1

There is time to do it all, except maybe LA. Sure there is not time to hike the back country or anything, but most of Yosemite is a small valley. You could spend the first evening there, some more time in the morning, then get to Lone Pine for the next night. Then you would have an entire day to spend in Death Valley, with the evening in Vegas. LA is 5 hours away, as is Palm Springs. That gives you two nights in LA or wherever you want to spend it.

2

Thanks that's a bit of a relief. Normally I'd want to do a few hikes but won't have time this trip. Have just found out we may be going to Vegas on the 15th June after her conference so i think my plan now may be:
Fly into San Francisco 9th June - spend 1-2 nights there (depending on if i go to Alcatraz).
1 night Yosemite
1 night Death Valley/surrounds
1-2 nights LA then to Palm Springs.

It's sounding more acheivable than i thought :)

3

Check into lodging NOW. There is a good chance that everything in Yosemite Park itself is already fully booked and you will need to look at Plan B. Staying Overnight in Yosemite

4

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but take a look at Google maps and the distances involved between these destinations. Once, you are in the Los Angeles area, you will have to deal with traffic. It's really hard to avoid unless you're driving right in the middle of the day or middle of the night. And even then, you might hit traffic.

It's 4 hours to Yosemite from SF, then another 6 hours from Yosemite to Death Valley assuming you make no stops and encounter no traffic. It will literally be hot as hell in Death Valley when you plan to visit. If I were to cut something out, it would be that. That way, if you want to take on an adventurous hike in Yosemite, you can. Also, book accomodation for Yosemite right now. Like immediately. It books up as much as a year in advance.

Good luck! Definitely go to a Vegas pool party. They're the best part of Vegas!

5

I agree, cut out Death Valley as it will eat up 2 days of your trip and isn't suitable for hiking in the summer.

I suggest flying to SF, spending a few days in the area, doing an overnight in Yosemite and then flying back to LA/Palm Springs. If you really must see Vegas, do it as an overnight from Palm Springs. Or drive there and then fly to SF.

6

I also suggest you cut out Death Valley on this trip - especially as you are now considering not going through to Las Vegas after it. I would look at San Francisco (two nights), then to Yosemite NP, then to the West Coast at Monterey and then as far as Santa Barbara. The last day (post morning rush hour) do the 200 mile freeway trip around the north of LA to Palm Springs for the night of 14 June. And then on 15 June, drive from Palm Springs to Las Vegas.

7

Thanks All! Some great suggestions. Didn't realise how long it would take to get to Death Valley. I think you're right I should cut that out and just go to Yosemite NP and then down the coast from San Francisco to LA. Makes more sense given the timeframe. Need to get booking before I'm out of time.

Cheers

8

You won't likely get accommodations inside Yosemite at this point, so need to plan to stay outside and commute in or just drive through. I'd also bypass DV, but driving from L.A. to Yosemite by first taking Hwy. 395 would be scenic. You could stay in Bishop or northward and then, assuming it's open, take Tioga Pass into Yosemite and stay . .I don't know. Then head to SF. Getting to Yosemite that way is longer than the quick way up Hwy. 99 but infinitely more sceic. Either way will have hot weather (not as hot as DV).

9

But BubbaK, they are heading north to south - not from LA up to Yosemite. An while Hwy 395 is indeed scenic, I would still recommend they go via the coastal highway south to LA/Palm Springs.