15

Hello, O.P.?

16

I'm skeptical of the OP's sincerity. It would help if he'd post again.

17

It's rather irritating. It's been 4+ days...
There are over a dozen replies, each taking a good chunk of time to write. People put hours into helping, yet the dude can't be bothered to participate in the planning of his own vacation?

C'mon, Dave, please pull your finger out! :)

18

I did the tour that #8 recommends two months ago.

Same time last year I did a loop from the Bay Area that included the Grand Canyon, Canyon de Chelly (another possibility would have been Monument Valley), Mesa Verde NP, Moab, Arches NO, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reef NP (skippable), Utah Route 12 (worth driving in itself), Zion NP, Bryce NP, Las Vegas/Hoover Dam, and Yosemite.

That southwestern trip was much better than the northwestern one.

19

Hey thanks ever so much for all the responses!! I've just been really busy and haven't had a chance to log on!! I didn't expect such a response!

I really appreciate the incredibly useful suggestions and advice. Some great info for me to start planning and researching my trip! Lots to ponder!

In terms of some of the questions that have cropped up...

What do I define as a great city? I can only speak for myself, but I really like cities with charm ( in New Zealand I was really fond of Christchurch & also loved Munich when I visited there) but I can get a bit overwhelmed by the hussle and bussle of huge cities like Bangkok. I do however apreciate great architecture, modern and old.

What do we want from the coast?.....i guess generally just great scenery, it wouldnt be so much activity based that we were after like surfing for instance.

Type of hiking? I think it would only be day hikes or possible 1 night stays. We wouldnt be opposed to camping! We are from the North of England and enjoy hiking in the lake district but nothing too technical or strenuous.

Thanks again for taking time out to respond!! Apologies for not replying earlier.

Edited by: Lithy

Edited by: Lithy

20

You're alive! :)

Dave, what time of year?!

If money is an issue (and you're not heading out in the dead of Winter), there is an abundance of free/cheap tent camping in the western states. Pitching a tent every 2nd or 3rd night will do wonderful things for your lodging budget - to say nothing of the enjoyable outdoor experience.

Someone quoted $30 a day for food. That sounds awfully high, even if visiting sit-down restaurants 3 times a day. As suggested, a cooler, a $10 pan, and a cheap camp stove will save you a bunch. Whip up some eggs, sausage, pancakes (with real maple syrup) and a slug of juice, and you'll be more than ready to hit the trail. You can do this in a motel it you take care not to set off the fire alarms or stink up the place with a pound of bacon, etc.

21

I think were looking at around spring time-ish, around about April.

Thanks for the tips, yeah i dont think we would be opposed to camping now and again and russling up some food on a stove!!

22

April is pretty cold and snowy in the high mountains of the West, though Yosemite Valley itself isn't very high elevation and is certainly worth the visit. The rainy season will be winding down in Calif in April at lower elevations. I like the Calif coastal areas a lot in April. Also, Utah in April is wonderful: Bryce, Zion, Arches, Capitol Reef. As is the Grand Canyon.

23

Someone quoted $30 a day for food. That sounds awfully high, even if visiting sit-down restaurants 3 times a day.

That's the low end if you eat in restaurants. Could you beat that? Yeah, if you eat 3 meals a day at fast food joints. God help your gut if you do that. The only practical way to beat $30 a day is with a cooler, a hot plate, and shopping at grocery stores.