Vegas to San Fransico (again!!)
Discussion
I know that this trip has been pretty well discussed here in the past, but I'm having problems finding out information about the best thing to do if the Yosemite Passes are closed.
Inspired by Euroboy's thread, myself and the soon to be missus are planning on spending 2 weeks in late February early March touring around California for our honeymoon. I know that this isn’t the ideal time of year for it, but it’s the only chance we will really get to have a proper holiday and so we are trying to make the most of it!
I have a few options available, we could fly into either LV or SF and drive either LV-LA-SF or vice versa, or fly in/out of LA/SF or LV and try and do the “loop”. Has anyone done the loop with the passes closed before? We would want to avoid driving back on ourselves as much as possible, and so the only alternative seems to be to travel north from LV to Lake Tahoe and then back down to SF, but I’m worried that this would see us very pushed for time.
Could anyone offer any advice? One of the main reasons for wanting to do the “loop” is that we can then hire something mildly interesting for the journey, rather than having the boggo hire cars they use for one way trips.
If people have done the one way trips before, have you managed to hire something interesting? Also is there a better way to do it? LV – SF or SF – LV?
Thanks!
Inspired by Euroboy's thread, myself and the soon to be missus are planning on spending 2 weeks in late February early March touring around California for our honeymoon. I know that this isn’t the ideal time of year for it, but it’s the only chance we will really get to have a proper holiday and so we are trying to make the most of it!
I have a few options available, we could fly into either LV or SF and drive either LV-LA-SF or vice versa, or fly in/out of LA/SF or LV and try and do the “loop”. Has anyone done the loop with the passes closed before? We would want to avoid driving back on ourselves as much as possible, and so the only alternative seems to be to travel north from LV to Lake Tahoe and then back down to SF, but I’m worried that this would see us very pushed for time.
Could anyone offer any advice? One of the main reasons for wanting to do the “loop” is that we can then hire something mildly interesting for the journey, rather than having the boggo hire cars they use for one way trips.
If people have done the one way trips before, have you managed to hire something interesting? Also is there a better way to do it? LV – SF or SF – LV?
Thanks!
Edited by TomE on Friday 17th September 12:38
I've done SF-LV-Tahoe-SF.
This was in the summer and there was still a lot of snow at the eastern entrance to Yosemite. All the accommodation in Yosemite gets booked a long way in advance. We also did about 1,800 miles in that trip.
Did LV-LA-SF one way and rented a convertible with no problem at all.
Done others as well but not really relevant for what you're asking.
This was in the summer and there was still a lot of snow at the eastern entrance to Yosemite. All the accommodation in Yosemite gets booked a long way in advance. We also did about 1,800 miles in that trip.
Did LV-LA-SF one way and rented a convertible with no problem at all.
Done others as well but not really relevant for what you're asking.
We went SF to Carmel for an overnight stop and had intended driving down PCH almost as far as LA before heading in land but decided against it.
Drove from Carmel to Barstow for another overnight stop. That gave enought time the next day to go to Hoover Dam on the way to Vegas.
Left Vegas and drove to Lee Vining, via Benton (never stop in Benton) which took the best part of the day. 7 or 8 hours ish.
From Lee Vining to South Lake Tahoe is not a bad journey. Tahoe back to SF is a doddle of a journey I've done a few times.
Drove from Carmel to Barstow for another overnight stop. That gave enought time the next day to go to Hoover Dam on the way to Vegas.
Left Vegas and drove to Lee Vining, via Benton (never stop in Benton) which took the best part of the day. 7 or 8 hours ish.
From Lee Vining to South Lake Tahoe is not a bad journey. Tahoe back to SF is a doddle of a journey I've done a few times.
We did San Fran to Vegas through Yosemite at the end of March 2009. We had a Toyota 4 Runner as a hire car.
Only one pass was ploughed, and in places the wall of snow was over the height of the car, although it was ploughed to the tarmac.
Vehicles were only allowed to use the pass if they had snow chains. Luckily we didn't need ours. (Cos we didn't have any.)
Even late Feb I would have thought would mean it's fully closed to anyone but locals on snow-mobiles.
You could drive round the bottom of the mountain range, and in on the roads people would use for Vegas - LA trips, and I believe the coast road between Sand Fran and LA is amazing.
For my money I'd fly into San Fran and have a few days without a car, pick one up, drive down the coast to LA, then through the desert to Vegas, and fly home from there. The loop round the Grand Canyon would be doable, and helicopter tour from Grnad Canyon Village gives you a lot more time over the Canyon.
Good luck on the roulette tables!
Only one pass was ploughed, and in places the wall of snow was over the height of the car, although it was ploughed to the tarmac.
Vehicles were only allowed to use the pass if they had snow chains. Luckily we didn't need ours. (Cos we didn't have any.)
Even late Feb I would have thought would mean it's fully closed to anyone but locals on snow-mobiles.
You could drive round the bottom of the mountain range, and in on the roads people would use for Vegas - LA trips, and I believe the coast road between Sand Fran and LA is amazing.
For my money I'd fly into San Fran and have a few days without a car, pick one up, drive down the coast to LA, then through the desert to Vegas, and fly home from there. The loop round the Grand Canyon would be doable, and helicopter tour from Grnad Canyon Village gives you a lot more time over the Canyon.
Good luck on the roulette tables!
I went from Vegas to San Francisco via Death Valley & Yosemite back in May 2009.
We broke it into 3 trips, Vegas to Death Valley, Death Vally to Yosemite and Yosemite to SF.
Both passes were closed when we left Furnace Creek, so we had to go via Bakersfield.
The 190 from Furnace Creek to where the 178 is about as desolate as it comes.
Following along the 178 past China Lake is quiet cool, as we saw several military jets out and about.
Sequoia National Forest is stunning, and the 178 is epic, and the way the road following the gorge is cool.
From Bakersfield to Fresno was all Freeway and pretty boring.
It took a good 8 - 10 hours to get from Furnace Creek to Camp Curry, as its approx 500 miles.
The trip was a triangle from SF - San Diego - Grand Canyon and then back to SF, covering some 4000 miles.
We broke it into 3 trips, Vegas to Death Valley, Death Vally to Yosemite and Yosemite to SF.
Both passes were closed when we left Furnace Creek, so we had to go via Bakersfield.
The 190 from Furnace Creek to where the 178 is about as desolate as it comes.
Following along the 178 past China Lake is quiet cool, as we saw several military jets out and about.
Sequoia National Forest is stunning, and the 178 is epic, and the way the road following the gorge is cool.
From Bakersfield to Fresno was all Freeway and pretty boring.
It took a good 8 - 10 hours to get from Furnace Creek to Camp Curry, as its approx 500 miles.
The trip was a triangle from SF - San Diego - Grand Canyon and then back to SF, covering some 4000 miles.
Edited by Nat_H on Friday 17th September 14:12
That looks like a good alternative route, how long did you spend doing that?
This was the kind of thing I was thinking of, but we don't want to be driving all day everyday and I'm wondering whether it will be overdoing it a little bit? Presumably the highways to the north of Yosemite will all be open?
mmmmmmm, for some reason i seem to be unable to work thumbsnap anymore!! Link to the original is here:
http://thumbsnap.com/S03PRysr
Also ETA - the stretch between SF and LA would be taken by the coast road Highway 1 and nto 101 as that map shows.
This was the kind of thing I was thinking of, but we don't want to be driving all day everyday and I'm wondering whether it will be overdoing it a little bit? Presumably the highways to the north of Yosemite will all be open?
mmmmmmm, for some reason i seem to be unable to work thumbsnap anymore!! Link to the original is here:
http://thumbsnap.com/S03PRysr
Also ETA - the stretch between SF and LA would be taken by the coast road Highway 1 and nto 101 as that map shows.
Edited by TomE on Friday 17th September 15:02
Roo said:
And don't forget SF will be very cold and wet at that time of year.
Not as cold as here, and probably not as wet!I was in SF for 6 yrs and don't remember ever needing things like gloves and hats, even during winter. It hadn't been cold enough to snow in SF for decades IIRC.
If you dress for London in winter, you should be absolutley fine IMO.
Hedders said:
Roo said:
And don't forget SF will be very cold and wet at that time of year.
Not as cold as here, and probably not as wet!I was in SF for 6 yrs and don't remember ever needing things like gloves and hats, even during winter. It hadn't been cold enough to snow in SF for decades IIRC.
If you dress for London in winter, you should be absolutley fine IMO.
Presumably it will be balmy in LA and LV?!
If you are heading into the Sierras in the winter I would be inclined to do it in a 4 wheel drive and buy some snow chains in walmart for $30-$50. Your rental agreement wont allow you to use them but it doesn't forbid you from carrying them. but cal-trans and ndot will turn you back if its snowing on the open passes and you don't have them. 4x4 will be ok just carrying chains in most cases. 2wd will have to have them fitted as soon as chain controls go up and its mandatory to carry them in yosemite in winter.
We have never actually used our chains yet but came close this year in jan when the Sierras had 10 FEET of snow in just over a week. without 4x4 and chains in the trunk our rental car would not have been able to go out of the car park in Tahoe legally. the 50 and I80 had chain controls up nearly constantly for 2 weeks.
Yosemite valley and SF are quite comfortable in the winter in standard uk winter clothing, we were in T shirts for a while in SF when the sun was out but then 2 hours later frozen cold in ski jackets when it rained on us!
We have never actually used our chains yet but came close this year in jan when the Sierras had 10 FEET of snow in just over a week. without 4x4 and chains in the trunk our rental car would not have been able to go out of the car park in Tahoe legally. the 50 and I80 had chain controls up nearly constantly for 2 weeks.
Yosemite valley and SF are quite comfortable in the winter in standard uk winter clothing, we were in T shirts for a while in SF when the sun was out but then 2 hours later frozen cold in ski jackets when it rained on us!
Highway 1 form SF to LA is actually quite a long way. When we did it in the reverse we stopped at San Luis Obispo to break the trip.
We took the main highway to save time when heading from North to South between SF and Vegas.
This was SF on that trip.
Admittedly the other times I've been it's been warmer, but this was summer - not winter.
We took the main highway to save time when heading from North to South between SF and Vegas.
This was SF on that trip.
Admittedly the other times I've been it's been warmer, but this was summer - not winter.
We've a timeshare place at Lake Tahoe so we drive from SF to Tahoe each year usually last week in March, 1st week April. HWY 50 from Sacramento to Tahoe is about as busy a road you're going to get through the Sierras and it was closed for a few days before we went last year, and the day we drove through they were only allowing 4x4 with winter tyres or vehicles with chains. Other years it's been clear and sunny, but you do run the real risk of not getting through the mountains at that time of year.
However, there is a 'sure fire' option of the I80 all-weather-highway to Reno then the 95 south, so there's no real risk of not getting to Vegas...but maybe just not the way you wanted.
However, there is a 'sure fire' option of the I80 all-weather-highway to Reno then the 95 south, so there's no real risk of not getting to Vegas...but maybe just not the way you wanted.
Well I’ve had a little think about this and I still can’t decide whether or not to do a loop or do a one way trip. I would really like to hire something interesting for the journey, (one of the convertible mustangs at the very least) which is forcing us into doing the loop I think. Unless anyone has any better ideas of a way around it?!
I've come up with a loop which should aviod snow/closed roads, but I would appreciate any feedback on travelling times from people who have done it in the past, as I’m not sure if I’m being a bit optimistic!
Has anyone stayed near Hearst Castle as a halfway stop between LA and SF before? Also, Mrs TomE would like to go horse trekking somewhere as she used to do it as a child, has anyone done this and if so can they recommend anywhere – I have found a couple of places which operate out of Vegas with sunset treks and BBQ’s, but would be happy to hear of others elsewhere.
Thanks!
The loop:
Sat - Land SF
Sun – Pick up car drive to Bakersfield via interstate 5 (boring I know but helps to eat up the initial miles) – 5hrs
Mon – Bakersfield to furnace creek via Hwy 395 – 4.5hrs
Tuesday – Furnace creek – Vegas via Badwater road – 3.5hrs
Wed/Thurs/Fri – Vegas (helicopter ride/horse riding somewhere in the desert/see the strip)
Sat – Nascar (will anything be on on the sat of a race weekend?) Drive to LA – 5hrs
Sun/Mon – LA (Hollywood/Beverly Hills etc)
Tuesday – LA to Carmel (or maybe somewhere more halfway on the coast, is there anywhere near hearst castle?) via PCH – 6hrs
Wednesday – Carmel(or wherever) to SF – 3hrs
Thursday/Friday/sat – SF, dropping car back as soon as we get there.
The L:
Sat - Land SF
Sun/Mon/Tue – explore SF
Wed – pick up hire car and drive SF to Carmel (or wherever) – 3hrs
Thurs – Carmel to LA – 6hrs
Fri/sat – LA
Sun – LA to Bakersfield – 2 hrs (is Bakersfield worth it as a specific destination? Would we be better going straight to Vegas and having the extra day in SF or LA?
Mon – Bakersfield to Vegas – 5 hrs
Tues/wed/thurs/fri/sat – Vegas with day trip to furnace creek
I've come up with a loop which should aviod snow/closed roads, but I would appreciate any feedback on travelling times from people who have done it in the past, as I’m not sure if I’m being a bit optimistic!
Has anyone stayed near Hearst Castle as a halfway stop between LA and SF before? Also, Mrs TomE would like to go horse trekking somewhere as she used to do it as a child, has anyone done this and if so can they recommend anywhere – I have found a couple of places which operate out of Vegas with sunset treks and BBQ’s, but would be happy to hear of others elsewhere.
Thanks!
The loop:
Sat - Land SF
Sun – Pick up car drive to Bakersfield via interstate 5 (boring I know but helps to eat up the initial miles) – 5hrs
Mon – Bakersfield to furnace creek via Hwy 395 – 4.5hrs
Tuesday – Furnace creek – Vegas via Badwater road – 3.5hrs
Wed/Thurs/Fri – Vegas (helicopter ride/horse riding somewhere in the desert/see the strip)
Sat – Nascar (will anything be on on the sat of a race weekend?) Drive to LA – 5hrs
Sun/Mon – LA (Hollywood/Beverly Hills etc)
Tuesday – LA to Carmel (or maybe somewhere more halfway on the coast, is there anywhere near hearst castle?) via PCH – 6hrs
Wednesday – Carmel(or wherever) to SF – 3hrs
Thursday/Friday/sat – SF, dropping car back as soon as we get there.
The L:
Sat - Land SF
Sun/Mon/Tue – explore SF
Wed – pick up hire car and drive SF to Carmel (or wherever) – 3hrs
Thurs – Carmel to LA – 6hrs
Fri/sat – LA
Sun – LA to Bakersfield – 2 hrs (is Bakersfield worth it as a specific destination? Would we be better going straight to Vegas and having the extra day in SF or LA?
Mon – Bakersfield to Vegas – 5 hrs
Tues/wed/thurs/fri/sat – Vegas with day trip to furnace creek
From the destinations you have mentioned, you could do a triangle from SF to LA to Vegas, back to SF.
It all depends if a cool car means a lot to you?
Having something interesting to drive, made the driving part of the holiday for me, rather than just the destinations.
From my pov, I5 will be boring as hell, why not move you trip to go down PCH1 to LA, with a night in Monterey? Going North to South on PCH1 is the better way to go as you are closer to the sea/edge.
I'd probably have 1 or 2 nights in SF
1 night in Monterey, and see the aquarium.
On the way south go via 17 Mile drive and PCH1 down to Big Sur and then a night on the route down to LA.
2 nights in LA would probably be enough to see the main bits, and then hop on the I15 to Vegas to maximise your time.
3 or so nights in Vegas would probably work
Then on to Furnace Creek for a night, as you have to drive through Death Valley to get there (via Pahrump I think)
Then on to Yosemite, and then back to SF.
That's the basic route I’d take
There is nothing at Bakersfield, so if it was me, I’d drive more, and have an extra night somewhere else.
It all depends if a cool car means a lot to you?
Having something interesting to drive, made the driving part of the holiday for me, rather than just the destinations.
From my pov, I5 will be boring as hell, why not move you trip to go down PCH1 to LA, with a night in Monterey? Going North to South on PCH1 is the better way to go as you are closer to the sea/edge.
I'd probably have 1 or 2 nights in SF
1 night in Monterey, and see the aquarium.
On the way south go via 17 Mile drive and PCH1 down to Big Sur and then a night on the route down to LA.
2 nights in LA would probably be enough to see the main bits, and then hop on the I15 to Vegas to maximise your time.
3 or so nights in Vegas would probably work
Then on to Furnace Creek for a night, as you have to drive through Death Valley to get there (via Pahrump I think)
Then on to Yosemite, and then back to SF.
That's the basic route I’d take
There is nothing at Bakersfield, so if it was me, I’d drive more, and have an extra night somewhere else.
Edited by Nat_H on Tuesday 21st September 11:13
Nat_H said:
Then on to Yosemite, and then back to SF.
There is nothing at Bakersfield, so if it was me, I’d drive more, and have an extra night somewhere else.
The problem I have is that most of Yosemite will be closed so I'm trying to avoid it. I was using Bakersfield as a journey breaker more than anything, as i don't fancy doing SF-Furnace Creek, or vice versa in one sitting. Is there anywhere else that would be on that route which would be nice for an overnight stop?There is nothing at Bakersfield, so if it was me, I’d drive more, and have an extra night somewhere else.
Edited by TomE on Tuesday 21st September 13:36
Sorry about that, I totally forgot about the dates that you mentioned. Yosemite will be cold in Feb/March.
TBH, I can't really advise on anything else to do around there as we just went to Yosemite.
We went in the end of April, and the weather was good then - not sure if your dates are flexible?
TBH, I can't really advise on anything else to do around there as we just went to Yosemite.
We went in the end of April, and the weather was good then - not sure if your dates are flexible?
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