Hi all,

As some of you might have already heard, I'm almost in between jobs, so it's time for a big wopper of a break. Me and my missus have booked a flight to LA on the 23rd of february, with a return flight 3,5 weeks later. So far we have organized a hotel for the first night, and we rented a car for the three and a halve weeks to come... so the big question is: what to do, where to go, what to skip, where to eat, etc etc etc... All input is more than welcome. To make things easier and to show I'm not really that lazy, here's the intinirary, uhm, inititinnerary, uhm, intanitiarary, uhm, travel plan we have in mind (and no, it’s not very original, hence the request for your input :)):


LA --> San Francisco via the coastal road (beaches, forests, chilling, getting rid of the jetlag)
San Francisco --> see the town and highlights for a couple of days
Yosemite Park --> hiking, touring by car?, enjoying mountain air, bit more active
Death Valley --> Hiking, driving around the scenery
Las Vegas --> set aside 100$ and go to bed 100$ poorer
Grand Canyon --> Hiking (heard good things about Bryce Canyon I believe?)
Joshua Tree National Park --> More hiking and driving around
LA --> don’t think I need to see LA, flying straight out most likely.


Of course we can also do it the other way around, but this is what we were thinking about.

Thanks in advance! Martijn

LA --> San Francisco via the coastal road (beaches, forests, chilling, getting rid of the jetlag)
San Francisco --> see the town and highlights for a couple of days
Yosemite Park --> hiking, touring by car?, enjoying mountain air, bit more active
Death Valley --> Hiking, driving around the scenery
Las Vegas --> set aside 100$ and go to bed 100$ poorer
Grand Canyon --> Hiking (heard good things about Bryce Canyon I believe?)
Joshua Tree National Park --> More hiking and driving around
LA --> don’t think I need to see LA, flying straight out most likely.Death Valley is not much to look at, and unless you are the most avid and well prepared hiker, I wouldn't suggest a hiking trip there. It is called Death Valley for a reason. Pretty in it's own way, but dangerous as a rattlesnake.

Lots to do in San Francisco, you may want to plan on more days. There is also the wine country between LA and SF. Are you a golfer? There is Pebble Beach, and Carmel.

Joshua Tree is a good idea.

There is also San Diego, Anneheim, Disney, etc.

Yes, I agree with Steel about Death Valley. :yes: You most definitely want to see the Grand Canyon, and if you venture into southern Utah, Zion National Park is worth the drive northwest from the Grand Canyon. There are some very beautiful landscapes out there.

I'm sure you'll have a great time! Boy, am I envious....:drool: :crybaby: Oh well....Be sure to take lots of photos, as there will be many opportunities. :cool:

Las Vegas is a pretty cool site. If you go gamble, hit the casinos off of the strip. Also, you might want to catch some of the shows. Also, some of those buffets are well worth it.

Also, I might dedicate a day for Hoover Dam. Be sure and catch one of the tours. That is a really cool site.

Now... I have not been to San Francisco, but talked to lots of people who have. Depending on your tastes and preferences, you might easily spend a week there.

Do you and the spousal unit have the same taste? I mean, some people prefer to be completely away from people, others enjoy people watching. That is something to consider, maybe.

Thanks for the responses so far!

SteelMaiden --> Death Valley is called so for a reason :lol:, we'll make sure not to get too connected to nature. I'm not a golfer, and I saw Sideways, and seem to remember SF wine country as a blend between France and Southern Australia, visited both intensively, so we're skipping that. Will check up on San Diego and Anneheim. Disney is a definite no-go area for us, a bit too afraid that this will only confirm certain European stigma's about the US, I want to see the real deal and get a real feel for the country and its people. And yes, Las Vegas is probably even worse then Disneyland, let's just say that one such place is enough :D.

GStough --> Zion National Park will be on the "investigate" list, and I'm thinking of getting a new camera for this trip.

BradM --> we're both pretty much the same in holiday preferences, a week in a big city is enough, as is a week seeing nothing but trees and mountains, we enjoy both. Anyways, San Francisco will be getting more attention than planned now, everyone seems positive about the place. And for the Hooverdam, I'll have to ask my other half, she might not be too interested. Perhaps give her the credit card and send her on a shoe shopping spree :rolleyes:. For me, boys like big things...

Thanks and keep the tips coming!

...
And for the Hooverdam, I'll have to ask my other half, she might not be too interested. Perhaps give her the credit card and send her on a shoe shopping spree :rolleyes:. For me, boys like big things...

Thanks and keep the tips coming!

Yes, do ask her. Now, I realize it does not look like much, but the history and making of that is quite interesting. There is a little gift shop there, and you can feed the fish on the lake side. That is a beautiful lake; if renting a boat is your thing that may be worthwhile too.

If you plan to spend a couple days in SF, definitely hit the Golden Gate bridge, the botanical gardens at Golden Gate Park, Alcatraz (not sure if it's still open to visitors), Chinatown, and ride the historic cable cars/trolleys. Oh, and Lombard Street (I think that's what it's called) is a challenge to walk, but only if you're in really good physical shape! :lol: There are many things in SF to see/do! :agree1:

P.S. As for "big things", if you can, you really should try to make the drive up to see the Sequoyah trees (giant Redwoods). They're a good distance from SF, but still worth the trip. :)

I f you are going to see the Grand canyon i would suggest heading north from there into Colorado. A beautiful State with tons of tourist possibilities. We love traveling out there from illinois and will be going this 4th of July. Our favorite place to stay is here: Blue Skies B&B. A very cozy Bed & Breakfast. The page also goes to the attractions list that are close by Manitou springs and Colorado Springs. My favorites are The Garden of The Gods (It's like a religious experience) Royal Gorge and The Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Oh, the Colorado Springs mountain zoo is cool too.

http://www.blueskiesbb.com/attractions.html

Here's were Death Valley got its name: Death Valley '49ers - not as bad as advertised. We're going camping there next weekend - in a tent with a 6- and 2-year-old.

I can also recommend southern Utah. A big loop trip starting at Grand Canyon will take you to 8 different national parks: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Mesa Verde National Park and Petrified Forest National Park.

Other protected areas in the loop include Cedar Breaks National Monument (similar to Bryce), Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Hovenweep National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument, and Monument Valley.

Other stuff in Southern California to consider include the Palomar Observatory, the town of Julian, California and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (that's my picture of the Chuckwalla on that page).

For mountain air in Yosemite, you need to drive the Tioga Pass - but it will probably be closed due to snow when you're there.

If you want to "see the real deal and get a real feel for the country and its people" is suggest finding a little resort town to stay in. There's potential to meet visitors from all over the country - lots of folks escape the cold of their hometowns and become Snowbirds (see Snowbird (people)). Borrego Springs, California is a town like that - my in-laws spend February and March there to avoid the wet and cold of Oregon. In Utah, Moab, Utah is a nice little town.

Hoover Dam. Take a tour.
Standing at the bottom looking up the dam is breathtaking.

I did a day drive through Death Valley from Vegas and loved it. Some very cool scenery that you won't see anywhere else. Zion canyon was also enjoyable.

If you have the time, consider a trip around the Grand Canyon. From Vegas head north and hit Zion, then to the north rim of the grand canyon, then east and come back to the south rim. I have not tried it, but heard the North Rim is much less touristy than the south. Whatever you do avoid Grand Canyon West as the reviews I have read are horrible. Tripadvisor********** is a good reference here.

Vegas: For gambling go with downtown or the off-strip locals places. Sightseeing, and if you have never been, stay on the strip. Don't spend much for a room as you won't spend any time in it anyway, at least I don't. Flamingo is a great location for a good room, great pool (weather permitting) that you can get for around $50 a night midweek.

If you plan to go to Vegas, try to go there Sun-Thursday because the room rates are a lot cheaper. If you are on a budget, Sahare Hotel weekday rate is about $50 and weekend rate is over $100. Car rental is very cheaper in LV. Last month I paid $12/day. I rented a car and drove to LA and back.
LV is a fun place, even for kids.

You most definitely want to see the Grand Canyon, and if you venture into southern Utah, Zion National Park is worth the drive northwest from the Grand Canyon.

Utah, which would take you about 6-8 hours drive from Southern California (Bryce Canyon, Zion) are all beautiful places.

Joshua Tree is a good idea.

It is kinda barren, but it might be nice.

Death Valley --> Hiking, driving around the scenery

Definitely not in the months of June-August

Still visit Las Vegas, but I would focus more on Laughlin, because it is smaller and the Colorado River follows it. Good fishing, jet skiing and just soaking in the sunshine. It you choose Laughlin, stay at the Riverside, it has a lot of different things that you can do (Bowling, Movies, Concerts and so forth).

Hi folks!

I have returned from the blessed realms of holiday, and am now back in an office, new job, same crappy coffee, etc. etc. etc..

My trip to the US was absolute bliss, I took all your suggestions in, and the result was a superb trip with a good mix between city life and nature. Just a little summary of what we did:

Started in LA, did Santa Barbara to get rid of jet lag, Big Sur, San Francisco afterwards. Then Yosemite, which was still filled with snow, which made it even more special. Kings Canyon and Sequoia next, beautiful, but even more snow, Kings Canyon itself not accessible... Death Valley after that, was filled with flowers, brilliant for a day, not more... (skipped the hiking btw). Then Vegas, pure madness, had a great laugh there (got married in the process :notme:). Thanks to your tips we tossed in Bryce and Zion, which was the highlight of the trip I think. From there it was Flagstaff and Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree and two days of Santa Monica in LA before flying out.

All in all a great trip, not too impressed with the city life (took 5 days to get the "feel" of San Fran), but driving and nature was excellent.

Thanks again for all the tips!

Martijn

Stay away from Barstow, CA.

Visit San Diego

Martijn,

Sounds like a excellent trip. I'm glad you had fun.