California/Utah + stopover (maybe Montreal)... Help me plan!

[Matt..]

I'm planning another trip away for later this year (late September/early October), and am thinking about going to California + Utah and a stopover city.

The US section of the trip would be for seeing national parks, so i need to plan a sensible route! If you can help with this, then please do as it confuses me quite a bit!

Is the weather likely to be ok in late September/early October? or will it be getting colder and have less clear blue skies?

In terms of a stopover, i'm not sure where to go yet, so any ideas would be welcome. I'd like to add it in though as it's doesn't really affect the flight cost, and it's always fun to see somewhere else. I've been to NYC/Boston/Toronto, so it needs to be somewhere else, and Monteal appeals, but other ideas are welcome.


Thanks

[Benzman]

Try Vancouver or Seattle, or if it's fun and games your after Vegas.

At that time of year it's cooling off somewhat in Vancouver and Seattle but Vegas will still be very, very warm.

If it's a bit of seaside that you like you won't go far wrong in Santa Barbara.

[Breadknife]

You don't say how long you want to spend in CA/UT, which is important, as distances are huge. Also, are you sight-seeing, going for photography, wildlife etc?

Having visited a number of national parks in these States, I can definitely recommend your trip!

I loved Yosemite – we had great weather, and the scenery was amazing. Avoid weekends though. Approx 4hrs from San Francisco.

Zion (2.5hrs from Las Vegas) and Bryce Canyon (1.5 hrs on from Zion) are also fantastic.

I’ve also been to the Moab area (Arches and Canyonlands), again good but a longer drive at 6.5 hrs from Las Vegas.

Not national parks, but I would recommend Page, AZ (3-4hrs from Las Vegas, and in the general Zion/Bryce area) for visiting Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. Also, don’t miss Monument Valley.

[Breadknife]

I forgot to add that Sequoia and Kings Canyon were worth a look once, but I wasn't drawn to them as much as Yosemite.

Also, how could I forget Death Valley. We've spent 5 nights there and still not seen it all. Awesome place. Don't miss The Racetrack or Titus Canyon Road (High-clearance required).

[Matt..]

I will post a route plan later today for everyone's comments/ideas.

I am being somewhat put off by all the rattle snake stories though! Especially in Yosemite!

[HCMH]

American Bush in Salt Lake City....good for a night out! Not sure if it is still there but not what I was expecting in a Mormon city

[llewop]

HCMH said:

American Bush in Salt Lake City....good for a night out! Not sure if it is still there but not what I was expecting in a Mormon city

if you are going anywhere near here, and since you mention September:

http://www.saltflats.com/



to be honest not much to see there if there isn't any speed stuff going on - but still impressive place to get to visit.

[Breadknife]

Matt.. said:

I will post a route plan later today for everyone's comments/ideas.

I am being somewhat put off by all the rattle snake stories though! Especially in Yosemite!

Didn't see any rattlesnakes in Yosemite. Just 2 bears in Sequoia. Oh, and a rattlesnake on the sand dunes in Death Valley The sun had set and it was getting dark... I heard it before I saw it, and I moved a little quicker afterwards!