Touring holiday to Nevada, California & Arizona

STSAVER

I'm going to have to try and find a good full spare day to put together a few plans and then decide which one would work out best (i.e. post them on here and get thoughts on them!).

A nice bonus for us is the fact that I will most likely have around 125k priority club points with IHG so should be able to cover at least 5 nights hotels with those, or more if finding any 10k points hotels, so can spend a bit more on other things during the trip.

Just been having a quick look at Lake Tahoe and noticed a HIExpress at South Lake Tahoe which is available for using 25k points per night and looks good.
Starting to make me think that a trek from LV up through Yosemite, then up around Lake Tahoe and then down through Sacramento and Napa Valley to finish in San Francisco could be a good plan.

But then again, if I put together a few itineries such as Big Sur on H1 then that might seem a good plan....!

Decisions, decisions, decisions indeed!!

blindman

malid wrote: »

I have stayed in San Simeon near Hearst Castle many years ago and it was fine and great for site seeing the castle.

Where exactly?

Might be doing that later this year.

Murphy_The_Cat

Hi Folks

I'm now a week into my 'Big Trip' and I'm having an absolute ball - I've got so much to show/share with you taht I could be typing for ages !

Afew people have mentioned Sedona as being a place worth visiting. Absolutely, the Red Rocks are absolutely stunning - but it is quite a way from LAS, so it would IMO ned to be part of (maybe) a 2 day trip, OR, a stop off on your way to somewhere else (maybe a 2 day combo that included the Grand Canyon Railroad from Williams with a stopover at the rim & a trip to Sedona down the beautifully scenic route SR89A, rather than the Interstate).

see you all later

MTC

p.s. somethings on holiday never change. I love playing Mini Golf - and I'm still awful at it :rotfl:

p.p.s heat/weather wise - its been high 80s/low 90s all the way so far. Everywhere is open, nowhere is busy. Early May seems like a gret time to visit this part of America

torbrex

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

Hi Folks

I'm now a week into my 'Big Trip' and I'm having an absolute ball - I've got so much to show/share with you taht I could be typing for ages !

Afew people have mentioned Sedona as being a place worth visiting. Absolutely, the Red Rocks are absolutely stunning - but it is quite a way from LAS, so it would IMO ned to be part of (maybe) a 2 day trip, OR, a stop off on your way to somewhere else (maybe a 2 day combo that included the Grand Canyon Railroad from Williams with a stopover at the rim & a trip to Sedona down the beautifully scenic route SR89A, rather than the Interstate).

see you all later

MTC

p.s. somethings on holiday never change. I love playing Mini Golf - and I'm still awful at it :rotfl:

p.p.s heat/weather wise - its been high 80s/low 90s all the way so far. Everywhere is open, nowhere is busy. Early May seems like a gret time to visit this part of America

Thats great Murphy, glad that you are enjoying your trip, how are the kids coping?, did mrs C enjoy the flight over Sedona?

You are right about there being so much to see and do, you might find youself squeezing an extra bit in somewhere along the way.

Enjoy the rest of your trip and stop lollygagging about on here.

malid

blindman wrote: »

Where exactly?

Might be doing that later this year.

I can't remember which one we stayed at (years ago). There's a Best Western that's highly rated and a less expensive option is a Motel 6. Have a look here

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g33039-San_Simeon_California-Hotels.html

to get an idea but just be mindful that people have different expectations so ratings aren't always spot on. Site is good source for general info though.

malid

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

Hi Folks

I'm now a week into my 'Big Trip' and I'm having an absolute ball - I've got so much to show/share with you taht I could be typing for ages !

Afew people have mentioned Sedona as being a place worth visiting. Absolutely, the Red Rocks are absolutely stunning - but it is quite a way from LAS, so it would IMO ned to be part of (maybe) a 2 day trip, OR, a stop off on your way to somewhere else (maybe a 2 day combo that included the Grand Canyon Railroad from Williams with a stopover at the rim & a trip to Sedona down the beautifully scenic route SR89A, rather than the Interstate).

see you all later

MTC

p.s. somethings on holiday never change. I love playing Mini Golf - and I'm still awful at it :rotfl:

p.p.s heat/weather wise - its been high 80s/low 90s all the way so far. Everywhere is open, nowhere is busy. Early May seems like a gret time to visit this part of America

How about a Pink Jeep safari whilst your in Sedona (which is beautiful I agree)? We had to cancel our jeep tour last year due to severe thunderstorms in Sedona and GC - typical. Still enjoyed though. Have you been to Slide Rock canyon? Chapel of the Holy Cross Sedona is definately worth a visit. Religious or not, I found it very moving.

For eating - try the Cowboy Club!

Very envious, keep us posted! :beer:

STSAVER

well I've spent a bit of time on Mapquest and put together one itinery to get me started with working out drive times, where to stop etc to get a good feel for things.

It was as follows
Las Vegas
Sequoia Nat Park
Yosemite Nat Park
South Lake Tahoe
Napa
San Fran

Mapquest puts it as 1002.9 miles with an approximate drive time of 19 hrs 23 minutes.

Longest stretch of the journey would be from LV to Sequoia at 415 miles.

STSAVER

put together a second "potential" route

Las Vegas
Lake Havasu City
San Diego
Anaheim/Disneyland
Santa Maria
Big Sur
San Francisco

Total mileage of 1050.93 miles with approx driving time of 18.0 hours 16 minutes. So this one slightly more miles but quicker drive times.

Could easily drop out Lake Havasu City and head straight to San Diego as well if feel its going to be too much of a time consuming drive.

malid

So glad you're enjoying; I knew you would.

We really enjoy Palm Dessert. I think I may have suggested previously, Indian Canyons near Palm Springs is lovely. My most peaceful place ever (well so far anyway). Lovely walking in it and if you're luccky you'll get to see a coyote close up. The arial tramway is close by. This one was not for me but I'm told it's fab.

Carry on enjoying :j

Murphy_The_Cat

After a truly stupendous three and a half weeks away, we're home. We drove over 3000 miles, saw lots, learnt lots, enjoyed lots and did nearly everything that we wanted to do.
Plus, with this thread in the back of my mind, I tried to makes notes/remember things to share with you as well.
Without me sounding like 'I had a great holiday, would you like to hear about it' ? - I had a great holiday, would anyone be interested in the RELEVANT bits ? In other words, the stuff that would/could/should be useful to anyone else fancying a similar type of thing ?