My husband and I are planning on starting our July trip in Prescott,AZ, then driving to Williams,AZ for the train to G. Canyon, on to Canyon de Chelly, King's Canyon and Sequoia Nat'l. Park, driving through Death Valley on the way. Then on to Mendocino and Eureka to the Redwoods. We are planning on 3 weeks. As you can tell, we like to keep moving to get it all in, but at the same time, we steer away from crowded areas, like it at our own pace and like to be somewhat spontaneous with hotels and B and B's.

What time of year will this be? Your spontaneity could be somewhat affected by filled up lodging in the national parks.

You will definitely need reservations around the National Parks if you are going in the summer. Even in less crowded seasons, finding a room could be tricky. Also, if you are going in the summer, you wouldn't want to be going to Death Valley.

Sorry, just saw you said July. You mean July 2007? I would definitely try to book rooms for some of the parks but it might be difficult at this late date. And I would skip Death Valley. I am not exactly sure of your route but if you are coming from the Grand Canyon, I would take I40 to I15 to Barstow and then cut over to Bakersfield on CA58. From there you can pick up Hwy 99 into King's Canyon and Sequoia. Also if you go through Death Valley, you will come out on Highway 395. Are you aware that you can't enter Sequoia from the east side? So you could have to take 395 South to the 14 to Highway 58 so that you can go east. Looks like there is a Highway 178 that goes past Lake Isabella that would get you from 395 to Bakersfield but it looks like it has lots of curves, etc. Still you would have to go south first.

It can be dangerous to drive through Death Valley in the summer. Right now the temperatures are running 120F. So just something to consider.

Hopefully others can give you ideas of places to stay at the last minute.

Death Valley is not such a good place to visit in July. And while 3 weeks sounds like a long time - it really isn't for covering that much territory. Where do you plan on going after the N. Coast (BTW Eureka really isn't a "destination" - there are MUCH better places to stay throughout the redwoods.)

see... here

I'm just 100 miles from Death Valley and only European tourists and mad dogs go there in July/August. The Germans in particular seem to love to visit there in mid-summer. The Furnace Creek Ranch motel is air conditoned but often full of Europeans in the summer, so reservations are a must. Or, if you must go through Death Valley, press on to Lone Pine (Dow Villa Hotel) or Ridgecrest(Heritage Inn). A better idea than Sequioa is to take 395 north to 120 and go over Tioga Pass Road into Yosemite. Tuolumne Meadows is great in July, and if you skip Yosemite Valley it isn't crowded. From there visit the Gold Rush towns near Sonora, or head down into the San Joaquin Valley where you pick up I-5 or 99 that will get you above the Bay Area and you can swing over to 1 or 101 for the run to Mendocino and Eureka.
Have fun

boom boom - I like your idea about going north on 395 and then through Tioga Pass. My DD and I did that drive last fall coming home from Yosemite. Beautiful drive. I still would suggest that aaa999 not go through Death Valley. If they are worried about crowds I would imagine that Kings Canyon and Sequoia would be less crowded than Yosemite.

I also like your idea of the gold rush country. I have been to Jackson but not Sonora. Nice area to just wander through.