San Fran to Vegas via Yosemite in November

[Josie Jones]

We have a 12 day vacation booked flying into Vegas on 2nd November 06. We arrive at midnight and are planning on flying straight out to San Fran on 3rd for 2 nights. Any recommendations on good quality central hotels?

We had then intended hiring a car to drive to Vegas via Yosemite, having spent the last two hours reading various threads I am confused as to whether this is a good idea.....? Initially we had intended doing this over two days with a one night stopover in Yosemite this would leave us 5 nights in Vegas before flying back to the UK.

I would welcome any advice or suggestions in terms of a route and duration for the trip - or whether to just book a return flight between Vegas and San Fran! It appears that November is a good time to see the changing season although the snow does seem to be problematic - especially for us brits! I would like to see Death Vallley and any other scenic areas which are not in the danger zones however trying to get a handle on which are practical is not easy.

Any help would be very much appreciated!

[Mark Sedenquist]

We have a 12 day vacation booked flying into Vegas on 2nd November 06. We arrive at midnight and are planning on flying straight out to San Fran on 3rd for 2 nights.

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! This sounds like a Virgin Atlantic non-stop? Will you leave the airport or fly directly on to San Francisco?

Any recommendations on good quality central hotels?

It is not a central location -- but we like the Holiday Inn Golden Gate -- nice views, great rates, and with the public transportation system -- it is easy to get around.

We had then intended hiring a car to drive to Vegas via Yosemite, having spent the last two hours reading various threads I am confused as to whether this is a good idea.....?

Thanks for reading the threads! If Tioga Pass is still open -- transit from Yosemite Valley to US-395 and then south to Death Valley to Las Vegas is not only possible -- it is great! But if we get an early pass-closing snowstorm-- your options are a little more complex. Next best scenario is getting over Sonora Pass CA-108 or even CA-4. If it is a heavy snow storm -- you will need to travel down the central valley (on the west side of the mountains) go around the bottom of the range and then back up to Death Valley and beyond.

Initially we had intended doing this over two days with a one night stopover in Yosemite this would leave us 5 nights in Vegas before flying back to the UK.

That is still possible -- with either route.

It appears that November is a good time to see the changing season although the snow does seem to be problematic

Leef peeping season may still be effect for the Sierras -- hard to tell at this point.

Here are some tips and ideas for your stay in Las Vegas.

Happy Planning

[pashnit]

If Tioga Pass is still open -- transit from Yosemite Valley to US-395 and then south to Death Valley to Las Vegas is not only possible -- it is great! But if we get an early pass-closing snowstorm-- your options are a little more complex. Next best scenario is getting over Sonora Pass CA-108 or even CA-4. If it is a heavy snow storm -- you will need to travel down the central valley (on the west side of the mountains) go around the bottom of the range and then back up to Death Valley and beyond.

Bookmark these links- crossing the Sierra Nevada in November is a toss-up.

http://www.chainreactionbicycles.com/trans-sierra.htm
(is a bicycle site, but lists open/close dates for the passes and may help you with deciding)

Cal Trans Open-Close dates list
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/clsdates.htm

This one is really handy - goes by road number (so you need to know whether you'll be traversing Hwy 120, 4 or 108, etc. Bookmark, and check before you leave.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/Hourly