Perfect two-week road trip in Cali (+Grand Canyon)
Replies: 38 - Last Post: Jun 16, 2012 9:35 PM Last Post By: hereandtherenz
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Amazing how things turn up in a timely fashion. Glamping on California's Central Coast. Disucsses Treebones (the place with the yurts) and others.19
I assume they are talking to me, Fudge, since I have suggested the OP drive South to North along the Coast Highway. I think the marginal disadvantage of this driving direction is FAR outweighed by the very significant benefits of the alternative itinerary I offered.And you're right in theory Vinny - but the Las Vegas Strip is far too big to see in one night ... it takes two.
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We don't gamble in Las Vegas either (we just gambol) - in fact my partner picked up a quarter from a casino floor, so she made a handsome profit. Hoover Dam is exceptionally good.24
Thanks to all of your input guys. My girlfriend and I are confirming dates at the moment. I'd appreciate it if any Californians could review our itinerary and suggest if we are making anything more difficult for ourselves. Google doc - http://goo.gl/xa1N1My main concern is the amount of driving to visit the Grand Canyon for just one night. Also, perhaps we're doing Big Sur and Yosemite too quickly?
Thanks again.
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I think your plan for Big Sur and Yosemite is OK. I agree with you about the Grand Canyon, but the answer (IMHO) isn't to drop a day from the Grand Canyon, it's to drop a day from Las Vegas or LA a d add it to GC. Or to drop LA entirely and cut LV to one night, and add a day to Yosemite, a day to GC, and a day at Zion NP. But that's just me.26
I'd also cut Vegas to one night. Walk the strip, go and gamble for an hour, see a show. Doesn't need more than that unless you're a hard core gambler.I'd anticipated lots of fabulous shopping in Vegas but it was really quite a let-down (unless you count the $1000 shoes that were more than a wee bit beyond my budget).
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I think Las Vegas works quite well by having one night there, one night at the Grand Canyon (in the village itself, or nearby Tusayan), and then back to Las Vegas for a second night.I think Las Vegas is interesting (and big) enough to warrant two nights of strolling and whatever, but with my plan, you are not "wasting" a full day there that results from two consecutive nights. The drive from GCNP to and from Las Vegas isn't very long really, and Hoover Dam is a nice stop.
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TimirI lived in California for a few months about a decade ago and did everything your doing but over a long period of time.
Funnily enough I'm going back nearly exactly the same dates as you on honeymoon as my missus really wants to go.
I have thought a long time about the route:
27th Aug - Mon - London - LA
28th Aug - Tues - LA
29th Aug - Wed - LA
30th Aug - Thurs - LA
31th Aug - Fri - LA
1st Sept - Sat - Drive to San Fran up PCH
2nd Sept - Sun - San Fran
3rd Sept - Mon - San Fran
4th Sept - Tues - Drive to Yosemite
5th Sept - Wed - Yosemite
6th Sept - Thurs - Drive to Vegas through Death Valley
7th Sept - Fri - Vegas
8th Sept - Sat - Las Vegas - Home
Everyone is different but basically key points:
• Yosemite is simply amazing. Book accommodation ASAP. Do some type of camping so you can hear the coyotes and bears outside.
• Do the Vernal Falls Walk and swim it the lake above it at the top (mental)
• Yosemite has the Sequoia trees (biggest organism on the planet i think) easily accessible as well. Leave out the red woods at Muir park in my opinion.
• Grand Canyon was a total let down for me. I would do a flight tour from vegas to save a day if you really want to see it. Hoover Dam is nothing special unless a Transformers geek.
• San Fran is very small and easy to walk around.
• LA is big and has so much to do whether it;s beaches in Malibu, the new downtown regeneration areas such as Disney Concert Hall architecture etc. Must stay in Santa Monica. I'm certainly going to spend most of my time here. Need a car.
• Drive the Mustang like looney.
• Watch Fear and Loathing in Las vegas is you haven't already.
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I have to say it seems very peculiar that someone would recommend LA over the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam ... LA is just another big sprawling town (there are thousands of others more or less exactly the same all over the world), whereas the Grand Canyon is unique, and Hoover Dam is outstanding - especially if you like concrete in huge volumes, plus have an appreciation of the the Art Deco period.Skip LA if under time pressure.
