US West Coast road trip help!
Discussion
Did some research before starting this topic but thought I'd get some fresh input from the PH fountain of knowledge!
Looking to go to the US in 4 weeks time on work related stuff; whilst there I want to go out a week early and explore the west coast.
I will be flying in to San Francisco. I've laid out a brief plan and would be grateful for any help in putting a schedule together which includes sights/fun/adventure and relaxing.
My overhead trip is this:
San Francisco --> LA/Long Beach --> Las Vegas --> San Francisco
I want to do the drive around 7-9 days and also have time for sleep overs adventure and fun!
What would be the recommended driving miles per day?
What are the sights/attractions between San Fran & LA?
What are the sights/attractions between LA & Vegas?
(Looks like a detour to Grand Canyon is needed :-))
What are the sights/attractions between Vegas & San Fran?
I really want to do the hiking/kayaking/water sports etc
Appreciate your help :-)
Looking to go to the US in 4 weeks time on work related stuff; whilst there I want to go out a week early and explore the west coast.
I will be flying in to San Francisco. I've laid out a brief plan and would be grateful for any help in putting a schedule together which includes sights/fun/adventure and relaxing.
My overhead trip is this:
San Francisco --> LA/Long Beach --> Las Vegas --> San Francisco
I want to do the drive around 7-9 days and also have time for sleep overs adventure and fun!
What would be the recommended driving miles per day?
What are the sights/attractions between San Fran & LA?
What are the sights/attractions between LA & Vegas?
(Looks like a detour to Grand Canyon is needed :-))
What are the sights/attractions between Vegas & San Fran?
I really want to do the hiking/kayaking/water sports etc
Appreciate your help :-)
Driving distances are hard to say depending on you, the road and various other variables, Google maps is pretty accurate these days for raw driving times, but if you stop for a piss add on about half an hour, stop for lunch another 1/2 to full hour for a mc'd etc, sightseeing add on who knows.
As a general rule though on interstates, 400-800 miles depending on how early you want to get up and get in, maybe more if your dedicated. Major roads 300-400 miles depending on the road, some can be as fast as interstates. National parks/sightseeing 200mi max.
Consider going to the grand canyon via phoenix/Sedona and flagstaff then back to Vegas, death valley, Yosemite and san fran then down the coast.
As a general rule though on interstates, 400-800 miles depending on how early you want to get up and get in, maybe more if your dedicated. Major roads 300-400 miles depending on the road, some can be as fast as interstates. National parks/sightseeing 200mi max.
Consider going to the grand canyon via phoenix/Sedona and flagstaff then back to Vegas, death valley, Yosemite and san fran then down the coast.
If you only do one thing on that entire trip, make it Hearst Castle - utterly amazing place.
You have to book in advance though.
I would fly back to that part of the US again just to go there, it's that good.
As for other ideas, I based a big road trip around the area a few years ago, you can read the blog of my travels here:
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.ph...
Fill your boots
You have to book in advance though.
I would fly back to that part of the US again just to go there, it's that good.
As for other ideas, I based a big road trip around the area a few years ago, you can read the blog of my travels here:
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.ph...
Fill your boots
Thanks guys for your input, you have giving me some ideas.
From SF to LA; is it worth stopping for a sleepover (say Santa Barbara) or the full drive recommended?
Is there anything to do/places to stop for a bit of fun? (apart from the awesome view of the ocean)
From LA to Phoenix, is that just a one long drive in the sands or, again, worth a stop over in between?
Still working on the plan from Vegas, so will come back to you on that :-)
From SF to LA; is it worth stopping for a sleepover (say Santa Barbara) or the full drive recommended?
Is there anything to do/places to stop for a bit of fun? (apart from the awesome view of the ocean)
From LA to Phoenix, is that just a one long drive in the sands or, again, worth a stop over in between?
Still working on the plan from Vegas, so will come back to you on that :-)
I suggested phoenix as that was the way we went many years ago and did Sedona and oak creek canyon on the drive up to flagstaff, If your not bothered about those then you could just take the I40 straight to flagstaff or the GC south rim. Things that spring to mind on the LA-PNX drive are the cable car at palm springs and Joshua tree national park, I haven't done either so cant really comment further, likewise on the I40 LA to flagstaff.
If you want scenery, water sports, hiking, kayaking all rolled into one, you cant do any better than a house boat on Lake Powell, but I don't know your budget and the $$ can be quite high plus you really need 3 able bodies to park the boat each day, (maybe 2 if your fit enough to dig holes in 100f heat)
If you have spare time there are plenty of routes you can take from GC south to LV which can take in other spectacular sights such as zion (as mentioned), Bryce, slot canyons, pink sand dunes and just general spectacular scenery.
Keep in mind the heat for the hiking options for that time of year, if its important to you and you want to do long hikes then you wont want to be doing that in death valley, Yosemite would be good, as its a bit cooler and the trees can give some shade, similar are kings canyon sequoia national parks and these will likely be a bit quieter, but the route may not be so compatible with going to san fran. You could also consider summer activities at mammoth, but its hard to justify spending time there if its at the expense of Yosemite.
There are just so many options in this part of the world and to do them all takes many years and trips
If you want scenery, water sports, hiking, kayaking all rolled into one, you cant do any better than a house boat on Lake Powell, but I don't know your budget and the $$ can be quite high plus you really need 3 able bodies to park the boat each day, (maybe 2 if your fit enough to dig holes in 100f heat)
If you have spare time there are plenty of routes you can take from GC south to LV which can take in other spectacular sights such as zion (as mentioned), Bryce, slot canyons, pink sand dunes and just general spectacular scenery.
Keep in mind the heat for the hiking options for that time of year, if its important to you and you want to do long hikes then you wont want to be doing that in death valley, Yosemite would be good, as its a bit cooler and the trees can give some shade, similar are kings canyon sequoia national parks and these will likely be a bit quieter, but the route may not be so compatible with going to san fran. You could also consider summer activities at mammoth, but its hard to justify spending time there if its at the expense of Yosemite.
There are just so many options in this part of the world and to do them all takes many years and trips
What do you want to see?
San Fran - LA is 400 miles straight down the Interstate but you wont see anything. Take the PCH and its a little longer but the views are breathtaking. Google says 9hours on the PCH but in reality you're talking a 2 day drive, a good part of its is very twisty and its full of RV's & sightseers. find a lodge or something around Santa Maria
LA - Vegas is easily done in a day, just under 300 miles but it can take an hour or 2 to get out of LA depending on when you leave and where you stay. It took us close to 40 mins from San Bernadino to Long Beach straight through without traffic.
Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park - 250 miles each way, stay overnight.
Vegas to San Fran is a 2 day trip. Minimum 600 miles
What are the sights/attractions between LA & Vegas?
Literally nothing once out of LA, you pass through a few towns, the biggest being Barstow. There is a 60's diner called Peggy Sues which was nice but unless you want to stop its not really worth it. You could stop at the "Morman Rocks" at the Cajon pass, its actually the San Andreas fault. Not many people can say they've walked along the fault line.
View from the top is good
San Fran - LA is 400 miles straight down the Interstate but you wont see anything. Take the PCH and its a little longer but the views are breathtaking. Google says 9hours on the PCH but in reality you're talking a 2 day drive, a good part of its is very twisty and its full of RV's & sightseers. find a lodge or something around Santa Maria
LA - Vegas is easily done in a day, just under 300 miles but it can take an hour or 2 to get out of LA depending on when you leave and where you stay. It took us close to 40 mins from San Bernadino to Long Beach straight through without traffic.
Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park - 250 miles each way, stay overnight.
Vegas to San Fran is a 2 day trip. Minimum 600 miles
What are the sights/attractions between LA & Vegas?
Literally nothing once out of LA, you pass through a few towns, the biggest being Barstow. There is a 60's diner called Peggy Sues which was nice but unless you want to stop its not really worth it. You could stop at the "Morman Rocks" at the Cajon pass, its actually the San Andreas fault. Not many people can say they've walked along the fault line.
View from the top is good
Edited by Nickyboy on Thursday 4th July 22:02
Took a similar route last year, albeit in reverse, as a part of our Honeymoon.
My one tip for anyone going anywhere near San Fran since has been you must to to Yosemite - the scenery is absolutely breath-taking and endless. We did it in a Mustang Convertible (may not be everyone's taste but was something I wanted to do) which made it even more of an experience.
Few pics;
Me & her on top of the world;
We stayed about a half hour out of the park in a place called Charlotte. This place was the main event (the oldest bar in California)
My one tip for anyone going anywhere near San Fran since has been you must to to Yosemite - the scenery is absolutely breath-taking and endless. We did it in a Mustang Convertible (may not be everyone's taste but was something I wanted to do) which made it even more of an experience.
Few pics;
Me & her on top of the world;
We stayed about a half hour out of the park in a place called Charlotte. This place was the main event (the oldest bar in California)
Edited by tleefox on Friday 5th July 13:34
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