Drive from Vegas to Sa Francisco help
Discussion
We are planning to drive between these 2 cities in about 2 weeks time, We'd like to go via Death Valley and Yosemite and 3 overnight stops so 4 days driving.
Looking for some help re driving times and best suggestion for routes and stoppovers. Not too bothered about hotel prices but would like advice from anybody who has done the trip before.
TIA
Nick
Looking for some help re driving times and best suggestion for routes and stoppovers. Not too bothered about hotel prices but would like advice from anybody who has done the trip before.
TIA
Nick
Edited by nick francis on Wednesday 8th August 13:38
Done components of your trip before.
It depends a bit whether you want direct or scenic routes. Due to a storm I had to take a diversion the road down to Fresno and onto LA and another time had to do this to get to DV which was a ball ache (which you’ll do in reverse) is boring but the further North/NE you get the more interesting it will get.
Do you plan to stay in Yosemite NP itself? Is so for me staying in Yosemite Valley is the best option otherwise you could spend allot of time driving. Accommodation in the valley is limited. You have the mega expensive Ahwahnee which is the only hotel then you have two camps with permanent tent type structures. Its rustic expensive for what it is but a great experience. Much cheaper during in the week. We booked far in advance you might struggle last minute particularly at weekends. There are several take your own tents. Not really feasible by time you buy all the gear or maybe it is vs. the other places mentioned never weighed this up.
We stayed at Yosemite House Keeping Camp. Easy access to the free bus and easy to get to all the main sights if you don’t have the time or desire to walk.
Pretty straight forward getting to Yosemite via Bakersfield and Fresno. It will be a long day but I’d just get it over and done with, I think you’re talking 5-6 hours.
I’d then take the Tioga pass to put you on the right side of the Sierra Nevada. Mammoth lakes is a good shout for a stop over but it’s only about 2.5 hours from Yosemite Valley so you may want to go further. At the bottom of the Tioga Pass is Whoa Nellie’s Dinner, famous for its fish tacos. It’s an unassuming place built into a petrol station services. Bloody good fish tacos so worth a stop.
From Mammoth you’re about 3ish hours from Death Valley depending on where you’re staying. Allot of people use Death Valley as a one night stop over or just drive through. It’s really a destination in itself and you need 203 days to scratch the surface. It’s obviously a huge area so the natural sightseeing attractions are well spread out, Stovepipe Wells is a good sort of central location/motel. Like Yosemite the accommodation in the national park proper is limited.
It’s then reasonably straightforward again to get to LV. I’d say about 2.5 to 3 hours from Stovepipe Wells.
It depends a bit whether you want direct or scenic routes. Due to a storm I had to take a diversion the road down to Fresno and onto LA and another time had to do this to get to DV which was a ball ache (which you’ll do in reverse) is boring but the further North/NE you get the more interesting it will get.
Do you plan to stay in Yosemite NP itself? Is so for me staying in Yosemite Valley is the best option otherwise you could spend allot of time driving. Accommodation in the valley is limited. You have the mega expensive Ahwahnee which is the only hotel then you have two camps with permanent tent type structures. Its rustic expensive for what it is but a great experience. Much cheaper during in the week. We booked far in advance you might struggle last minute particularly at weekends. There are several take your own tents. Not really feasible by time you buy all the gear or maybe it is vs. the other places mentioned never weighed this up.
We stayed at Yosemite House Keeping Camp. Easy access to the free bus and easy to get to all the main sights if you don’t have the time or desire to walk.
Pretty straight forward getting to Yosemite via Bakersfield and Fresno. It will be a long day but I’d just get it over and done with, I think you’re talking 5-6 hours.
I’d then take the Tioga pass to put you on the right side of the Sierra Nevada. Mammoth lakes is a good shout for a stop over but it’s only about 2.5 hours from Yosemite Valley so you may want to go further. At the bottom of the Tioga Pass is Whoa Nellie’s Dinner, famous for its fish tacos. It’s an unassuming place built into a petrol station services. Bloody good fish tacos so worth a stop.
From Mammoth you’re about 3ish hours from Death Valley depending on where you’re staying. Allot of people use Death Valley as a one night stop over or just drive through. It’s really a destination in itself and you need 203 days to scratch the surface. It’s obviously a huge area so the natural sightseeing attractions are well spread out, Stovepipe Wells is a good sort of central location/motel. Like Yosemite the accommodation in the national park proper is limited.
It’s then reasonably straightforward again to get to LV. I’d say about 2.5 to 3 hours from Stovepipe Wells.
a311 said:
... It’s really a destination in itself and you need 203 days to scratch the surface. It’s obviously a huge area...
It's approx the size of Northern Ireland. So, yes, quite big! Though most of the main touristy sites are relatively close together, and can be done in a day or two.
I'm not sure I would recommend Death Valley in August - it will be VERY hot. We've stayed at Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek Ranch. I'd opt for the Ranch if it's available (and you want to stop overnight in DV). I think the expensive Furnace Creek Inn closes in the summer months.
If you want to stay in Yosemite Valley, there is the cheaper Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, which is still a "proper" hotel rather than a tent.
If you don't want to stay in DV, then I'd suggest over-nights at Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite. It does make it a short drive from Mammoth to Yosemite, but going via Bodie State Historic Park will take up a few hours or use the time instead at Tuolumne meadows on Tioga Pass.
If you want to stay in Yosemite Valley, there is the cheaper Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, which is still a "proper" hotel rather than a tent.
If you don't want to stay in DV, then I'd suggest over-nights at Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite. It does make it a short drive from Mammoth to Yosemite, but going via Bodie State Historic Park will take up a few hours or use the time instead at Tuolumne meadows on Tioga Pass.
Thanks for the fantastic detail in your replies, plenty of information for us to mull over.
I have, as a matter of fact booked the first night at the Stovepipe Wells Village hotel, it's the right distance from Vegas I think to do th edrive and also to stop and photograph the valley.
2nd night were looking at Mammoth Lakes, seems like its a kind of Oasis to head for, day 3 throuh the Yosemite NP and possibly a stoppover at Sonora or Cloumbia before heading to San Francisco.
Im starting to get a little worried about the heat issue! Unfortunately its the only time of year we could visit the area and I do want to see it so we will have to endure it as best we can
Many thanks again for all the helpful feedback
Cheers
nick
I have, as a matter of fact booked the first night at the Stovepipe Wells Village hotel, it's the right distance from Vegas I think to do th edrive and also to stop and photograph the valley.
2nd night were looking at Mammoth Lakes, seems like its a kind of Oasis to head for, day 3 throuh the Yosemite NP and possibly a stoppover at Sonora or Cloumbia before heading to San Francisco.
Im starting to get a little worried about the heat issue! Unfortunately its the only time of year we could visit the area and I do want to see it so we will have to endure it as best we can
Many thanks again for all the helpful feedback
Cheers
nick
You're looking at a daytime high of 45 and a low at night of 30 for DV. It was 40 when we went for a few nights at the beginning of May a couple of years ago. We stayed at Stovepipe that time - the aircon is a must and it's good that you can park right outside your door. I think it's had a change of ownership/management since we stayed and therefore a facelift.
Suggestions for short hops out of the car are Rhyolite (near Beatty), Zabriskie Point and a quick foray at Badwater. Take Artists Drive (my hubby wasn't overly impressed but it's near Badwater and a nice one-way drive). Stop to have a look at the sand dunes near Stovepipe - maybe venture out to them at sunset if the heat is ok - but, speaking from experience, watch out for rattlesnakes!
Yosemite will blow your mind. Do try to stay in the valley if at all possible. If you have time, take the road to Glacier Point. I hope you are not visiting there at a weekend?
Suggestions for short hops out of the car are Rhyolite (near Beatty), Zabriskie Point and a quick foray at Badwater. Take Artists Drive (my hubby wasn't overly impressed but it's near Badwater and a nice one-way drive). Stop to have a look at the sand dunes near Stovepipe - maybe venture out to them at sunset if the heat is ok - but, speaking from experience, watch out for rattlesnakes!
Yosemite will blow your mind. Do try to stay in the valley if at all possible. If you have time, take the road to Glacier Point. I hope you are not visiting there at a weekend?
People said:
Stuff about Death Valley being hot
Indeed DV is hot although I've been in August and it rained for a little bit! It's a dry heat which I find bareable. I wouldn't want to be going out on any long hikes but as previously touched on allot can be accessed easily by an air conditioned car. Scotty's Castle is worth a visit although I recall it be the most of the beaten track of the things we visited.Tbh Vegas is almost going to be equally bloody hot too.
Here are some things you could see on your trip to wet your appetite.
San Francisco
South Lake Tahoe
Entering Yosemite
El Capitan- Yosemite Valley
Death Valley as seen from Dante's view
Devils Golf Course- Death Valley
I have done this a couple of times but from San Francisco to Vegas.
The most interesting trip/route I have found is death valley, across to the I395,Bishop, Mammoth, lake Mono, Tioga pass, Yosemite, King's Canyon coming down through the gold country, Fresno, SF.
You will need a good few days and remember when on a road trip - if your driving everyday you see very little but interstate, build in sightseeing days and don't be too ambitious with the mileage.
What car - I personally hire an SUV, safer, see more and very comfy!
The most interesting trip/route I have found is death valley, across to the I395,Bishop, Mammoth, lake Mono, Tioga pass, Yosemite, King's Canyon coming down through the gold country, Fresno, SF.
You will need a good few days and remember when on a road trip - if your driving everyday you see very little but interstate, build in sightseeing days and don't be too ambitious with the mileage.
What car - I personally hire an SUV, safer, see more and very comfy!
Edited by Kenty on Wednesday 8th August 16:01
Did a similar drive last year, stayed at Carmel, then 3 nights at a B&B outside Yosemite NP, Death Valley and then to Vegas. Unfortunately the Tioga Pass was still shut by snow so we had to go by the Sonora Pass instead, wish we had stayed in Death Valley for two nights as there is quite a lot to see there.
Loads to see in Yosemite, the scenery is epic as were the Giant Sequoias, I'd love to go again. We had a Ford Escape which is a pretty dull drive but coped with the heat very well.
Loads to see in Yosemite, the scenery is epic as were the Giant Sequoias, I'd love to go again. We had a Ford Escape which is a pretty dull drive but coped with the heat very well.
Wow, lots of these threads recently. Am doing this in August (leave LV on the 27th), staying in a place called mammoth lakes en route, looks amazing. Only doing one stop though, will be tiring but doable.
Got a mustang booked, will see if there's a chance of an upgrade when picking it up. Might even see you out there
If you're interested in american football at all, there's a SF 49ers game on Thurs 30th, is meant to be a great atmosphere.
Got a mustang booked, will see if there's a chance of an upgrade when picking it up. Might even see you out there
If you're interested in american football at all, there's a SF 49ers game on Thurs 30th, is meant to be a great atmosphere.
Did this last year - SF to LV. We stayed in a great little place called Lone Pine on the SF side of Death Valley - 2 bars 2 motels - fell in with the locals playing pool - got very messy but lovely, lovely people plus the best breakfast ever in the only cafe!
Tioga Pass is a must. Death Valley was very hot in October so best of luck in the Summer!
Car - SUV for us and it was great.
We stayed in Carmel - very quaint but quite pricey.
Yosemite was amazing - jaw dropping scenery and lovely walks / hikes!
We had three days in Vegas and could have had 10! Loved it.
Defo do The Rock in SF - book before you go as very popular - combine with a city tour.
THAT Breakfast!
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|http://thumbsnap.com/2fjffFe3[/url]
Tioga Pass is a must. Death Valley was very hot in October so best of luck in the Summer!
Car - SUV for us and it was great.
We stayed in Carmel - very quaint but quite pricey.
Yosemite was amazing - jaw dropping scenery and lovely walks / hikes!
We had three days in Vegas and could have had 10! Loved it.
Defo do The Rock in SF - book before you go as very popular - combine with a city tour.
THAT Breakfast!
url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/2fjffFe3[/url]I did the reverse trip in May this year, from Monterey to Las Vegas.
We went via Laguna Seca for a quick photo stop, then headed towards Oakhurst via Gilroy Shopping outlets.
Oakhurst we used as our base for visiting Yosemite and stayed at the Best Western, which was plenty comfortable for a couple of nights.
Yosemite itself - wow. Definitely visit Glacier point. It's one road in and out up there, but definitely worth it.
Leaving Oakhurst early, we had a long day of driving through Yosemite, along the Tioga Pass (nothing to worry about at all, not dodgy in the slightest), stopping at various view points along the way.
We also came across the Whoa Nellie place, purely by chance but I'd heard about it before. I had the fish tacos
Then from there we travelled down a rather long road and turned off into the middle of nowhere towards Death Valley. Through DV with a few stops for photos (very hot, about 40-something) and out the other side. Then headed for Las Vegas.
The Oakhurst to LV leg took us about 12 hours in total, could have been quicker but we made it leisurely with a fair number of stops.
Warning - we found the driving in Las Vegas to be pretty hairy.
p.s DO CHECK the status of the Tioga road before heading that way! It's on the yosemite NPS website.
We went via Laguna Seca for a quick photo stop, then headed towards Oakhurst via Gilroy Shopping outlets.
Oakhurst we used as our base for visiting Yosemite and stayed at the Best Western, which was plenty comfortable for a couple of nights.
Yosemite itself - wow. Definitely visit Glacier point. It's one road in and out up there, but definitely worth it.
Leaving Oakhurst early, we had a long day of driving through Yosemite, along the Tioga Pass (nothing to worry about at all, not dodgy in the slightest), stopping at various view points along the way.
We also came across the Whoa Nellie place, purely by chance but I'd heard about it before. I had the fish tacos
Then from there we travelled down a rather long road and turned off into the middle of nowhere towards Death Valley. Through DV with a few stops for photos (very hot, about 40-something) and out the other side. Then headed for Las Vegas.
The Oakhurst to LV leg took us about 12 hours in total, could have been quicker but we made it leisurely with a fair number of stops.
Warning - we found the driving in Las Vegas to be pretty hairy.
p.s DO CHECK the status of the Tioga road before heading that way! It's on the yosemite NPS website.
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