CaliforniaTrip: San Fran - Yosemite - Vegas - LA - San Diego
Discussion
There's been quite a few of these threads, so may be worth a search on here
We did a similar trip 2 years ago, and it is my favourite holiday to date
Our trip started, and finished in LA,going to the Grand Canyon, Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite, San Fran, and then back to LA, on Highway 1
Must do's
Grand Canyon - you can get a flight from Vegas for the day, if you're short of time. I didn't mind the detour from LA - Vegas, as it meant being able to go to the Hoover Dam as well
Death Valley and Yosemite - both fascinating National Parks, plan to spend some proper time in both, and don't mess about with petrol, water and food in either, they are serious places
San Fran - Ride the cable cars, one day some health and safety goon will ban standing on the edge...i can still remember the driver shouting 'hold on folks, it's a steep hill, and I've got bad brakes'. I'd definitely do Alcatraz as well, great to visit, nice to leave as well
Highway 1 - It looks like you're not planning on going? I liked it, GF wasn't as keen. Felt like something to tick off from a petrol head point of view
LA - A lot of people don't like it, I've been a few times, and I think because it's so spread out, that it's hard to get a feel of the place. We stayed in Santa Monica, which I would highly recommend,it actually feels like a real place, where people actually live
Accomodation
In the main, we did 40 dollar motels, check tripadvisor to make sure they're not horrendous
We treated ourselves in Vegas, and stayed at the Mandarin Oriental. It's a lot smaller and quieter than most Vegas hotels, and doesn't have a Casino (although the Aria next door does). It was absolutely superb, and about a quarter of the price per night as the other branches around the world.
We didn't want to leave
Oh and get an open top Mustang, after 2000 miles in 'ours' nicknamed the wonkey donkey, on behalf of it's wonky numberplate, we didn't want to take it back to the car hire place
We did a similar trip 2 years ago, and it is my favourite holiday to date
Our trip started, and finished in LA,going to the Grand Canyon, Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite, San Fran, and then back to LA, on Highway 1
Must do's
Grand Canyon - you can get a flight from Vegas for the day, if you're short of time. I didn't mind the detour from LA - Vegas, as it meant being able to go to the Hoover Dam as well
Death Valley and Yosemite - both fascinating National Parks, plan to spend some proper time in both, and don't mess about with petrol, water and food in either, they are serious places
San Fran - Ride the cable cars, one day some health and safety goon will ban standing on the edge...i can still remember the driver shouting 'hold on folks, it's a steep hill, and I've got bad brakes'. I'd definitely do Alcatraz as well, great to visit, nice to leave as well
Highway 1 - It looks like you're not planning on going? I liked it, GF wasn't as keen. Felt like something to tick off from a petrol head point of view
LA - A lot of people don't like it, I've been a few times, and I think because it's so spread out, that it's hard to get a feel of the place. We stayed in Santa Monica, which I would highly recommend,it actually feels like a real place, where people actually live
Accomodation
In the main, we did 40 dollar motels, check tripadvisor to make sure they're not horrendous
We treated ourselves in Vegas, and stayed at the Mandarin Oriental. It's a lot smaller and quieter than most Vegas hotels, and doesn't have a Casino (although the Aria next door does). It was absolutely superb, and about a quarter of the price per night as the other branches around the world.
We didn't want to leave
Oh and get an open top Mustang, after 2000 miles in 'ours' nicknamed the wonkey donkey, on behalf of it's wonky numberplate, we didn't want to take it back to the car hire place
s99atl said:
Mustang conv booked.
Just booked our flights for a similar trip, can I ask where you booked your car and the costs if you don't mind, as I'm looking and to guarantee a Mustang it's a lot of $$$, everywhere quotes "Mustang or similar" and many seem to get the crappy "or similar" Chrysler 200/Sebring convertible.Did that same road trip back in '92 driving an Oldsmobile. Still remains the greatest holiday. We then drove all the way back to San Fransisco from San Diego to catch our flight home.
Did a similar trip in '93 in a Pontiac with the added glamour of getting arrested and banged up in Tijuana. I seem to remember a situation with Crystal Meth with a couple of New Yorkers and a whacked out New Zealander with a hurricane and a hospital trip thrown in as well. That was a bit of a Fear and Loathing kinda trip.
All pretty awesome in hindsight.
Have fun.
Did a similar trip in '93 in a Pontiac with the added glamour of getting arrested and banged up in Tijuana. I seem to remember a situation with Crystal Meth with a couple of New Yorkers and a whacked out New Zealander with a hurricane and a hospital trip thrown in as well. That was a bit of a Fear and Loathing kinda trip.
All pretty awesome in hindsight.
Have fun.
Edited by croyde on Thursday 23 October 09:43
Did San Fran - Monterey - Yosemite - San Fan years ago and as above, one of our best ever holidays.
Yosemite is jaw dropping.
This place was fun in Yoesemite in a faded sort of way http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g61000-d...
Monterey was worth a visit for whale watching. We saw sea otters off the pier and humpback whales feet from the boat.
Yosemite is jaw dropping.
This place was fun in Yoesemite in a faded sort of way http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g61000-d...
Monterey was worth a visit for whale watching. We saw sea otters off the pier and humpback whales feet from the boat.
Make sure you see the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
You didnt mention your budget? -If its low, make sure you join AAA (basically their version of the AA) its not much, about $40-50, as you'll get discounts in a lot of the motels on your route, and free maps.
If your budget is a little better, you stay at http://www.postranchinn.com
You didnt mention your budget? -If its low, make sure you join AAA (basically their version of the AA) its not much, about $40-50, as you'll get discounts in a lot of the motels on your route, and free maps.
If your budget is a little better, you stay at http://www.postranchinn.com
yellowbentines said:
s99atl said:
Mustang conv booked.
Just booked our flights for a similar trip, can I ask where you booked your car and the costs if you don't mind, as I'm looking and to guarantee a Mustang it's a lot of $$$, everywhere quotes "Mustang or similar" and many seem to get the crappy "or similar" Chrysler 200/Sebring convertible.It was a 'Mustang or similar' that we booked, and took a chance, thinking that as we would be able to choose, if there was a 4 Sebrings and 1 Mustang, we could go for that. When we got to LAX, there was 7 Mustangs, and not a Sebring in sight
yellowbentines said:
Just booked our flights for a similar trip, can I ask where you booked your car and the costs if you don't mind, as I'm looking and to guarantee a Mustang it's a lot of $$$, everywhere quotes "Mustang or similar" and many seem to get the crappy "or similar" Chrysler 200/Sebring convertible.
I used Hertz to get a Camaro Convertable as I wanted a V8, the Mustang convertables are V6Last week I drove from San Fran to Vegas via Yosemite and Death Valley.
We stayed at Evergreen Lodge which was basic but comfy, the on site restaurant was really nice as was the bar. Whilst in Yosemite we did The Glacier Point walk which was 22km in total, a reasonably fit person should be able to do it no problem, you can get a bus either way if you prefer although the walk makes you earn the view which is well worth it.
We stayed at Evergreen Lodge which was basic but comfy, the on site restaurant was really nice as was the bar. Whilst in Yosemite we did The Glacier Point walk which was 22km in total, a reasonably fit person should be able to do it no problem, you can get a bus either way if you prefer although the walk makes you earn the view which is well worth it.
We did a similar trip. Starting at San Fran to Lake Tahoe (don't bother) to Yosemite, to Death Valley, to Vegas, to Indian Wells (to relax for a couple of days), to San Diego (wouldn't bother again) to LA, up the Big Sur back up to San Fran. With some very interesting bits along the way. Took 21 days and around 2500 miles.
Some points:
Definitely do it.
We had a lowly V6 Mustang, which was pretty good and did around 22 mpg.
Don't get the car straight away if you plan to stay in San Fran for a few days (you should) as it is not needed, use the cable cars. Parking is expensive and you save the hire charge for those days.
Yosemite is a must do.
Worth it to get a hotel on the strip in Vegas, some good deals to be had.
Soak up the atmosphere of some of the small places along the route, don't just do the 'big names'.
Do go to one of the ghost towns. Just don't watch any movies that have a storyline about chainsaws and stuff first.
Some great memories, like the place that has frog plaques in the pavement for the frog jumping champions of each year where we were met with around 20 'Hells Angel" guys who were out riding their Harleys and ask me to take a photo of them together with a really nice girl who served ice cream in a little café place. No I don't have the pic, I wish I did.
Keep saying we will go back, so many more bits we haven't seen. Damn I want to go, thinking about it brings back loads of good memories.
Some points:
Definitely do it.
We had a lowly V6 Mustang, which was pretty good and did around 22 mpg.
Don't get the car straight away if you plan to stay in San Fran for a few days (you should) as it is not needed, use the cable cars. Parking is expensive and you save the hire charge for those days.
Yosemite is a must do.
Worth it to get a hotel on the strip in Vegas, some good deals to be had.
Soak up the atmosphere of some of the small places along the route, don't just do the 'big names'.
Do go to one of the ghost towns. Just don't watch any movies that have a storyline about chainsaws and stuff first.
Some great memories, like the place that has frog plaques in the pavement for the frog jumping champions of each year where we were met with around 20 'Hells Angel" guys who were out riding their Harleys and ask me to take a photo of them together with a really nice girl who served ice cream in a little café place. No I don't have the pic, I wish I did.
Keep saying we will go back, so many more bits we haven't seen. Damn I want to go, thinking about it brings back loads of good memories.
One thing you really shouldn't take lightly is the lack of petrol stations in Death Valley and to a lesser extent Yosemite. We decided (foolishly) not to fill up at either of the 2 petrol stations we saw in DV, ended up running on a range of zero for 50 miles. Had to coast down hills, turned the AC and radio off, etc and it got dark too.
I found San Fran to be a bit annoying with all the tourists and lack of parking. The queue for the cable car was over an hour and didn't bother in the end. Driving up those steep hills is quite something though
Really liked LA which strangely doesn't seem to be the case for most people. Vegas was our favourite, plenty to do there even if you don't gamble.
I would totally recommend a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, it really is jaw dropping especially when you see it for the first time after 5 mins of flying over plains.
I found San Fran to be a bit annoying with all the tourists and lack of parking. The queue for the cable car was over an hour and didn't bother in the end. Driving up those steep hills is quite something though
Really liked LA which strangely doesn't seem to be the case for most people. Vegas was our favourite, plenty to do there even if you don't gamble.
I would totally recommend a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, it really is jaw dropping especially when you see it for the first time after 5 mins of flying over plains.
I've done this trip a couple of times, by car and also by bike, a rental Harley from SF to San Diego and back again, excellent both times.
So much to see that the guidebooks can tell you. My absolute musts would be Alcatraz in SF (fascinating) and a helicopter flight from Vegas to the Grand Canyon.
The only thing I would give an absolure swerve is Venice Beach boardwalk in LA - just full of tat shops selling weed memorabilia and people hassling tourists on the street. The beach itself is nice enough, but there are far nicer ones where you are going.
We enjoyed staying in Monterey, Santa Barbera and Santa Cruz as overnighter stop locations.
So much to see that the guidebooks can tell you. My absolute musts would be Alcatraz in SF (fascinating) and a helicopter flight from Vegas to the Grand Canyon.
The only thing I would give an absolure swerve is Venice Beach boardwalk in LA - just full of tat shops selling weed memorabilia and people hassling tourists on the street. The beach itself is nice enough, but there are far nicer ones where you are going.
We enjoyed staying in Monterey, Santa Barbera and Santa Cruz as overnighter stop locations.
Depending on your particular interests (ahem) you could also swing by; Edwards AFB, Route 66 (very close to Grand Canyon), massive solar array near LV (Ivanpah - just humungous), Hoover Dam, deserted mining towns to the east of Yosemite - apparently not over run with tourists - and even Bonneville salt flats.
Have fun!
Have fun!
I visited the same places 11 years ago. Here's my view:
Grand Canyon is amazing - best to get the helicopter flight over it
San Diego - gorgeous city and go over to Coronado
SF - wasn't a big fan of the place but Sausalito Bay just over the Golden Gate was nice
LA - not nice but Santa Monica area was worth a visit.
Yosemite - great park and views
Las Vegas - great for a couple of days but novelty wore off quick
Enjoy
Grand Canyon is amazing - best to get the helicopter flight over it
San Diego - gorgeous city and go over to Coronado
SF - wasn't a big fan of the place but Sausalito Bay just over the Golden Gate was nice
LA - not nice but Santa Monica area was worth a visit.
Yosemite - great park and views
Las Vegas - great for a couple of days but novelty wore off quick
Enjoy
Edited by pattyg on Friday 24th October 20:02
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