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

Vikki_74

travellerboy wrote: »

Vikki, When in PAGE don't forget Horseshoe Bend Overlook, about 2.5 miles from Page ( short walk from carpark on US89)
Have you considered a Monument Valley Air Tour from Page Airport, probably a trip of a lifetime. I have booked this tour for Mid September $255pp, worth every penny.

mysparrow wrote: »

Definitely agreed with not missing Horseshoe Bend, it's simply stunning! Also, to add to that I'd highly recommend doing a float trip (smooth water) from Glen Canyon Dam (at Page) which takes you to Lee's Ferry - you actually float round Horseshoe bend. It was a highlight for me. http://www.raftthecanyon.com/
I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Thanks for the suggestions :beer:

I've already planned for us to do the walk to Horseshoe Bend - it looks like a fab view! Haven't heard of the Monument Valley tour before so will look into that one, although honestly I think it might be stretching our budget a little at over $500 for the two of us. I had looked at the float trip a while ago as a lot of people on Trip Advisor rave about it too, but I can't decide whether we can fit it in as I think it's something like a 5 hour trip so would take up basically a whole morning or afternoon.

I'm pretty sure we'll need time on the morning we set off for Page to see some more of Bryce Canyon, so I think realistically we are only going to have a late afternoon/evening in Page plus another full day. As well as Horsehoe Bend we want to do one of the tours of Antelope Canyon, plus maybe see something of Lake Powell...I feel like fitting in the float trip as well would be a bit much?

We could I guess go down to Horseshoe Bend on the day we arrive then fit in the float trip and Antelope Canyon tour the next day, but that would mean missing what is supposed to be the best light in the slot canyons (around midday when the shafts of sunlight come right down into the canyons). Decisions, decisions!

Can I ask anyone who's done any of these things in Page what kind of times you did the trips and how you found it? Like the float trip, I imagine it would be pretty hot on the afternoon trip as it sets off at 1:30pm but I could be wrong - would be good to hear opinions from anyone with experience.

Vikki_74

realised wrote: »

I was toying whether to spend a night in Palm springs but I'm not sure what there is to do there?

Shopping, eatings and spa's mainly I think - sounds fun to me!

Seriously though, there is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway which goes up into the mountains and is meant to be pretty impressive - unfortunately it's closed for annual maintenance until a couple of days after we'll be there so we won't get chance to check it out.

Also depending on which direction you would be coming from, Josua Tree National Park is fairly close by and could be a possible detour. I'm not sure if we're going to have time for a visit, or at least not more than a quick drive through and walk around, but there's a point called Keys View to the south of the park where you can see the San Andreas fault from above. I'm aware this makes me sound like a bit of a geek but I think that sounds really cool

realised wrote: »

Day 4: Sedona - explore sedona - any ideas for must do things?

I can't vouch for how good it is, but there's a trolley tour in Sedona which I thought looked quite interesting and might give you a good overview before you do some exploring on your own.

Also I haven't look at the details too closely, but had saved this link about some kind of Sedona discount card in my favourites when we were planning on going down that way - might be worth a flick through to see if there's anything of interest?

travellerboy

As a photographer my priorities were the iconic scenes of the west and are probably guilty of cramming too much into this trip. For me Monument Valley is the focal point of the whole trip, the first thing I did was to book the View hotel for a night and plan everything else around it, the second was Canyon de Chelly which very few people mention. This is my first land-based holiday in twenty years as I normal go cruising and I hope I will be able to reflect on this as a great experience and not be too knackered at the end.

mysparrow

Vikki_74 wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions :beer:

We could I guess go down to Horseshoe Bend on the day we arrive then fit in the float trip and Antelope Canyon tour the next day, but that would mean missing what is supposed to be the best light in the slot canyons (around midday when the shafts of sunlight come right down into the canyons). Decisions, decisions!

Can I ask anyone who's done any of these things in Page what kind of times you did the trips and how you found it? Like the float trip, I imagine it would be pretty hot on the afternoon trip as it sets off at 1:30pm but I could be wrong - would be good to hear opinions from anyone with experience.

The trip to Horseshoe bend overlook can be fitted in really well at any point in your schedule (it's not very far from the massive Walmart!) so I think doing it when you arrive is a good idea. I actually think going around sunset gives you much better lighting & the sun does set in your view line - great for photos. Also, in the early evening you will see lots of lizards basking (just step off the beaten track & they are everywhere). We went several times cos we loved it so much.
The float trip I couldn't recommend highly enough - I liked it more than antelope canyon (which is also amazing). We took the morning trip which meant it wasn't as hot (still needed a hat & suncream/ long sleeves to avoid burning) - I think the PM trip would be too hot. It's lovely actually being at the canyon floor & gazing up at the walls. If you look at the pictures of Horseshoe Bend you can't actually see the boats on the water because of the height you're at - the perspective you get from the water is quite incredible. Also they stop about halfway on one of the beaches & take you to see some ancient petroglyphs & let you have a swim in the colorado (which is absolutely freezing!). The guides are fab & tell you allsorts of facts along the way. It's such a great trip & very relaxing. I would do it again if I had the chance.

Antelope canyon - I enjoyed very much & I liked taking the photos too. We went in the afternoon & still had some lightshafts to look at. Also if the guide sees you with a camera they will tell you where is best to stand for your shot. They will also throw sand into the air to catch the light. It is an amazing place but it was packed with people all wanting to be in the same place. I found it quite rushed because you keep having to move on for the next group. It was still good though.
It's tough having to make such choices. If you had to do the float trip in the afternoon there are places where you are in the shade for parts of the trip. So you won't be hot all the time & you might enjoy the swimming part more!

Hope that helps a little bit!

mahesh_on

Hi,
Been through the lists but would appreciate some recommendation for hotels in this region - looking at about 100-150$ per night. As am staying one night/day i'd like a place not too far from LA for a quick visit.. Thanks!

Vikki_74

mahesh_on wrote: »

Hi,
Been through the lists but would appreciate some recommendation for hotels in this region - looking at about 100-150$ per night. As am staying one night/day i'd like a place not too far from LA for a quick visit.. Thanks!

If you want to actually stay in Santa Monica, as suggested by the heading of your post, then you will find very little choice with a budget of only $100-$150 - the hotels are generally pretty expensive there.

One place which was recommended to me on Trip Advisor last year was the Sea Shore Motel which is pretty basic but in a great location and gets consistently good reviews - rooms start at $110 + tax per night. In the end we actually stayed in the Marriott at Marina Del Rey (just down the coast from Santa Monica) which cost us $92 + taxes/fees (about $115 total) booked through Priceline. It was fine - the lobby is gorgeous, rooms are pretty average - but if I had to make the choice again I'd go with the Sea Shore purely on location.

jackieblack

Another plus point for the Sea Shore Motel is free parking in the hotel's own parking lot - saving additional $$

Vikki_74

mysparrow wrote: »

Hope that helps a little bit!

That helped more than a little bit mysparrow - thanks very much!

I think I will take a look at our plans and see whether it would work to fit in Horseshoe Bend on the afternoon that we arrive in Page, then the float trip and one of the antelope canyon tours on our full day there...it sounds like it should be do-able and still worthwhile even if we don't get the "best" light in the slot canyons.

Oh I do love it when a plan starts coming together!

mysparrow

You're welcome & I'm really jealous of your trip! I wish I could afford to go every year.
I see you mentioned the mule trip at Bryce canyon - we did the 1/2 day peek-a-boo trail & it was just amazing - definitely aim for the 8 am one as it just gets hotter & hotter as you reach the bottom.
http://www.canyonrides.com/bryce_canyon_rides.html
The other thing at Bryce that I so wanted to do is the moon hike. We just didn't have the time. Apparently when there's a full moon & a clear night the canyon hoodoos (rock towers) take on lovely colours. They take you on a guided trip into the canyon at night. It sounds fab. You just need your visit to coincide with a full moon!
http://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/fullmoonhikes.htm

Also in Zion I'd recommend 'hiking the narrows' it was just so beautiful & being in the water is so refreshing.
http://www.utah.com/hike/zion_narrows.htm

Did I mention I was jealous!!!:D

travellerboy

Thanks mysparrow, I will be in Zion / Bryce on the September Full Moon (12th Sept). Hope the weather is suitable!