mateonicola3

Thank you all! We really liked jayne1973's plan. And what about visiting the Grand Canyon? Should we head there for the day between Las Vegas and Yosemite? Sleeping where? Which rim would be best to visit? Thanks!

MichelleY

I think you need to make some choices. You can't do it all. You may need to skip the Grand Canyon. Or San Francisco. Or Las Vegas.

MmePerdu

Grand Canyon to Yosemite is 650-700 miles, depending on route, and 10-12+ miles driving, not a day trip. As MichelleY says, "You can't do it all".

mlgb

LA 2 or 3 nights. Monday the 4th will be a beach day for everyone, things may be closed but it's also a good day to travel by car, find a fireworks display.

LV 2 nights. Daytimes you gamble and eat, evenings and mornings you are outside.

LV via Death Valley to approximately Bishop or Mammoth. 1 night.

Yosemite via Tioga Pass. 2 nights.

Yosemite to SF. 2 or 3 nights.

1 night Carmel/Pacific Grove (or Cambria).

Final 1 night LA.

So there's 11 nights minimum, and one to play with. If it looks too rushed you can decide what to drop or shorten.

I think Grand Canyon is too much unless you drop other nights.

MmePerdu

Make that 10-12 HOURS.

jayne1973

Choose either Grand Canyon or Yosemite. GC is amazing, but honestly, in the heat of summer, Yosemite seems more attractive. Also remember you don't want to spend the whole trip in the car.