Touring holiday to Nevada, California & Arizona

jackieblack

blindman wrote: »

As wdyw says the Tigoa pass will be closed and ther will be snow (you may need chains)
IMHO I'd do Monterey before Yosemite

Thanks, yes we know Tioga pass will be closed.
Did make enquiries (on here - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1665637) regarding snow - sounded like it would be ok

Why Monterey before Yosemite? Wouldn't we then have to retrace our steps back to Monterey/Carmel to then do the PCH Big Sur drive?

(Have had a look at Hearst Castle info on website - thanks for the suggestion but IMHO I don't think it's our cup of tea)

jackieblack

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

Possibly ! Always assuming that their are no driving difficulties in Yosemite, in May (I know nothing of that area ), can I respectfully suggest that you hire the largest, most luxurious car that you can get, so that all of you can rnjoy touring around California. The extra space in the back of the car will be very welcome for anyone who is back there.

Thanks Murphy, but not really a big car fan (drive a Corsa here!).

We did a fair bit of driving this year, had a Sebring (which seemed enormous to us! ), DD quite happy, plenty enough room for her in the back.

Murphy_The_Cat

wdyw wrote: »

Have to check... have you finished your texas planning yet?

Not a lot really. Other than var parking , passport for little'un, flights/seats on the planes, insurance, 1st night in Dallas, car hire, a VERY loose 14 night itinerary, last night in Houston, I've not done a great deal. With another 9 months to go, I'll probably save the work until Autumn.

jackieblack wrote: »

Thanks Murphy, but not really a big car fan (drive a Corsa here!).

We did a fair bit of driving this year, had a Sebring (which seemed enormous to us! ), DD quite happy, plenty enough room for her in the back.

But you can't do a driving holiday in America in a little car, you just can't, its against the Law (of Murphy). I totally mised the fact that you were going as early as Easter next year (lets face it ALL the BEST people go to America for Easter 2010:beer::j;)), have you considered hiring something with 4WD for the snowy stuff ?

malid

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

But you can't do a driving holiday in America in a little car, you just can't, its against the Law (of Murphy). I

I agree MTC. We went as a family of three in 2007 and hired a 7 seater minivan. There will be 5 of us in August and I am in the process of gettign the best deal for an 8 seater van.

I have almost finished the planning and hotel booking. One more location to book - Sedona for two nights on route to Scotsdale (having had 3 nights in Las Vegas).

Can't wait :j:j:j

jackieblack

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

But you can't do a driving holiday in America in a little car, you just can't, its against the Law (of Murphy). I totally mised the fact that you were going as early as Easter next year (lets face it ALL the BEST people go to America for Easter 2010:beer::j;)), have you considered hiring something with 4WD for the snowy stuff ?

I wouldn't class a Sebring as a 'little car' .
Problem is, if you go much bigger the MPG drops off alarmingly! :eek: (not very 'moneysaving' )

This (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/spring.htm) doesn't seem to indicate too much of a problem re snow.
I know it's a possibility, (we knew it was a possibility when we were at the Grand Canyon in April this year) but have been led to believe it's a possibility rather than a probability.
Knowing that higher areas are going to be inaccessible, were planning to spend our 2 days in Yosemite Valley & trails in that area.

jackieblack

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

(lets face it ALL the BEST people go to America for Easter 2010:beer::j;))

ALL the best people go to America at Easter, ANY year!

blindman

jackieblack wrote: »

Thanks, yes we know Tioga pass will be closed.
Did make enquiries (on here - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1665637) regarding snow - sounded like it would be ok

Why Monterey before Yosemite? Wouldn't we then have to retrace our steps back to Monterey/Carmel to then do the PCH Big Sur drive?

(Have had a look at Hearst Castle info on website - thanks for the suggestion but IMHO I don't think it's our cup of tea)

The other road in Yosemite that will be closed is Glacier Point

It all depends on what you are intending doing whilst in Yosemite but to miss Glacier point and its views and trails would be a shame (IMHO).
TBHO Tioga road did not blow me away that much

If you drive to Yosemite from Muir Woods it at least 200 miles and about 4 hours.
Assuming you get to the park at midday then by 4-5pm it will be dark.
Accomodation in the park is horrendously expensive so IMHO that first "day" would be a waste ot time.
Just thought it may be better use of time to stay closer for the first day.

Having looked (closer:rolleyes: ) at the map Monterey isn't that close!

Personally I'd miss Yosemite and do it the next time you come!

Murphy_The_Cat

malid wrote: »

I agree MTC. We went as a family of three in 2007 and hired a 7 seater minivan. There will be 5 of us in August and I am in the process of gettign the best deal for an 8 seater van.

I have almost finished the planning and hotel booking. One more location to book - Sedona for two nights on route to Scotsdale (having had 3 nights in Las Vegas).

Can't wait :j:j:j

I can give you an alternative to staying in Sedona (that will save you lots of $$$'s to spend elsewhere) - but I have to go out now. I'll post later on.

wdyw

blindman wrote: »

The other road in Yosemite that will be closed is Glacier Point

It all depends on what you are intending doing whilst in Yosemite but to miss Glacier point and its views and trails would be a shame (IMHO).
TBHO Tioga road did not blow me away that much

If you drive to Yosemite from Muir Woods it at least 200 miles and about 4 hours.
Assuming you get to the park at midday then by 4-5pm it will be dark.

Me thinks you have miscalculated daylight hours! Sun sets after 7:00pm in April in Yosemite!

malid

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

I can give you an alternative to staying in Sedona (that will save you lots of $$$'s to spend elsewhere) - but I have to go out now. I'll post later on.

Great. At the moment, I've looked at a two bedroom room at the BW Arroyo Roble - $629 for two nights. We'd have to have two rooms at BW Inn of Sedona and that would be more expensive. Waiting for response from Sedona Tourist Information (emailed this morning) re a deal with one night at BW Inn of Sedona and Pink Jeep Tour (which we intend doing as we had to cancel in 2007 becasue of bad weather) with 20% off. We would also have discounted second night. Ob the site, it comes up as $711.60 for 5 adults - which would be really good as Pink Jeep is $75 each - but I'm not sure about the room; wait and see. Also looked at Southwest Inn of Sedona which appears to have mostly good reviews; that would cost £451.82 for two rooms.

Shall keep an eye out for your post. I remember exchanging posts in 2007! :beer: