janisj

"I have given up looking for anything interesting to stop at between the LA Basin Area and the Bay Area. . . . There are a few California missions in the valley but that's about it."

There are no missions in the Valley. All the missions are either along or just inland from the coast.

Parrothead

Janis, you got your aha moment for the day, congrats, do you think you added anything important that a visitor from another continent needed to know?

I was thinking of a detour to Mission San Juan Bautista near Hollister. While it may not be technically in the valley it is as dry and dusty as any valley town along Hwy 5, no one would describe it as coastal.

My point was, while there are a few detours along the corridor, the drive is basically devoid of much to see or do so I suggest you put pedal to the metal and just get to wherever your ultimate destination is which in this case is San Francisco (with boundless ways to spend precious vacation time).

janisj

My point was the same as yours, that there is absolutely no reason to stop enroute . . . not even at missions since there aren't any.

happytrailstoyou

Yes, spend the first night in the LA area. Othewise your best bet is probably Victorville where you will find a Target, JC Penney, and Kohl's to buy the clothes you want.

There are several reliable motels where you can get a room in the $100 range--Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, and Motel 6 among them.

HTTY

Jean

GPS would probably be helpful generally, but I think the route from LAX to Las Vegas is pretty straight-forward. Only three freeway changes that are very clear by just looking at a map. As long as you're paying attention, you should have no trouble.

Lissa2905

Thanks Guys, definately staying in LA overnight, then leave hopefully 7am ish for drive to Vegas. Will investigate GPS.

Our original idea was the 395 North, ending up at Lake Tahoe, then to SF. From SF we will spend 3 days driving down highway 1 before our departure from LAX.

So I guess my question is, is 395 completely out, and are there other options at that time of year for Yosemite? from the Western Side?

Our optimal route would've been Death Valley, Yosemite NP, Lake Tahoe, Sanfrancisco, taking about 6 Days.

Good to know that if the above is out, there's not much on the western side, we can condense the trip to SF, then head from SF to Tahoe.

Thanks again for all your help I hope it's not too confusing.

janisj

OK--I've probably missed it --when exactly are you traveling?

I know you talked about needing warm clothing, but I don't remember the month. This makes a big difference re which route(s) make sense.

Lissa2905

Hey, sorry. We arrive in LA on 2nd of December. Will be leaving LA driving to Las Vegas on 3rd December.

We will leave the Grand Canyon lunch time on 9 December, and would like to arrive in San Francisco on 14 December, so have five days for the drive and hoping for Death Valley, Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.

Thanks so much, can't wait to see what you think

CYESQ

That's one heck of a lot of driving. I can't understand why you don't forget the extraordinarily dull drive from LAX to LAS (220+ miles, 4.5 hours). Just catch one of the dozens of cheap flights and then rent your car in LAS. Especially after such a long flight and as Jean says, driving on the "wrong" side of the road. Seems as though a quick flight to LAS would be so much safer and LA traffic is no picnic. I wouldn't do it, but enjoy your road trip!

Lissa2905

thanks CYESQ but we are looking forward to the road trip (we have quite a bit of experience on the 'wrong' side of the road ), and strangely I've always wanted to drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

Maybe experiencing LA traffic is part of the experience? We are leaving on Saturday morning after an overnight in LA after our flight.

Just really want to know what from our Death Valley, Yosemite and Lake Tahoe wish list we can accomplish with our five days.

Jean

By mid-December, you will not be able to drive from the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (Hwy. 395) into Yosemite National Park because Tioga Road connecting the two will be closed for the season. So, you must choose between seeing Death Valley and the Eastern Sierra or Yosemite and the Western Sierra. Either way you go you could encounter winter weather that would slow you down, and five days would not be a leisurely pace.

As to your Vegas drive, we drive to Colorado every year, so we do the journey between LA and Vegas twice a year. I'm not sure I can emphasize enough how you wouldn't be missing a thing if you flew, and if you flew you could save a day (perhaps nearly two) to add to the Yosemite/Death Valley drive which would make it infinitely more enjoyable IMO.

Do you have lodging reservations in Yosemite Valley?

janisj

Since you will not be able to cross the Sierra south of the Tahoe region - and driving in the mountains may be an issue since almost no rental cars allow tire chains- I'd forget about Tahoe-- unfortunately. Chains may not be necessary - but if there is a storm you'll be stuck. And there is no way to know the weather more than a few days in advance.

So -- I'd hit Death Valley,then take the long/boring drive around through Bakersfield and approach Yoesmite from the west side. Now, chains also might be required to get into YNP, but not quite as likely as at Tahoe.

Then head out of Yosemite to San Francisco. This is too bad--but you really can't plan a mountain trip in a rental car. But if you can get a 4 wd rental WITH snow tires you could be OK.

Lissa2905

thank you, it's not great news, but it's what I thought.

To confirm though:

Tahoe, not a possibility without chains?
Yosemite, from the eastern side Maybe (dependant on weather)?

Maybe we can catch a bus from SF to Tahoe?

Thank you

Lissa

janisj

"Tahoe, not a possibility without chains?
Yosemite, from the eastern side Maybe (dependant on weather)?"

Not quite.

Tahoe is a possibility --even a probability. But if there is a storm you would need chains. Last winter had record setting snow - who knows this year?? Could be dry, could be heavy snow . . .

Same w/ Yosemite from the west entrances

You definitely 100% will NOT be able to enter Yosemite from the east. Tioga Pass is the only road and it closes every year from late Fall through late Spring.

Now what you could do-- is wait until you are there. Definitely pre-book your accommodations in Yosemite. Then IF the weather cooperates: Do LV, Death Valley, around through Bakersfield to Yosemite. And then go north up the west side of the Sierra foothills on hwy 49 to Placerville and then east on hwy 50 to Southshore lake Tahoe.

You don't need to pre-book much at Tahoe except for holiday weekends. There are hundreds of hotel/motel rooms and you can usually get in at the last minute.

So IF there are no winter storms in the forecast for the next 4 or 5 days when you are leaving LasVegas-- you can fit in both Yosemite AND Tahoe. Otherwise, after YNP, head to San Francisco or the coast.

Chris_Brown

Here is what I would do...
From Las Vegas hit DVNP and make your way to 395 North.
Take 395 north to Reno. I would stop and stay the night in either Lee Vinning or Topaz Lake. Must see things along the way are Mammoth Hot Springs, Devils Postpile, Mono Lake and if the snow is light, White mountains where you will see the oldest living things on earth, the bristle cone pine tree.
In Reno hit Hwy 80 west. Tahoe will be at the top of the hill.
Drive around the lake. maybe stay a night in South Lake or in any of the major ski resorts that will prob not have snow yet and therefore will have plenty of cheap rooms available.
When your ready take either hwy 50 or hwy 80 west to SF. Not much I can recommended as must see on the way between Tahoe and SF. There is a great train museum in Sacramento. If you can make your way to Sutter's Fort that might be worth stopping at. If you want to hit up Yosemite now would be the time. Hwy 49 south would be a nice drive.
There may be snow so carry chains. Check with your rental car company but I have never heard them say you can't put chains on. What else you supposed to do if you need to get someplace and it is snowing?

Chris_Brown

Also right outside Yosemite proper in the town of El Portal is a hotel with rooms at about 100 bucks a night in the off season. River Lodge I believe. You likely won't be able to get anything inside the valley but this place is decent.

Lissa2905

Thank you, I'm glad there is a chance for Yosemite and Tahoe, we'll try and pre book something at perhaps River Lodge and wait and see what the weather is like when we arrive.

So helpful, once again thank you

Chris_Brown

Sorry. It is Yosemite View Lodge. http://www.stayyosemiteviewlodge.com/
You won't need a res in early Dec but it won't hurt to have one either.

janisj

I would 100000% try to book IN Yosemite Valley-preferably at Yosemite Lodge.

El Portal would be my fall back position if nothing is available in the Valley. And even if the Lodge is booked, you can book in El Portal but make sure it is cancel-able. Then keep trying for Yosemite Lodge. People book faaaaar ahead so there are frequent cancellations and you can likely get in. Commuting into Yos. Valley can take a long time - especially in the winter.

El Portal is the next closest accommodations - but it will still take 45 minutes each way.