San Francisco - Las Vegas Road trip..

jenny-wren

We've done part of your trip. Started in SF, then did Lake Tahoe (via Fairfield to visit the Jelly Belly factory - we're big kids!), Yosemite, Santa Barbara and then back to SF through Monterrey.

We stayed 5 nights in Yosemite NP (Yosemite Lodge). Everyone is right about what they say - if you want to stay in the park book now. It's well worth booking somewhere in the park rather than outside it it for the views alone when you get up in the morning. Walk to the bridge over the river and watch the sun set on the half dome, amazing. The free shuttle bus will take you anywhere you want to go within the valley. Be sure to check out the Ansel Adams gallery and, if you have time, book a half day bus trip up to Glacier Point - you will get the most spectacular views that will take your breath away. If you're feeling adventurous you can spend the afternoon walking back down into the valley rather than catching the bus back. Be aware that in August most of the waterfalls are almost dry but if you go in September there might have been a bit more rain so they should be more impressive.

We didn't venture as far as Vegas, maybe next time. We loved SF (stayed in the Union Square area to avoid the 'tacky touristy' Fisherman's Wharf). The Wharf is a great place to go but not to stay.

Hearst Castle is amazing and well worth paying for a tour. I wasn't that taken with Monterrey. Saying that it was Labor Day weekend, our hotel was hell on earth and it was raining heavily (tip: don't stay at the Best Western Beach Resort Monterrey). The hotel was so bad we left after one night and retreated back to the Orchard in SF (fabulous but a little pricey). I must be the only person who wasn't blown away by the beauty of Highway 101. But then I live in Northern Ireland so the Antrim Coast Road wins every time!

I'm so jealous now. I'd love to be going back

vwman_3

I got married in the Valley of Fire Nevada in May 2007, then drove to San Francisco, then after a few days there drove accross the states to New York, excellent honeymoon/holiday

RichTeaBiscuit

jencan wrote: »

Sounds like a great trip how did it turn out? Im disappointing to not see a follow up.
I make a similar trip annually and spend most of my time in Vegas.

JenCAN
Las Vegas Nevada

I'd forgotten about the thread I had on here, I moved over to the RoadTripUsa forum and gave up with this place for a few reasons I'll not go into.

The trip went very well and we won't forget it in a hurry, infact I'm now planning next years trip which so far looks like Billings, Montana - San Fran, Ca one way.

Here's a brief run down of our 08 trip -

02 - 04 San Francisco - Fishermans Wharf, Alcatraz night tour
04 - 06 Mariposa/Yosemite - Stunning B&B and I'll never forget Yosemite.. achingly beautiful
06 - 07 Tonopah - Underestimated time for Tioga Pass, Tenaya Lake is stunning. Found snow near Tuolumne Meadows too... had to press on so no time to hike - big regret. Couldn't find Woah Nellies so ate Nicely's.. good little diner. Arrived late in Tonopah so ate chips and drank in rough saloon bar at Tonopah with great locals.
07 - 09 Springdale/Zion - Angels Landing & Hidden Canyon hikes.. Awesome. Did Valley of Fire on way, ET Hwy, Lil Ale inn at Rachel
09 - 10 Bryce - Beautiful but freezing at sunrise, did Navajo & Queens walk
10 - 11 Torrey - Drive Hanksville & Sth for Muley point, Mokee, Goosenecks & Monument Valley off road loop. Long day but worth every minute.
11 - 12 Page - Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe bend
12 - 13 Grand Canyon - Drive East rim, stay Bright Angel Lodge for sunset
13 - 16 Las Vegas - Call at Seligman for R66. Had blowout on I-40 near Kingman, Jeep ended up in middle scrub of Interstate, very scary. Fit spacesaver & limp Jeep to Vegas airport for replacement. No time at Hoover dam but saw last year.
16 - 17 Death Valley - ATM ate my Debit card at Pahrump - not good day. Artists drive at sunset, Dante's and Zabrieske for sunrise. Swimming at 10pm!
17 - 18 Kern Valley - North to Sequoia, Trial of 100 giants & Pinnacle view
18 - 19 Morro Bay - Good start for Hwy1, beautiful place & great locals
19 - 20 Monterey - Aquarium, vist Carmel, drive Pebble beach
20 - 23 San Francisco - cycle over to Sausalito, eat, drink & reminisce )

Even though we had a few disasters along the way we covered just short of 3500miles, there was a few long drives but I was aware of them and we started early, paced ourselves and felt comfortable with the schedule.
The only thing I'd change was our time in Vegas, we spent a week there last year and thought it'd be fun to return since we were passing.. mistake, I hated almost every minute and wished I'd taken a day off our return to San Fran and booked more time in Yosemite and added a day for a visit to Arches NP.

Anyone want any info on the route, accommodation etc.. drop me a PM as I don't frequent this forum much now, it's pure chance I spotted it now.

mcaulayr

here is a couple of threads u can look at for vegas ,san francisco and death valley post any questions here. i did la to san diego to vegas death valley yosemite then san francisco i asked lots of questions and got lots of help what ever u decide to do u will have a great time
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g28949-i9-Nevada.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g61000-i315-Yosemite_National_Park_California.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g60787-i990-Death_Valley_California.html

:beer:

Nobjocki

I'm planning a road trip for early April - flying into Los Angeles and then basically hamnering down to Houston to take the kids to WWE Wrestlemania.
After that I haven't really thought about where to go except to Las Vegas and back to Los Angeles for some theme parks.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

malid

A great alternative to Disneyland is Knotts Berry Farm. It's based on the Snoopy character. We have always gone there from when the children were very small (1, 3 and 8). We had the two youngest with us last time, when they were 15 and 17, and they loved it. Lots of roller coasters. Hopefully 4 (or 5) of us will go this year and Iknow we will go there. They will be 19, 17 (and possibly a 25 yr old).

Enjoy.

funkyfin2000

Hi Guys, had a cracking trip!!!!

Thanks for all the advise etc!

Here is our trip report if anyone is interested on the Vegas board!

Take a look!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=21662719&posted=1#post21662719

train_driver_2

Nobjocki wrote: »

One observation I would make is not bothering to book your hotels in advance.
The US is a country designed for car users so there are literally millions of cheap hotels and motels wherever you go - rather than tie yourself into certain hotels and having to do a certain amount of driving on each day I would recommend playing it by ear.
There will always be room at the inn.

I agree, been doing the West Coast for 10 years now...book your first and last night in the USA. Best not to book other hotels in adavance. Every town from the smallest to the largest has plenty hotels/rooms. Chill out and do your own thing, that way you are not on a deadline and end up driving 100's of miles a day just to reach your pre-booked hotel. I usually stay at an hotel near LA airport and pick up my car the next day and drop it off the day before I leave, thus saving 2 days car hire. Los Angeles - Grand Canyon- Vegas- San Francisco- Los Angeles (via coast road) can be done easily in 2 weeks. Don't be afraid to try the big hotels in Vegas, we got a huge 2 bedroom suite in Ceasars Palace in September 2008 for $140 (about £70)

train_driver_2

RichTeaBiscuit wrote: »

I'd forgotten about the thread I had on here, I moved over to the RoadTripUsa forum and gave up with this place for a few reasons I'll not go into.

The trip went very well and we won't forget it in a hurry, infact I'm now planning next years trip which so far looks like Billings, Montana - San Fran, Ca one way.

Here's a brief run down of our 08 trip -

02 - 04 San Francisco - Fishermans Wharf, Alcatraz night tour
04 - 06 Mariposa/Yosemite - Stunning B&B and I'll never forget Yosemite.. achingly beautiful
06 - 07 Tonopah - Underestimated time for Tioga Pass, Tenaya Lake is stunning. Found snow near Tuolumne Meadows too... had to press on so no time to hike - big regret. Couldn't find Woah Nellies so ate Nicely's.. good little diner. Arrived late in Tonopah so ate chips and drank in rough saloon bar at Tonopah with great locals.
07 - 09 Springdale/Zion - Angels Landing & Hidden Canyon hikes.. Awesome. Did Valley of Fire on way, ET Hwy, Lil Ale inn at Rachel
09 - 10 Bryce - Beautiful but freezing at sunrise, did Navajo & Queens walk
10 - 11 Torrey - Drive Hanksville & Sth for Muley point, Mokee, Goosenecks & Monument Valley off road loop. Long day but worth every minute.
11 - 12 Page - Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe bend
12 - 13 Grand Canyon - Drive East rim, stay Bright Angel Lodge for sunset
13 - 16 Las Vegas - Call at Seligman for R66. Had blowout on I-40 near Kingman, Jeep ended up in middle scrub of Interstate, very scary. Fit spacesaver & limp Jeep to Vegas airport for replacement. No time at Hoover dam but saw last year.
16 - 17 Death Valley - ATM ate my Debit card at Pahrump - not good day. Artists drive at sunset, Dante's and Zabrieske for sunrise. Swimming at 10pm!
17 - 18 Kern Valley - North to Sequoia, Trial of 100 giants & Pinnacle view
18 - 19 Morro Bay - Good start for Hwy1, beautiful place & great locals
19 - 20 Monterey - Aquarium, vist Carmel, drive Pebble beach
20 - 23 San Francisco - cycle over to Sausalito, eat, drink & reminisce )

Even though we had a few disasters along the way we covered just short of 3500miles, there was a few long drives but I was aware of them and we started early, paced ourselves and felt comfortable with the schedule.
The only thing I'd change was our time in Vegas, we spent a week there last year and thought it'd be fun to return since we were passing.. mistake, I hated almost every minute and wished I'd taken a day off our return to San Fran and booked more time in Yosemite and added a day for a visit to Arches NP.

Anyone want any info on the route, accommodation etc.. drop me a PM as I don't frequent this forum much now, it's pure chance I spotted it now.

Tonopah is a great little town full of history...if possible stay at the Jim Butler Hotel on the Main Street. Clean cheap and friendly, and Zion NP is a must see...STUNNING!!!

PAUL_C

I have just come back from a little road trip got some help and advice from these boards.I am not one for writing about trips but my freind did a report here http://www.hondahornet.co.uk/messageboard2/viewtopic.php?t=11615 Welsome to take a look

Seeing as its a money saving forum what worked well for me was a net10 phone from WalMart 30 dollers with 300 mins saved me a fortune infact if anyone is very very soon they are welcome to the phone it still has minutes on it.All I ask is they send me a padded envelope pre paid or collect.Enjoy your trips everyone