Hello

I’ve been reading some very helpful travel advice on this forum, so I’ll try my luck here.
In August I will go on a 18-Day-Vacation in the Southwest of the US. I have travelled extensively by car, but never so far in the US, thus I’m looking for some advice if my route (driving distances!) is realistic, and what are the must-see sites.

Here is my tentative programme:
Day 1: Flight Washington DC – San Francisco
Days 2 -5: San Francisco. There I got my programme all set up, no help required
Day 6-15: Roadtrip. For this section I’m looking for advice! I will pick up the rental car in San Francisco, and return it in Las Vegas. Which leaves me 9 days, for which I didn’t decide or book anything yet.
Day 16-17: Las Vegas & Helicopter day tour to Grand Canyon.
Day 18: Flight Las Vegas – Washington DC
Day 19: Return flight to Europe

Concerning the 9 days road trip San Francisco – Las Vegas. What would you recommend me to see?
I thought of driving Highway 1 from San Francisco down to Santa Barbara, then Kings Canyon NP, Yosemite NP, and via Tioga Pass (should be open in August?) and Death Valley NP to Las Vegas. Thus, the classic “Golden Triangle”, except LA, which I will do at another point.
Initially, I wanted to do those destinations in 6 days, and save 3 days to drive east of Las Vegas (Zion NP, Lake Powell, Monument Valley). Zion and Monument Valley are dream destinations for me, but so are Highway 1 and Yosemite.
Doing all of them in 9 days however seems very exhaustive, thus I’m thinking of skipping everything east of Las Vegas. What do you think? Is San Francisco – Highway 1- Yosemite- Monument Valley – Las Vegas feasible in 9 days? Or should I focus on the parts west of Las Vegas?

Also, in Nevada & Utah I was struggling to find cheap accommodation outside Las Vegas (basic motels for less than 60 $, for California this was no problem to find with booking, airbnb etc). I travel on budget, and was therefore wondering whether those budget accomodations are not listed on booking or similar websites, or are already booked out.
And, I am also wondering whether it is safe (and legal) to sleep in a car in Nevada (I am renting a spacious van).

And last but not least, since I will come back in a bit less than 2 years in winter. -> Are any of these destinations better suited for winter, so that I should save them for the next trip?

Thanks for your time!

I would take 3 of the days to travel down the coast, although unless you are going to camp, I doubt there will be lodging for your price.

I would see if I could get lodging near Yosemite and/or Kings Canyon. I don't know of any very inexpensive places there.

Make sure the "helicopter tour of Grand Canyon" actually goes to Grand Canyon and stops at the airport near the National Park and provides ground transportation into the park. It is not legal to fly in the National Park, most of these go to side canyons as in Grand Canyon west. These are not my idea of "visiting Grand Canyon". Since you have the car, drive there and save the money you would spend on the flight for lodging so you can actually visit the park.

I haven't found any lodging that is less than $60 in the last couple of years, even with discount coupons for walk in lodging, except in Las Vegas, but watch out for "resort fees" there which will add $25 or so to the nightly stay.

Las Vegas and Death Valley would be much better suited for winter trips.

Depending on how many are traveling with you, it might be better to do the California sites and turn in the car and fly to Vegas and rent a car for the Grand Canyon. You even could do a (long) day trip to Zion or Death Valley.

There is now way I would do death Valley in the summer - it will be helishly hot.

As for sleeping in the van in summer - this just really isn;t safe based on temperatures - never mind all sorts of other reasons.

How much have you booked in San Francisco?
I'm pretty sure you didn't find hotel rooms in SF for $60 unless you went to one of the the 3 HI Hostels.
You will find that rentals are cheaper (even vans) are cheaper in Las Vergas than anywhere in California.
For east of Las Vegas, I would try the Hoover Dam Lodge (former Hacienda) which is about 4 miles from Hoover Dam.
If you really need a helicopter ride, the have them over Hoover Dam.
The flights from LV are not allowed to fly over the best part of the real "Grand Canyon".
Leaving LV on the way to California, try Buffalo Bills in Primm. (Exit 1 in Nevada). They do have cheap rooms and I have seen people in RV's in their big well lit parking lot out back.

>> Is San Francisco – Highway 1- Yosemite- Monument Valley – Las Vegas feasible in 9 days?>Or should I focus on the parts west of Las Vegas?

oops -- didn't mean to submit.

IF on the other hand you haven't yet booked your flight back to DC, I'd consider flying out of SFO and do a loop drive SF > Coast > Seq/KC > Yosemite > SF

- OR -

Flying out of LAX and do SF > Coast > YNP > Seq/KC > LAX

over the years been to all the places you named...
I really agree with "janisj..
SF-coast-YNP etc..
You can use State Parks that have camping facilities but most require reservations ( you can look up online)Some have "overflow "parking areas.Most travelers I know do not feel comfortable using "rest areas " for anything but pottty stops and a quick nap
I know the coast well and cannot think of any motels much less than $ 90
Even Motel 6 (which are usually full)
When quoting motel costs, remember , to figure local "tourist" taxes..example,
SF 11 to 13 %, Napa Valley $ 12.5%, Morro Bay 11%
Good luck.

Hello

thank you for the many and fast replies.

I now adjusted the roadtrip route as follows:
Day 1: San Francisco – Salinas (Accomodation until Day 4)
Day 2: Monterey Bay Aquarium
Day 3: Salinas – Carmel – Big Sur – Salinas
Day 4: Salinas – San Luis Obispo (Accomodation until Day 6)
Day 5: San Luis Obispo resting day
Day 6: San Luis Obispo – Yosemite NP (Accomodation until Day 8)
Day 7: Yosemite NP, Hike to Glacier point
Day 8: Yosemite – Lee Vining (drive through Yosemite Valley, tunnel view etc). Camping in Lee Vining
Day 9: Lee Vining – Beatty (Motel Accomodation, thank you John259259 for the links)
Day 10: Rhyolite – Las Vegas, rental car return 1pm
I hope this will be feasible, and give enough time for sightseeing and resting.

One more question: Does anyone have experience with camping around Mono Lake / Lee Vining? Mainly concerning night temperatures. I found some nice public campsites, but I’m wondering if at that altitude woolen clothes and/or a thermic sleeping bag are required.

> > I would take 3 of the days to travel down the coast, although unless you are going to camp, I doubt there will be lodging for your price. >Make sure the "helicopter tour of Grand Canyon" actually goes to Grand Canyon and stops at the airport near the National Park and provides ground transportation into the park. It is not legal to fly in the National Park, most of these go to side canyons as in Grand Canyon west. These are not my idea of "visiting Grand Canyon". Since you have the car, drive there and save the money you would spend on the flight for lodging so you can actually visit the park.>I haven't found any lodging that is less than $60 in the last couple of years, even with discount coupons for walk in lodging, except in Las Vegas, but watch out for "resort fees" there which will add $25 or so to the nightly stay.>How much have you booked in San Francisco?
I'm pretty sure you didn't find hotel rooms in SF for $60 unless you went to one of the the 3 HI Hostels.>try Buffalo Bills in Primm. (Exit 1 in Nevada). They do have cheap rooms and I have seen people in RV's in their big well lit parking lot out back.>Then a long drive through Bakersfield to Vegas and finish up w/ one night there. Save exploring DV and Vegas the Grand Canyon for your next trip when you plan on Southern California.> IF on the other hand you haven't yet booked your flight back to DC, I'd consider flying out of SFO and do a loop drive SF > Coast > Seq/KC > Yosemite > SF>>
Unfortunately I have to travel back to Europe from DC (my employer has already booked that flight). The flight from Las Vegas was by far the cheapest back to DC, and there was no one-way surcharge for the rental car. Therefore the idea of driving to Las Vegas from San Francisco.

I will advise against stayng in Salinas even if you have to pay a bit more money, town has a crime problem and is really not all that attractive.
I'd also stay in Pismo Beach instead of San Luis Obispo.

Instead of Salinas, try Pigeon Point Lighthouse HI Hostel.
https://www.hihostels.com/hostels/hi...int-lighthouse
It is about 50 miles south of San Francisco on US 101.
Dorm rooms start at $27. They have a kitchen you can use and the wifi works as well.
There is also a HI Hostel in Monterey as well within walking distance of Cannery Row.
It has been my experience that HI Hostels are better than the other brands or independent hostels.
Take the time to drive out to see Hoover Dam even if you don't take the time to drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

I was just going to suggest the hostel in Monterey as well. Salinas isn't a great area. Certain parts are OK like south Salinas. I think north Salinas is generally OK as well. Stay away from east Salinas.

San Luis Obispo is fine.

>>I will advise against stayng in Salinas even if you have to pay a bit more money, town has a crime problem and is really not all that attractive.>I'd also stay in Pismo Beach instead of San Luis Obispo.>Take the time to drive out to see Hoover Dam even if you don't take the time to drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Where exactly in Salinas is this house? Gated community sounds like it might be south Salinas in which case it's probably OK. Do be aware that it will take approximately 30 minutes to drive into Monterey with the majority of the commuter traffic heading west in the morning and east in the afternoon on Hwy 68. Staying in Monterey would certainly put you closer to what you want to do.

I haven't read all of your new posts -- but skimming I did see Salinas.

Please do NOT stay in Salinas. Stay at a hostel if you can get in, or pay a little more for a room in a nicer area and be MUCH more convenient for what you want to see/do.

Suggestion . . . ditch the helicopter ride idea and use the fortune you'll save to get decent rooms in decent places.

>>Where exactly in Salinas is this house? Gated community sounds like it might be south Salinas in which case it's probably OK. Do be aware that it will take approximately 30 minutes to drive into Monterey with the majority of the commuter traffic heading west in the morning and east in the afternoon on Hwy 68. Staying in Monterey would certainly put you closer to what you want to do.

>>both value and host friendliness of that accomodation beat anything in Monterey.

It's just next to Gavilan middle school.

That's north Salinas. I have a friend who lives in that area and it's also generally OK. From that location you can take Espinosa Rd to 156 to Hwy 1. I would still encourage you to stay in Monterey but you're right, you may not survive long enough to visit anyway

>
Yes, that's more or less my plan. Since that gated community is on the northern edge of Salinas, I just plan to spend the nights there, and each morning head straight via Espinosa Rd. to Highway 1.
Thank you for all the comments concerning Salinas though. Thanks to them I will avoid downtown and especially eastern Salinas.

If anyone of you knows the Mono lake - Lee Vining - Bodie area, suggestions / warnings for that area are also highly appreciated

Bodie is the real deal and well worth a stop. It is nothing at all like Tombstone - you will not find any shops, restaurants, bars, or other commercial facilities. It is a state park, and there is a ranger who gives talks.

Here is a link, and the picture is very accurate: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=509

It will still be summer, so expect heat during the day and somewhat chilly (for me, but not frigid) at night. Here's a link for temperatures:
http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?camono+nca