Road trip California and Nevada
Replies: 33 - Last Post: Oct 31, 2012 9:08 AM Last Post By: marlajfish
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Road trip California and Nevada
Hi guys, greetings from Norway!My girlfriend and I are planning a two weeks road trip crossing from California and ending up in Nevada.
Could you please be so kind to help me out and have a look at the suggested route I have put together and see if there's anything you personally would like to change?
ROUTE
As an example, we are staying in San Francisco at the beginning of our trip with the Redwoods close by. I don't know if it's necessary to "waste" time visiting Redwoods when we are stopping by Sequoia National Forest later on.
After reaching Las Vegas we are planning to take a flight to Miami after a couple of days and head of to the Carribbean on a cruise out of Fort Lauderdale for a week.
Thank you guys so much in advance for hopefully some informative feedback.
1
In two weeks, this is a very ambitious itinerary. You're won't spend very much time in any place, and you'll spend a lot of time driving. Some people like that, others do not. Which are you?You will see redwoods (sequoias) in xYosemite (Tuolumne, Merced and Mariposa groves; the last is biggest). There is no need to detour to Sequoia NF.
The redwoods near xSF are different (coastal). The best places would be Muir Woods and Big Basin Redwoods.
2
Thanks for your swift reply!I might add that the trip is planned for May 2013 just so the date is in there with other information.
I generaly don't mind driving and we are planning an average of 2 days in San Francisco, Yosemite, Monterey and Las Vegas. The other places are more on the route and we're planning just to spend a night here and there when we feel like it.
I think the reason why I put in Sequoia National Park is because of General Sherman.
3
I think the reason why I put in Sequoia National Park is because of General Sherman.
Your map says Sequoia National Forest, not "Park." These places are not the same. The forest extends much farther south than the park.I'd still skip it.
Have you considered skipping xLA?
Maybe like this?
(Note, the long detour around is due to seasonal road closures.)
4
Ohh nuts! I see that General Sherman is way north in Sequoia National Park which would add 3-4 hours on my route.I think we will skip Sequoia and rather visit Muir Woods by San Francisco thanks to your advice. It will save us 3 hours on our route rather than adding time.
Consulting my girlfriend just now she (and me) would really like to follow the coast line down towards LA. One of our plans is also to visit the Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Our updated route now looks like this
5
Why is Gilroy on the map? Shopping?I don't think it's worth your time, but to each their own I guess.
Long Beach, btw, is part of the xLA area. That will help you avoid moving around too much, as you can just stay in one location for both.
Also, there isn't really much there. The Aquarium is better in xMonterey. The QM may only take you an hour to see. Then there is... not much else.
6
Gilroy is on the map because of shopping, yes. Travelling with my girlfriend I will have to give and take.But if I can talk her out of it along the way we might just skip it and head straight for Monterey.
7
There are several very good outlet stores in Las Vegas, also just south of Santa Barbara are the Camarillo Premium Outlets, all of which are better than Gilroy. I'd only visit Gilroy if the Garlic Festival is going on (in August I think).8
Skip Gilroy. It is a dumpy gang-ridden farm town. The Gilroy Garlic festival lost it's personal touch a long time ago. It is very commercialized and hot as hell in August. There is far better shopping in Las Vegas, including much better outlet malls. There is no reason whatsoever to spend on of your nights in Gilroy.No need to actually stay in Long Beach. It is just part of LA and is a very mediocre area.
Six Flags will certainly give you your fill of tacky teenage culture. I would not be a destination I would send visitors to.
10
But, if you were thinking of staying at an LA area beach-- Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach havebetter beaches with waves you can bodysurf and a lot of Los Angeles vibe on the boardwalk. Cheers!
12
We're going in May 2013 keep in mind.So you guys would rather recommend a route looking more like this ?
Also about the shopping. We didn't plan to stay the night at Gilroy, just stopping for a few hours. But the shopping is better in Santa Barbara you said? Considering prices and the different range of items to purchase?
I really think we will focus our time on other things when we hit Las Vegas.
Also, will we be able to drive through Yosemite like that in the middle of May? A friend of mine encountered some problems due to snow and closed roads in June one year.
13
But the shopping is better in Santa Barbara you said? Considering prices and the different range of items to purchase?
It's all the same cheap crap.will we be able to drive through Yosemite like that in the middle of May?
Possible, but unlikely.Here is a list of historical opening dates.
This is when when I supplied my map above, it went through Tahoe. CA-88 is the southernmost road through the Sierra that is open year-round.
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