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

PeacefulWaters

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

Hello PW
I've not google mapped your entire trip, but that looks like one hello of a lot of driving - your photo almbum could end up looking like "these ae the places that we drove through, past or saw, but didn't get the chance to explore"

It is a lot of driving but I reckon it will give us several hours of non-driving time each day.

Its eminently doable, but it reads like an endurance test, rather than a enjoyable holiday.

It's something we've always wanted to do. I've driven in Pennsylvania and New Jersey over long distances and we really enjoyed it. While this is definitely a big ask it may well shape future holidays.

Do you have the option to (say) extend to 14 days or fly back from LA ?

Nope. Flights booked and no more time available. Original preference was 14 days but a nasty employer blocked it. Lake Tahoe, San Diego and extra time in San Francisco robbed!

p.s I've got some suggestions to make PCH even more enjoyable, but they would mean dropping LA (which wouldn't be a hardship)

Alas, no chance of her missing LA. That has been a discussion where my preferences have long since been sacrificed!

Willing to listen to any suggestions though.

John259

This is probably all very obvious but FWIW:

Driving in the Great Unpleasantness (Los Angeles) will come as a shock after the tranquillity of the Pacific Coast Highway.

It would be wise to plan your route through the Los Angeles area.

IMHO you'll need a navigator, either Mrs PW with a printed map, or a GPS/SatNav. You won't be able to look at a map while driving on the freeways.

Do you plan to stop and see anything? If I understand it correctly you won't have much time.

northwest1965

What sort of car have you got, as it is a lot of time spent in the car, I'd say upgrade to the best you can.

Enjoy!!

PeacefulWaters

John259 wrote: »

This is probably all very obvious but FWIW:

Driving in the Great Unpleasantness (Los Angeles) will come as a shock after the tranquillity of the Pacific Coast Highway.

It would be wise to plan your route through the Los Angeles area.

IMHO you'll need a navigator, either Mrs PW with a printed map, or a GPS/SatNav. You won't be able to look at a map while driving on the freeways.

Do you plan to stop and see anything? If I understand it correctly you won't have much time.

Yes. Paid £35 for a basic USA sat nav and will have a raft of maps and preprinted instructions.

I anticipate 10am to 4pm allocated to seeing the sign, driving past a couple of the sites and stopping for Rodeo Drive and Hollywood Blvd. then, as far as I'm concerned, get out! After all the fabulous scenery it's my idea of hell!

Murphy_The_Cat

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Willing to listen to any suggestions though.

My suggestion is to massively reduce your itinerary and consider that "less can be more", but I suspect that isn't what you want to hear.

Getting out of your car in (say) Death Valley and exploring some of its vastness is much more invigorating than hammering through its vastness at 65mph in your rush to get to the next checkpoint on the map.

PeacefulWaters

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

My suggestion is to massively reduce your itinerary and consider that "less can be more", but I suspect that isn't what you want to hear.

Getting out of your car in (say) Death Valley and exploring some of its vastness is much more invigorating than hammering through its vastness at 65mph in your rush to get to the next checkpoint on the map.

Like I say, 10 hours a day, half of which won't involve driving.

There's nothing I don't want to hear. But I do recognise that compromise within the family limits additional options.

jackieblack

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

While this is definitely a big ask it may well shape future holidays.

I'm sure that this is correct :cool:

John259

It's probably best of think of this as a "sampler" trip. Yes, it would be far better with more time especially for Yosemite and the Pacific Coast Highway but on the other hand it will give you an excellent taste of the wonders of the west.

Of course, you might end up like this guy...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c7NicQ993Y

Crispy_Ambulance

We are currently in San Diego and drove from SLO to here a couple of days ago. The drive through LA was hideous and took hours due to traffic and we weren't even stopping off. Having stayed off Hollywood Boulevard years ago, I would miss it out. It's not a particularly nice part of the city and the driving is exhausting.

We pre-ordered a satnav to pick up from Walmart when we arrived and has been so worth it!

John259

Another comment regarding Los Angeles: at 4pm you'll be leaving when all the commuter traffic out of the city is starting to build up. It might be worth asking on the Los Angeles section of TripAdvisor for any advice regarding the best route (tell them the date and time).
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g32655-i61-Los_Angeles_California.html