From Florida to California (Jan/2000)
 

My mother is coming to the USA for the first time in January 2000. She asked me to plan a car trip from Key West/FL to Santa Barbara/CA. She has time to spend on this trip and she really wants to see the country instead of flying over it. I need all the help I can get planning this trip! Which cities on our route can't be missed? Is it a good idea to travel following the coast line? Any help and travel tips will be greatly appreciated. <BR>Helma

Suggestions: <BR> <BR>Everglades Nat Park, New Orleans, San Antonio, Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, Sante Fe, Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon (absolute MUST-SEE, your mother will NEVER forgive you if you skip this), Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara. I know Orlando is along the way, but I've never been there, so I can't honestly recommend it. Many US visitors consider it a must see. <BR> <BR>Unless you have a LOT of time, travel along the interstates; they're faster and safer. <BR> <BR>January is a low point of US tourism outside of Florida and the Gulf Coast, so you should have very little trouble finding places to stay. <BR> <BR>Be prepared for possible bad weather between San Antonio and Las Vegas; watch the Weather Channel often.

This sounds absolutely wonderful. Paul's suggestions sound great -- I would especially insist on New Orleans, San Antonio (and I would add Austin too), and Grand Canyon. <BR>One caution -- the drive west from San Antonio involves a very long, straight, fairly desolate road. I drove this once by myself a few years ago, from San Antonio to El Paso, in one day. I think it took me about 12 hours. While I found it beautiful, it was fairly monotonous -- there are few bends in the road or hills or anything but the hypnotic yellow lines on the road, and at one point I decided to time how long it took until I saw another car, and it was about an hour an 15 minutes. Unfortunately the car I saw was a police car behind a mesquite bush, and he promptly stopped me for speeding and I got a major fine. The urge to speed on this road is almost irresistable since there's no one else around and nothing to break up the monotony. But don't do it. I would bring along lots of books on tape and music to help pass the time.

Seing as you are traveling in January, there is only one route to take. I have driven it many times from Ft. Lauderdale to California. You travel north in Florida up through Orlando, Gainesville to I-10. I would use the turnpike in Florida if you don't mind the toll. You then travel west on I-10 all the way from Florida to Los Angeles, CA. This will take you through all of the southern states. You will travel through Houston ( not much there ), San Antonio ( good place to stop for the night ), El Paso, Phoenix to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles you pick up 101 north to Santa Barbara. You will bypass New Orleans ( I-10 goes through Baton Rouge ) but it is just a short side trip to visit New Orleans. Same goes for Biloxi Miss. <BR> <BR>Las Vegas is certainly worthwhile visiting. You take 215 north from I-10 at San Bernandino which joins up with I-15 to Las Vegas. This is a very boring drive but Las Vegas is spectacular. It will take about 3-4 hours each way to drive from I-10 to Las Vegas. The Grand Canyon is a wonderous sight but it is out of the way and the weather can be pretty nasty in January. <BR> <BR>I recommend visiting New Orleans ( very short distance off of I-10 ), San Antonio ( en route ), and Phoenix.

Thanks a lot everybody! <BR>Travel is a lot more fun when well planned.