easytraveler, :) When I compare my original (crazy) itinerary, this sounds much more easy going :)
While coming from India, all the flights are via Europe, either Munich, Zurich or London. there are no direct flights to west coast and even east coast. This has been like this for the past few years ever since Delta and Conti stopped flying NY-Mumbai flights.
I haven't booked the flight back from Las Vegas, it would be either 6.25 to 7.50 or 7.40 to 9.05. I do not have any checked in baggage. I didn't know that it takes 90 minutes to get to the car rental and drive out. Will plan accordingly. May have to take the 6.25 flight.
My priority is highway 1, Big Sur etc., would love wine tasting. Hearst castle would also be nice but if due to time constraints; I have to choose between wine tasting or time on Highway 1 visa-vis Hearst castle, then I would choose the 1st one. May be because I have been to several lovely castles in Germany, Spain and Portugal.
I can also compromise my time in SFO on 17th June and spend some time at Monterey to reach sfo by 3 pm. on my 4th day of drive. I can afford to spend time at Hearst castle then.
Will try and chill out, take some brakes and absorb things.
Thanks so much for your concern...

FYI: Allegiant airline has flights from Las Vegas to Fresno which is much closer to Yosemite.
There is also Amtrak train service from southern California to Emeryville with an Amtrak bus over to San Francisco. This is much better than riding a bus all the way.
You will have to sign on to the allegiant.com website to buy tickets for allegiant since they are not on the airline search sites.
Once I rented a car at FAT to go to Yosemite and when I took the car back I took a taxi to the Amtrak station in Fresno and then went north to Martinez. The San Joaquin trains have a much better on time record than some other Amtrak trains.

Hi Paragkash. Don't panic! And don't stress! This is supposed to be fun. We'll help you.

I understand your desire to spend the first night in San Francisco after such a long flight. If that makes you feel better then by all means stick with those plans. My thinking was that you'll already have a brutal trip and another 3-4 hours wouldn't make that much difference. Then you could have the whole next day to relax and recover from the journey without having to travel again that day. But your original plans work as well so please, if thinking about getting to Las Vegas that day stresses you then don't do it.

Hearst Castle is nice but it's not a must in my opinion. The coastal scenery is a must in my book. And didn't you mention those wine tastings in Paso Robles....

Tomsd, are you talking about absinthe?

<Then you could have the whole next day to relax and recover from the journey without having to travel again that day.>

I think what's being missed with that thought is that Paragkash only has 2 nights in Las Vegas. If he flew there immediately, he'd still have to get up the next day and go to the Grand Canyon. And then the next morning fly back to San Francisco. If he just blew a whole day in Vegas by sleeping in and relaxing, then he'd have to cut a day from somewhere else in this trip. As is, he's using his initial arrival day to relax a bit in SF before flying to Vegas - so allotting an extra day to Las Vegas for sleep/relax means he'd have to cut that day from SF later in the trip. It's really just a matter of which city would you rather spend that day in, Vegas or San Francisco...

I hope that made sense...basically flying to Vegas immediately and sleeping in just means he would have to add a day to Vegas and cut that day elsewhere, and the itinerary is already fairly tight.

Hi, paragkash!

<i>While coming from India, all the flights are via Europe, either Munich, Zurich or London.</i>

The reason I asked that question was because you have a SEVEN-HOUR layover in Zurich. Wow!

I hate to put you through another sleepless night, but on checking skyscanner.net, there are flights via Asia. There appears to be one that Korean Air offers with only a 3-hour layover in Incheon, one of the most gorgeous and user-friendly airports in the world. In fact, if were a 7-hour layover at Incheon, I wouldn't mind at all.

Anyhow, this particular Korean Air flight (KE656, KE23) via Asia will cut your total flight time down to 21 hours. You arrive in San Francisco around noon and gain a day by crossing the International Date Line (You fly out on June 11, you arrive on June 11). The price also appears to be one of the lower fares with only one stopover. (Be careful! There are flights via Asia that are over 30 hours!)

Arriving around noon in SF, this gives you plenty of time to get your luggage, go through customs and immigration, store your luggage, and grab a bite to eat (I'm sure that SFO has vegan/vegetarian food) at the airport before flying out to Las Vegas and still be able to stroll around and catch a night show.

If you do go onto the skyscanner site, you'll find that it not only gives you total flight time, but if you click on "details", it'll also show you where your stopover will be and how much time you will be spending in the stopover airport. So far for me, skyscanner is also good because it doesn't have all the hidden fees on some of the other websites, which fees could double the actual "fare" that is first shown.

Try to narrow down your search by clicking off on the left column those airlines that you want eliminated from your search. The best Asian airlines are better than the best US airlines, so try searching for airlines like Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, ANA. I wouldn't eliminate Air India or China Air, but try the better airlines first and see if there's a fit for you.

I think we're all a bit aghast that you will be "wasting" your first day here by not continuing on to Las Vegas, but the others have been just too polite to say so. :)

More later.

OK - I am confused, (and trying to skip all the irrelevant 'stuff' some insist on posting) - I thought you were planning 1 night at SFO and 2 nights in Las Vegas - right? In other words - the first three nights of your trip.

When I suggested flying directly on to Las Vegas I NEVER intended that to mean cutting this back to just two nights. That would be very VERY hectic/tiring. I meant you could substitute the one night at SFO for another night in Las Vegas.

I'd get to Vegas, walk around a bit looking at the bright lights, have a nice/light dinner, and go to bed. The next morning you'll wake up in Las Vegas, rested and ready to go. And . . . proceed w/ your plans for Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Fly back to SFO on the 4th morning just like you planned.

This would be easier IMO than staying a night at SFO.

Hi Easytraveler, I mis read your earlier question. Now hwen I go back and analyse why Swiss air I remember
1. Out of Luftansa, British airways and Swiss, Swiss has the best service in all ways.
2. I normally use a Y- plan in all my trips. This gives me an open jaw and a stopover option. Swis air flight to Vancouver is via SFO and I took the stopover option. My Itinerary is (Don't Laugh pl :) )
Mum- SFO- 8 days- West coast
SFO- Vancouver- 4 days
Vancouver- drive to Banff and Jasper etc- 8 days n back
Vancouver- Toronto- 2 days- enjoy 1st July Canada day
Niagara- 2 days
Washington 2 days
NY- 7 days
Back to Mum
Will resume again

Sharona, Thanks for reinforcing my thoughts of giving priority to Paso Robles and Big Sur than to Hearst Castle. I hope I see it all.
@ WhereAreWe, Thanks for your thoughts. though a bit fast paced, if an expert supports your decision, it feels much doable.
@ tomfuller, flying into Fresno is a great idea. Let me explore the possibility. I don't know if a good car rental is available there. I am sure there is one. Will do some search and come back. thanks for the suggestions.
@ easytraveler, Thanks for the info on Vegetarian food. That will come handy. I wonder how did you guess that I am a vegetarian.

Please <u>carefully</u> consider flying into Fresno. Allegiant airlines has limited schedules only flies certain days of the week and they charge extra for EVERYTHING. Booking fee, carry on luggae, checked luggage, soft drinks - and you have to be careful using the website since instead of checking for various services/options, one has to opt out of them. If you miss un-checking box, you've prepaid for that service. Just be warned . . . .

Yes Janisj, You are right. They charge for a check in and carry on luggage. They do have a flight with a very attractive fare.. 38 USD+ Carry on luggage 13 USD= 51 USD per person. Less than half. But the flight reaches Fresno at 2.40 pm. I would rather fly United that reaches at 10.05 am for 129 USD I will save a day and a lot of energy. Also checked one car rentals. they do not charge extra for drop off at a different location if both are within california.

Thanks Fodorites..
All Hotels booked... Car rentals booked.. Air tickets yet to be booked...
My itinerary as on today...

11th June- Mum-Zurich- SFO reaching at 4 pm after a 28 hours flight.- check in at downtown hotel in SF

12th June- 8 am-9.30 am flight to Las Vegas- Car from the airport to Grand Canyon South- Yavapai Lodge (Only one available in the park) Reach by 3pm-- Stroll on the rim..Sunset point.. Walk under the stars on the rim...:)

13th June- Sunrise point- breakfast and leave by 8-9 Drive to Las Vegas MGM Grand- Evening on the strip

14th june Fri- Flight to Fresno- either 8 am -10.30 am or 1.30 pm- 2.40 pm (much cheaper)- yet to book- Car at Fresno airport for 3 days
Drive to Yosemite River Lodge (only one available inside- But river facing room)- Park by shuttle

15th June-Sat- Sunrise in the park. Leave by 10-10.30 am to Paso Robles- wine testing- overnight at San Simeon or Cambria (not decided- Please suggest which one is better)

16th June- Drive from San Simeon - via Big sur- to Monterey

17th June- Leave after breakfast to San Francisco- drop car at the airport- check in by 1.30 pm ( am thinking of driving to twin peaks)

18th June- Tue- San Francisco- Local sight seeing (The only day I am not driving)

19th June- Wed- 8 am flight to Vancouver ( nights)

Am only concentrating on the 1st 8 days on the west coast- too little- but cant help.
I will be driving for minimum 5 hours daily in California n Arizona.

Pl comment. Am packing too much. thought I would slow down in Canadian Rockies.

>>Yosemite River Lodge<<

I am not familiar w/ a Yosemite River Lodge. Do you mean Yosemite <u>VIEW</u> Lodge? If so, that's great.

You're going to pick up the car in Fresno and drop it off at SFO? Do you have that booked as yet?

I've stayed in both San Simeon (at Best Western Cavalier with a fireplace, really liked the room) and Cambria (Sand Pebbles on Moonstone Drive). They are only 5-10 minutes apart, but Cambria has a lot more places to eat.

If your heart is set on seeing the Grand Canyon, it's absolutely feasible, but it will be a hump. I would rent a car in SF and drive through Yosemite on the way to Las Vegas and then the Grand Canyon. On the way from LV to the Canyon is Hoover Dam, which is worth seeing. On the way back to California, it will be possible to see the Utah national parks like Bryce, Zion, Arches, Capital Reef, etc. if that isn't enough, when you get to Zion you will be about 10 hours south of Grand Teton and Yellowstone. The scenery at GT/Yellowstone is more like Canada (trees, mountains, lakes) than the desert parks like Bryce or the Grand Canyon areas. Yellowstone is unique and in a class by itself but still more like Canada.

If that's too much work, you can get a very nice feel for the American west without leaving CA. Visit Muir's Woods just north of San Francisco for the redwoods, visit Yosemite, maybe Death Valley or Kings Canyon, and then Napa. This would be much more relaxing and allow more time to enjoy the sights.

It's easy enough to get from FAT by taxi to the Amtrak station and ride one of several San Joaquin trains to get to Martinez or Emeryville to get to San Francisco. Try to avoid a drop off fee.

>>It's easy enough to get from FAT by taxi to the Amtrak station and ride one of several San Joaquin trains to get to Emeryville to get to San Francisco.<< . . . then a bus to San Francisco, then a cab to your hotel (or BART if you are staying at SFO)

It will be MUCH more convenient to keep your car for the drive to SFO as you planned. Plus the train/transport will likely cost more than the rental drop off.

(From Fresno to SF there very likely wouldn't be any drop off fees, but even if there are, some economies are false economies)

I just went into Hertz and input your data, one from Fresno Airport to SFO and the other pickup and return to FAT, there's an over $500 difference in the rental rates, less than $100 for a three day weekend rental FAT to FAT versus over $600 for a three day weekend rental FAT to SFO.

There may not be a pickup-dropoff fee per se, but there is a huge difference in the daily rental rate if you pick up and drop off at different locations.

Unless you don't mind the higher rates, I'd suggest that you shop around for the best rate possible.

Otherwise, return the car at Fresno Airport and take tomfuller's suggestion.

easytraveler: Foreign visitors don't have to use the US websites,they usually get quotes all-in including all insurance and seldom any drop off.

Just like Americans rent cars for less overseas than locals can . . . Foreign visitors can rent cheaper here than we can . . .

Janisj, You are right, It is Yosemite View Lodge, El Portal. I confused it with "River view King Bed". Thanks to your warning. This was among the last one available except a tent at Curry Village.
@easytraveler, Janisj,... I have booked a Chevy Aveo or similar for 3 days at 106 USD, with pick up at Fresno FAT and drop off at SFO at zero extra charge. :)
I have always imagined myself walking on the GC rim under a star studded night sky, seeing Yosemite falls at sunrise.
I just prey that these small dreams come true...
@ slcbbrown... I feel the drive to Las Vegas would be uneventful 15 hours drive. If I can make it again to west coast, I would base myself at Page and visit Bryce canyon, Wave Canyon etc. and also some more national parks.

To be frank, till now, I was fascinated by Europe's architectural and natural beauty and didn't know much about the wealth of natural beauty that the US has. Unfortunately, the marketing done by the Tour companies in India (and probably even the rest of the world) only features the glass n steel cities and Disney and other theme parks. Only natural wonders that the normal tourists see are Niagara Falls and the touristy West Rim sky walk on the outskirts of GC national park.
I guess there are many like me who must be struggling against time or want to see more than what one ideally can.
Thanks to generous advise by you all fodorites, I was enlightened a bit and changed my crazy touristy plan. Hope to rectify a lot in the next trip.