USA WEST - LA - SF - VEGAS RURAL ROUTE

Yes, do take a look at the thread at the very top of this branch about Big Sur. Right now, the highway department says that the road will probably be fully open by Sept. 30. However, things can change, so keep an eye on the situation and be prepared for a Plan B if the bridge is not open.

You do not need a car in San Francisco. In fact, a car can be a liability. Parking is expensive and can be hard to find. There is good public transit and lots of taxis, Uber, and Lyft. The city is surprisingly walkable.

On the other hand, the LA area is tough without a car. I say "LA area," because it is really a sprawling metropolis of contiguous cities, of which Los Angeles is the largest. It can be done by transit, but it would be cumbersome and time consuming. Some lodging and some places you might want to visit will not be served by transit at all.

Mid-September to mid-October is when SF and the Central Coast have their best weather--warmest and most likely to be fog free. "Warmest" is a relative term, though, and you will need a sweater or looks got jacket.

Good that you got your SF lodging sorted. Besides the conventions, there are some big events, such as a free three day concert in Go,den Gate Park and a week of celebrating the Navy, including a free air show. If the local baseball team does well, there will be big playoff games going on.

If you have any interest in wine tasting, I can make some suggestions that are on your route, but not hopelessly crowded and expensive.

HI!I live here in SoCal, and If parking costs aren't an issue, than I highly recommend you keep your car, especially in LA, where you'll definitely need one. I've also lived in the Bay Area, and Public transportation isn't an issue in SF, but again, if parking cost isn't an issue, it might be worth keeping it... Santa Barbara is definitely worth a stop, it's gorgeous, and it's on the way to SF, so why not! I LOVE Los Angeles, but Palm Springs isn't my favorite, your other desert ideas, sound more interesting, and if it were me I'd start in LA and give yourself at a mininum 3 nights, then Santa Barbara, one night, SF three nights... and so on! Sounds like a fun trip!! Hope this helps!

In #8 carracar suggests heading from Lake Tahoe straight across Nevada to Utah's five parks, and including Monument Valley.

It's certainly a viable plan that avoids visiting Las Vegas twice, and traverses some pretty remote areas, but I think the conservative alternative (dropping Lake Tahoe and Monument Valley) works better in the limited time you have.

Here is one 14-night itinirary ... it's super-tight, but manageable:

Night 01 - Los Angeles
Night 02 - Los Angeles
Night 03 - Los Angeles
Night 04 - Near San Luis Obispo
Night 05 - Monterey
Night 06 - San Francisco
Night 07 - San Francisco
Night 08 - San Francisco
Night 09 - Yosemite Bug Hostel (or in park)
Night 10 - Lee Vining or Mammoth Lakes
Night 11 - Las Vegas
Night 12 - Grand Canyon NP South Rim
Night 13 - At Bryce Canyon NP
Night 14 - Springdale (Zion NP)

If you have to cut a night, then probably San Francisco, or have a very long day driving from Mammoth Lakes to Springdale Utah, and reversing the direction of the last few days.

there is so much to choose from im just trying to get my head around it. does anyone have an opinion on monument valley? or death valley? lake tahoe? am i going to stretch myself a bit going east of vegas before the 2 weeks is up? or should i go for the grand canyon from mammoth lake or lee vining? is there anywhere to star or anything to see in death valley? should i skip yosemite and lake tahoe and head east as soon as i can or should i just spend a bit more time north west of vegas and work my way down.

a day trip to the grand canyon from vegas is something i would... or should i look to stay there for a night as suggested?

based on the replies so far im thinking to spend a night or 2 some where up the coast will decide from monterey, big sur, Near San Luis Obispo and santa barbara - anyone got any opinions on them, where is better etc?

FYI, portions of HWY 1 to Big Sur are closed for the year, due to a massive road repair, so you'll be forced to take either the 101 or the 5 at some point! IMHO, I'd skip Yosemite and Lake Tahoe and try to spend more time in less places... I speak from personal experience, as I tend to fit in too much and don't really ever feel like I get enough time in a place. You can't go wrong with either Monterey or Santa Barbara, but I'd skip San Luis Obispo.

there is so much to choose from im just trying to get my head around it. does anyone have an opinion on monument valley? or death valley? lake tahoe? am i going to stretch myself a bit going east of vegas before the 2 weeks is up?

My opinions are built in to the proposed nightly itinerary I provided. Lake Tahoe is nice enough, but just one night at South Lake Tahoe hardly does it justice, and I think the alternatives I provided are superior.

Bryce Canyon and Zion aren't west of the Grand Canyon, but north, and wile they add two nights to your trip, they are superb, and the drives are not onerous. I still think Moab and / or Monument Valley are too far in your time.

A drive through Death Valley NP is sufficient in your time, and I also think Mammoth Lakes all the way to the Grand Canyon South Rim is too far. A night at the South Rim, using your own car, is far superior to any form of day-trip from Las Vegas, yes ... for a start, the sunset and sunrise are great.

does anyone have an opinion on monument valley? or death valley? lake tahoe?

Monument Valley is a substantial detour on an already rushed trip, for very little reward--you can't do much without a guided tour.
Death Valley is a drive through, given the heat of the day (yes, even in October, though it's getting better by then).
Lake Tahoe is fine for a night or two, especially if an early storm closes the Tioga Pass.

am i going to stretch myself a bit going east of vegas before the 2 weeks is up? or should i go for the grand canyon from mammoth lake or lee vining?

Any reasonable route to the Grand Canyon from the eastern Sierras passes through or near Las Vegas.

should i skip yosemite and lake tahoe and head east as soon as i can or should i just spend a bit more time north west of vegas and work my way down.

Don't skip Yosemite.
You should get to the mountains as soon as you can, given the possible weather issues as winter approaches. The southwestern parks, however, are arguably at their best in autumn.

im thinking to spend a night or 2 some where up the coast will decide from monterey, big sur, Near San Luis Obispo and santa barbara - anyone got any opinions on them, where is better etc?

Given the road closures along Highway 1, you should plan on two nights, minimum, along the coast to account for the detours. One in Monterey and one in San Luis Obispo or thereabouts would be good.

FYI, portions of HWY 1 to Big Sur are closed for the year, due to a massive road repair, so you'll be forced to take either the 101 or the 5 at some point!

There is a sticky at the top of this branch explaining this - but it might be good to reinforce the closure, although there might be a solution by October.

IMHO, I'd skip Yosemite and Lake Tahoe and try to spend more time in less places... I speak from personal experience

Skipping Lake Tahoe is fine, but Yosemite NP is arguably the best site on their trip (along with the Grand Canyon South Rim), so I would definitely not skip it.

You can't go wrong with either Monterey or Santa Barbara, but I'd skip San Luis Obispo.

You need two nights along the Pacific Coast Highway, and somewhere near SLO and then Monterey are definitely best to do this. Santa Barbara is good for three hours or so - visit the Mission if such things interest you.

Monument Valley is out of your way, go watch a John Ford western and you have seen MV.
I would not skip Yosemite.

San Luis Obispo is one of those places that regulars here do not agree on. I like it very much. It's a smaller city, with lots of nice cafes and beer pubs. It is the home of a university, so a lot reflects that. There is a mission and a historic area, as well as a creek that runs through town, where you can stroll. The Thursday Night Market is worth a trip.

However, it is inland, not on the ocean, and others prefer that. Cambria is an artsy town, with a lot of B&Bs; Morro Bay is more family oriented, with a state park on the edge of town.