Originally Posted by
pazza2000
Right now the possible Itinerarys I have in my head in order of preference are:
1) LA-LV-GC-*LA-PCH-*Yos-SF
* How long approx are these drives?
2) LA-LV-GC-Yos-LA-PCH-SF
3) LA-LV-Yos-LA-PCH-LA
4) LA-LV-Yos-PCH-LA-fly-SF..we would skip SFO after Yos and head straight for PCH taking a flight up to SF to 'do it'
Rough times, YMMV:
LA (Downey) > LV, 4 - 4.5 hrs.
LV > Grand Canyon (North Rim), 4 hrs.
LV > Grand Canyon (South Rim Visitor Center), 5 hrs.
Grand Canyon (North Rim) > LA (Downey), 8.5 hrs.
Grand Canyon (South Rim) > LA (Downey), 8 hrs.
Grand Canyon (North Rim) > Yosemite Village via Tioga Pass, 12 hrs.
Grand Canyon (South Rim) > Yosemite Village via Tioga Pass, 13 hrs.
PCH (say Monterey) > Yosemite Village via Mariposa entrance, 4 hrs.
Yosemite Village > SF, 3.5 hrs.
Note these are "wheels turning" times, not including stops for fuel, food, sightseeing, etc.
One thing I don't think has been brought up is that if you're going from Yosemite to SF, California Hwy 49 is extremely scenic and historic. It passes through the "Gold Rush" country from the 1849 strike (hence the road number) and offers up some very interesting stops including some near-ghost towns. Worth exploring.