California - "different" things to see/do?

[Goochie]

We're off on a road trip very soon, going as follows:

San Francisco
Yosemite
South Lake Tahoe
Bishop
Death Valley
Vegas
Grand Canyon
Lake Havasu
Palm Springs
L.A.

Someone here pointed me in the direction of Bodie (between Tahow and Bishop) and it looks really interesting. So what other gems do people know of in that area?

[Nat_H]

Goochie said:

We're off on a road trip very soon, going as follows:

San Francisco
Yosemite
South Lake Tahoe
Bishop
Death Valley
Vegas
Grand Canyon
Lake Havasu
Palm Springs
L.A.

Someone here pointed me in the direction of Bodie (between Tahow and Bishop) and it looks really interesting. So what other gems do people know of in that area?

From Bishop;

The 190 from Cartago to Furance Creek is a rather good dive, via Panamint Springs




From Furnace Creek;

Take the road to Badwater (178 I think) to Ashford Junction, and then on to Pahrump.
Then take the 160 back into Vegas, great scenic roads.





From Lake Havasu;

Take the 62 East to Twentynine Palms, then South on the Utah Trail though the Joshua Tree National Park, which will bring you back to the I10 to Palm Springs.


I think of some more, and add them later.

Edited by Nat_H on Thursday 22 April 13:05

[Nat_H]

Oh, and if you are looking for somewhere to stay in Death Valley, I really liked this place, and the swimming pool was from a natural spring.

The bar tender was a legend too!

[Goochie]

Nat_H said:

Oh, and if you are looking for somewhere to stay in Death Valley, I really liked this place, and the swimming pool was from a natural spring.

The bar tender was a legend too!

We're already booked in there for 2 nights

[RJB_666]

I was in California for a few days last year, part of a 6000 mile car journey around the USA. Went to a lot of places you mentioned like Yosemete, death valley. The general area down route 1 is fantastic. Tight bendy roads and nice beaches. The spot you might be forgetting is Laguna Seca. It is basically a national park so you will have to pay something like $10 to get in but its well worth it. There were only a couple of skip barber mazdas going around the circuit when i was there though.

[Nat_H]

Good job, where else have you booked?

For SF we stayed in the Fairmont and the Top of the Mark, both for a couple of nights.

I prefered the Fairmont personally, as they have a Hetrz rental desk in the hotel, which means the cars can be brought to you.

[Puggit]

Vegas and the Grand Canyon aren't in California - HTH!

[Goochie]

Nat_H said:

Good job, where else have you booked?

For SF we stayed in the Fairmont and the Top of the Mark, both for a couple of nights.

I prefered the Fairmont personally, as they have a Hetrz rental desk in the hotel, which means the cars can be brought to you.

Chancellor hotel, right on Union Square in SF. The Hotel we're using for Yosemite is one that was suggested on here (Hotel Charlotte) so it better be good !

Edited by Goochie on Thursday 22 April 14:51

[Nat_H]

We camped in Yosemite, in Camp Curry (?) Was certainly different from the string of 5 stars we had previous slept in.

Yosemite is great!

[cs174]

Goochie said:

We're off on a road trip very soon, going as follows:

San Francisco
Yosemite
South Lake Tahoe
Bishop
Death Valley
Vegas
Grand Canyon
Lake Havasu
Palm Springs
L.A.

Someone here pointed me in the direction of Bodie (between Tahow and Bishop) and it looks really interesting. So what other gems do people know of in that area?

We did something similar last year starting and ending in Vegas.

I would recommend the Pacific Highway (Highway 1) but I think it'll be difficult to fit in to your itinerary.

If you have time whilst at the Grand Canyon, the scenic drive down to Sedona is well worth it. I presume you'll be staying in Williams so take the twisty 89A rather than Highway 17.

This was the only part of our trip that wasn't planned and was one of the best days of all.

[cs174]

Oh, and don't forget to drive part of Route 66!

[Goochie]

cs174 said:

Oh, and don't forget to drive part of Route 66!

Already got it in the TomTom !

[Targarama]

Nat_H said:

We camped in Yosemite, in Camp Curry (?) Was certainly different from the string of 5 stars we had previous slept in.

Yosemite is great!

Yep it is Curry - we now have a stuffed bear called Curry Bear (all the stuffed toys have names, wimmen!).

[Targarama]

South Lake Tahoe is OK, but it is a bit touristy. If it fits into your route then stop over in Truckee - nice old place.

[Nat_H]

Goochie said:

cs174 said:

Oh, and don't forget to drive part of Route 66!

Already got it in the TomTom !

If I remember, some of the route from Grand Canyon to Vegas in on R66

[nonuts]

Bryce / Zion canyon are actually more shocking / interesting than the grand canyon in some ways. Mono lake is also worth a visit if you're passing.

You can get a national park pass (or you could a few years ago) and it's cheaper than paying the entry seperately if you visit more than a few of them.

Going all that way and not seeing monument valley is a mistake IMO, but it is out of the way.


I am going back there again next year

[Nat_H]

From memory, it took me about 3.5 / 4 hours (each way) to drive from The Grand Canyon to Monument Valley, but it was well worth it.

But, just remember, Monument Valley is rather spread out.

Btw, take the R64 along the south rim of the Grand Canyon, to Monument valley, as you can really see the canyon grow.

R64 --> I89 --> I160 --> I163 is 184 miles.

Edited by Nat_H on Thursday 22 April 15:35

[ErnestM]

Newest Los Angeles attraction...

http://www.lagangtours.com/

(and no, this is not a wind up - it exists. The tour operators have secured "dispensation" from the gang members against attacking the tourists)

enjoy

[Nat_H]

What car have you hired?

This is my other half in our 36 mile old Mustang

[HereBeMonsters]

Nat_H said:

This is my other half in our 36 mile old Mustang

Who's that standing next to it then?