Michael

When in LA o visit the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City.

I do not know if this review is available to non-subscribers:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/ar...ssic%20&st=cse

Bodie is worth a visit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57624516613985

Tomsd

Close to Mammoth is June Lake - with a cute little "town" - and we have a timeshare at Heidelberg Inn - which is a great place and you could rent a 2 BR there for the family. The little lake (can walk to it) - Gull Lake - also rents boats if you want to take the kids for a ride on the lake, or even try fishing. see http://www.heidelberginnrentals.com/...FUkbQgodWiXsSg

And IMO - you don't need to spend a night on the way to the Grand Canyon - from LA. You could make that in what - about 8+ hours driving time? Actually - you could even drive part way when you arrive - two hours to the Palm Springs area - and the next day - take the Palm Springs tram up to 10,000 feet - which might thrill all of you. From there - the Grand Canyon is maybe 6+ hours?

For the tram - see: http://www.pstramway.com/

Tomsd

Forgot to ask: Where are you from in Ireland?

And I too would recommend you consider staying in San Diego - which is much easier to get around than LA and we have great beaches, the Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Old Town and on and on.

Tomsd

And here is some info on driving from LA to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Distance: 492 miles
Approximate time: 8 hours

About five million people visit Grand Canyon National Park each year and it comes as no surprise why. The main attraction, Grand Canyon, is a mammoth gorge stretching 277 miles showcasing amazing depths of colorful geology. It boasts some of the nation's cleanest air and a great deal of the park's 1,904 square miles are maintained as wilderness. Visitors cannot help but be blown away by stunning views from almost any vantage point.

Driving directions from Los Angeles, California, to the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Tomsd

Another thing the kids might like to do in Palm Springs is the Water Park - see http://www.palmsprings.com/hotels/oasis/waterpark.html and they have a great zoo - called the Living Desert.

http://www.livingdesert.org/

cathycon

Thanks everyone for your input.
We are from Cork in Southern Ireland and really the 8 hours drive from LA to GC is about the length of our country which is why its probably beyond the scope of our imaginations! I suspect people living in US are used to driving longer distances - Its such an incentive if you can jump in the car and, under your own steam, arrive at a place so completely different to where you live. You are very lucky in that respect.

I know the Mammoth Lake /Lee Vining aspect bit wasteful but I dont want the trip to become an endurance test for kids who, whilst deeply appreciative and excited about the trip, will never have spent so much time cooped up in a car!

Have never posted a trip report before but may get up courage to do so after this great adventure.

Thanks again

StuDudley

We do about 90% of our car "vacationing" in Europe. You're correct about the great distances that most people travel to see the sites in the US southwest and even here in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is largely do to the fact that many of our "worthwhile" sites are far apart from each other. Also, gas is less expensive than in Europe so people live farther away from their jobs and think nothing of driving 1 1/4 hrs to work.

In Europe, we hardly never drive more that 1 1/2 hrs to get from site to site - there is no need to because there's a higher "density" of great things to do & see in a single area. I constantly try to argue my point that Americans visiting Europe should not plan an itinerary that takes in "highlights" of central Europe in 15 day "road trip", with stops for only a 1-2 days in a single region like Dordogne, Provence, Brittany, Tuscany, etc.). Your point is well taken that Europeans are not accustomed to spending 6-8 hrs in the car like we are. I think Australians drive even more than we Americans do.

Stu Dudley

paulhelmick

I hope i dont sound discouraging but i want your once in a life time trip to the usa to be the trip of a life time.your latest tentative schedule has you seeing the bulk of your destinations in the first 9-10 days and then spending 20 days between sf and l.a. that just does not make sence to me.i would think it would make more sense to drive up the coast highway,see s.f. and then go to yosemite for the 8th and 9th,then take a leisurely trip to s.w.,and finish by relaxing in southern ca.I would also reccomend trying to see zion and bryce n.p. while you are in the s.w. but thats up to you.as soon as your schedule firms up try to book rooms inside grand canyon n.p. I would also use this site to break down specific areas. example:reccomendations for our time in las vegas
I hope this is helpful

cathycon

I think you have it in a nutshell there Stu - we are just not accustomed to such drives. We have also met people on our European travels who are doing whistle stop tours of places we devote much more time to and wish, for their sake, they could spend longer. And here am I now doing exactly the same!

I take your point Paul and of course you dont sound discouraging. We have slightly altered our itinerary now in that we are only spending 2 days in LA and then moving on down towards or to San Diego for some down time. Have been looking at Laguna Beach because its furthest from LA but frankly the prices are very steep and not sure its as relaxing as we would like.

The quest goes on!