West Coast USA - 16 Nights Itinerary for Critique/Suggestion
Discussion
Following BigGingerBob's Post re his West Coast Road Trip
I've got a similar trip planned for this October - 16 nights but a lot of the same destinations and a few differences.
I won't hijack his thread - my itinerary for critique/suggestions etc
Tue 11th - LHR - SLC - SEA - Seattle 3 nights
Wed 12th - Seattle City / Market/Tower (touristy stuff)
Thu 13th - Whale Watching half day/Olympic Peninsula
Fri 14th - Seattle to Vegas flight - 3 nights (land approx 1800 hrs)
Sat 15th - Las Vegas Strip etc
Sun 16th - Collect hire car 0700 hrs - Drive to Death Valley/back late evening to Las Vegas/Freemont
Mon 17th - Leisurely drive to Hoover Dam/South Rim Grand Canyon/Bit of Route 66 - Sunset GC
Tue 18th - Sunrise GC - Travel to Barstow (splitting up a 630 mile drive to the coast) 370 Miles
Wed 19th - Barstow to Pismo Beach/CH/Monterey 399 Miles
Thu 20th - Monterey/17 mile Drive/PCH/Whale Watching boat (specifically off to sea Sea Otters)
Fri 21st - Monterey to Yosemite (plan to drive through to Mammoth Via Tioga Pass road if open (if not will stay West side of the Park)
Sat 22nd - Yosemite
Sun 23rd - Mammoth via Tioga road if open / Yosemite to San Francisco (approx 262 if open/321 miles if closed)
Mon 24th - San Francisco touristy stuff (Dylans Bike Ride across Golden Gate Bridge/Ferry back/VW Air cooled tour)
Tue 25th - San Francisco touristy stuff (Alcatraz evening tour)
Wed 26th - SFO Airport for 1500 hrs (SFO - SLC - LHR)
Thu 27th - Back into LHR for approx 1330 hrs
I've got a similar trip planned for this October - 16 nights but a lot of the same destinations and a few differences.
I won't hijack his thread - my itinerary for critique/suggestions etc
Tue 11th - LHR - SLC - SEA - Seattle 3 nights
Wed 12th - Seattle City / Market/Tower (touristy stuff)
Thu 13th - Whale Watching half day/Olympic Peninsula
Fri 14th - Seattle to Vegas flight - 3 nights (land approx 1800 hrs)
Sat 15th - Las Vegas Strip etc
Sun 16th - Collect hire car 0700 hrs - Drive to Death Valley/back late evening to Las Vegas/Freemont
Mon 17th - Leisurely drive to Hoover Dam/South Rim Grand Canyon/Bit of Route 66 - Sunset GC
Tue 18th - Sunrise GC - Travel to Barstow (splitting up a 630 mile drive to the coast) 370 Miles
Wed 19th - Barstow to Pismo Beach/CH/Monterey 399 Miles
Thu 20th - Monterey/17 mile Drive/PCH/Whale Watching boat (specifically off to sea Sea Otters)
Fri 21st - Monterey to Yosemite (plan to drive through to Mammoth Via Tioga Pass road if open (if not will stay West side of the Park)
Sat 22nd - Yosemite
Sun 23rd - Mammoth via Tioga road if open / Yosemite to San Francisco (approx 262 if open/321 miles if closed)
Mon 24th - San Francisco touristy stuff (Dylans Bike Ride across Golden Gate Bridge/Ferry back/VW Air cooled tour)
Tue 25th - San Francisco touristy stuff (Alcatraz evening tour)
Wed 26th - SFO Airport for 1500 hrs (SFO - SLC - LHR)
Thu 27th - Back into LHR for approx 1330 hrs
Thats a lot of driving.
I think some of the drives you have down for a day are a bit unrealistic. The distances are vast and traffic can be an issue if the weather is bad despite you being in the middle of nowhere. October can be very mixed you might be lucky or you might be unlucky so prepare always carry water and some food in the car.
I think by the end of the first half you might be very tired and that might take from the enjoyment - IMHO.
FWIW I did a very similar route to you and took 4 weeks to do it. You are doing it in just over 2.
PCH is prone to road closures fwiw.
As is Yosemite.
Dont leave *anything* in your car it will get robbed... ask me how I know esp in San Fran.
Gas is >$6/gal in places now if you are trying to work out mpg etc.
I really enjoyed our trip (except the car getting broken into!) and most of the places we went were excellent. I personally did not rate SF thought it was a bit of a dive.
Enjoyed Vegas and LA. Which I really did not expect to do. Thought Vegas was actually great value for money too.
Grand Canyon and Yosemite were brilliant and probably the 2 key parts of the trip for me.
Williams was cool.
Was mean to drive PCH but did 2 miles of it before a landslide meant we were done so had to re-plan. Very iffy drive to Morro down the 101 in rain so hard I could not see the front of the car and saw 2 crashes happen in front of us that night one guy literally just drove straight off the road as he could not see.. crazy stuff. Next morning the rest of the PCH was shut due to more land slides so that was that.
Nappa, SF and the towns in between I thought were a bit meh. A lot of crime.
We stayed in Modesto (Hyatt) for Yosemite and thought it was an alright place just for 2 nights.
HTH
I think some of the drives you have down for a day are a bit unrealistic. The distances are vast and traffic can be an issue if the weather is bad despite you being in the middle of nowhere. October can be very mixed you might be lucky or you might be unlucky so prepare always carry water and some food in the car.
I think by the end of the first half you might be very tired and that might take from the enjoyment - IMHO.
FWIW I did a very similar route to you and took 4 weeks to do it. You are doing it in just over 2.
PCH is prone to road closures fwiw.
As is Yosemite.
Dont leave *anything* in your car it will get robbed... ask me how I know esp in San Fran.
Gas is >$6/gal in places now if you are trying to work out mpg etc.
I really enjoyed our trip (except the car getting broken into!) and most of the places we went were excellent. I personally did not rate SF thought it was a bit of a dive.
Enjoyed Vegas and LA. Which I really did not expect to do. Thought Vegas was actually great value for money too.
Grand Canyon and Yosemite were brilliant and probably the 2 key parts of the trip for me.
Williams was cool.
Was mean to drive PCH but did 2 miles of it before a landslide meant we were done so had to re-plan. Very iffy drive to Morro down the 101 in rain so hard I could not see the front of the car and saw 2 crashes happen in front of us that night one guy literally just drove straight off the road as he could not see.. crazy stuff. Next morning the rest of the PCH was shut due to more land slides so that was that.
Nappa, SF and the towns in between I thought were a bit meh. A lot of crime.
We stayed in Modesto (Hyatt) for Yosemite and thought it was an alright place just for 2 nights.
HTH
Thank you for the replies - keep them coming. This is for my 50th - I’ve done the East coast far too many times (work/pleasure). But never yet done the West Coast.
Re fuel and food/water - I’m picking up a cool bag for the car from Walmart in Vegas keeping drinks/snacks/food in it. Fuel - while I know it’s more expensive - it is what it is. I’m fortunate to have bought $’s when FX rates were a lot better (cash and Revolut).
Tbh I’m toying with dropping car off earlier when I hit San Francisco (it’ll be sat in hotel car park for 3 days, and then only used to drive to the airport so could save myself $300 ish). Everything is amenable at the moment.
MrBig said:
Looks amazing!
Personally I would try and do Fremont on Friday or Saturday night if possible, it just feels that bit more 'alive' then.
Book Alcatraz well in advance, you won't want to miss it!
Noted thank you !! Alcatraz bookedPersonally I would try and do Fremont on Friday or Saturday night if possible, it just feels that bit more 'alive' then.
Book Alcatraz well in advance, you won't want to miss it!
gotoPzero said:
Thats a lot of driving.
I think some of the drives you have down for a day are a bit unrealistic. The distances are vast and traffic can be an issue if the weather is bad despite you being in the middle of nowhere. October can be very mixed you might be lucky or you might be unlucky so prepare always carry water and some food in the car.
I think by the end of the first half you might be very tired and that might take from the enjoyment - IMHO.
FWIW I did a very similar route to you and took 4 weeks to do it. You are doing it in just over 2.
PCH is prone to road closures fwiw.
As is Yosemite.
Gas is >$6/gal in places now if you are trying to work out mpg etc.
I really enjoyed our trip (except the car getting broken into!) and most of the places we went were excellent. I personally did not rate SF thought it was a bit of a dive.
Enjoyed Vegas and LA. Which I really did not expect to do. Thought Vegas was actually great value for money too.
Grand Canyon and Yosemite were brilliant and probably the 2 key parts of the trip for me.
HTH
GotoPzero - thank you - max I’ll be doing in a day is 400 miles - which I agree is a bug schlep, but have done on the East Coast in wintry conditions / worse case I’d just checkin somewhere if weather gets too bad plus have done that several times both in the UK/Scotland, and across Europe. Agree however it’s tiring/don’t want it to impact planned activities etc.I think some of the drives you have down for a day are a bit unrealistic. The distances are vast and traffic can be an issue if the weather is bad despite you being in the middle of nowhere. October can be very mixed you might be lucky or you might be unlucky so prepare always carry water and some food in the car.
I think by the end of the first half you might be very tired and that might take from the enjoyment - IMHO.
FWIW I did a very similar route to you and took 4 weeks to do it. You are doing it in just over 2.
PCH is prone to road closures fwiw.
As is Yosemite.
Gas is >$6/gal in places now if you are trying to work out mpg etc.
I really enjoyed our trip (except the car getting broken into!) and most of the places we went were excellent. I personally did not rate SF thought it was a bit of a dive.
Enjoyed Vegas and LA. Which I really did not expect to do. Thought Vegas was actually great value for money too.
Grand Canyon and Yosemite were brilliant and probably the 2 key parts of the trip for me.
HTH
Re fuel and food/water - I’m picking up a cool bag for the car from Walmart in Vegas keeping drinks/snacks/food in it. Fuel - while I know it’s more expensive - it is what it is. I’m fortunate to have bought $’s when FX rates were a lot better (cash and Revolut).
Tbh I’m toying with dropping car off earlier when I hit San Francisco (it’ll be sat in hotel car park for 3 days, and then only used to drive to the airport so could save myself $300 ish). Everything is amenable at the moment.
Are your flights booked yet? If not I would instead fly Seattle to SF, and then back to the UK from Vegas. That will likely cut your milage quite a bit as your current plan means you double back on your self.
So it would go SF->Monterey->Yosemite->Mammoth->Death Valley->Vegas.
Quite similar to a trip we did 3 years back. Except we did it in a bit over 3 weeks and drove down from Seattle to SF then Monterey->Paso Robles->Yosemite->Vegas->Grand Canyon->LAX for the flight home.
It was massively enjoyable although it was too rushed, and I suspect you'll find the same.
A few relevant mentions:
When whale watching we went from Anacortes - was advertised as a 3 or 4 hour trip, but we stayed out for over 6 hours.
Monterey - you mention whale watching again, can I suggest the Aquarium? I was a bit agnostic about going but the other half wanted to go. Mind blown. Was an utterly great set up and would wholly recommend.
Dropping out of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite into the vastness of the American west, and then Death Valley, and then a few hours later being in Vegas was mind boggling.
Musée Mécanique in SF.
Yosemite accomodation can be tricky so make sure you book.
So it would go SF->Monterey->Yosemite->Mammoth->Death Valley->Vegas.
Quite similar to a trip we did 3 years back. Except we did it in a bit over 3 weeks and drove down from Seattle to SF then Monterey->Paso Robles->Yosemite->Vegas->Grand Canyon->LAX for the flight home.
It was massively enjoyable although it was too rushed, and I suspect you'll find the same.
A few relevant mentions:
When whale watching we went from Anacortes - was advertised as a 3 or 4 hour trip, but we stayed out for over 6 hours.
Monterey - you mention whale watching again, can I suggest the Aquarium? I was a bit agnostic about going but the other half wanted to go. Mind blown. Was an utterly great set up and would wholly recommend.
Dropping out of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite into the vastness of the American west, and then Death Valley, and then a few hours later being in Vegas was mind boggling.
Musée Mécanique in SF.
Yosemite accomodation can be tricky so make sure you book.
Edited by gazapc on Monday 1st August 23:11
Just returned from the west coast road trip taking in Vegas Moab Flagstaff Palm Springs back to Santa Monica.
A couple of years ago flew into Seattle as it was the only state I have not visited, to be frank, couldn’t wait to get out of the state back into northern California.
In Vegas went to Fremont to see if it had improved, nope still rough. Of all the places we visited in the USA on this road trip the only constant was Vegas. Everywhere else we went prices are ridiculous. As far as gas prices, when we started the road trip it was around $6 a gallon shopping around especially in Nevada got it down to 450. And
Back to the West Coast over Christmas and New Year, staying two nights in Santa Monica then off to Palm Springs Vegas Death Valley send to Lake Havasu , tombstone then back to Palm Springs for the final week. Four weeks in total.
A couple of years ago flew into Seattle as it was the only state I have not visited, to be frank, couldn’t wait to get out of the state back into northern California.
In Vegas went to Fremont to see if it had improved, nope still rough. Of all the places we visited in the USA on this road trip the only constant was Vegas. Everywhere else we went prices are ridiculous. As far as gas prices, when we started the road trip it was around $6 a gallon shopping around especially in Nevada got it down to 450. And
Back to the West Coast over Christmas and New Year, staying two nights in Santa Monica then off to Palm Springs Vegas Death Valley send to Lake Havasu , tombstone then back to Palm Springs for the final week. Four weeks in total.
Thank you - I've added a few inline comments/responses to your suggestions
gazapc said:
Are your flights booked yet? If not I would instead fly Seattle to SF, and then back to the UK from Vegas. That will likely cut your milage quite a bit as your current plan means you double back on your self.
So it would go SF->Monterey->Yosemite->Mammoth->Death Valley->Vegas.
Everything is changeable possibly - and I do get what you are saying - only potential fly in the ointment is the Tioga Pass - as initially I would have done Vegas->GC->Death Valley->Mammoth->Yosemite->Monterey/PC1->San Francisco. Agreed my route does double back on itself, but gives me the flexibility should Tioga be closed.
A few relevant mentions:
When whale watching we went from Anacortes - was advertised as a 3 or 4 hour trip, but we stayed out for over 6 hours.
Thank you - I was going to go out to port Los Angeles on Olympia National Park - but Anacortes is nearer the San Juan islands, I've set aside the whole day TBH/quite happy to pickup a car for the day and drive out to the port from Seattle itself. Can you remember whom you went out with ? Looking @ Island Adventures (4.9 Feedback on Google 300+ reviews etc)
Monterey - you mention whale watching again, can I suggest the Aquarium? I was a bit agnostic about going but the other half wanted to go. Mind blown. Was an utterly great set up and would wholly recommend.
So I've a thing/fascinated by Otters ..... (Blame Tarka the Otter a child) So would love to see the Sea Otters in the Kelp Forests. But yes - a few others have said the Aquarium is fantastic and I'd plan to go as well
Dropping out of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite into the vastness of the American west, and then Death Valley, and then a few hours later being in Vegas was mind boggling.
This was sort of my original plan - but doubts re Tioga being open made me plan around it
Musée Mécanique in SF.
Looks good (reminds me of the stuff they used to have on the Piers @ Lytham/Blackpool as a child) I've also a few Arcades/Pinball Museum I plan to visit - as being a child of the 70's Space Invaders/Galaxian/Pac-Man etc were a large part of my life/still are if when I get change to go up to Arcade Club Bury
Yosemite accommodation can be tricky so make sure you book.
And comparatively expensive !!
So it would go SF->Monterey->Yosemite->Mammoth->Death Valley->Vegas.
Everything is changeable possibly - and I do get what you are saying - only potential fly in the ointment is the Tioga Pass - as initially I would have done Vegas->GC->Death Valley->Mammoth->Yosemite->Monterey/PC1->San Francisco. Agreed my route does double back on itself, but gives me the flexibility should Tioga be closed.
A few relevant mentions:
When whale watching we went from Anacortes - was advertised as a 3 or 4 hour trip, but we stayed out for over 6 hours.
Thank you - I was going to go out to port Los Angeles on Olympia National Park - but Anacortes is nearer the San Juan islands, I've set aside the whole day TBH/quite happy to pickup a car for the day and drive out to the port from Seattle itself. Can you remember whom you went out with ? Looking @ Island Adventures (4.9 Feedback on Google 300+ reviews etc)
Monterey - you mention whale watching again, can I suggest the Aquarium? I was a bit agnostic about going but the other half wanted to go. Mind blown. Was an utterly great set up and would wholly recommend.
So I've a thing/fascinated by Otters ..... (Blame Tarka the Otter a child) So would love to see the Sea Otters in the Kelp Forests. But yes - a few others have said the Aquarium is fantastic and I'd plan to go as well
Dropping out of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite into the vastness of the American west, and then Death Valley, and then a few hours later being in Vegas was mind boggling.
This was sort of my original plan - but doubts re Tioga being open made me plan around it
Musée Mécanique in SF.
Looks good (reminds me of the stuff they used to have on the Piers @ Lytham/Blackpool as a child) I've also a few Arcades/Pinball Museum I plan to visit - as being a child of the 70's Space Invaders/Galaxian/Pac-Man etc were a large part of my life/still are if when I get change to go up to Arcade Club Bury
Yosemite accommodation can be tricky so make sure you book.
And comparatively expensive !!
Edited by seyre1972 on Tuesday 2nd August 11:52
Ive just checked and we went whale watching with Black Fish tours. If I recall the decision was 50/50 at the time with island adventures, but a 50% off deal swung it.
With Island Adventures being that highly rated I don't think you can go much wrong.
Just make sure your mobile isn't on roaming if you get charged, as for the most of the day we were on Canadian not US phone signal.
We went in September so Tioga pass wasn't an issue. Aswell as the pass itself, there is some interesting stuff the other side such as Bodie.
With Island Adventures being that highly rated I don't think you can go much wrong.
Just make sure your mobile isn't on roaming if you get charged, as for the most of the day we were on Canadian not US phone signal.
We went in September so Tioga pass wasn't an issue. Aswell as the pass itself, there is some interesting stuff the other side such as Bodie.
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