San fran-Yosemite-DeathValley-LasVegas-GrandCanyon-Phoenix-PalmSprings-LA in December

[Jas.C]

Hi All!

3 of us will be going on our first US road trip this Dec. We will like to cover as many must-go places as possible.

13 to 15 Dec - San Fran
16 to 18 Dec - Yosemite
18 to 19 Dec - Death Valley
19 to 21 Dec - Las Vegas
21 to 23 Dec - Grand Canyon
23 to 24 Dec - Phoenix
24 to 25 Dec - Palm Springs
To reach LA on 25 Dec to celebrate Christmas and stay till 31 Dec

Please advise on roads to take as we are worried about the snow and have never been on a road trip before.

Any lodging recommendation for Grand Canyon?

Are there any must do things or must see attractions in Phoenix and Palm Springs? Or any other alternative routes to LA from Grand Canyon?

Thank you in advance!

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

Travelling from Yosemite to Death valley in December will most likely mean that you will have to go around the mountains via Bakersfield as the Tioga Pass [CA120] across the Sierra Nevada could well be closed. If that were the case you would be best off staying a little south of Yosemite, perhaps around Oakhurst and staying in Lone Pine or at Panamint Springs the following day and explore Death valley on route to Vegas the next day. If Tioga were open it is a fantastic route and you could stay in Mammoth lakes/Bishop area, there is just no way of knowing though until near the time or when it's declared shut for the season.

Yosemite is a [snow] chain control area and the law is enforced when they are needed, so if they are required you will need to obtain some and know that the rental company will permit you to use them.

If your budget can manage National park lodging rates that's what I would recommend you do. If not, Tusayan is the nearest to the park with Williams and Flagstaff offering cheaper alternatives. You could leave [or enter] the GC by Desert view drive to the east kiosk as there are viewpoints along this drive, in which case you could consider staying at the Cameron Trading post which is a bit of an attraction in itself.

You could visit Joshua Tree NP on route to LA as well as consider other options like Lake Havasu and taking sections of route 66 through Seligman [this section could be done on route to GC] and through Oatman.

[Yeehaw]

Try to add Sedona between GC and Phoenix. What are you plans for Phx? Palm Springs has the Aerial Tramway that should not be missed. 20 miles west of PS you'll find Cabazon with great outlet shopping.
Try to stay inside GC (reservations needed). El Tovar, Kachina, Thunderbird and Bright Angel are right at the rim. Yavapai and Maswik on a short distance.
For Phoenix we liked our visits to MIM, Taliesin West, Heard Museum and Botanical Gardens.

[Jas.C]

Thanks for the replies! Still a little lost on the routes but will do my research.

Yeehaw: We haven got a plan for Phx yet. Will check out your suggestions! Thanks!
Thinking of Bright Angel for GC and perhaps sign up for some tours.