Our California Fly Drive

blindman · 11 August 2011 at 2:04PM

x_missymoo_x wrote: »

I'd be soooo grateful if people could comment on what I've suggested to help me on my way!!

Ok, so this is my vague itinerary for last 2 weeks of August (leaving 19th or 20th) - can't do more or adjust dates as am a teacher... boo! Please be aware this is the very early stages of planning and as I'm planning for Aug 2012 flights aren't even out yet so this is very loose indeed and am open to ideas If anyone could give their thoughts / ideas or suggest a better way round, all would be welcome

1. Fly to SFO, Stay in SanFran (obviously not sure on flights at this stage!)
Flights to OAKLAND airport can possibly be cheaper
2. Explore SanFran, Stay in SanFran
Try to get a Priceline or Hotwire hotel

3. Morning drive to Napa, Stay in Napa - I have family here, some whom I've never met so wish to spend at least 2 good days here. I may also be able to get picked up from SanFran rather than drive to save on car hire until we leave Napa
4. Spend day with family. Stay in Napa
5. Take day to drive along coastal Highway 1, Big Sur etc. (I had originally pencilled in to stay in SLO based on positive reviews, but I wouldn't want to rush the drive so possibly stay somewhere further up?? Suggestions on a postcard )

Stop for a look at Hearst Castle-Night tour is good
6. Drive to LA, explore, Stay in LA
:eek::eek:
7. Explore LA - Hollywood etc, Stay in LA
Driving can be a 'mare as can parking.

8. Drive to San Diego, Stay in San Diego.
9. Explore SD - mainly for SeaWorld! Stay in San Diego
:D
10. Drive to Las Vegas. Stay Las Vegas
11. Explore, Stay in Vegas.
Avoid Frid\Sat nights-more expensive
You do KNOW how hot it will be in August :eek:
12. Drive to Grand Canyon, stay Grand Canyon.
13. Explore, Stay Grand Canyon
Very expensive to stay in\near GC-also gets booked up months early.
Williams on route 66 is cheaper but about 50 miles away.
14. Go home Unsure of return airport though and again flights...

Open Jaw fly from LAS if possible

Based on advice on here, I've tried to stay at least 2 nights to avoid the feeling of constant packing/unpacking and to allow decent enough time to explore places.

So.... what do you think? Is this doable or am I packing in too much? Would you change anything e.g. order of stays or places visited? Anything to possibly skip over or actually spend more time somewhere? Ideally want to keep Napa near start so I can gain some useful insights from family! Thank you soooo much in advance and I'm looking forward to seeing what you all think

Useful thread here amalgamates all the FAQ's
You do not need a car in San Fran (nor Vegas TBHO)
Spend more time in San Fran-Miss out LA!
Priceline hotel in LA can be cheap.
Watch for parking fees at any LA hotel- they can be $35+

Have a good time

stphnstevey · 1 October 2012 at 12:22AM

stphnstevey · 1 October 2012 at 12:44AM

Looking to do this again next year

Going to miss out San Diego - done Sea World (which wouldn't recommend) and SD Zoo - although nice, didn't find much else to do there

Therefore have about 3 extra days

Did helicopter ride over GC, so considering driving out there, but from what can see, not much on the route?

Considering Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Las Vegas for route back and to use the 3 days however sems large distance between places with not alot to see in between? Anyone done this sort of route? Is it worhtwhile?

photome · 1 October 2012 at 7:32AM

thanks for the pics

there isnt much on route to the GC you can take in a hoover dam tour and maybe go to Flagstaff for the meteor crater

Bryce and Zion def worth visiting

jackieblack · 1 October 2012 at 8:58AM

stphnstevey wrote: »

Did helicopter ride over GC, so considering driving out there, but from what can see, not much on the route?

Not much if you go via interstate, but if you drive along old Rt 66 there are lots of great quirky little places to stop at such as
Seligman - Angel's Barbershop
Hackberry
Grand Canyon Caverns
Peach Springs

we loved it!

northwest1965 · 1 October 2012 at 9:48AM

stphnstevey wrote: »

Realised never really gave update on how this went so here's some photos from trip!

Vegas and Grand Canyon
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2587101712322.2139289.1097923500&type=3&l=2dd4be0db9

Death Valley
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2598360353781.2139493.1097923500&type=3&l=d968d6422b

Yosemite
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2594205690746.133390.1122793516&type=3&l=162c1056fd

San Fran
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2636850876849.133955.1122793516&type=3&l=a6e2214e9e

Pacific Coast Highway
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2693594134566.2140902.1097923500&type=3&l=474e44a24e

Six Flags,LA
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2698367134717.134848.1122793516&type=3&l=10ece778e2

LA
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2698705183168.134858.1122793516&type=3&l=c5d71b9eaf

Universal, LA
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2704229440442.2141161.1097923500&type=3&l=5328714c48

San Diego
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2803003469731.2143746.1097923500&type=3&l=550e8f3cdd

San Diego Zoo
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2802754103497.2143739.1097923500&type=3&l=2a72dc4bf9

Seaworld, San Diego
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2802555618535.2143734.1097923500&type=3&l=3f9e0fd1d6

Cant see the photos???

stphnstevey · 1 October 2012 at 10:00AM

northwest1965 wrote: »

Cant see the photos???

Anyone else having problems veiwing the photos?

jackieblack · 1 October 2012 at 12:34PM

I can see the photos.... no problems

blindman · 1 October 2012 at 4:58PM

stphnstevey wrote: »

Looking to do this again next year

Therefore have about 3 extra days
Considering Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Las Vegas for route back and to use the 3 days however sems large distance between places with not alot to see in between? Anyone done this sort of route? Is it worhtwhile?

Done this a couple of times. Recent trip in this thread

You would need more than 3 days to do IMHO :eek:

northwest1965 · 2 October 2012 at 7:30AM

jackieblack wrote: »

I can see the photos.... no problems

Can see them today!!:)

Our California Fly Drive

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