California, driving holiday, July. Good stop points
Discussion
So my daughter is taking her GCSE's this year, as a celebration upon completion I said we would go on an American road trip
So Plan is two week beginning of July. just me and her. Fly into San Francisco, head over to Yosemite, back to San Fran and then down to LA, route to be confirmed, In a mustang or similar
We'd really like to tick off Leguna Seca, but no big planned other stop offs yet
Any recommendations to consider?
looking at current covid rules, I think we are ok, I had the first two jabs, My daughter is under 18 (not vaccinated) but do not think they ask for her to be? trying to work it out, if anyone knows.
I know I have to Do an ESTA form. I think thats it
I don't do much abroad travel so trying to make sure I cover all bases
cheers
So Plan is two week beginning of July. just me and her. Fly into San Francisco, head over to Yosemite, back to San Fran and then down to LA, route to be confirmed, In a mustang or similar
We'd really like to tick off Leguna Seca, but no big planned other stop offs yet
Any recommendations to consider?
looking at current covid rules, I think we are ok, I had the first two jabs, My daughter is under 18 (not vaccinated) but do not think they ask for her to be? trying to work it out, if anyone knows.
I know I have to Do an ESTA form. I think thats it
I don't do much abroad travel so trying to make sure I cover all bases
cheers
On my last 2 trips to the States (both in 2022, the first when you needed a negative test as well as vaccines) you had to send in the proof via an app before check-in, using screenshots from the NHS app.
Driving between SF and LA definitely take the coast road. I've done the inland route on the freeway (I-5?) which is quicker but v dull other than the giant smelly cattle processing facility half way. (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_Ranch for its politically incorrect nickname)
Hearst Castle is worth a stop off along the coast road.
The other thing to watch for is that the Americans, still being Puritans at heart, get funny about children (ie. under 21) in bars/restaurants unless you are eating.
Driving between SF and LA definitely take the coast road. I've done the inland route on the freeway (I-5?) which is quicker but v dull other than the giant smelly cattle processing facility half way. (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_Ranch for its politically incorrect nickname)
Hearst Castle is worth a stop off along the coast road.
The other thing to watch for is that the Americans, still being Puritans at heart, get funny about children (ie. under 21) in bars/restaurants unless you are eating.
Are you planning an overnight stay in Yosemite? If so I'd recommend staying in the valley rather than outside the park. I've been several times and will be there again in April. I'm staying in Curry Village which is the least glamorous accommodation you are likely to find, but there's nothing beats the sunsets in Yosemite when all the day trippers have gone home....and waking up early before they arrive again. It's heaven. I suppose it would be busier with overnighters in the Summer though.
Seems a long way to go San Fran -> Yosemite -> San Fran -> LA
Or are you flying out from LA?
Coast road is nice, so def do it. But if you are going back to San Fran again, maybe loop round to LA from Yosemite.
My vote would be for the giant sequoia trees, either the Mariposa Grove:
https://goo.gl/maps/YqpjZ3Q1s595XecR7
Or Sequoia National Park:
https://goo.gl/maps/McBHcih8bvPGovnDA
Great vista at Morrow Rock:
https://goo.gl/maps/HkGhiD87sM69swgZ8
Lake Tahoe and Monterey Bay Aquarium pretty cool too, plus all the city side stuff like Hollywood, Golden Gate Bridge etc.
https://goo.gl/maps/z8NKk4G6BpjcBkif6
2 weeks could be used up real quick.
Or are you flying out from LA?
Coast road is nice, so def do it. But if you are going back to San Fran again, maybe loop round to LA from Yosemite.
My vote would be for the giant sequoia trees, either the Mariposa Grove:
https://goo.gl/maps/YqpjZ3Q1s595XecR7
Or Sequoia National Park:
https://goo.gl/maps/McBHcih8bvPGovnDA
Great vista at Morrow Rock:
https://goo.gl/maps/HkGhiD87sM69swgZ8
Lake Tahoe and Monterey Bay Aquarium pretty cool too, plus all the city side stuff like Hollywood, Golden Gate Bridge etc.
https://goo.gl/maps/z8NKk4G6BpjcBkif6
2 weeks could be used up real quick.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Wednesday 8th February 16:18
ETA: Beaten to it by 300BHP/Ton
Spend a few days in San Francisco, if you want to go to Alcatraz book it a couple of months before you go. Yosemite’s impressive, Sutter’s Mill (start of the gold rush), and to the north of San Francisco (Sausalito, Napa Valley etc) are all great. But they’re quite a long way apart, especially at 50mph max.
The PCH coast route is much more interesting than i5, but I just saw that parts of it are closed for a month or two. Once you’re on it, there’s virtually no chance of diverting, so keep an eye on the status before you go. Also, make sure you keep you tank full, it can be a long way between gas stops, especially in a V8!
If you do take the PCH, stop at Laguna Seca, Monterey, Carmel, then it’s just scenery until Hearst Castle (takes a few hours) until you get back to civilisation. Santa Barbara’s nice, drive up into Montecito to say Hi to the royals, then back to LA.
Or you could start by visiting Monterey (aquarium) Carmel and Laguna Seca, SF Sausalito Napa then Sutter’s Mill Yosemite and keep going over the Tioga pass to Death Valley, which is visually stunning. Should be mid to high forties C in July.
Oh, and Vegas, Grand Canyon, Utah (Lake Powell, Bryce, Zion etc). You might need a month ??.
Spend a few days in San Francisco, if you want to go to Alcatraz book it a couple of months before you go. Yosemite’s impressive, Sutter’s Mill (start of the gold rush), and to the north of San Francisco (Sausalito, Napa Valley etc) are all great. But they’re quite a long way apart, especially at 50mph max.
The PCH coast route is much more interesting than i5, but I just saw that parts of it are closed for a month or two. Once you’re on it, there’s virtually no chance of diverting, so keep an eye on the status before you go. Also, make sure you keep you tank full, it can be a long way between gas stops, especially in a V8!
If you do take the PCH, stop at Laguna Seca, Monterey, Carmel, then it’s just scenery until Hearst Castle (takes a few hours) until you get back to civilisation. Santa Barbara’s nice, drive up into Montecito to say Hi to the royals, then back to LA.
Or you could start by visiting Monterey (aquarium) Carmel and Laguna Seca, SF Sausalito Napa then Sutter’s Mill Yosemite and keep going over the Tioga pass to Death Valley, which is visually stunning. Should be mid to high forties C in July.
Oh, and Vegas, Grand Canyon, Utah (Lake Powell, Bryce, Zion etc). You might need a month ??.
Hearst Castle, as others have said, is worth a stop - it's like watching the Americans try do a National Trust castle.
For Yosemite we stayed at the Yosemite Bug, as recommended by someone else on PH, and I would whole heatedly recommend it. The food there is fantastic.
In SF, Alcatraz is worth a visit on the evening tour - although I still think it feels like a holiday camp compared to Peterhead Prison museum.
For Yosemite we stayed at the Yosemite Bug, as recommended by someone else on PH, and I would whole heatedly recommend it. The food there is fantastic.
In SF, Alcatraz is worth a visit on the evening tour - although I still think it feels like a holiday camp compared to Peterhead Prison museum.
-Pete- said:
ETA: Beaten to it by 300BHP/Ton
Spend a few days in San Francisco, if you want to go to Alcatraz book it a couple of months before you go. Yosemite’s impressive, Sutter’s Mill (start of the gold rush), and to the north of San Francisco (Sausalito, Napa Valley etc) are all great. But they’re quite a long way apart, especially at 50mph max.
The PCH coast route is much more interesting than i5, but I just saw that parts of it are closed for a month or two. Once you’re on it, there’s virtually no chance of diverting, so keep an eye on the status before you go. Also, make sure you keep you tank full, it can be a long way between gas stops, especially in a V8!
If you do take the PCH, stop at Laguna Seca, Monterey, Carmel, then it’s just scenery until Hearst Castle (takes a few hours) until you get back to civilisation. Santa Barbara’s nice, drive up into Montecito to say Hi to the royals, then back to LA.
Or you could start by visiting Monterey (aquarium) Carmel and Laguna Seca, SF Sausalito Napa then Sutter’s Mill Yosemite and keep going over the Tioga pass to Death Valley, which is visually stunning. Should be mid to high forties C in July.
Oh, and Vegas, Grand Canyon, Utah (Lake Powell, Bryce, Zion etc). You might need a month ??.
this ^ :Spend a few days in San Francisco, if you want to go to Alcatraz book it a couple of months before you go. Yosemite’s impressive, Sutter’s Mill (start of the gold rush), and to the north of San Francisco (Sausalito, Napa Valley etc) are all great. But they’re quite a long way apart, especially at 50mph max.
The PCH coast route is much more interesting than i5, but I just saw that parts of it are closed for a month or two. Once you’re on it, there’s virtually no chance of diverting, so keep an eye on the status before you go. Also, make sure you keep you tank full, it can be a long way between gas stops, especially in a V8!
If you do take the PCH, stop at Laguna Seca, Monterey, Carmel, then it’s just scenery until Hearst Castle (takes a few hours) until you get back to civilisation. Santa Barbara’s nice, drive up into Montecito to say Hi to the royals, then back to LA.
Or you could start by visiting Monterey (aquarium) Carmel and Laguna Seca, SF Sausalito Napa then Sutter’s Mill Yosemite and keep going over the Tioga pass to Death Valley, which is visually stunning. Should be mid to high forties C in July.
Oh, and Vegas, Grand Canyon, Utah (Lake Powell, Bryce, Zion etc). You might need a month ??.
We just did this last summer as a family of 3 which was also planned for post GCSE's but Covid got in the way so it was post A level's.
We did San Fransico 2 nights - hired e bikes and ride over & back GG to Sausalito, Alcatraz (1st trip in the morning), China Town in the evening and then planned to go for 6 nights to Yosemite.
|https://thumbsnap.com/AKNtF6PU[/url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/27SyRXEJ[/url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/i1KouYLG[/url]
This got binned due to forest fires closing most of the southern end of the Valley so we switched and drove down I1 staying in Monterey 3 nights - wandered around Carmel, Pebble Beach, Laguna Seca (there was a track day on), whale watching..... then over to Fresno to relax in a cabin in the hills for 3 nights.
We then rejoined our original plan touring through Sequoia / Kings Canyon (utterly beautiful, especially if you walk a little away from the tourist focussed trees) and then onto Vegas via Ridgecrest and Death Valley as I always wanted to see the Grand Canyon so we did a 3 day river rafting trip with Arizona River Runners which was amazing .... slept in the canyon under the stars. Flew out of Vegas.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. We'll just have to go back to do Yosemite another year !
Plan carefully, the distances / times are bigger than they look on the map for some of the driving stints.
We did San Fransico 2 nights - hired e bikes and ride over & back GG to Sausalito, Alcatraz (1st trip in the morning), China Town in the evening and then planned to go for 6 nights to Yosemite.
|https://thumbsnap.com/AKNtF6PU[/url]|https://thumbsnap.com/27SyRXEJ[/url]|https://thumbsnap.com/i1KouYLG[/url]This got binned due to forest fires closing most of the southern end of the Valley so we switched and drove down I1 staying in Monterey 3 nights - wandered around Carmel, Pebble Beach, Laguna Seca (there was a track day on), whale watching..... then over to Fresno to relax in a cabin in the hills for 3 nights.
We then rejoined our original plan touring through Sequoia / Kings Canyon (utterly beautiful, especially if you walk a little away from the tourist focussed trees) and then onto Vegas via Ridgecrest and Death Valley as I always wanted to see the Grand Canyon so we did a 3 day river rafting trip with Arizona River Runners which was amazing .... slept in the canyon under the stars. Flew out of Vegas.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. We'll just have to go back to do Yosemite another year !
Plan carefully, the distances / times are bigger than they look on the map for some of the driving stints.
Edited by Steve Campbell on Wednesday 8th February 17:42
Just came back from California on Monday. Fabulous place but it’s got really expensive now. Eating and drinking out particularly so.
In SF, stay near the wharf. There’s a lot of homeless and drug addicts in the city and you’ll be treated to watching them s
t on the pavements in certain areas of town. That said, it’s a great city and you’ll want a few nights there.
Traffic pretty awful everywhere in my recent experience.
As said, Hearst Castle worth a stop. Some good whale watching depending on time of year on that coast.
In SF, stay near the wharf. There’s a lot of homeless and drug addicts in the city and you’ll be treated to watching them s
t on the pavements in certain areas of town. That said, it’s a great city and you’ll want a few nights there. Traffic pretty awful everywhere in my recent experience.
As said, Hearst Castle worth a stop. Some good whale watching depending on time of year on that coast.
We did this for our honeymoon. Will do a better reply later but would recommend spending the minimum amount of time possible in LA and finish your trip in SAn Diego. Really enjoyed San Diego, the gas lamp quarter has some great bars and there’s the Balboa park with loads of museums and the zoo. Also USS Intrepid and the boat trip over to Coronado is a good day out while the top gun jets fly overhead.
Your route doesn't seem a lot of carefree Mustang driving for 14 days, how about SF to Yosemite, then Death Valley NP, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, then down to Kingman, i-40 and back to LA .
True, that does miss out out the PC Highway, which is worth a see.
True, that does miss out out the PC Highway, which is worth a see.
Edited by Punctilio on Wednesday 8th February 19:55
It’s basically down the Pacific highway, which is stunning. We stopped at Pfeiffer beach in Big Sur which was lovely, trip adviser morons moan about the “impassible” narrow road down to it but it shouldn’t be an issue for a British driver ;-)
If you’re going to Laguna seca then Monterey is just down the road, good seafood restaurants and the aquarium is well worth a visit especially a behind the scenes tour.
In San Fransisco, Alcatraz is super interesting but you have to book up months in advance as it’s really popular.
Some of the hiking trails in Yosemite need a permit that you have to apply for via a ballot so plan out what you want to to while you’re there.
San Louis Obispo also a lovely town, very relaxed atmosphere with lots of art galleries and record shops. Stayed at a hotel called Apple Farm which was fun, quite old school but really comfy and the food was great.
If you’re going to Laguna seca then Monterey is just down the road, good seafood restaurants and the aquarium is well worth a visit especially a behind the scenes tour.
In San Fransisco, Alcatraz is super interesting but you have to book up months in advance as it’s really popular.
Some of the hiking trails in Yosemite need a permit that you have to apply for via a ballot so plan out what you want to to while you’re there.
San Louis Obispo also a lovely town, very relaxed atmosphere with lots of art galleries and record shops. Stayed at a hotel called Apple Farm which was fun, quite old school but really comfy and the food was great.
Edited by lufbramatt on Wednesday 8th February 20:04
300bhp/ton said:
2 weeks could be used up real quick.
this is have found out!!There is a lot of info here guys thank you
I considered LA - palm springs - Death valley - Yosemite - PCH - LA- home but that seems a huge amount of driving, and i will literealy be skipping in and out of places, but not really visit anything
Defo seems LA is the one to avoid! i have been told that a lot
I am not really interested in vegas with a 16 year old TBH, i don't drink or gamble so not sure its worth the visit
I love doing driving holidays, that doesn't bother me, but it is both me and my daughters first time out there so there are lots of things i want to see
I have found the hotels are getting pretty silly expensive, we do also have the option of Canada, as we both fancy there too
There are some good routes there, and knowing Monterey has a aquarium really helps saves me going to the sea life and San Diego
Edited by pistolpete12 on Thursday 9th February 06:24
I've done something like this a couple of times. This is what I'd do
SF.
Yosemite.
Back to SF then PCH to Carmel, then PCH down to LA. Find a couple of stops along the way. Hearst Castle and Santa Barbara as mentioned.
Then a night in Santa Monica, muscle beach, the pier.
Then Palm Springs. Easy to kill 2 or 3 days there.
Then back to LA and y out of LA
Arriving in SFO and departing LAX allows a decent 14 day trip and eliminates having to work your way back north for the flight home.
SF.
Yosemite.
Back to SF then PCH to Carmel, then PCH down to LA. Find a couple of stops along the way. Hearst Castle and Santa Barbara as mentioned.
Then a night in Santa Monica, muscle beach, the pier.
Then Palm Springs. Easy to kill 2 or 3 days there.
Then back to LA and y out of LA
Arriving in SFO and departing LAX allows a decent 14 day trip and eliminates having to work your way back north for the flight home.
2 GKC said:
Just came back from California on Monday. Fabulous place but it’s got really expensive now. Eating and drinking out particularly so.
In SF, stay near the wharf. There’s a lot of homeless and drug addicts in the city and you’ll be treated to watching them st on the pavements in certain areas of town. That said, it’s a great city and you’ll want a few nights there.
I've heard these negatives a lot recently. Is it ever going to improve ?In SF, stay near the wharf. There’s a lot of homeless and drug addicts in the city and you’ll be treated to watching them s
t on the pavements in certain areas of town. That said, it’s a great city and you’ll want a few nights there. SF - Pier 39, Alcatraz, Science museum, Dashiel Hammet hangouts
Carmel, Monterey - aquarium, Moro Bay - seals and view, Hearst Castle
LA - Staples Centre, Rodeo Drive, Studios, leave as fast as possible and never go back!
LA to Vegas - motels, SciFi and mob vibe
Vegas- all the stuff, plus LV Aviators baseball team (they have a swimming pool at the edge of the diamond!)
Hoover dam, Grand Canyon (bureaucracy almost stole the grandeur of that for me, but not quite!)
Death Valley, national parks, enormous trees!
Tahoe - Donner lake, jet skiing, powerboat, canoeing, paddle boarding, mountain biking, hiking
Probably enjoyed the last week of rented house by the side of Donner Lake and the activities more than anything else.
Wife, son (16), daughter (18) at the time all enjoyed different parts of the trip - great experience - enjoy!
Carmel, Monterey - aquarium, Moro Bay - seals and view, Hearst Castle
LA - Staples Centre, Rodeo Drive, Studios, leave as fast as possible and never go back!
LA to Vegas - motels, SciFi and mob vibe
Vegas- all the stuff, plus LV Aviators baseball team (they have a swimming pool at the edge of the diamond!)
Hoover dam, Grand Canyon (bureaucracy almost stole the grandeur of that for me, but not quite!)
Death Valley, national parks, enormous trees!
Tahoe - Donner lake, jet skiing, powerboat, canoeing, paddle boarding, mountain biking, hiking
Probably enjoyed the last week of rented house by the side of Donner Lake and the activities more than anything else.
Wife, son (16), daughter (18) at the time all enjoyed different parts of the trip - great experience - enjoy!
SWMBO and I did 3000 miles touring CA and adjacent states on a rented motorcycle. From San Fran, definitely take the PCH and not the freeway, as previously mentioned. If it's open, it's prone to storm damage and often closed.
Pfeiffer beach also previously recommended is worth it. A great overnight stay nearby is the River Inn at Big Sur.
Morro Bay is cool little coastal town, very pleasant.
I would miss out LA completely and strike out east on one of the desert highways. Desert drives at night are a not-to-be-missed experience.
Greater LA is huge, it's like 90 odd cities and 100 miles or so across. Most of it is fairly horrid IMO. Further south is San Diego which is much more welcoming. If you get to SD, don't miss the aquarium.
In San Fran DiMaggio's on Fisherman's Wharf is outstanding for seafood and the Hard Rock Cafe is a bit dated but the steaks are sublime.
Pfeiffer beach also previously recommended is worth it. A great overnight stay nearby is the River Inn at Big Sur.
Morro Bay is cool little coastal town, very pleasant.
I would miss out LA completely and strike out east on one of the desert highways. Desert drives at night are a not-to-be-missed experience.
Greater LA is huge, it's like 90 odd cities and 100 miles or so across. Most of it is fairly horrid IMO. Further south is San Diego which is much more welcoming. If you get to SD, don't miss the aquarium.
In San Fran DiMaggio's on Fisherman's Wharf is outstanding for seafood and the Hard Rock Cafe is a bit dated but the steaks are sublime.
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