California & Vegas Fly Drive

NiftyDigits

John259 wrote: »

IMHO the driving isn't even remotely a problem, it's very much a major part of the pleasure. Driving in the USA is very different to driving in Britain, far less stressful. And it's the only realistic way to see areas other than the cities.

But it's a matter of opinion, and some people prefer to not drive as much. Fair enough.

We are all in agreement driving North to South. The problem is that they are planning to drive all the way back to San Francisco. That would be fine if they had ample time. The driving isn't the problem. It's the forced driving because there is not enough time to stop and enjoy that may be an issue.
They've changed from an open jaw solution to a return to SFO. There is a lot of driving involved there. Again, this is fine if they have flexible arrangements, as they can leave bits out if they so choose. But if they insist on pre-booking accommodation..it could prove stressful.

NiftyDigits

dseventy wrote: »

We just did this trip .... kind of.

We flew into Vegas and stayed 3 nights. Then drove to California and stayed in Orange, California. Its a few more minutes away from the parks, but its more of a USA experience than staying in Anaheim.

We stayed for 2 weeks in Orange and did :

Universal (was ok, but small and crowded, long lines)
Disneyland x 2 (loved it, still lines though)
Whale watching at Dana Point (highlight of the holiday, humpbacks, dolphins x hundreds)
Days at Santa Monica beach (saw the surfing finals)
Days at Long Beach and Huntingdon (was great)
Lots of hanging by the villa pool and BBQs.
Took my son to League of Legends semi final at Santa Monica

The drive is easy between CA and Las Vegas. Little traffic until we got closer to LA. Though there is construction in the San Bernadino mountains which slows stuff down.

Agree with others LA (central) is a dump IMO.

That much driving think a lot about the car. We had a Chevoret Surburban for a week :

http://www.boldride.com/ride/2015/chevrolet-suburban

and we also had a yellow Chevrolet Camaro convertable for a few days, was great. People had their picture taken with it.

Happy to answer any questions?

D70

We saw your Chevrolet Surburban out there. Ludicrously large, but then they have some ludicrously large vehicles out there. Did you have any issues with parking?

We took a Jeep Cherokee:

gracie10

dseventy wrote: »

We just did this trip .... kind of.

We flew into Vegas and stayed 3 nights. Then drove to California and stayed in Orange, California. Its a few more minutes away from the parks, but its more of a USA experience than staying in Anaheim.

We stayed for 2 weeks in Orange and did :

Universal (was ok, but small and crowded, long lines)
Disneyland x 2 (loved it, still lines though)
Whale watching at Dana Point (highlight of the holiday, humpbacks, dolphins x hundreds)
Days at Santa Monica beach (saw the surfing finals)
Days at Long Beach and Huntingdon (was great)
Lots of hanging by the villa pool and BBQs.
Took my son to League of Legends semi final at Santa Monica

The drive is easy between CA and Las Vegas. Little traffic until we got closer to LA. Though there is construction in the San Bernadino mountains which slows stuff down.

Agree with others LA (central) is a dump IMO.

That much driving think a lot about the car. We had a Chevoret Surburban for a week :

http://www.boldride.com/ride/2015/chevrolet-suburban

and we also had a yellow Chevrolet Camaro convertable for a few days, was great. People had their picture taken with it.

Happy to answer any questions?

D70

Can I ask where you stayed for your 2 weeks, did you hire a villa? Making plans for next years trip. Looking at rentals around Huntington Beach but all seem expensive.

blindman

dazanteney4 wrote: »

What do you mean?

Too much driving not enough sight seeing.

Yosemite needs 2 days minimum.

Have you looked at the Southwest thread I linked to earlier?

Lots of answers there.

NiftyDigits

dazanteney4 wrote: »

This is what we are thinking of doing now -

London to San Francisco > San Francisco > San Francisco> San Francisco > (pick up car) Napa Valley - Salida > Yosemite/Bishop > Yosemite/Bishop > Vegas > Grand Canyon - South Rim > Vegas > Vegas > Vegas > SD > SD > SD > LA > Santa Maria > Monterey > SF - Stay at airport most likely > Flight home

Perhaps you should think about doing the trip the other way. PCH north to south (to get the benefit of the views) as much as possible to San Diego and then going inland on the way back.

dazanteney4

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Perhaps you should think about doing the trip the other way. PCH north to south (to get the benefit of the views) as much as possible to San Diego and then going inland on the way back.

So do Napa and Yosemite last rather than first?

NiftyDigits

dazanteney4 wrote: »

So do Napa and Yosemite last rather than first?

Yes. Do all inland on the way back. Pacific Coast Highway on the way south.

John259

Driving the Pacific Coast Highway from north to south has the advantage of it being easier to pull into the parking areas for the overlooks because they're on the right. But driving it from south to north has the advantage of having the sun behind you most of the time. Either way the views are fabulous and it's six of one half dozen of the other IMHO.

In spring and early summer, leaving Yosemite until later increases the chances of the Tioga Pass being open.

BTW Yosemite is bigger than Lancashire (the English county) but in terms of area the Valley is only a small part of the park, on its western side.

NiftyDigits

Some places you'll drive more slowly, both because some of the roads are pretty steep and there will be denser traffic in places, but also to take the views in. You would want to go right along the coast side. But on the Pacific side you have the clear view not having to look over traffic in another lane. Staring into traffic, just spoils the experience of overlooking this breathtaking coast line. Also if passenger want to take photographs, they have the view right there.
This all brings us back to time factor and length of holiday. If one wanted to enjoy the full experience of the PCH and all the spots along it, one could easily take at least 5 overnight stays along the way from San Fran to LA. It's not just a drive from A to B, there are so many spots along the way where it is just nice to stop. Also it is a slower drive where the driver has to concentrate, regardless of experience,

Disclaimer: I have been forced to post this by my annoying partner....as she did all of the driving

dazanteney4

So many choices! Lol