mlgb

Not a great one

gardendiva

I would skip at least Boston and maybe Philadelphia. Both are great cities but those are the 2 that I would sacrifice. Maybe add one or 2 of those days to New Orleans. Your train travel on the east coast is nice but snow can cause delays. As for the Grand Canyon, I have seen snow in Flagstaff in June.

You also need to consider where you will be on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Restaurants will be open but much else may be closed. Those days would make perfect rest days.

jamie99

I DID mean jet bridges, thanks Janis.
Being partially disabled (have to use a walker and do wheelchair assist at the airport) stairs and that sort of thing is one of the first things I look at. I'm actually slightly closer to LGB than LAX but use LAX for more frequent flights and being able to book nonstop flights (both important to me).

zebec

J62--who knew about that Air NZ flight? Have always wondered and now thanks to you, we know. Worthwhile to keep in mind for the future.
I'm with Gardendiva---def leave out Boston and Philadelphia. Maybe to add a bit more time in Yosemite and Grand Canyon--your instincts around that pair are bang-on.
Hope all goes well on your trip!
I am done. the best laid plans

mrwunrfl

mel5984, you mentioned history as an interest. I realize your itinerary was hastily put together and wonder if you have taken some time to find specific interests in Philly and Boston. There are American history sites in both cities.

I was going to suggest skipping Philly and giving less (or no) time in Boston. Instead, I will just ask: why do you want to stop in Philadelphia?

I found this website Historic Philadelphia - discoverPHL.com

The first paragraph gives an idea of what you can see in your one full day. Does that float your boat? Is it enough - for you - to go through with making the stop? Or maybe more time (maybe go out to Amish country or even Gettysburg).

Do note that none of the outdoor pictures were taken in January,

Arguable as to whether this is significant, but LA weather will probably be better towards the beginning of your trip vs at the end. Probably ever other year living in the area when it gets to the second half of January I tell myself that I should have planned a trip at that time to a place that is warm and dry. There is water falling from the sky sometimes in Jan.

marvelousmouse

If you think you might get back to the US during a nicer time of the year, I’d skip Boston. I love Boston—one of my very favorite cities—but I don’t love it in the winter, and skipping it would mean less travel time. Philadelphia is an easy stop with your itinerary, and also has a lot of great US history, so possibly add a day there.

Though honestly, I’d add a day to whatever city you especially want to visit. The chances of travel delays are so good that I’d want extra wiggle room, especially for your work (assuming that’s a necessity).

Sassafrass

Have you considered doing Southern cities like Charleston, SC or Savanah, GA, rather than the icy North? I hope you have time to explore NOLA while there for work. It is a unique and very interesting city with great food.

HappyTrvlr

Hoping you don’t eliminate Philadelphia and Boston!

tomfuller

Which city will you be in for NYE/New Years Day? Concerning the trip to Yosemite from San Francisco, at least most of the year you could spend a night in the park or at El Portal and spend much more time in the park. If the YARTS buses are running on the route to Fresno from the park you could fly directly to Las Vegas without returning to San Francisco. If the only YARTS route that is running is the one from Merced to the park, then you could take the San Joaquin train from Merced to Fresno with a taxi to the Fresno airport (FAT).
I'm hoping that the long day trip from LV to see the Grand Canyon works out for you. The elevation of the South Rim is high enough that buses will not be able to get there because of too much snow.
If there is a big snowstorm in the northeast US, you could reverse the order of Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC. If flights are delayed/cancelled out of New Orleans, take the Amtrak Crescent out of NOL all the way to Washington DC. After seeing DC, Philadelphia, New York and maybe Boston, you can take the Northeast Regional train back to Newark (EWR) or BWI for your flight back to Los Angeles. Both airports have an Amtrak station with good transport to departures.

tom_mn

Noting the season and the fact it’s already winter in a lot of the country (prematurely, a bad omen), I’d consider ending the trip in Houston and flying home from there (nonstop on Air NZ), skipping the NE cities entirely. Look at exploring more of California, southern Arizona and New Mexico, parts of Texas, and places near NO like Natchez.

Gretchen

Folks, the OP is from far away and has the opportunity to travel. People still live in these places and life does go on!! LOL I thought much of the trip planning was good. Others offered cutting some short and adding to. I hope he/she does it!!
It's like not going somewhere in the summer because it's too hot and humid!! LOL again.

Sassafrass

Sure, people live everywhere, but they are not out sightseeing. They are not in a hotel or airport, dependent on public transport, etc.
So, Mel, did you make it to the States? Are you here somewhere enduring the wretched weather we are having? I hope you are someplace safe and warm.

HappyTrvlr

I also have been wondering about you as you had to deal with terrible weather around Christmas in a lot of the U.s.A.