LA / Yosemite / Lake Tahoe / Vegas in December
Discussion
Ok PH folks - looking for info on the above trip I have booked from 18 Dec to 31 Dec this year.
Would like to drive from one place to the other - have an Escalade already booked just need to figure out routes etc and whether this is actually doable in December.
What would be the best way to to this? For now have only bought flights so the itinerary can be as flexible as we need it to be. Ideally I would like to spend more time in LA and Vegas as it will be warmer but also manage to get the other two places in and take in as many sights as possible. Travelling with my two daughters (16 and 12) and wife. Would these places be accessible in the snowy winter months and whats it like to drive around in snow there? Im guessing it does not come to a standstill like here in the UK?
Looking at the hotels and lodges around Yosemite / Lake Tahoe and they all look really shabby and old (or heritage as some may like to call it?) - are there any semi decent travel lodge type of modern / contemporary places around there as we are not really the "lodge" kinda people without sounding pompous lol. My daughters both suffer from dust mite allergies so the pictures of rooms with a lot of upholstery, carpets and curtains have really put them off from staying around there. I wouldnt like to miss out on the amazing drives though so thought I would ask you pros for any ideas/suggestions?
Would like to drive from one place to the other - have an Escalade already booked just need to figure out routes etc and whether this is actually doable in December.
What would be the best way to to this? For now have only bought flights so the itinerary can be as flexible as we need it to be. Ideally I would like to spend more time in LA and Vegas as it will be warmer but also manage to get the other two places in and take in as many sights as possible. Travelling with my two daughters (16 and 12) and wife. Would these places be accessible in the snowy winter months and whats it like to drive around in snow there? Im guessing it does not come to a standstill like here in the UK?
Looking at the hotels and lodges around Yosemite / Lake Tahoe and they all look really shabby and old (or heritage as some may like to call it?) - are there any semi decent travel lodge type of modern / contemporary places around there as we are not really the "lodge" kinda people without sounding pompous lol. My daughters both suffer from dust mite allergies so the pictures of rooms with a lot of upholstery, carpets and curtains have really put them off from staying around there. I wouldnt like to miss out on the amazing drives though so thought I would ask you pros for any ideas/suggestions?
tvrolet said:
All perfectly do-able,,,weather permitting 
So I'll start with that! We have a time-share in South Lake Tahoe so we drive up (usually from SF) every winter, and have done for maybe 12+ years now so I know at least some of the roads in the area pretty well, and I'm just back from an LA/Coastal Highway/Yosemite/LA direct 'loop' a few weeks ago.
Clearly you'll have no problems LA-Vegas, Death Valley etc. The only issue is the Mountains. Just remember the highest peak in the UK is around 4500 feet, while the Tioga pass to Yosemite is around 10,000 feet IIRC, and the pass into Lake Tahoe from Sacramento is maybe 9,000 feet? So you are talking proper altitude, not just a few wee hills.
Minor roads in the mountains will be closed for the winter - end-of - and sadly that includes the Tioga pass, which would be the likely route into Yosemite from the East in summer, and the real 'scenic' route to Yosemite. 'Winter' can start any time in November, so.I'd say if you're planning to get to Yosemite from Vegas you'll be taking a round-about route at best as you will only be able to get there from the West.. But, like the route to Yosemite from the West, the major routes hardly ever close irrespective of the weather. In all the years we've been going to/from Tahoe each winter it's never been closed. It's very different to the UK in terms of a road being 'open' though. Where there is snow ahead on a pass there will be a police check-point and every car they let through either has to have chains, or be a 4x4 with winter tyres and the 'open' roads may well be snow-covered. But there's no 'everything comes to a halt' like the UK, or folks binning it as everyone is prepared and drives properly.
Chains aren't a problem to fit (if you have them) as there are guys in the chain-up laybys who'll do it for you for a fee. It's what they do. But here's something you have to check - in the UK we equate SUVs to 4x4. This isn't the case in the US and we have been caught-out before (but it wasn't snowy that year so ultimately not a problem). Many of the SUV ranges include 2wd models, and if you simply rent an 'SUV' there's no guarantee it will be a 4x4. So make sure you have actually rented a 4x4 with winter tyres.
But the weather is really weird in the High Sierras (which is why I love it) inasmuch as the snow typically comes in in storms from the West and dumps massive quantities over a few days, and than next day it's blue sky again for the next fortnight. So you can't say December, or January, or even April will have a big snow dump on a certain date - it can happen any time. But with the low humidity and sun, it doesn't go from snow to then weeks of slush - it seems to go from snow to dry roads in a matter of hours.
You'll have to do your own route-planning, but that's part of the fun Plus I'm going from memory and can't be arsed looking up road numbers. For the LA-LV section it's an obvious route, and easy in a day. Unless you're a Star Trek fan, in which case detour via the Vasquez Rocks north of LA - google it. LV direct to Yosemite doesn't make much sense in the winter as you can't get over the Tioga pass, so for LV to Tahoe the direct route would be up to Reno then left across the pass to the Lake. But better to go via Death Valley as it's more scenic/fun. If the roads are then bad towards Tahoe then go via Reno again, otherwise come in from the South. Then do Yosemite on the way back from Tahoe - the Sacramento road is always clear, then head south and left into Yosemite, Then back-track a little to get back down to LA. Or cur further across and pick-up highway 1 on the coast. I gather Hearst Castle do some Christmassy stuff...
As to accommodation in Yosemite and Tahoe, I've haven't seen the rooms but I've eaten and drunk at the Majestic in Yosemite and it's pretty cool - the public ares are just like The Shining! Nice hotel. Alternatively, (and I know you said you wanted a proper hotel) have a look at the Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite. It's all separate cabins with stoves and no TVs! But there's a bar (in a cabin) and a nice restaurant (in a cabin) - I've stayed there and my wife (who doesn't like to slum it!) just loved it. It's very much in the spirit of Yosemite - sure, in Vegas stay at the Wynn or the Aria as they're in the spirit of that area, but the Evergreen Lodge is cool...assuming it's open in the winter as it's down quite a long road off the highway. As to Tahoe, there are towns all around the lake (don't be fooled by Tahoe City - it's more a village!). But the largest conurbation and where all the modern hotels are is South Lake Tahoe. South Lake Tahoe isn't the name of an area, it's the town name. We have a place in the Marriott there that's very nice - but all suites. Then there are Harveys and Harrahs casino hotels - not as nice (or as big) as the LV casino hotels but OK I'd say. But the Hard Rock Hotel just been refurbished a couple of years back - I haven't seen the rooms but the public areas/bars/restaurants are very decent and if I had to choose a hotel in SLT I'd choose it. BTW Reno is a tip - maybe worth a visit to say you've been there, but I wouldn't stay anywhere near.
And if you do choose South Lake Tahoe then the ski season will be underway so take the gondola up the mountain (it's ok for sightseers) and on a sunny day the views are spectacular. Skiing's pretty good too, and we're off again for a fortnight in March
Happy to answer any queries on Tahoe or surrounds - ah, just remembered, as you get nearer the time google maps is actually pretty good for route planning as it avoids the closed-in-winter roads, but it kind of works in real-time so the roads will be open now so you'll have to wait until the roads start to close in November.
Just for info - this is a typical police check-point making sure folks have chains/4x4 and winter tyres
...and this is an 'open' road - don't expect it to be clear tarmac
but statistically you're more likely to have blue skies and clear roads...and it's worth it when you get there.
(although this is from Glacier Point, where I think the road is closed in winter)
but Tahoe is always stunning
Wow thank you sooooo much for such a wonderful detailed response. I will do some research on the places you mention tonight. However, I may just rearrange the trip for a summer vacation and stick to LA, San Fran and SD and Vegas this time round as no point doing this if the main driving roads are closed. So I'll start with that! We have a time-share in South Lake Tahoe so we drive up (usually from SF) every winter, and have done for maybe 12+ years now so I know at least some of the roads in the area pretty well, and I'm just back from an LA/Coastal Highway/Yosemite/LA direct 'loop' a few weeks ago.
Clearly you'll have no problems LA-Vegas, Death Valley etc. The only issue is the Mountains. Just remember the highest peak in the UK is around 4500 feet, while the Tioga pass to Yosemite is around 10,000 feet IIRC, and the pass into Lake Tahoe from Sacramento is maybe 9,000 feet? So you are talking proper altitude, not just a few wee hills.
Minor roads in the mountains will be closed for the winter - end-of - and sadly that includes the Tioga pass, which would be the likely route into Yosemite from the East in summer, and the real 'scenic' route to Yosemite. 'Winter' can start any time in November, so.I'd say if you're planning to get to Yosemite from Vegas you'll be taking a round-about route at best as you will only be able to get there from the West.. But, like the route to Yosemite from the West, the major routes hardly ever close irrespective of the weather. In all the years we've been going to/from Tahoe each winter it's never been closed. It's very different to the UK in terms of a road being 'open' though. Where there is snow ahead on a pass there will be a police check-point and every car they let through either has to have chains, or be a 4x4 with winter tyres and the 'open' roads may well be snow-covered. But there's no 'everything comes to a halt' like the UK, or folks binning it as everyone is prepared and drives properly.
Chains aren't a problem to fit (if you have them) as there are guys in the chain-up laybys who'll do it for you for a fee. It's what they do. But here's something you have to check - in the UK we equate SUVs to 4x4. This isn't the case in the US and we have been caught-out before (but it wasn't snowy that year so ultimately not a problem). Many of the SUV ranges include 2wd models, and if you simply rent an 'SUV' there's no guarantee it will be a 4x4. So make sure you have actually rented a 4x4 with winter tyres.
But the weather is really weird in the High Sierras (which is why I love it) inasmuch as the snow typically comes in in storms from the West and dumps massive quantities over a few days, and than next day it's blue sky again for the next fortnight. So you can't say December, or January, or even April will have a big snow dump on a certain date - it can happen any time. But with the low humidity and sun, it doesn't go from snow to then weeks of slush - it seems to go from snow to dry roads in a matter of hours.
You'll have to do your own route-planning, but that's part of the fun
Plus I'm going from memory and can't be arsed looking up road numbers. For the LA-LV section it's an obvious route, and easy in a day. Unless you're a Star Trek fan, in which case detour via the Vasquez Rocks north of LA - google it. LV direct to Yosemite doesn't make much sense in the winter as you can't get over the Tioga pass, so for LV to Tahoe the direct route would be up to Reno then left across the pass to the Lake. But better to go via Death Valley as it's more scenic/fun. If the roads are then bad towards Tahoe then go via Reno again, otherwise come in from the South. Then do Yosemite on the way back from Tahoe - the Sacramento road is always clear, then head south and left into Yosemite, Then back-track a little to get back down to LA. Or cur further across and pick-up highway 1 on the coast. I gather Hearst Castle do some Christmassy stuff...As to accommodation in Yosemite and Tahoe, I've haven't seen the rooms but I've eaten and drunk at the Majestic in Yosemite and it's pretty cool - the public ares are just like The Shining! Nice hotel. Alternatively, (and I know you said you wanted a proper hotel) have a look at the Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite. It's all separate cabins with stoves and no TVs! But there's a bar (in a cabin) and a nice restaurant (in a cabin) - I've stayed there and my wife (who doesn't like to slum it!) just loved it. It's very much in the spirit of Yosemite - sure, in Vegas stay at the Wynn or the Aria as they're in the spirit of that area, but the Evergreen Lodge is cool...assuming it's open in the winter as it's down quite a long road off the highway. As to Tahoe, there are towns all around the lake (don't be fooled by Tahoe City - it's more a village!). But the largest conurbation and where all the modern hotels are is South Lake Tahoe. South Lake Tahoe isn't the name of an area, it's the town name. We have a place in the Marriott there that's very nice - but all suites. Then there are Harveys and Harrahs casino hotels - not as nice (or as big) as the LV casino hotels but OK I'd say. But the Hard Rock Hotel just been refurbished a couple of years back - I haven't seen the rooms but the public areas/bars/restaurants are very decent and if I had to choose a hotel in SLT I'd choose it. BTW Reno is a tip - maybe worth a visit to say you've been there, but I wouldn't stay anywhere near.
And if you do choose South Lake Tahoe then the ski season will be underway so take the gondola up the mountain (it's ok for sightseers) and on a sunny day the views are spectacular. Skiing's pretty good too, and we're off again for a fortnight in March
Happy to answer any queries on Tahoe or surrounds - ah, just remembered, as you get nearer the time google maps is actually pretty good for route planning as it avoids the closed-in-winter roads, but it kind of works in real-time so the roads will be open now so you'll have to wait until the roads start to close in November.
Just for info - this is a typical police check-point making sure folks have chains/4x4 and winter tyres
...and this is an 'open' road - don't expect it to be clear tarmac
but statistically you're more likely to have blue skies and clear roads...and it's worth it when you get there.
(although this is from Glacier Point, where I think the road is closed in winter)
but Tahoe is always stunning
I have also been told that sat nav and google maps etc hardly work around there and the idea of my wife guiding me using a map is not that appealing as it may end up as disaster lol May have to rearrange with another family so that I can have a mate guide me from paper maps!
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