countries. If your plans must be changed, you can do it easily with accessible accommodations and by finding other routes. This applies to all options, except Yosemite.

1. Big Sur Coast - I would second that this is the most beautiful road in the US. And it is free. We have done it a dozen times and uncoverd scenery unlike anywhere else. Highly, highly recommend Caramel down to Cambria at least. Must stops are Pfeiffer beach and Rugged Point. Cambria has moonstone beach and best coffee house in that area. Cons: slow, careful drive
2. Yosemite would rank second because of its sheer beauty. Seconding the recommendation to see Mt. Whitney from Lone Pine (highest peak in Continental US). Cons: road may be closed and if not, lots of traffic
3. Las Vegas ranks 3rd just because it's a must see for international visitors and doesn't disappoint first time around. Weather should be beautiful in Sept. Cons: Traffic to get there form LA can be brutal
4. Grand Canyon is breathtaking and you don't need much time. Cons: out of the way
5. SF is wonderful and main attractions can be condensed if pressed for time. Cons: a little rough around the edges in the last year
6. Mammoth Lakes if possible but September is not the best time to see it
7. LA area last ...compared to the other opportunities
All in all, you will love 90% of the things you'll be seeing. Have fun!

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Old Jan 10th, 2023, 02:06 AM
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What everyone said about Portland vs. the natural wonders of the world--Yosemite and Grand Canyon. It is unimaginable to compare the places.
You have allotted a good amount of time. It CAN be done. Do not miss out.

Last edited by Gretchen; Jan 10th, 2023 at 02:09 AM.
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Old Jan 12th, 2023, 12:44 AM
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Thank you all very much for your advice! After discussing with my husband and our friends, we decided that Yosemite would take at least 4 days (including the driving to from there etc.) and my husband prefers to see another city during this time. I don't mind the change, since I'd also like to see another city. We settled on Seattle, since we heard great things and it's also convenient in terms of flights from Cyprus. We booked our airplane tickets today! The itinerary is: Seattle -> San Francisco -> LA and then from LA we'll drive with our friends to Las Vegas, stay for two nights, drive to Grand Canyon and stay the night, return to Vegas for one more night and then return to LA for our final night.

Do you have any recommendations for hotels for Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon? I checked booking.com and I found some good options for Seattle and Vegas, but I was kind of shocked with the prices for San Francisco. I was thinking something around the range of 250 dollars per night, but I found that most decent looking places were around 2.000 dollars for 4 nights! I also read that some areas can be dangerous, so what areas would you suggest? Most of the options I found were in the Marina District. If anyone knows any reliable site for booking other than booking.com, could you please share?
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