California Road Trip (with kids)

poet123

That is a really good informative post. Could you include the other places you would do in a 3 week version? In terms of motels how do you know whether they are in a safe part of town? do you have any en route recomendations? in the GC is there a best side (rim?) to stay on?

Thanks again, really useful info.

mysparrow

No problem, glad to be of use. I love visiting that part of the world so get stupidly excited when other people want to do the same!
I'm being a bit naughty as I'm in work at the mo. When I get home later I will gladly add to the list!
In the meantime Murphy the cat did a very similar trip & posted it on here (and with a great trip report too!). Haven't got time to look for it sorry but who knows he may be along himself shortly...

mysparrow

Ok let me think...
Other places to visit/ consider:
Extend your stay in the bigger parks by a night or 2 (Yosemite & GC)
Stay in Death Valley rather than whizzing through if possible.
Stay overnight in Twentynine palms to catch sunset/ star rise within Joshua Tree NP, then go for sunrise the next morning! You can camp here too if that appeals. The silence is quite literally deafening once you switch the car engine off & step onto one of the trails. If you're a trekkie apparently it served as some of the alien planet backdrops.

Perhaps extend the trip further into Arizona to see the Painted Desert, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Meteor Crater, Sunset Crater, Watpakui ruins, Horseshoe Bend overlook near the town of Page, Antelope slot canyon, Colorado float trip (smooth water trips are easy to book at short notice, unlike the whitewater stuff).
You could also head into Utah to see Zion NP (if you do this one you must must must 'hike the narrows', this is a walk actually in the river, totally stunning, check out the pictures on tripadvisor - note generally when Americans say hike they really mean walk!), Bryce NP (did a horse trek through here), Cedar Breaks. All not too far into Utah itself.
For GC I personally think if it's the first time go for the south rim. To me it was more jaw-dropping at first sight. The North is still amazing to see if you get time (but the South is more easily accessed & enroute to other places). You could also get the GC steam train to the canyon & back. Definitely try to stay in the park, it's really nice when the crowds start to leave, you get a much more intimate feel for the place. Rooms are basic but have what you need. I stayed at Maswik & had deer come up to the window in the evening! If not I think Williams is better, although further, than Tusayan for feel & restaurants.
Other stops - anywhere along highway 1 that takes your fancy, generally the further North the more rugged & prettier. Perhaps San Simeon would be good too (see Hearst castle),

Places to stay: I use tripadvisor to make my choices (the tourist pictures help I think!). You need to be able to filter out the people who complain if there's no coffee pot, or a bit of fluff on the floor, or the staff didn't salute them etc. To me on a roadtrip you need a good bed & clean bathroom (jaded paint & chipped woodwork does not bother me). Anything else is a bonus. Most US motels offer some form of free breakfast, but the quality will vary quite dramatically. However it'll be enough to keep you going until you find a diner along your next leg!

Safety: the only places I'd be worried about this would be SFO/ LA. Here I would ensure I was in the touristy areas. Anywhere else I've never had to think about this at all. Out of the big cities motels are usually on the main 'drag' of the town, close to restaurants, well-lit, have security & are friendly places! If worried about picking one the tripadvisor forums are a good way to ask specifics.

Hope that helps a bit more! There's so much to see & do over there it's very difficult not to cram too much in. Spend quality time at the places that really appeal.:)