Tips for my South West US vacation?

[Martijn]

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

[SteelMaiden]

Originally Posted by 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.

[GStough]

Yes, I agree with Steel about Death Valley. 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.... Oh well....Be sure to take lots of photos, as there will be many opportunities.

[BradM]

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.

[Martijn]

Thanks for the responses so far!

SteelMaiden --> Death Valley is called so for a reason , 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 .

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 . For me, boys like big things...

Thanks and keep the tips coming!

[BradM]

Originally Posted by Martijn

...
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 . 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.

[GStough]

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! There are many things in SF to see/do!

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.

[Brizilla]

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