Will be in vegas in october for an extended weekend but wanted to drive to California for the week. Thinking about going to San Diego/LA area b/c of the good weather but would like to see San Francisco and wine country. How long is the drive from LV to any of these places? What is the weather like in San Fran/wine country during early October? All recommendations and advice is appreciated.

Mary

We drove from San Diego to Vegas in 5 hours a few weeks ago. However, this was in the middle of the week. I've heard that the weekend traffic can really slow you down.

The drive from LV to SF is about 10 hours depending on the # of stops. If you do it, I would suggest an overnighter somewhere along the way. My favorite way to do it is to come up the back way (thru Tioga Pass) to Yosemite. Spend the night in Yosemite and then drive on the SF. It takes longer altogether but it's a nice 2 day drive. The whether in the Bay Area in October is my favorite. We usually get a last burst of warm weather and it's gorgeous.

Jacque has a great suggestion. Both Yosemite and the wine country are beautiful too in October. Though the waterfalls are not flowing heavily, the scenery is very nice. You might look into staying in Yosemite and then go to the wine country of SF from there. Good way to break up the drive.

why not fly ?
i booked an internet special(with southwest airlines) from vegas to san digeo for appx $40 - saves a 5 hr plus drive !

Mary, be careful about using Jacque's suggestion you drive over Tioga Pass via Yosemite from Las Vegas to San Francisco.
If it's LATE OCTOBER, the pass might be closed for the winter due to snow.
Check before you attempt that drive.

Check with the park service about gate closures but it doesn't usually snow heavily that early in the season.

Tioga Pass which is the east entrance into the Yosemite closes when the snowfall is heavy enough to require snow removal equipment to operate in the area. This usually means mid november. In the last 20 years the road has closed in early November only twice, once on the 5th and once on the 8th, otherwise it's mid november or later.