1

First things first:
Monday, September 3 is Labor Day. That weekend (Fri-Mon) is the unofficial end of the summer travel season. Places, especially parks, get much busier.

Mon, 27 - Arrive xSF
Tue, 28 - xSF
Wed, 29 - xSF
Thu, 30 - xSF
Fri, 31 - xMonterey
Sat, 1 - Day trip to xBig Sur
Sun, 2 - Drive to xYosemite (surprisingly, there is still lodging available, but book NOW)
Mon, 3 - xYosemite
Tue, 4 - xYosemite
Wed, 5 - Drive to and through xDeath Valley to xVegas
Thu, 6 - xVegas
Fri, 7 - Drive to xGrand Canyon
Sat, 8 - Drive back to xVegas
Sun, 9 - Drive to xLA
Mon, 10 - xLA
Tue, 11 - xLA
Wed, 12 - Day trip to xSanta Barbara
Thu, 13 - xLA, leave

2

Bzookaj, why backtrack to Las Vegas on Saturday the 8th? Saturday is the most expensive night in Las Vegas on the whole. Just stay on I-40 and go directly to Los Angeles.

OP, if you want to see more of the interior of California, you are going to have to give up extended satys in Los Angeles and/or San Francisco. Otherwise, extend the length of youir trip.

3

Thank you to both of you for your advice, it is much appreciated.

Would it be possible to drive out to the wine region on Thursday and miss a day in SF and then either drive back or stay up there?

Also, is Yosemite the one to do or are there other National Parks I can visit. If it is to be Yosemite, where would you suggest I stay? I am on a fairly tight budget and the places seem quite expensive up there. Is camping possible around California and if so, should I be brining my tent?

Could you maybe indicate the time for journeys in the car so I can gauge the distance a little more? I was thinking I could maybe go to Napa/Sonoma and on to Yosemite and then back to the coast road, down to Santa Barbara and then over to Vegas and the GC -is this an illogical way compared to Bzookaj's suggested plan? On the Grand Canyon, where is good to stay and what is good to do there? Given my budget, I was hoping to just get involved and explore it as opposed to the helicopter ride that people seem to do!

Finally, any good car hire places would be massively appreciated. I have been advised car3000 by a friend and it seems reasonable.

Many thanks for all of your help, it is hugely appreciated.

4

No matter what you read in some guidebook, it is called the PCH only in the Los Angeles area. Elsewhere, it's "Highway 1."

There isn't a single wine region. There are many, and they produce wine that is just as first class as wine form the better-known Napa and Sonoma areas north of SF.

You will pass through a number of these wine regions on your way down the coast. You can stay an extra day in San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara just to tour wineries in those ares if you want, or just take the time to detour on your way south.

5

First, read the instructions at the top of this branch. Things like time for a route can be found using sites like Mapquest. Of course camping is possible in many places. There is a place called google. Try it. Scads of national parks. Look at a map. Everyone has a web site that lists features and lets you make reservations for camping if needed. Not just parks. National forests and national monuments. I live 20 miles from Yosemite. Surrounded by the Stanislaus National Forest. Fraction of the crowds of Yosemite. Camping available. White water rafting. We are also in the midst of the Mother Lode. That is the Californial Gold Rush area. I still get my water from sluices built by the gold miners. Drive along Hwy 49 and visit towns from that era. Grand Canyon has a web site that lists campgrounds and the reservation system. Only 1% of visitors at most take the helicopter flight. The site lists trails into the canyon.

6

Let us not be greedy. You have given yourself three whole days to plan a complex trip. Bzookaj's itinerary takes you to three of our crown jewel national parks. You sound as if you come from a part of the "English speaking world" that speaks English with an accent. Are there any major tourist attractions where you live that get CHEAPER during their high season? You need reservations NOW! You may camp in commercial campgrounds and at campgrounds at state and national parks along your route. Google can find those for you. I would recommend buying a cheap tent at someplace like Wal-Mart once you are here. It may actually be cheaper. You can donate it to Goodwill when you leave. Maybe your cousin would want it. The various travel websites can reserve a car for you. Be certain you obtain a "Total Estimated Cost" before you decide which one is cheaper.


As noted above, Google Maps and MapQuest, among others, can do this for you. Remember that we use miles here, not kilometers. Pay attention to the times and the distances. You should make reservations for Grand Canyon lodging. If it is booked up, the next best place to stay would be in Tusayan, AZ. Take a couple of gallons of emergency water and STAY ON THE PAVEMENT when driving through Death Valley National Park. Its name was not a random historical accident.

Good luck to you.

7

Many many recent posts here on this subject. If you search "California" and related terms you will find most of them and be able to glean a lot of good info from them.

8

Because most people would prefer to break up the drive.

xYosemite is the class in that area, and allows you to make more scenic drives afterward.

Click my link above, and see what's available. Try to stay in xYosemite Valley.
You could also try the xYosemite Bug, outside the park.

Camping in the park is not a possiblity. Completely sold out.
Camping outside it, and driving in (or exploring the surrounding areas), is. Much of this camping will be very basic (think tent, stoves, and water from streams).

Use Google. I do.

My route hits the best of each area, while avoiding excessive driving.
Your route is fine too, but misses more of the interior, which you expressed a desire for.

You stay at the rim, or in xTusayan, just outside the south entrance.

You look at the canyon, you hike sometrails, and you learn some geology.
You could also paint, photograph, talk with people, eat dirt, etc.

The helicopter rides most people do go to the west rim, on Native land. You want to go to the south rim, in the national park. This section is wider and deeper, and does not allow flights below the rim. It's also cheaper to visit.

Here's my standard answer for rentals:

There is no set "cheapest car rental." Any agency may be the cheapest at any time, dependent on dates, routes, age, etc.
kayak.com, priceline, expedia, travelocity, orbitz, hotwire, the individual agencies, etc., etc., etc. Sometimes foreign versions of these sites or other foreign brokers will include one-way fees, mandatory insurance fees, etc. in the rate.
Make sure you compare prices like for like (some show subtotals, others totals). Also, be aware that sometimes one-way fees, etc. are hidden in the base rate (i.e. a company may not charge a one-way fee, but may raise the daily rate accordingly).
It will take a lot of effort on your part.
See FAQ 146.
(This is the third time I posted this today.)

9

On the edge of wine country is a great little vineyard in Petaluma, Kastania Vineyards . The wines are good and Hoot, the owner, is a great guy.

Also, some of the best sushi I've ever had was in Santa Barbara. If you like raw fish check out Arigato Sushi.