Hi, I have never been out west and I am wondering where I should go and what I should see. I would like to see the Grand Canyon while I am out there, but, I also want to see what makes the west great. I want to sightsee, but also love the beach. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

My husband has never been out West either and the trip I would take him on would start in San Francisco, include Napa and then a drive South on #1 to LA then a flight to Las Vegas and then to the Grand Canyon.
I am not sure of the logistics but it would be something like that.

why did you feel the need to post this twice?

"dosomeresearchfirst" - I have no idea why this was posted twice and I have been doing research, but thought I would get some other opinions. Why did you bother replying at all?

Diane,

I think dosomeresearchfirst, was being very kind to you. Basically, your question is so open-ended, it appears you have done absolutely no pre-planning or research.

It sound like you need a travel agent, not a Fodors website.

Westerner

Diane, it would be helpful to state what time of year you're thinking of, and about how much time you have to spend. Also a bit about what you like to do would be helpful, and whether you would be driving. The "west" is huge! I agree with most of wifey's suggestions (Las Vegas would not be on my list - I've seen it from the air and that's as close as I want to get, but it's certainly unique). I'd also add the San Juan Islands, maybe the oregon coast, any national park (as long as this wasn't during prime summer season), Sedona, Santa Fe for starters.

We just took a trip to GC arae and loved it.If you like the water etc.Id definitely go from GC to Lake Powell and stay at Waheap Lodge.Great beach and boats stuff there--take the dinner cruise.Wwe went from there to Bryce.By the way, when in Lake Powell you have to go see the Antelope Canyon.Its what they call a slot canyon and its unique in the world.Bryce was great but Zion was unreal,Satyed at the Driftwood Inn in Springdale.Only need one day at GC.unless your a hiker and go in.Good luck.

Bob had some really good ideas.

It would help to know how long you have for this trip.

Utahtea

This post sounds like an example of everyone's top ten worst Fodors posting. It's basically "I want to go away. Now tell me where I should go."

Diane must think everyone is sitting with fingers poised at the keyboard waiting for her instructions in order to get work finding her an ideal trip.

Please, please, please give us some indication that you have done some homework, and then come here with a specific question that can be reasonably answered.

Maybe she also thinks we'll pack her bags and water her plants while she's gone.

Diane,

I would focus on Southern and Central California. In Southern California the best places to see are San Diego and Los Angeles. The Central California Coast is spectacular. Definitely visit Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Hearst Castle. If you like National Parks, Yosemite is a must. San Francisco is quite overrated and not a very clean city. Therefore, I would not recommend spending time there.

Diane - Welcome to Fodors.com - it looks like you have gone thru the initiation. Most people on Fodors are very kind and like to help, but there are a few that will "rip" on anything they can. Watch what they do to me after this post.

Please ignore those that are giving you a hard time, ask away - you will get great responses, and just try to ignore the others. Have fun out west!

Where should I go?
How should I get there?
Where should I stay?
How long should I stay?
Where should I eat?
What should I eat?
Should I fly?
Should I take the train?
Should I drive?
What car should I drive?
Where do I park the car?
How much does it cost to park the car?
What should I where?
How do I dress myself?
Why am I going in the first place?
HEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPP

Not to self: That should be "what should I WEAR."

Add to list:
Teach me to spell!
HEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPP

This is fun.

"Note" to self.

Add to list:
Hire new proofreader.
HEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPP

I looked at this thread to see what people had recommended, so I could print it & save it for when I go on a driving tour our west. But, as usual people are jerks and ruined the thread.
I have often wondered what other's experiences have been 'out west' and where they would recommend visiting. I was hoping this would be a nice collection, all in the same place, but alas, people feel the need to be a@@holes.
Sorry Diane. Just for some ideas, although I have never done it, I would like to start in Las Vegas, go to Gr Canyon, Bryce Cyn, then south to Sedona. I would also like to go to Arches Natl Park in Utah, but not sure what else is near it. I believe it is a far far way from Gr Canyon. Best of luck planning!

To Melanie:

Here is a great round trip if you have a couple of weeks or more.

Las Vegas to S. Rim Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley, Canyonlands Needles District, Canyonlands Island in the Sky District, Arches, Moab Area, Capitol Reef National Park, Scenic Hwy 12 from Torry to Bryce. After Bryce sneak in Lake Powell if you have time and then on to Zion before you go back to Las Vegas. These are the big places but if you have more than two weeks I can point out other places.

Here are some good websites:

http://www.so-utah.com/

http://www.desertusa.com/placestogo/du_utah.html

Utahtea

We did a LONG driving tour of a chunk of the west a couple years ago. We started in Wichita, drove through Kansas to Colorado, stayed in Estes Park, up through Wyoming through the Grand Tetons and into Yellowstone Park, left Yellowstone out the northeast corner and drove the Bear Tooth Pass to Red Lodge Montana (the most gorgeous part of the drive). Then, because we were visiting relatives, we turned west and drove to Washington State, then back through Montana, hit the corner of North Dakota, toured Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills and Wall Drug, then drove through Iowa and Nebraska back to Wichita.

WHEW! All in 10 days. Wouldn't recommend the time frame, but the drive was gorgeous.

We have this thing with my inlaws that we are trying to visit all the 50 states, and this trip we hit a good chunk of them.

If you're not into driving, forget it. The west is a BIG place.

HAve fun though, no matter what you decide.

Diane:
I'll ignore the diatribes that have crept into this thread (as they do, unfortunately, in many legitimate questions posted on this board). For a first trip out West you need to make some decisions about what type of landscape you want to see--mountains, canyons, desert, coast. I would suggest leaving California and the coast for a later trip. For Easterners like myself, I have found that travelling through the vastness of the mountains or the desert presents the greatest distinction from the landscape of the east. I would recommend two possible trips. The first would be a trip through the southwest like one we took this June (you can find my trip report through a topic search): Las Vegas/Zion/Bryce/Grand Canyon/Monument Valley/Mesa Verde/Durango/Santa Fe. You can read about many variations of itineraries through this are by searching through earlier posts. Another possible trip would be to start in Denver and head north through Rocky Mountain National Park, then on into Wyoming to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Either one of these trips will expose you to the wonders of the American West.

Neal, both are excellent suggestions.

Utahtea

my wife and I set out west last year in june and had the most incredible time. 10 days, 1400 miles. Started in LA visiting with friends, then headed up the pacific coast highway to San Francisco which was one of the best things i've ever done. then from san fran we headed over to Yosemite for a few days of great camping, and from there went down to Las Vegas and ended there. It was the best time of my young life. I would recommend it to anyone. And if you embark on such a journey, I would recommend that you might want to END the trip in Las Vegas!!