California - Two weeks in California - does this look like a good plan?

Dear fellow Flyertalkers,

we (30yo couple) are planning a two-week(+2 days) trip to California at the end of October, and I was wondering whether you would like to help out a bit.

We have sketched out the following rough plan, which is still very much up for change:

18 Oct: Arrive into SFO from Europe in the afternoon, business class award so hopefully not too knackered
18-22 Oct: San Francisco and surroundings
22 Oct: Drive to Yosemite
22-25 Oct:Yosemite
25 Oct: Drive to Monterey
26 Oct: Drive South on CA-1, stop somewhere
27 Oct: Drive to Santa Barbara on CA-1
28 Oct: Drive to LA on CA-1
29-31 Oct: LA
31 Oct: Drive to Las Vegas
31 Oct-3 Nov: Las Vegas
3 Nov: Drive to LAX, and depart back to Europe in the evening

Does this sound like a good plan? We like a good mixture of nature and cities, and are neither hiking nor huge beach fans.

Are we missing out something you consider important? We have considered Grand Canyon, but it seems a bit far away for the time available.

What would the weather be like - we don't expect hot, but I hope winter clothes will not be necessary?

We were planning to rent a car from the 21 Oct, as I guess San Francisco should be fine without car, correct?

On 21 Oct, we could do a daytrip to somewhere outside of San Francisco - what would you recommend?

Is CA-1 in 3 days a good time frame?

What about 3 days in Yosemite (given that we will not go hiking)?

Are there two possible (sensible) routes Los Angeles-Las Vegas so that we can have a different route on the return?

I assume this is all off-peak travel time, so no surprises with bank holiday weekends etc where it won't be possible to get any hotels?

Only thing fixed at the moment are probably the dates and the restriction that we can only fly to from LAX/SFO since these are the only airports where LH flies to, so open to suggestions!

Thanks in advance!

SmilingBoy (+SmilingGirl).

PS: This will be my first time in the US outside NYC, so looking forward to it!

How fun to be planning your first west coast adventure! A few things spring to mind:

*We Californians don't really do "winter" in the way that most of the US does. Sometimes we moan and pout when we have to put on a sweater to go outside. :D But really, to your question about "winter clothes", forget it. If you bring a heavy sweater or a mid-weight jacket, that will be just fine. No boots or anoraks necessary out here.

*On your itinerary, the dates allocated to each of your stops, and your comment "We like a good mixture of nature and cities, and are neither hiking nor huge beach fans", I would rejigger your list just a bit.

San Francisco is a great city to roam around on foot and on public transportation to see the sights....assuming no jet lag then you've blocked 3 full days (the 19th, 20th, and 21st) before you take off for Yosemite. I would consider increasing your San Francisco time by one more day to accommodate a bit of jet lag and give more time to explore this city (if exploring a city is something you enjoy).

I haven't ever been to Yosemite so I can't comment on that portion.

Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/) says that Yosemite to Monterey is just over 4 hours, and Monterey to Santa Barbara is just over 4 hours also.

For sure I would recommend making the trip from Monterey to Santa Barbara in one day (not stopping overnight anywhere in between). If you are into history (or at least what we Californians call "history", meaning that the history in question is going to be around 100 years old at most), then Hearst Castle (http://www.hearstcastle.com/) is a unique place to check out. Other than that, ignoring beach-y stops along the way, I wouldn't recommend a stop in between on a 2 week visit.

I would recommend that you spend a second day in Monterey, and then go to Santa Barbara from there.

*Talking Las Vegas for a second...there's really only one way to and from there. And that is the I-10 to the I-15. That's not to say that there aren't alternatives, but I would offer that it would be the rare traveler going from LA to Las Vegas that would even consider going any other way to get there. The goal is just to get there fast through all the non-scenery in one piece. To that end, I will note that your travel day of October 31 is a Friday and the traffic from Southern California to Las Vegas goes up very considerably on the weekends (going to Las Vegas on Fridays, coming home on Sundays). You will want to hit the road early on Friday (before noon for sure) unless you enjoy sitting in traffic in the middle of nowhere. :) You might consider flights on Southwest (http://www.southwest.com/) instead of driving...you don't really need a car in Las Vegas.

*Regarding holidays, there are no US holidays in that time frame. October 31 is Halloween and so there may be a slight uptick in demand for hotels in Las Vegas, but I would not expect anything major.

Keep us posted on how your plans evolve -- you'll have a great time no matter what!

Let's hope all of the fires are out by then.

Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/) says that Yosemite to Monterey is just over 4 hours, and Monterey to Santa Barbara is just over 4 hours also.

For sure I would recommend making the trip from Monterey to Santa Barbara in one day (not stopping overnight anywhere in between).

I think your basic plan is great and the advice from the post above excellent, however, I would make a few suggestions:

1. Monterrey to Santa Barbara is only 4 hours if you take 101, if you take Hwy 1 as planned then a stop over night is a great idea as it takes much longer (if you like wine country and warmth consider stopping in Paso Robles after visiting Hearst Castle).

2. Consider the fall colors in the wine country north of San Francisco (1 hour drive) for your extra day in SF - should be around the right time of year for that and nice to see the vines in yellows and reds.

3. Unless you really like Casinos, one day on the strip is enough to gawk and the long day trip to the grand canyon is absolutely worth it - do not miss that if you are going all the way to Vegas.

4. For a detour on the way to Vegas, consider driving out to twentyninepalms and through Joshua tree national park and then up to Vegas via the Mohave desert. It is a very remote drive (so don't consider if 50 miles between petrol stations is a problem for you) and a long day but it's also a great experience of desert California.

You've picked the best time of year to visit. September and October are San Francisco's "summer" months with the July/August fog long gone.

You certainly do not need a car in San Francisco, but as aussie suggested you should spend a full day in Napa/Sonoma wine country. I would recommend hiring a driver so you can enjoy wine tasting and not have to worry about driving. I can recommend a driver if you want to PM me.

As also noted, unless you love casinos, two days is plenty for Vegas. And I wouldn't even think about driving from LA to Vegas. Southwest has lots of cheap flights from various LA airports.

Now I may be partial (hell, I am partial) but I would also consider an extra day in San Francisco and one less in LA. LA is not really a city in the European sense, but rather a vast urban sprawl with little soul... unless you enjoy spending hours in a car in bumper to bumper traffic.

I would echo some of the above.

If you are not "hikers," then you may have scheduled a bit too much time in Yosemite. The "Valley" definitely deserves a day or two and the quick drive up to Glacier Point would be nice. I think you could safely cut a day and still enjoy the park.

With an extra day, you might enjoy a daytrip from San Francisco over to the Napa Valley wine region. If you are not wine people, you could consider an overnight from Yosemite south to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks to see the big trees.

There are two routes from Monterey down to Santa Barbara - Highway 101 and Highway 1. The 101 is fast, somewhat inland and boring but only about 4+ hours. The 1 is the coast-hugging, scenic route, very beautiful, sometimes tough driving and definitely better as a 2-day drive. The area around Big Sur is trendy and expensive but if you go on further south to San Simeon or Cayucos, you will find very reasonable accommodations near the shore. The Hearst Castle Park is near San Simeon and makes a nice half-day tour if you have the time.

I also think that 4 days in Las Vegas is a bit much if you are not into the gambling/casino scene. A nice, longish daytrip down to the Grand Canyon might break up the glitz rather nicely. The drive betwee Los Angeles and Las Vegas is through the Mojave Desert and can be rather pretty but is a long drive. If you don't have deserts, you might find it interesting. If time allows, route your trip either north to Death Valley or south to Joshua Tree National Monument.

Most of the places you have mentioned are rather popular tourist areas and rooms can become booked up at times. I'd suggest advance reservations, at least for the Yosemite area and the coast drive.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you will enjoy your time in our state. We have a lot to offer. :p

Weather: October is some of the best weather in CA; SF will be a bit cooler than LA, LAS will be much hotter. As someone posted, a good sweater should do it. I think you picked the ideal season.

SF is great w/out a car; excellent public transportation and available taxis, or you could easily rent a car for a day trip.

A day trip from SF might be the wine country in Napa/Sonoma - a couple of hours drive, beautiful country, interesting wineries. If you're early enough, or overnite there, there's a great early am hot-air balloon ride available, fun experience with gorgeous views - and the requisite champagne.

As Yosemite is all about hiking/camping, it seems a long journey if you are not into that. An alternative might be Muir Woods - short distance over the Golden Gate - which is a national forest of old-growth redwoods and very impressive. No half-dome, of course, but the ancient redwoods are very impressive in their own right, cathedral-like, and you could hike/saunter as much or as little as you wish, then head back to SF.

The drive south on #1 includes magnificent coastal scenery; a suggestion here that you may want to keep that time frame loose, and stop where it's most appealing. Most people do the Hearst Castle, there are guided tours.

LAS is good if you're into gambling or shows, otherwise it gets old very fast. If that appeals, you'll enjoy a couple of days. If not, I'll echo the suggestion to detour up to the Grand Canyon, as you're not that far (in west coast driving terms!) from LAS. It would not likely be hot/crowded, as in the summer.

You've outlined an excellent trip.

Here are my suggestions:

You can easily do Monterey to San Simeon/Hearst Castle and carry on to Morro Bay in one day (or stay in San Simeon) before continuing along to Santa Barbara the next day (driving Coastal Hwy 1 rather than US 101). I prefer Morro Bay to Cayucos and it's just a few more minutes (10-15?) down the road.

I agree that unless you are going to gamble, 4 days is a lot for Vegas and you won't need the car (with what you save on the rental, you can get cheap flights; also, you won't have to worry about parking it for days while you're there).

If you're not planning on hiking in Yosemite, you could shave a day off there, too.

My suggestion would be to use one of the Vegas days and one of the Yosemite days to create an opportunity to drive to the Grand Canyon. I found it was quite rushed to do it in one day, so rent a car in Vegas and make a two day side trip to the Canyon. I wasn't expecting to be as impressed as I was. I think you'll be pleased if you fit this into your schedule.

Have fun!!

DD

Just glanced quickly through the thread & will respond more later, but a couple of quick thoughts. If you're not into hiking, definitely take a day off of Yosemite. If you're going to Yosemite in late October, you might need a heavier sweater/lightweight winter jacket if you're up in high elevation. That's colder than sea level. You might want to check weather reports.

BTW - my sister used to be a park ranger at Sequoia Natl Park (mentioned a couple of posts above by someone else as a stopping point), & I did a detailed report on it in this forum. When I'm on tomorrow I'll try to find it & augment it, or at least post a link.

Besides the Grand Canyon there are also things to do outside Vegas that the gambling hordes don't do that are cool as well.

I'll read this thread more in detail tomorrow; am in the midst of cocktails w/ friends & need to get back to them (ie, what the heck are you doing on the computer - come look at the sunset etc).

Cheers.

but....but.....where is San Diego in your schedule? We're vastly more interesting than LA.

but....but.....where is San Diego in your schedule? We're vastly more interesting than LA.

Agree entirely, but I didn't think he wasn't going to Mexico on this trip. :D:D

...you won't need the car (with what you save on the rental, you can get cheap flights; also, you won't have to worry about parking it for days while you're there)...
The only problem here is that it seems the OP is wanting to do a driving tour of California. You really don't see much if you are just flying over the state from population center to population center.

My recommendation to the OP is to stay with the plan to drive in a leisurely fashion and enjoy all the various areas of the state - the Bay, Monterey/Carmel, the Valley, the Sierra, the coast and the Mojave. Even the long slog across the desert from Las Vegas to LA can be quite interesting and beautiful in places to those who have never seen it.

18 Oct: Arrive into SFO from Europe in the afternoon, business class award so hopefully not too knackered
18-22 Oct: San Francisco and surroundings
22 Oct: Drive to Yosemite
22-25 Oct:Yosemite
25 Oct: Drive to Monterey
26 Oct: Drive South on CA-1, stop somewhere
27 Oct: Drive to Santa Barbara on CA-1
28 Oct: Drive to LA on CA-1
29-31 Oct: LA
31 Oct: Drive to Las Vegas
31 Oct-3 Nov: Las Vegas
3 Nov: Drive to LAX, and depart back to Europe in the evening

While it isn't a *bad* plan, it may not maximize your chance to see the sorts of things you like, while having you make repated trips through duller portions of the state to get to the places you want to see.

I'd think seriously of making a large loop trip, starting and ending in San Francisco. Try this on for size:

Oct. 18-20th: San Francisco
Oct. 21-22nd: Sonoma & Napa wine country.
Oct 23 : Drive through the Gold Country (Angels Camp, Columbia, Sonora, etc)
Oct. 24-25 Yosemite Valley
Oct. 26: Death Valley
Oct. 27 -28 Las Vegas
Oct. 29-Oct. 31st: Los Angeles
Nov. 1st. Morro Bay.
Nov. 2nd Monterey
Nov. 3rd Depart SFO evening.



What would the weather be like - we don't expect hot, but I hope winter clothes will not be necessary?

Yosemite & the Sierras will getting chilly, but not apt to have had it's first major snow. You'll want to pack a warm coat & umbrella....and perhaps be pleasantly surprised that you didn't need it, than the reverse.

Typically, the Tioga Pass road from Yosemite Valley over the Sierras to Death Valley will not close until mid-November... But early snowfalls in mid-late October have twice closed the pass early since 1980. (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaopen.htm)

For a day trip outside SF, I'd recommend Napa Valley wine country (assuming you're into wine at all).

Yosemite is nice, but weather in late October is luck of the draw. Could be nice and warm during the day, chilly (0-10 Celsius at night), or it could be snowing. I've been in Tahoe snow storms in September (once for an outdoor wedding on the North shore of the lake, unfortunately), or it could be 70 at Halloween, you just don't know.

But aside from Yosemite your biggest weather worry is the chance of some rain. Should be a fun trip, and definitely nicer weather than Brussels at that time of year.

Bob

Dear fellow Flyertalkers,

we (30yo couple) are planning a two-week(+2 days) trip to California at the end of October, and I was wondering whether you would like to help out a bit.

We have sketched out the following rough plan, which is still very much up for change:

18 Oct: Arrive into SFO from Europe in the afternoon, business class award so hopefully not too knackered
18-22 Oct: San Francisco and surroundings
22 Oct: Drive to Yosemite
22-25 Oct:Yosemite
25 Oct: Drive to Monterey
26 Oct: Drive South on CA-1, stop somewhere
27 Oct: Drive to Santa Barbara on CA-1
28 Oct: Drive to LA on CA-1
29-31 Oct: LA
31 Oct: Drive to Las Vegas
31 Oct-3 Nov: Las Vegas
3 Nov: Drive to LAX, and depart back to Europe in the evening

Does this sound like a good plan? We like a good mixture of nature and cities, and are neither hiking nor huge beach fans.

Are we missing out something you consider important? We have considered Grand Canyon, but it seems a bit far away for the time available.

What would the weather be like - we don't expect hot, but I hope winter clothes will not be necessary?

We were planning to rent a car from the 21 Oct, as I guess San Francisco should be fine without car, correct?

On 21 Oct, we could do a daytrip to somewhere outside of San Francisco - what would you recommend?

Is CA-1 in 3 days a good time frame?

What about 3 days in Yosemite (given that we will not go hiking)?

Are there two possible (sensible) routes Los Angeles-Las Vegas so that we can have a different route on the return?

I assume this is all off-peak travel time, so no surprises with bank holiday weekends etc where it won't be possible to get any hotels?

Only thing fixed at the moment are probably the dates and the restriction that we can only fly to from LAX/SFO since these are the only airports where LH flies to, so open to suggestions!

Thanks in advance!

SmilingBoy (+SmilingGirl).

PS: This will be my first time in the US outside NYC, so looking forward to it!

Maybe I am missing something, but it seems like you have places picked, but no particular activity in mind.

My planning method, starts like your outline a bit...ie places I want to visit. The next thing I do is google each with the word activities, ie Monterey CA activities. This would bring up the aquarium (a good one) as well as some other activities. List out the activities and pick those that interest you and "yours". Consider about how much time each will take and the transportation to each. Add in some meals you can figure how many day (s) you want to stay. Then go to the second place and do the same. At the end you can then reprioritize to fit your budgets...time and money.

The above method will help you determine what "your" schedule at each stop should be.

Highway 1 is a slow go for people uninterested in the beach. Much of your "California" trip seem out of CA, ie Las Vegas. As suggested elsewhere, perhaps you would be better off skipping Las Vegas and coming down to San Diego. Our Indian casinos can scalp you as well as the Vegas mob! In fairness, if you have not been to Las Vegas, perhaps you would like it. BUT, google activities for both cities activities and see which come up with the most things that appeal to you.

You have some time, so also request brosures on each. Again google such thing as "city" or "state" then visitors guide. Most places have such materials that they will send you free.

Sorry for travel 101, but I have travelled extensive on personal as well as business. Business is easy. Personal takes a lot of preparation to do it most effectively, both money and time.

... Personal takes a lot of preparation to do it most effectively, both money and time.
I don't disagree with anything in this post but feel the need to add to the above - "for type A personalities." :)

For us type Bs, half the fun is discovering each new place on its own terms. Too much planning can spoil the trip. Knowing that I want to see and photograph the major sites (Monterey, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Mojave, etc.) is plenty sufficient. I'll find the best photo angles myself. Wandering around Monterey and discovering the aquarium (highly recommended, by the way) is half the fun. A good guide book can help as a source of ideas but too much structure and too many planned activities isn't how many of us like to travel.

Has the OP reviewed any of these ideas and if so, have they been helpful?

Has the OP reviewed any of these ideas and if so, have they been helpful?very helpful, and I will for sure get back to all in the next days! Had busy time at work, so no time to plan a lot further.

So here's the first response from a European perspective. Mrs C and I (late 30s) did a similar trip for IIRC around 18/19 days, three years ago and loved it.:D

but....but.....where is San Diego in your schedule? We're vastly more interesting than LA.

I agree 100%. We spend three days in LA and three in San Diego (actually in La Jolla, pronounced La Hoya, a beautiful town just north of San Diego) and vastly preferred our time in San Diego.

As also noted, unless you love casinos, two days is plenty for Vegas. And I wouldn't even think about driving from LA to Vegas. Southwest has lots of cheap flights from various LA airports.

Definitely the way to do it. The drive from LA to Vegas is boring and pretty much a waste of time. You'll already have done enough driving for one holiday.

My suggestion would be to use one of the Vegas days and one of the Yosemite days to create an opportunity to drive to the Grand Canyon. I found it was quite rushed to do it in one day, so rent a car in Vegas and make a two day side trip to the Canyon. I wasn't expecting to be as impressed as I was. I think you'll be pleased if you fit this into your schedule.

Again, I agree 100%. After all, do you know when you'll next have the opportunity to visit this Wonder of the World?

Just for your comparison, our itinerary three years ago was something along the lines of:

Fly into SFO
3 days in and around SFO
Drive to Monterey (and overnight there).
Tour Monterey (including Seventeen Mile Drive (Google it....))
Drive from Monterey to LA in a single day along the Pacific Highway. (It's a long drive but comfortably do-able in a day, so don't feel obliged to stop in Santa Barbara unless it's somewhere you specifically want to see.)
3 days in LA
3 days in San Diego (La Jolla)
Flight from San Diego to Phoenix
3 days in Phoenix (great to just sit and do nothing for 3 days in a nice hotel)
Rent a car and drive to Flagstaff (for overnight stay)
Drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
Last two days in Las Vegas
Fly home from Las Vegas

If you need to fly home from LAX or SFO you can get an internal flight to either of them from Las Vegas (on M&M can't you add on your internal connecting flights?), depending on which of them suits you better for the LH flight.

Just for your comparison, our itinerary three years ago was something along the lines of:

Fly into SFO
3 days in and around SFO
Drive to Monterey (and overnight there).
Tour Monterey (including Seventeen Mile Drive (Google it....))
Drive from Monterey to LA in a single day along the Pacific Highway. (It's a long drive but comfortably do-able in a day, so don't feel obliged to stop in Santa Barbara unless it's somewhere you specifically want to see.)
3 days in LA
3 days in San Diego (La Jolla)
Flight from San Diego to Phoenix
3 days in Phoenix (great to just sit and do nothing for 3 days in a nice hotel)
Rent a car and drive to Flagstaff (for overnight stay)
Drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
Last two days in Las Vegas
Fly home from Las VegasWhoa! With all due respect, Corpt, I've gotta disagree about spending any more time than absolutely necessary in Phoenix, Arizona. There are many who would argue about spending three days in Los Angeles, California (I would argue for it ;)), but I don't think you'll find too many people arguing for Phoenix as a destination. :blech:

However, I would agree that Phoenix could be useful as a place from which to start exploring Flagstaff, Arizona, and the Grand Canyon.

And, as far as Los Angeles versus San Diego, California, well, I think that all depends on what you really want to do while in southern California.

I don't disagree with anything in this post but feel the need to add to the above - "for type A personalities." :)

For us type Bs, half the fun is discovering each new place on its own terms. Too much planning can spoil the trip. Knowing that I want to see and photograph the major sites (Monterey, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Mojave, etc.) is plenty sufficient. I'll find the best photo angles myself. Wandering around Monterey and discovering the aquarium (highly recommended, by the way) is half the fun. A good guide book can help as a source of ideas but too much structure and too many planned activities isn't how many of us like to travel.

I do enjoy discovering this way, but it's somewhat hard to do this in some parts of CA because of the driving involved. Outside of the main city areas with good public transport you have to drive everywhere, so 4 days in "San Francisco and surroundings" could disappear quickly if you don't plan it out well.

For example, SF to Monterey is 4hr roundtrip drive, and the aquarium is too awesome to not spend a good chunk of time there. So it would behoove you to plan that with other activities in the area, like Carmel.

It is fun to take it easy and not plan out too many activities, but drive time is a factor to consider.

I agree with most of the advice here. Definitely don't need that much time in Yosemite, and you'll want to spend a day in the wine country. You might even be able to swing a meal at the French Laundry. Local concierges often have access, or you can PM me for another possible way. Friends have had success calling the higher end hotels there and asking what days the concierges can get a table, then plan on staying that night or night before at that hotel.

Monterey cannery row is fun (the family and I were just there over the July 4th weekend) and the Aquarium is world class, especially the 1 million gallon tank that has bluefin tuna, hammerhead sharks, and a sunfish (among other more mundane denizens)

Hearst Castle is worth seeing, I would stay at the Madonna Inn south of there on the 101. Santa Barbara is about another two hours from there on the 101. You could stop in Buellton (30 min north of Santa Barbara) and dine at the Hitching Post, made famous in the movie Sideways, if you're so inclined. Santa Barbara is a beautiful place, but not a must see like the other places on your list.

On the way to Vegas I would consider a stop in death valley (or maybe on the way back, depends on timing). I think it's more interesting than Joshua tree, and not as far out of the way.

LA is a huge place, and has lots of culture (despite its reputation). I like to rent a place by the beach somewhere around Santa Monica/Venice and hang out for a few days, making trips to the westside attractions.

The Grand Canyon is a bit of a reach on this itinerary (and I don't recommend three days in Phoenix), but you can go on a helicopter tour from Vegas.

So, after reading this thread and getting ideas from FT I have come up with the following Itinerary. Just to complete the picture we’re flying into SFO and out of LAX 18 days later. Like the OP we’re also in our (early) 30’s but more active (sailing, walking, cycling etc and pro beach!). Anyway itinerary is currently as follows – welcome you suggestions on this driving extravaganza which takes place in September!

3 Nights in San-Francesco(IC San Fran)
1 Night in Sonoma
3 Nights Yosemite *
(As this is a 200 mile drive from Sonoma to Yosemite thinking of taking one night en route, say 150 miles in, and do the remaining 50 the following am).
2 Nights Monterey (IC Clement)
1 Night Somewhere (en route to LA)
2 Nights LA (?)
3 Nights La Jolla (thanks Corpt for the tip)
1 Night Vegas...(Fly to SAN-LAS / LAS-LAX) – Maybe!

Welcome accommodation ideas as well - planning to use a BOGOs at each of the ICs (just need to get my hands on another BOGO ) and have 97k in Hilton to burn & Marriot Gold to get lounge access!

3 Nights in San-Francesco(IC San Fran)
1 Night in Sonoma
2 Nights Monterey (IC Clermont)


I don't know that you need to stay in/around Sonoma, as it can be a day trip out of SF and that way you have one less move. But if you do want to stay, I recommend Healdsburg. It's charming and not crowded with tourists, and the restaurants are fantastic. There are also some great small hotels, as well as some larger ones like the Fairmont (http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma/) close by.

Same goes for Monterey (it's the Clement BTW). I would stay in the city unless you have many things you want to do in the area. If you're in the area 13-17 Aug and you're even a little interested in classic and rare automobiles, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance (http://www.pebblebeachconcours.net/) is the finest event of its kind.

Like the OP we’re also in our (early) 30’s but more active (sailing, walking, cycling etc and pro beach!).

2 Nights Monterey (IC Clermont)
1 Night Somewhere (en route to LA)


I can also recommend Pismo Beach as a good nights stop, I enjoyed that little town. Great walking beach, lot's of activities in the dunes, hire a couple of quads and tear the place up.

Another vote for Monterey, the aquarium, and 17 Mile Drive are all great. Walked past and through the Clement Monterey in June 08, from the lobby and deck overlooking the bay, it looks fantastic. ^ BTW, it is in the middle of Cannnery Row, great location to wander from. Read Steinbeck's Cannery Row for the fictionalized history of the fish canning industry the area is famous for. Or just check Wikipedia for a summary.

Other activities include whale watching, diving in the kelp beds, renting an ocean going kayak (aka sit-on-top, no rolling experience needed), or rent a bike. If you like to walk, there is a paved bike path from at least Pacific Grove west of the aquarium to the eastern side of Monterey. It is a half block away from the bay at the aquarium between Cannery Row and Wave Street.

If you are in Monterey on a Tuesday evening, plan on going to the farmer's market in Alvarado St. Lots of local produce (dependent on what is in season) and local restaurants set up stands. Great place to wander, people watch, nibble, and maybe buy a gift for someone back home. Personnally, I thought the Harry Otter stuff in the tourist shops towards Cannery Row was especially funny. ;) Also, a lined windbreaker (think shell with fleece lining) without a hood runs about $ 20 if you end up needing a jacket.

If you want to play like you're rich and famous, stroll through Carmel and check out the shops. Also pick up a copy of one of the free real estate magazines in the bins on the sidewalks. To a European, perhaps the prices aren't outrageous but compared to the rest of the US, Monterey/Carmel/California houses are laughably high.

If you don't make it up to Muir Woods n of SF, another place to stop and smell the redwoods is Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=570 Good walks through the woods for the non-outdoorsy types and an exposure to the California redwood for visitors from abroad. Assuming the roads (and park) are open following the fires, Pfeiffer is an easy afternoon's jaunt south of Monterey or a stop on the day's drive to LA/SD.

Thanks for the feedback, (I've updated the spelling of the IC.)

I don't know that you need to stay in/around Sonoma, as it can be a day trip out of SF and that way you have one less move. But if you do want to stay, I recommend Healdsburg. It's charming and not crowded with tourists, and the restaurants are fantastic.

I also read some good stuff about Healdsburg area -elsewhere (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=838219)on FT - so looking like a good option - but one less hotel move also appeals!

I can also recommend Pismo Beach as a good nights stop

Looks like a good plan and pretty much right in the middle between Monterey
& LA so will break up the drive nicely.

Cheers

As far as highway 1, I also like San Luis Obispo as a place to have dinner, etc.

If you are contemplating Hearst Castle, I suggest you look into advance tickets -- it is popular.

Los Angeles area: well, it depends what you like. It is a massive, diverse area. For example, it would take 3 days just to visit the major museums: Huntington, Reagan Presidential, Nixon Presidential, Norton Simon, two Getty museums, LA County museum complex... Then there is the Santa Monica scene, Venice, tourist Hollywood... downtown LA has come a ways too actually. Not to mention the theme parks, West Hollywood/Beverly Hills, see movie star homes, edgy / expensive shopping, etc.

San Diego/La Jolla is quite nice and is worthy of being on the itinerary. One day and one night in Vegas is enough, unless you are really into gambling.

If you are into education/research, note that UC Berkeley and Stanford are in the SF area. If you are into tech, Silicon Valley is nearby. There are a number of museums, such as one at Intel Corporation and the Computer History Museum. Stanford also has a fantastic art museum.

Unlike OP, I hv just 9 days.
Planning for trip with family hoping to see San Francisco, Yosemite & Grand Canyon and hope to see the Hearst Castle along the way as well. Is this feasible?

Jan 10 arrive in SF. Stay for 3 days
Jan 13 head out for Yosemite
Jan 16 head off Hearst Castle and on to Grand Canyon
Jan 18 head off to LAX.

Appreciate any input.

Thanks!

Unlike OP, I hv just 9 days.
Planning for trip with family hoping to see San Francisco, Yosemite & Grand Canyon and hope to see the Hearst Castle along the way as well. Is this feasible?
.....

Are you planning to drive to the lot? One of my concerns was too much time behind the wheel! (I.e. San Francisco to Yosemite and back is 400 miles).

Unlike OP, I hv just 9 days.
Planning for trip with family hoping to see San Francisco, Yosemite & Grand Canyon and hope to see the Hearst Castle along the way as well. Is this feasible?

Jan 10 arrive in SF. Stay for 3 days
Jan 13 head out for Yosemite
Jan 16 head off Hearst Castle and on to Grand Canyon
Jan 18 head off to LAX.

Appreciate any input.

Thanks!

Whoa, you might want to recheck the distances involved. Those last three days are going to be brutal. You won't have any time at the Grand Canyon or Hearst Castle.

Jan 16, you drive from Yosemite to Hearst Castle. Minimum 5 hour drive.
Jan 17, I assume, you drive to the Grand Canyon? That's at least 10 hours. Then the next day, you drive back to LAX, at least 7 hours?

I would skip the Grand Canyon and you'll have a very nice trip.

Unlike OP, I hv just 9 days.
Planning for trip with family hoping to see San Francisco, Yosemite & Grand Canyon and hope to see the Hearst Castle along the way as well. Is this feasible?

Jan 10 arrive in SF. Stay for 3 days
Jan 13 head out for Yosemite
Jan 16 head off Hearst Castle and on to Grand Canyon
Jan 18 head off to LAX.

Appreciate any input.

Thanks!

Keep in mind that California has its rainiest month in January and Pacific winter storms can make driving tough, especially anywhere near the Sierras and Highway 1 Hearst Castle. Mudslides can close Highway 1 access between Big Sur and Hearst Castle after a big storm. Maintain flexibility and try to avoid nonrefundable hotel rates.

Unlike OP, I hv just 9 days.
Planning for trip with family hoping to see San Francisco, Yosemite & Grand Canyon and hope to see the Hearst Castle along the way as well. Is this feasible?

Jan 10 arrive in SF. Stay for 3 days
Jan 13 head out for Yosemite
Jan 16 head off Hearst Castle and on to Grand Canyon
Jan 18 head off to LAX.
I agree with the above that this seems a bit ambitious.

Are you driving the whole way? If so, I'd suggest either eliminating the Grand Canyon or the coast route drive.

In January, both Yosemite and Grand Canyon will have snow, rain or both. Both will be open but driving and touring will be complicated by the weather. The coastal highway from the SF Bay area to San Simeon (Hearst Castle) may be difficult.

If your plan is to drive from Yosemite to the Hearst Castle area in one day, I'd suggest using the more direct inland route rather than the coast Highway 1. While not as scenic, the 41 through Fresno and on to the coast a few miles south of San Simeon will be faster and less prone to weather-related trouble. The actual route is SR 41 south through Fresno, Lemoore and Kettleman City to SR 46 to Paso Robles (good winery tours in area) to SR 101 south to SR 46 again and finally to the coast. From there, good places to stay can be found within a few miles in Morro Bay, Cambria, Cayucos or San Simeon. Hearst Castle is in the hills above San Simeon. Tours are by bus from the visitor center. Reservations for accommodations are recommended, even in January.

From the Hearst Castle area to the Grand Canyon is a very long, hard day of driving. I'd do it in 2 days, staying someplace in the high desert along the way - or perhaps Las Vegas. Likewise, the drive from Grand Canyon to LA is long. Plan accordingly.

Thank you all so much! I knew I wld probably hv to trim down the list, but was hoping to keep Grand Canyon and remove Hearst Castle. My other concern is also the weather as mentioned above. Guess will really need to study the driving route. And yes, the plan is to drive from SF towards LAx.
Any other suggestion or recommendation wld be most appreciated!

:) Thank you all!

Hi Rupert,

No, the plan is to keep heading south and not drive back to SanFrancisco.

Are you planning to drive to the lot? One of my concerns was too much time behind the wheel! (I.e. San Francisco to Yosemite and back is 400 miles).

Satori,
Wld December be a better time? We r thinking either Dec 18- 25 or jan 10-Jan 18. The December period is close to Christmas and I am not sure if that is a good idea. What do u think?

Thanks!

Keep in mind that California has its rainiest month in January and Pacific winter storms can make driving tough, especially anywhere near the Sierras and Highway 1 Hearst Castle. Mudslides can close Highway 1 access between Big Sur and Hearst Castle after a big storm. Maintain flexibility and try to avoid nonrefundable hotel rates.

abmj-jr,
I am willing to eliminate the coastal drive. Wld going to Grand canyon direct from Yosemite make more sense? And then on to LAX.

Thanks!

I agree with the above that this seems a bit ambitious.

Are you driving the whole way? If so, I'd suggest either eliminating the Grand Canyon or the coast route drive.

In January, both Yosemite and Grand Canyon will have snow, rain or both. Both will be open but driving and touring will be complicated by the weather. The coastal highway from the SF Bay area to San Simeon (Hearst Castle) may be difficult.

If your plan is to drive from Yosemite to the Hearst Castle area in one day, I'd suggest using the more direct inland route rather than the coast Highway 1. While not as scenic, the 41 through Fresno and on to the coast a few miles south of San Simeon will be faster and less prone to weather-related trouble. The actual route is SR 41 south through Fresno, Lemoore and Kettleman City to SR 46 to Paso Robles (good winery tours in area) to SR 101 south to SR 46 again and finally to the coast. From there, good places to stay can be found within a few miles in Morro Bay, Cambria, Cayucos or San Simeon. Hearst Castle is in the hills above San Simeon. Tours are by bus from the visitor center. Reservations for accommodations are recommended, even in January.

From the Hearst Castle area to the Grand Canyon is a very long, hard day of driving. I'd do it in 2 days, staying someplace in the high desert along the way - or perhaps Las Vegas. Likewise, the drive from Grand Canyon to LA is long. Plan accordingly.

abmj-jr,
I am willing to eliminate the coastal drive. Wld going to Grand canyon direct from Yosemite make more sense? And then on to LAX.
The drive from Yosemite to the Grand Canyon is still over 700 miles and probably close to 12 hours of solid driving - in winter! If there is snow/rain in the mountains or fog in the San Joaquin Valley at the time of your trip it could take much longer. I just don't think it is wise to try to do it all in one day.

If I were doing this and determined to see both Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, I'd spend at least 1 of your San Francisco days driving down to Monterey for some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in central California, along with a world class aquarium, Cannery Row and some of the best seafood. I would go to Yosemite but cut the visit to 2 days, leaving an extra day to make the drive to the Grand Canyon. If you look at a map of California, you will see the route is right down the middle of the state west of the Sierra Nevada mountains, through the southern part of the mountains and across the desert. I'd stop and spend the night part-way, perhaps in Las Vegas or in the High Desert somewhere - there are lots of places to just spend a night. Finish the drive to the Grand Canyon, spend another day and night near there and then finish the driving to LA. That is another 500 miles, 8+ hours, so you probably need to schedule a night in or near LA unless your flight out is at night.

Frankly, I'd probably keep the central coast and Hearst Castle and drop the Grand Canyon if I was driving the whole trip. Another option would be to simply return to SFO or Oakland from Yosemite, drop the car and fly to Las Vegas and rent another car for the Grand Canyon and on to LA. If you really want to drive all the way, please plan on 2 days to get to the Canyon.

I am not trying to discourage you. You just have a very, very ambitious trip planned for only 9 days. California is a huge state and the things you want to see are long distances apart - and the Grand Canyon is in another state entirely. Your itinerary so far probably includes at least 1500 miles of driving.

JR

Unlike OP, I hv just 9 days.
Planning for trip with family hoping to see San Francisco, Yosemite & Grand Canyon and hope to see the Hearst Castle along the way as well. Is this feasible?

Jan 10 arrive in SF. Stay for 3 days
Jan 13 head out for Yosemite
Jan 16 head off Hearst Castle and on to Grand Canyon
Jan 18 head off to LAX.


I see lots of problems with trying to do all this in 9 days in the middle of winter...

While Yosemite in winter is lovely, the Sierra Nevada range *DOES* get LOTS of real snow. And you'd need to plan for bad weather. No car you rent at SFO will be equipped with chains or snow tires (they essentially never need them in the Bay area)...you'd have to buy them enroute to be safe. You will not be able to cross Yosemite Park and exit on the east side in winter, the Tioga Pass road closes with the first snow fall...so any travel east to the Grand Canyon would require driving WAY out of your way to get there. abmj-jr is right, the drive is over 700 miles, with the possibility of Snow or other bad weather in the Sierras, dense Tule Fog in the Central Valley, possibile snow closures at Tehachipi crossing the Southern-most tail of the Sierras, and then the possibility of snow from about Seligman, Arizona to the Grand Canyon South Rim...almost 100 miles. Incidentally, the road in to the North Rim is CLOSED in winter, you'd have to go to the South rim which at 7000 elevation does get significant snow in winter (averages 60 inches).

Why not leave the driving to Yosemite to someone else, and take one of the bus tours to Yosemite from SFO?
http://www.yosemite-tours.com/index.htm
http://www.calpartours.com/Yosemite%20Tours.htm
http://www.sanfranciscosightseeing.com/tours_yosemite.cfm
(...with the warning that not infrequent winter storms will cancel such trips...)

Or you might consider getting a CA Amtrak Railpass (http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Simple_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1081442673910&ssid=297)($159 fir 7 days travel over a 21 day period) which you could use to hop around the state and rent a car only where you need it? ....instead of paying a silly-sized one-way drop-off charge? (and wearing yourself out driving when you can leave that to the train. You might also consider a trip down to San Diego rather than the Grand Canyon. The weather in SD in Dec/Jan tends to be real good... (I went to college down there and worked on my tan while studying, while my friends in Ivy League schools were shivering through real winters)

Finish the drive to the Grand Canyon, spend another day and night near there and then finish the driving to LA. That is another 500 miles, 8+ hours, so you probably need to schedule a night in or near LA unless your flight out is at night.Personally, I'm at a loss for why you're even trying to drive all the way back to LAX. It seems as though you're not really interested in spending time in Los Angeles, California (a shame, IMHO). If you must see the Grand Canyon, I'd suggest returning the car at the airport in either LAS or PHX and flying home from there (even if that means flying through LAX).

You might also consider a trip down to San Diego rather than the Grand Canyon. The weather in SD in Dec/Jan tends to be real good... (I went to college down there and worked on my tan while studying, while my friends in Ivy League schools were shivering through real winters)I think that's an excellent alternative! ^

abmj-jr & mlshanks,

Thank you both very much for sharing your opinion. I really appreciate it and understand why u r both not in favor of my plan. I think I really need to re-evaluate my rough plan in light of everyone's opinion and suggestions.
I may just limit my plan to SF and Yosemite and just enjoy those areas more rather than rushing around n spending too much time behind the wheel. Will still need to study the feasiblilty of Yosemite in the Winter weather or may hv to posttpone the trip to next year.

mlshanks,
I hv checked the tours with the tour company and it costs too much for 5 persons. Car rental for 5 persons will be cheaper. Besides, the cost of the tour did not include lodging, so we still hv to pay for lodging. So, doing our own driving is still cheaper. Will driving to the Yosemite from SF be possible in the Winter?

iapetus,
reason for heading down to LAX - to catch International flight back home. no point driving back to SFO to do that.

Once again, thank you all so much for taking the time to reply. Gave me some good perspective on the time frame n distance and forces of nature beyond anyone's control I need to think abt. Appreciate the links provided by Mlshanks as well.

Sincerely,
kelfyer

I hv checked the tours with the tour company and it costs too much for 5 persons. Car rental for 5 persons will be cheaper. Besides, the cost of the tour did not include lodging, so we still hv to pay for lodging. So, doing our own driving is still cheaper. Will driving to the Yosemite from SF be possible in the Winter?

Yosemite in winter can be lovely. But it is fairly dependant upon what the weather is during your trip. The two potential issues are Tule Fog (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/hnx/newslet/winter00/fogseason.htm) in the Central Valley of California (which you'll cross to drive to Yosemite) and snow in the Sierras. Tule fog is a low-lying winter fog that can hang around for days at a time and range from a mere nusance to a serious hazard depending on how dense it is. (1/4 mile visibility to less than 5 feet, I've actually been driving where I could not make out the lane markings on the road...only the reflective dots).

The other issue is snow in the Sierras. While Yosemite Valley is at a relatively low altitude of 4000 feet and does not get huge amounts of snow by Sierra standards....Sierra standards can be rather a lot of snow. Badger Pass ski area just south of Yosemite Valley and in the park averages 300 inches (7.7 meters) of snow a winter... (Donner Pass to the north averages over 415" (10.5 meters) a winter) Wile they try to keep the roads plowed and de-iced, tire chains and slow driving can be required if the weather gets bad on the winding mountian roads in and around the park.

If the weather is good (no fog and no snow) a 2-3 day trip to the park could be a lot of fun... But you'd have to pay attention to the weather reports.

Checking the California Dept. of Transportation website (http://www.dot.ca.gov/) can keep you up to date on current issues of road conditions.

One option if there is tule fog in the Valley but no issues of a snowstorm in the mountians might be to take the train (Amtrak) from the Bay area (platform to platform transfer at Richmond BART station) to Modesto or Merced where you could rent a car and drive into the mountians (& out of the fog).

If it's actually snowing in the Sierras (or threatening to), I'd be very leary of a trip to Yosemite....since it's apt to be no fun getting around. Try trips to Monterey or Napa.

Oh... And if you find yourself heading to Yosemite and think the weather *might* turn nasty, you might buy a set of chains from a major retailer (WalMart, Sears, Pep Boys) but keep the reciept and leave them wrapped. If you need them, you can unwrap them...and if you don't, you can return them for a refund w/ a mumbled excuse about "wrong size" or "already had a set."

iapetus,
reason for heading down to LAX - to catch International flight back home. no point driving back to SFO to do that.I think you missed my point. I wasn't suggesting that you drive back to SFO, but, rather, if you were going to be in northern Arizona, dropping the rental car at either LAS or PHX and flying home from there (presumably to catch a connection in LAX). However, seeing as how it seems as though you don't plan to go to the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas, Nevada, the point is moot.

Nice to see that others have proved my point, you need to consider what you will do at your stops in order to figure out how much time to spend in each. Some great suggestions have been made.

Someone mentioned the Modonna Inn. This unique Inn is located in San Luis Obispo. About half way between LA and SFO. Look at Modonnainn.com for some discription of the over 100 differently themed rooms. Not cheap, but a really unique stay. A waterfall urinal, pink colored furnishing in the lobby, good steaks...

There are four entries for the Grand Canyon. You might want to check the South and the West (West has the Skywalk Tour on the glass to view the canyon straight down). South is the most commonly used entry. Part driving and part on a bus. The town outside the South entry has IMAX theatre for more action from the canyon. You can hike down to the river or take a donkey. You can also take a river rafting trip.

Hearst Castle is having its anniversary this year and some special programs may be going on. You should definately go to the website and check out your interest. Reservations are recommended in advance! You will need them in the summer months for sure. The Castle is also about mid way between LA and SFO. There are a few different tours, each visiting a sections of the property. You might want to check out the choices in advance to assist in making your reservations.

LA is a big sprawling place. Knowing what you plan to do will help you select a place to stay close to those venues and save you a lot of time, money and driving. Staying downtown, century city or on Wilshire could run up your bill with parking as much at $25/day.

If in Las Vegas "too long" you might want to see Hoover Dam, Red Rock or the new Springs Reserve. All have websites for you to review. Las Vegas is very differently priced on the weekends (Fri-Sun.). If you can try to time your stay between Sunday night and Friday day. The difference can be one or two hundred dollars. It also makes it easier (slightly) to get around, get show tickets, etc.

If in LA, and want to do something that is basically a waste of time, but has some conversation and bragging rights, consider going to Downey (15 miles from downtown on the I-5 and exit on Lakewood. Go south a mile to Florence). On the SW corner is the oldest operating McDonalds in the world! Have breakfast or lunch. Lots of people think this is a real highlight. We lived nearby for 18 years, so not much of a thing to us. We do like Chris and Pitts, one of the couple of site left of this chain. You can buy the bbq sauce at most stores, but to try the food, take the same directions, but only go one block south from I-5 to Gallatin. Check the dates, they are closed one or two days a week. The chain first opened in Lynnwood in 1940. They offer dine-in and take out. Open for lunch and dinner.

If you do get down to the San Diego area, there are too many things to see to name here. But for those who are fresh water fisherman, the largest bass available are at Dixon lake in Escondido (see website). As is the San Diego Wild Animal Park (see website), home of many species of animals no longer in the wild, many that are threatened beyond saving (NW Rhinos), the largest/most advanced Vet. center for wild animals in the world and 800 acres of animals and rare plants and shrubs (in a 2800 acre setting). They also have a research center and a frozen zoo.

Thats a bit more imput from me. Enjoy your visit.

Thank you Mlshanks,

Truly appreciate ur taking the time to reply and provide the detailed infor. My plans are not set yet so I will consider all suggestions provided by everyone here. Your infor abt Yosemite is most helpful and I will be realistic in how much we can cover so we can hv an enjoyable and safe trip.

Sincerely,
keflyer


Yosemite in winter can be lovely. But it is fairly dependant upon what the weather is during your trip. The two potential issues are Tule Fog (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/hnx/newslet/winter00/fogseason.htm) in the Central Valley of California (which you'll cross to drive to Yosemite) and snow in the Sierras. Tule fog is a low-lying winter fog that can hang around for days at a time and range from a mere nusance to a serious hazard depending on how dense it is. (1/4 mile visibility to less than 5 feet, I've actually been driving where I could not make out the lane markings on the road...only the reflective dots).

The other issue is snow in the Sierras. While Yosemite Valley is at a relatively low altitude of 4000 feet and does not get huge amounts of snow by Sierra standards....Sierra standards can be rather a lot of snow. Badger Pass ski area just south of Yosemite Valley and in the park averages 300 inches (7.7 meters) of snow a winter... (Donner Pass to the north averages over 415" (10.5 meters) a winter) Wile they try to keep the roads plowed and de-iced, tire chains and slow driving can be required if the weather gets bad on the winding mountian roads in and around the park.

If the weather is good (no fog and no snow) a 2-3 day trip to the park could be a lot of fun... But you'd have to pay attention to the weather reports.

Checking the California Dept. of Transportation website (http://www.dot.ca.gov/) can keep you up to date on current issues of road conditions.

One option if there is tule fog in the Valley but no issues of a snowstorm in the mountians might be to take the train (Amtrak) from the Bay area (platform to platform transfer at Richmond BART station) to Modesto or Merced where you could rent a car and drive into the mountians (& out of the fog).

If it's actually snowing in the Sierras (or threatening to), I'd be very leary of a trip to Yosemite....since it's apt to be no fun getting around. Try trips to Monterey or Napa.

Oh... And if you find yourself heading to Yosemite and think the weather *might* turn nasty, you might buy a set of chains from a major retailer (WalMart, Sears, Pep Boys) but keep the reciept and leave them wrapped. If you need them, you can unwrap them...and if you don't, you can return them for a refund w/ a mumbled excuse about "wrong size" or "already had a set."

iapetus,

Sorry if I misunderstood you. It wld be ideal to fly to LAS or PHX, but we are on a budget and adding more flights will increase our cost just for flying along tremendously for 5 persons. Thus, driving remains the most economical mode of transportation. Appreciate ur thot tho.

:) Kelfyer


I think you missed my point. I wasn't suggesting that you drive back to SFO, but, rather, if you were going to be in northern Arizona, dropping the rental car at either LAS or PHX and flying home from there (presumably to catch a connection in LAX). However, seeing as how it seems as though you don't plan to go to the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas, Nevada, the point is moot.

ranles and everyone,
appreciate ur input. everyone has given me great infor to work on. I knew my initial plan is ambitious and hv planned to trim it down to a balanced plan. The infors given everyone here will help me do that. Thanks everyone! Will come back with more qtns if I need.

:) Keflyer

I do not want to be rude but I have a similar trip in CA. But reading this I am getting a bit uncertain about by plan. Is this doable? For me it is a driving trip.

I have from September the 6th until the 14th (evening)

I would like to drive a long the coast from LA to SFO. I would like to visit somebody in Santa Barbara en Cupertino. I have been SFO last year so no real need to go up there.

From there I would like to go to Las Vegas and from Las Vegas back to LA.
I would like to be in LA again 11th in the evening as I have some things to do in LA.

Also I have a high school love living in LaJolla (San Diego) and I would like to visit her the on saturday the 13th.

(my plan
6th - drive up to santa barbara
7th - drive up to cupertino
8th - drive up to SFO
9th - drive up to LV
10th - LV
11th - drive from LV to LA
12th - LA
13th - overnight visit LaJolla
14th - back to LA (and 19pm flight back)

I have been in SFO last year. 2nd visit to SFO or skip it for an stop over on the way to LV or skip LV?

Like nature, do not like wine routes :)

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

3 full days tied up in going-staying- returning to LV by yourself, and one night with your La Jolla love...Priortize~~~?

Fly into SAN, visit your "love" in La Jolla and take her to LV. Send a card to Cupertino, plenty of time left for Santa Barbara and LA. Just something to consider.

Send a card to Cupertino, plenty of time left for Santa Barbara and LA. Just something to consider.

:D

I have to go Cupertino. Trying to get an appointment at the fruit company!

:D

I have to go Cupertino. Trying to get an appointment at the fruit company!

Las Vegas is overated! Spend the extra time in La Jolla and check out Barona Valley if you need to satisfy your gambling fix! :D

Las Vegas is overated! Spend the extra time in La Jolla and check out Barona Valley if you need to satisfy your gambling fix! :DThere's nothing quite like Las Vegas, Nevada. Even if you don't like it, I think you have to admit that. That, IMHO, makes it worth a visit for someone who's interested. (And, hopefully, they have some idea as to what they're getting into!)

That's a whole lot of driving on this trip, Meneer. In particular, that drive between San Francisco, California, and Las Vegas is a long one. Expect it to take at least 10 hours in the absence of traffic. I also don't think that you're giving enough time in San Francisco to do it justice. Therefore, I'd suggest that you return your rental car at SJC or SFO and fly to LAS from there if you're going to visit Las Vegas.

Conversely, you could cut out Las Vegas and spend more time in Los Angeles, California, and San Diego, California. Perhaps you'd be interested in seeing Joshua Tree National Monument? The main drawback there is that it will still be pretty hot out there at this time of year. What other "nature" do you have in mind to visit?

M_G:

I'd agree with those who suggest that SFO to Las Vegas is an implausible one-day drive... You are looking at 10 hours of driving through rather a lot of boring landscape in California & Nevada to get to Vegas. While all of it is pretty good road, it's not worth wasting a day of your vacation to make the drive.

I'd offer two different thoughts:

1) Forget visiting SFO again (been there, done that) and split the drive from Cupertino to Vegas into two days. The first can take you from the Bay Area to Yosemite (& perhaps beyond to Lee Vining, June Lake, or Mammoth Lake), the second can take you through Death Valley (make sure the car has good air conditioning) and on to Las Vegas. Each day then is about 6 hours of driving...with some really spectacular nature to see along the way.

2) Forget visiting Las Vegas Too! (too far out of the way)... Instead add a day between Santa Barbara & Cupertino staying somewhere between Carmel and Santa Cruz... That will let you take Highway 1 up the California coast (instead of Interstate 101 which cuts inland) and visit Hearst Castle, Big Sur, etc.... The next day gives you a chance to hit the beach in Santa Cruz and explore the coastal redwoods between Santa Cruz and Cupertino.
Return south via California's Central Valley with a side trip to one of the great National Parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon, or Sequoia... (frankly, while the first is best known, the latter two are 80% as spectacular...and have less than 1/4 the crowds.

There's nothing quite like Las Vegas, Nevada. Even if you don't like it, I think you have to admit that.

Las Vegas certainly sparks my prurient interests and drains my wallet so you are correct, there is nothing quite like it. Whether that is a good thing or not...

M_G:

I'd agree with those .........1/4 the crowds.

I really appreciate this post and feels like a plan.

Finally, the OP is back to report back on planning. :) Many thanks for all the comments. We have now decided to include Grand Canyon.

It took a while to get the tickets sorted but now we have a plan. We are flying into SFO on 18 October, and will return from PHX on 3 November.

The route we are currently thinking of is the following, see here on Google Maps: http://tinyurl.com/5uq2w7 :

- San Francisco: 18 to 21 October (gives us 2 3/4 days in San Francisco)
- Travel from San Francisco to Yosemite 21 Oct to 22 Oct with one stop inbetween, possibly at Napa Valley.
- Yosemite 22 to 24 Oct (1 1/4 days in Yosemite)
- Travel from Yosemite to Monterey 24 Oct
- Spend evening and night in Monterey, visit Aquarium in the morning
- Enjoy the Pacific coast during travel from Monterey to Morro Bay (or somewhere around there) on 25 Oct
- Enjoy more Pacific coasr during travel from Morro Bay to LA on 26 Oct (spend late afternoon/evening in Santa Barbara)
- Los Angeles from 26 Oct to 29 Oct (2 full days in LA)
- Travel from LA to Death Valley/Stovepipe Wells on 29 Oct (possibly a quick tour of Mojave Airport Plane Graveyard for lunch)
- Enjoy Death Valley on 30 Oct, end day in Las Vegas
- Las Vegas 30 Oct-1 Nov (2 nights and one full day, maybe visit Red Rock Canyon)
- Travel Las Vegas to Grand Canyon on 1 Nov (stop at Hoover Dam)
- Visit Grand Canyon on 2 Nov and travel to Phoenix in the late afternoon/evening
- Leave the US from PHX on 3 Nov in the morning (via SFO, unfortunately no non-stop available)

So, that's the plan for the moment... Slightly more driving at the end than ideal, but if the weather is nice, it should be fine. We got a nice comfortable car rented (hopefully a Caddy CTS, maybe a DTS), so the driving should not be too stressful.

Hopefully we can get Lakers tickets (see http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=853746 if you want to help out), unfortunately no Suns games on 2 November.

Any more comments are of course very welcome.

Hi all,
Hope its OK to add to this thread. I'll be spending 2 weeks in California in late Oct too. Have already booked air tickets, and will arrive at LAX and depart at SFO.

I intend to visit the following places: LA, San Diego, Vegas, Grand Canyon South Rim, Yosemite National Park, SF

Since its only me and my wife, I was wondering whether its better to fly from LAX to LV and then to SFO, or is it advisable to drive there on our own.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Welcome to FT

Where are you coming from? By plane?

It probably doesn't that much matter which way you get to Vegas. The "5 hour" drive to LV is a boring one, but the flight, with all the pre-flight stuff and hassles? Obviously, the cost differences depend on what kind of airfare you can score (or points you want to give up).

A car IN Vegas is not that important, but necessary if you want to do some sights outside the main drag and downtown. On the strip and between the strip and DT, there is adequate alternative tranportation.

LV to SFO is a lot longer drive and flying is likely best, unless you have things to do along the way (a thing we like to do).

Welcome to FT

Where are you coming from? By plane?

It probably doesn't that much matter which way you get to Vegas. The "5 hour" drive to LV is a boring one, but the flight, with all the pre-flight stuff and hassles? Obviously, the cost differences depend on what kind of airfare you can score (or points you want to give up).

A car IN Vegas is not that important, but necessary if you want to do some sights outside the main drag and downtown. On the strip and between the strip and DT, there is adequate alternative tranportation.

LV to SFO is a lot longer drive and flying is likely best, unless you have things to do along the way (a thing we like to do).

Thanks for the info. I'll be flying in from Singapore.

What are some of the things that can be done along the way? Is yeosmite national park considered along the way from LV to SFO?

Great thread. Even as a person who has lived in Southern CA almost all my life, it gave me many things to think about. Lots of good advice. Just adding my two cents:

1. Driving from Los Angeles or San Diego to Las Vegas seems to take forever and is the most boring drive on earth. Don't even consider it on a Friday or Sunday. Avoid it altogether if possible.

2. If you'd like a southwest canyon experience without going all the way to the Grand Canyon (and assuming you can't resist going to Las Vegas), consider the canyons in southern Utah. Just two hours drive from Las Vegas. Quite spectacular.

Thanks for the info. I'll be flying in from Singapore.

What are some of the things that can be done along the way? Is yeosmite national park considered along the way from LV to SFO?
As has been mentioned in this thread, the drive from Las Vegas to San Francisco is very long. The time of year also enters into the plans. During very late spring through summer and early fall, the scenic drive would involve driving through Death Valley and then north on highway 395 along the east side of the Sierra Nevada to Mono Lake and Lee Vining, then up and over the Sierra on highway 120 and the Tioga Pass route through the Yosemite high country. This is a spectacular route but would be at least a 3 day trip from LV to SF if you want any time at all to see Yosemite Valley. Note that the Tioga Pass route is closed due to snow from roughly early November through early June. Somewhat easier driving but less scenic would be a drive across the desert to Mojave and then over the Tehachipi Pass into the Central Valley of California and then north past Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to Yosemite, again taking 2 days to drive. After seeing Yosemite, it is about 4+/- hours of driving to SF.

So, yes. In answer to your question, Yosemite IS on the way from Las Vegas to San Francisco - if you are prepared to do a LOT of driving and stop along the way. If you go that route, you can drive through and see Death Valley, the rest of the Mojave Desert, 3 national parks - including the largest trees in the world, the Central Valley farm country or the spectacular eastern Sierra and perhaps some of the real High Sierra.

Frankly, unless you really want to do a multi-day driving tour of California, air connections might be more convenient and less stressful. LAX or ONT to LAS is about an hour flight. LAS to SFO is about 2 hours.

JR

I agree with the last poster - skip vegas and explore southern california. There is so much to do - great variety!