Southwest USA & The West Coast (California, Arizona etc) - General Thread

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  • Vikki_74
    Vikki_74 Posts: 750 Forumite
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    elantan wrote: »
    any suggestions on things to do see etc in the canyon, death valley, yosemite and lake tahoe etc ?

    A mule ride into the Grand Canyon looks like a lot of fun if you're ok with heights. We did the one at Bryce Canyon and it was amazing but I couldn't convince my scaredy-cat husband to try the GC one - the paths are quite narrow and drops are a lot steeper than at Bryce.

    I've only been to the area around South Lake Tahoe, not sure where you're staying, but the Heavenly Gondola (basically a cable car / ski lift up the mountain, but runs year round not just in the winter) will give you some amazing views although it's kind of pricey - $34pp for adults and I've never seen a discount anywhere.

    A trip up to the Emerald Bay overlook (where we got married and where my avatar pic was taken) is a worthwhile alternative for amazing views of the lake, although you don't see so much of the surrounding area as you're at a much lower elevation.

    One of the boat trips onto the lake would be good too - we ran out of time in the end but it's definately something I'd fit in if I went back.

    This article about driving round Lake Tahoe gives a good idea of route, timings etc and has some good suggestions for where to stop on the way. Again, we ran out of time for this but my parents drove the whole way round and really enjoyed it.
  • elantan
    elantan Posts: 21,018 Forumite
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    Thanks everyone, i'm nightshift just now but will absorb all the info when i'm off
  • northwest1965
    northwest1965 Posts: 2,058 Forumite
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    If we want to drive from Death Valley to San Diego, can anyone recommend places to stop off? The drive would be about 6 hours so not sure we'd want to do it all in 1 day. Try and forget LA as our return flight would be from there
    Loved our trip to the West Coast USA. Death Valley is the place to go!
  • slcookie
    slcookie Posts: 27 Forumite
    edited 6 June 2012 at 9:42AM
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    elantan wrote: »
    any suggestions on things to do see etc in the canyon, death valley, yosemite and lake tahoe etc ?

    As some of the others have said Glacier Point is a must in Yosemite, and if you like hiking Sentinel Dome and Taff Point are good for a view as is Columbia Point for a view from the opposite angle (but harder hiking than Sentinel Dome) and this starts from the valley floor. If you are a keen walker then carrying on to the Upper Falls isn't so bad once you get to Columbia point as you have done the majority of the climbing.

    At Lake Tahoe - Eagle Lake is also a lovely hike - I think you start from the Emerald bay overlook, or nearby, there is a car park at the trail head. A quick swim is also good, we used to swim at Meeks Beach, and you can park on the road by the fire station there rather than paying $10 to go into the Park car park.

    If you want some cheap shopping and are heading from San Fran to South Lake Tahoe on the 80 and the 50 you will pass two good but similar outlet malls at Vacaville and Folsom. (they are the same brand of outlets you also get at Vegas)

    At the Grand Canyon we mostly just walked along the rim, cutting down a little way along some of the tracks for good photos, the buses are good for getting you to places and then walking to other stops etc. Find yourself a good ledge for sunset, we were sat down for a good hour before with a beer as the edge slowly filled up behind us.

    It rained on and off for our two days in Death Valley so we didn't get as far away from the car as we would have liked!
  • blindman
    blindman Posts: 5,659 Forumite
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    edited 19 July 2015 at 12:09PM
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    Trip report for USA Grand Circle self drive tour.
    Four adults, (Us and Bro and Sis in law) Full size car, 21 day tour 3526 miles

    Photos

    1. We flew Virgin Atlantic UC (using miles) LHR to LAX-cheaper by £100 per couple than LGW-LAS. Also better lounge and Aircraft than LGW.
    In laws flew economy-We invited them into lounges at LHR and SFO also to the bar in UC both flights no problem. They also were allowed to fast track through security with us. Got some free treatments in LHR lounge. Our UC seats with taxes\fuel charges cost the same as their economy seats.

    2. Got FREE parking at LHR from the BRG at Essential parking

    3. LAX used Holiday Inn Priority points for overnight hotel. Bonus was there was a point break offer of 5K per room instead of the 25K

    4. Hired car from Rentalcars.com (Carhire3000) Cheapest Full size + Full CDW. No problems at pickup. Mpg averaged at about 25. Gas was around $4 per gallon.

    5. Bought US Sat Nav from Ebay. It has micro SD card on which I have GB maps so use it here too. Also has a lifetime US maps update. Came into its own in LA and San Fran.

    6. Got America the Beautiful pass from E-bay (1/2 price at £26) Used it for total of 7 National parks which would have cost close to £100.

    7. Got a Vons\Safeway card to save $$ on groceries-Free and simple to get.

    8. First day did tour around LA sights for Bro-in law then on to Vegas-Stopped at Peggy Sues though not that impressed TBHO

    9. Booked Palazzo through Lowcost_USA (9 months before) -Bargain price of £55 per room at the weekend . Declined to pay the resort fee which was then waived, so saved $60 per couple.

    10. 3 nights in Vegas. Phantom ticket by Travel zoo offer. Other bargains from the Las Vegas thread.

    11. 5 nights at Kanab through VRBO. Visited Bryce, Grand Canyon North Rim, The Wave, Torroweap, Zion.

    12 Torroweap : Hired jeep for a day from Kanab Express car rentals to traverse the rocky 120 mile round trip. Extra cost of £120 total, well worth it.

    13. 4 nights Moab through VRBO. Visited Arches, Canyon land and Dead Horse Point State park.

    14. 1 night Monument Valley stayed at the Cabins in Gouldings lodge. Did a self drive tour and then a sunset visit.

    15. One FREE night at Williams Holiday Inn (Courtesy IHG BRG policy). Route 66 browse.

    16. Visited Flagstaff before going to Vegas for one last night.

    17. Stopped at Rhyolite (to look at the Goldwelll museum exhibits) on way to Bishop-Break of journey to Yosemite.
    Another FREE HI stay at Bishop!

    18.2 nights at Yosemite Peregrine Condos-not as impressed with condos as B&B option.
    Hiked to Sentinel Dome, Taft point and Glacier point

    19. Last night San Fran. Visited Alcatraz night tour, viewed Bridge from various sights.

    Total cost was about £3k per couple including the flights, with plenty of dinning out and copious beers!

    Pre trip planning
    Have N&P account so get ca$h from ATMs’ if needed
    Have Santander Abbey zero so pay for all $ costs.

    Accomodation
    Pre booked Yosemite and Gouldings cabin 9 months in advance.
    Saved about £500 due to IHG free nights and using HI points

    Awesome trip :cool:
  • northwest1965
    northwest1965 Posts: 2,058 Forumite
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    blindman - that looks amazing, photos are stunning.
    Loved our trip to the West Coast USA. Death Valley is the place to go!
  • northwest1965
    northwest1965 Posts: 2,058 Forumite
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    Bumping this up,:)

    How did you get on???

    elantan wrote: »
    hi all,

    going to west coast u.s.a in august for 3 weeks , our plans so far are

    fly to vegas from gatwick

    stay 7 nights in the platinum hotel and spa mainly resting and time by the pool as we have had a very stressful couple of years, we arnt into gambling and wont pay the money they are looking for the shows ( although i do love the theatre) ,

    meet up with a group of american friends that we have and go to grand canyon south rim for a day trip and hoover dam for a day trip ,

    drive to death valley on the 8th sight see round death valley stay at a best western, get up do parts of death valley we may have missed, drive to yosemite park

    stay at a best western in yosemite park for 3 nights, first day relaxing, second day a visit to local caves, third day a day at yosemite followed by a star gazing trip at night ( my 40th birthday) next day finish off yosemite park before driving to san fransisco

    arrive at san fransisco on the 12th stay with friends in pleasanton for several days taking in a trip to alcatraz and visiting with another american friend before heading with friends from pleasanton to lake tahoe for 2 nights, one day at lake tahoe one day at redwood national park , before heading back to pleasanton for another few days then flying home from san fransisco airport to heathrow


    can anyone suggest any ideas that can make this trip more fun, enjoyable etc ?
    Loved our trip to the West Coast USA. Death Valley is the place to go!
  • blindman
    blindman Posts: 5,659 Forumite
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    edited 13 September 2012 at 7:41PM
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    northwest1965 wrote: »
    Bumping this up,:)

    How did you get on???

    Well, they didn't like "Sin City"

    Watched a band on a stage thing near a casino they were actually ok until they started their really unfunny filth talk which wasn’t needed and detracted from their performance in my opinion.
  • northwest1965
    northwest1965 Posts: 2,058 Forumite
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    edited 14 September 2012 at 8:18AM
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    blindman wrote: »
    Well, they didn't like "Sin City"

    Can't say as I witnessed anything like that. I am not a real fan of Vegas. I will use it as a flight destination to get to GC and Death Valley.
    Are you off travelling again soon Blindman? Your photos are always stunning
    Loved our trip to the West Coast USA. Death Valley is the place to go!
  • blindman
    blindman Posts: 5,659 Forumite
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    northwest1965 wrote: »
    Can't say as I witnessed anything like that. I am not a real fan of Vegas. I will use it as a flight destination to get to GC and Death Valley.
    Are you off travelling again soon Blindman? Your photos are always stunning

    Planning a trip to China next year, nothing fixed yet.
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