Here we ago again. Tenthumbsup, what purpose does your comment serve? It gives no info about the road trip, it's just a waste of words. I hope that's not what the West Coast culture is all about. :/

I'm going to sign off of this thread, since it got lost somewhere in between "you can't" and "listen to people who tell you you can't". Thanks all and namaste.

On the drive down the coast hwy, stop at some of the elephant seal sites and at least do a drive into Monterey for lunch/dinner. Check out Big Sur and stay somewhere between SF and LA (Monterey, Big Sur, Cambria would be my choices)

I also did a day to Yosemite in April and only the valley was open that year, snow prevented travel to the upper areas. Mariposa woods had nice big trees (but not necessary if you've been to Muir woods), half dome and friends were impressive, the waterfalls were lovely (but not as spectacular as ones i've been to in Hawaii or Niagra). The valley was pretty but VERY crowded and I would not go back in April.

Death Valley is awesome, and worth a drive through. Do a few stops, Badwater, Artist Pallet Drive, Devil's Golf course at least, right off the main road NS through the park.

Grand Canyon is wonderful that time of year and is worth a long drive, kick everyone out of bed early.

Pick up an inexpensive cooler and fill it with snacks, lunch fixings, drinks etc. so you can have quick food choices when you're doing the long drives. Switch drivers every 2 or 3 hours and have a fantastic trip.

Now comes the namaste? Would have been nice earlier...
My remark regarding how you express yourself had nothing to do with your grammar, which is perfect.
<it got lost somewhere in between "you can't" and "listen to people who tell you you can't". >
Well, actually, that sums it up perfectly, you're right! Bon voyage!

Person has a real attitude problem and does not want to listen to helpful advice from the nice posters here.

You post a difficult/impractical itinerary, many folks pop on to say you are trying to do too much, and offer real advice, suggestions, and reasons why . . . and your response is essentially "bugger off -- I KNOW I can do what I want to do and if I had needed your advice I would have asked for it!!"

'nuff said. . . .

>>I'm going to sign off of this thread, << probably a good idea.

This reminds me of the poster who wanted to take her small child to Las Vegas. We all warned her and she got all huffy. Then she posted a trip report and whined about how LV was not child friendly, yada, yada. Several Fodorites posted: "we told you so"....

AS others have suggested, on Highway 1 South of Carmel, ( I would stop at Point Lobos to stretch your legs and see some of our iconic California coastline and then when you are just south of Cambria... turn east to Paso Robles and continue down the 101 to Santa Barbara.

You will have to play it by ear as to when and where you wish to stop during the drive for meals. Big Sur, Cambria, Pismo, any of those will work for a quick meal.

As others have suggested, on Highway 1 South of Carmel, ( I would stop at Point Lobos to stretch your legs and see some of our iconic California coastline and then when you are just south of Cambria... turn east to Paso Robles and continue down the 101 to Santa Barbara.

You will have to play it by ear as to when and where you wish to stop during the drive for meals. Big Sur, Cambria, Pismo, any of those will work for a quick meal.

FLLY,

I understand your frustration. Every now and then some Fodorites are not as charitable as they might be.

To clarify: It is true, you can see something of SF, LA, and LV in 1.5 days each. However, the only scenic drive between those places is Highway 1 between LA and SF. The other drives (including the one from LV to the Grand Canyon) are long, and they pass through towns you don't want to visit and landscapes you don't want to see.

The USA is huge in a way Japan and European countries are not, and points of interest are often separated my hundreds of miles of country with nothing that appeals to a traveler who is in a hurry. If you had more time, you could explore the area around Palm Springs, Joshua Tree NP, and the Mojave Desert on your way from LA and LV. But you don't have the necessary time. Distance is the culprit that makes it impossible for us to put the stamp of approval on your travel plans.

HTtY

Dear FLLY,
I just wanted to let you know that if I ever get the chance to tour Europe, I'm coming to you for advice!

I understand that you have 9 days of vacation and want to see as much as possible. If I got up the money to make my way across the ocean for 9 days, I would be pissed if someone told me I needed to spend at least 3 days in each place to enjoy it and the drive from place to place is nuts...why bother.

I would be trying to fit in every tourist spot in Europe in my 9 days. We would take turns driving and we would make it to as many of those places as possible. We would be exhausted flying home but there would be lots of memories and pictures and good times had by all. I mean, when would I get another chance to visit Europe?

One doesn't go on a "roadtrip" without liking being on the road. To some here, it seems the scenery along the roadways is a torture you are forced to endure. I'm from the city and I find the "lonely" and "boring" drives wonderful. The drive is part of my vacation. Someone from Ireland might tell you that spending hours driving across a green field to get to a small town is nuts, but someone from the desert in Utah might find it the highlight of their trip.

I hope you make your trip to our West Coast a memorable one.