Originally Posted by
mandrinka
Yes, I am planning renting a car and only to Yosemite go by public transportation as it seems to me more convenient. As I metnioned I will be the only driver.
I recommend driving your car to Yosemite unless you strongly dislike driving and are looking for a break. None of the Western entrances (routes 120, 140, and 41) are tough driving. Having your own car in the park will make it easier to get around. Yes, in peak season parking is tight and I would recommend considering public transit, but November is hardly peak season. Parking will be no trouble. Also, you should try to stay much closer than Merced.
The rest of the trip - Joshua Tree NP, Mojave NP I dicided to skip. If there is some time left we will do it but our priority goes to Death Valley.
Given the special event RichardInSF warned about you might consider skipping Death Valley and visiting Joshua Tree. I urge you not to think of it as a booby prize. Joshua Tree is a worthy place to visit. In addition to enjoying the well marked tourist areas, I'm a fan of clambering around in Rattlesnake Canyon and visiting all of the palm tree oases marked on the map.
After visiting Joshua Tree you could swing through Palm Springs, head south to the Salton Sea (a man-made mistake -- its surface is 220 feet below sea level!), Anza Borrego Desert State Park (
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=638), and/or visit the Algodones Dunes (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algodones_Dunes). There's plenty of desert in Southeastern California to make up for missing Death Valley.