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

Vikki_74

We really enjoyed 17 Mile Drive in Monterey - some great views and photo opportunities. There are some links back on the first page of the thread (just realised it's been almost two years since I updated that - should probably go back and add some bits that people have mentioned since!):

Vikki_74 wrote: »

Monterey/Carmel

Cannery Row
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Fisherman's Wharf
17 Mile Drive
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

I too found Carmel overly twee and just a bit...odd! Pretty much everyone else I know who's been liked it though so I guess it's just a personal thing.

jackieblack

daisiegg wrote: »

Thank you

I teach Of Mice and Men every year so it might be good to take some pictures of some Steinbeck related places to jazz up lessons

The National Steinbeck Centre in Salinas is fantastic for anything Steinbeck related and wouldn't be much of a detour if you're driving from Fresno to Monterey

northwest1965

daisiegg wrote: »

But do tell me what you didn't like about it please if you don't mind - fore warned is fore armed!

Think it's just a personal thing. Much prefer the open country, panoramic views. Hence this year, it's GC, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Bryce & Zion and Death Valley

daisiegg

northwest1965 wrote: »

Think it's just a personal thing. Much prefer the open country, panoramic views. Hence this year, it's GC, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Bryce & Zion and Death Valley

Ah right that makes sense I have been to all of the above except Monument Valley. Thought very little of the Grand Canyon (though I must be the only person in the world!), Lake Powell is amazing for kayaking, some lovely walks in Bryce and Zion, and Death Valley in my opinion is one of the most spectacular places on earth. Sounds like an amazing holiday! really, you could just go back every year, couldn't you?!

daisiegg

jackieblack wrote: »

The National Steinbeck Centre in Salinas is fantastic for anything Steinbeck related and wouldn't be much of a detour if you're driving from Fresno to Monterey

Thanks - is it any good? Just looking at the website and it looks like a lot of art?

Dirk_Gently_2

daisiegg wrote: »

Thank you

I teach Of Mice and Men every year so it might be good to take some pictures of some Steinbeck related places to jazz up lessons

We have done whale watching in Boston and loved it so that might be something to consider too.

I am just over the moon as I just discovered that there is a branch of Pizza My Heart half a mile from our hotel in Monterey...the best pizza chain we have ever been to (though not the best pizza we have ever had - that was in a small independent place in Corning, New York) ....this alone makes me think Monterey won't be too bad

I've done Whale Watching off New England and Monterey, and the best ever was off Monterey, so I'd definitely recommend that.

Has anyone mentioned the 17-mile scenic drive around Pebble Beach, just south of Carmel yet? Such an absolutely stunning drive, with so many viewpoints and vistas I do it every time I'm there.

I also always find that evenings in Monterey are a bit odd - the place seems to shut down completely,

jackieblack

daisiegg wrote: »

Thanks - is it any good? Just looking at the website and it looks like a lot of art?

They do have alot of art, all connected in some way to the Salinas Valley, but I wanted to visit the museum/exhibition hall.
Lots of artefacts/memorabilia such as letters and journals, and alot about his inspiration for various novels. As a big Steinbeck fan, I loved it.

The centre is close to The Steinbeck House (they do tours and have a restaurant & gift shop) and I loved the whole Salinas area.

Murphy_The_Cat

I liked Pacific Grove that is just around the corner from Monteray

Dirk_Gently_2

jackieblack wrote: »

They do have alot of art, all connected in some way to the Salinas Valley, but I wanted to visit the museum/exhibition hall.
Lots of artefacts/memorabilia such as letters and journals, and alot about his inspiration for various novels. As a big Steinbeck fan, I loved it.

The centre is close to The Steinbeck House (they do tours and have a restaurant & gift shop) and I loved the whole Salinas area.

And Salinas also has an Outback Steakhouse, which is one of my favourite chains when I want to pig out on a massive steak - served with a massive side salad so I can pretend to myself it's still a healthy option. .

Mich81

Read all of this thread and thoroughly enjoyed it!

I'm beginning to plan a road trip for next year - very far in advance as looking at going last week in September through to the first week in October.

The trip is a joint 'woohoo I'm debt free' / Mums 60th - I've not told her yet but thinking I'll leave it as a surprise.

I'd originally thought at doing just Vegas for a week, but after pricing up the packages, and deciding a week in Vegas is going to be too long for people who don't drink and who's only gambling with be some slots - have decided on a little trip.

I've been to a lot of places on the West Coast (and East) before on Trek America trips and have already been to the following:

LA - San Fran (via Pismo Beach, Monterey, Carmel
Yosemite
Vegas
San Diego - via Lake Havusu

so this time round I'm most interested in a route similar to this:

San Francisco - 2 nights
Drive to LA staying at maybe San Luis Obispo (sp?)
LA - 3 nights
Death Valley - 1 night
Vegas - 3 nights

My main concerns are
- finding a budget hotel in San Francisco
- Trying to figure out how much fuel will cost!

I know most people don't tend to like LA - but I didn't get to see too much of it last time I was there -and I know my mum would enjoy Beverley Hills / The Grove / Santa Monica - and I know I would really enjoy a more chilled 3 nights in between the long driving days!

Any thoughts or suggestions on the itinerary welcome - including if you don't think the timescale is doable!