Well - just so you understand - the driving time from Las Vegas to SF via Yosemite is at least 10 hours. This doesn't include any stops for meals or gas - and certainly not for any sightseeing in the park.

I'm afraid you're still trying to stuff too much into too few days. To see even a little of Yosemite you would need to spend one day getting there, then the next day seeing a little of the park for a couple of hours and then drive on to SF.

Suggest you consult some of the mapping web sites to see what actual travel times would be (without any sort of delays/bad weather) before assuming what you can do in one day.

Has anyone mentioned anything about the ongoing fire in yosemite and how many acres have been destroyed as the flames continue?

Leave Vegas late on the 23rd (fly Virgin America to San Francisco) ,so that you can get a good start in San Fran on the 24th. So, book 23, 24 and 25 in SF. Pick up your rental car in downtown SF and head to Carmel/Monterey for the 26th and half day 27th and then down to Santa Barbara for the night of the 27th and all day 28th, leaving after dinner/after traffic for Santa Monica/LAX. That'll give you just one day in Santa Monica, then off to Hawaii on the 30th I guess.

also that's a really quiet time on the coast of California so you don't have to book ahead and get locked into anything. For instance, if you LOVE San Francisco or just want to stay and explore Napa Valley or the northern coast for a couple more days, cancel your rental car then just fly from SFO (or Oakland) to LAX when you're ready. If not, head south in the rental car and log into fodors when you're a few hours from needing a room for the night/ fodorites to the rescue.

Looking Glass- the Rim Fire is not and issue for travelers any longer.

I was just wondering--which island are you planning to visit on the Hawaiian part of your trip?

The Rim Fire is nearly out, but I think it presents several "issues" for travelers.

The fire burned on both sides of Hwy. 120 west from the park to almost Groveland. It's possible there's road damage that the Park and/or DOT will want to repair before winter. That will mean periodic closures and/or delays on 120. Driving on Hwy. 140 to get out of the park would by-pass 120, but lots of people will have the same bright idea. And the detour would add time to the drive.

There are spot fires continuing on Tioga Pass, and a portion of that part of Hwy. 120 remains closed which means there's presently no access from the eastern side of the Sierra to Yosemite Valley. If there's road damage in this section, it's possible the closed portion may not open again until next spring. If that happens, a driver from Las Vegas would have to approach the park from the south which would add still more time to the drive.

October 20, 21 - fly to Vegas, 2 nights for great dining and fun, one full day of relaxing by the pool, spa trip or rock climbing or both at Canyon Ranch - recommend the Venetian for proximity to Bouchon and Spa.
October 22 - 26 - fly to SF, enjoy 2 nights in city and 2 in Napa/Sonoma (or 4 nights in the city)
October 26 - 29 fly to LA, stay 3 nights at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica (or other nice westside hotel), one full day for beach activities - ride bikes along the beach, hike in Malibu, relax, eat really well, and one full day to explore LA, attend Let's make a deal taping, Hollywood, climb Mt. Hollywood, go dancing or see a band or a play or a movie at one of the cool new theaters with drinks and lounge seating
Oct. 29 - November 2 - fly to Hawaii, enjoy 4 nights on one island. 3 full days of Island fun.

Congratulations on the upcoming wedding and have a great Honeymoon.

I think driving from Las Vegas to San Francisco via Yosemite is doable but not a good idea. You will spend too much time driving and won't be able to really enjoy the park. If you want to make that drive, stay in Yosemite overnight.

And will all due respect to the previous poster, I would not stay 3 nights on the beach in Santa Monica and devote one full day to beach activities - not when you're going to Hawaii for 4-5 days immediately afterwards. If you want to go to LA, then go to LA and save the beach stuff for Hawaii.