SF to SF in 14 Days

Firstly, Hi to everyone, great site!, and I beg forgivenes for the length of this thread!

My husband and I will be landing in San Francisco on Nov 1st (8pm) and we plan on collecting the car and have booked into a local Travelodge for the first night. From there we'll be driving up to Tahoe for 2/3 days (we got married there in 2002) and from there driving south to visit with friends in Redlands CA and San Bernadino CA.

We have the trip covered as far as Lee Vining, as this was a route we took in 2002 to get to Yosemite. It's after this point that we need a little advice and guidance.

My husband wants to go to Vegas with an overnight stay, and I would like to drive through Death Valley. We would BOTH like to see the Grand Canyon. After visiting with the friends in Redlands and San Bernadino, we plan to drive back to SF on the Pacific Coast Highway.

We spent a few days in Yosemite in '02, and also explored Bodie and Mono Lake.

So my questions are these:

1. Does the trip sound 'do-able'?
2. Are we risking any significant snow in early November?
3. Any gems of wisom on things to see along the way / places to overnight etc.
4. How long should we leave ourselves to comfortably drive back up th coast? (We both drive happily in the US)
5. Do you think we'll have the time to see Grand Canyon? (I know there are trips out of Vegas for this).
6. (Last one I promise!) Is there a route across Death Valley that will show us it's beauty and not take us a million miles off the beaten track?

OK I'm done.

Sorry for all the waffling, but we'd like to have a loose itinerary in our minds for the trip (my 7th US roadtrip....my husband's 2nd).

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by viv1969

5. Do you think we'll have the time to see Grand Canyon? (I know there are trips out of Vegas for this).

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If you can possibly arrange seeing the Grand Canyon you should. It's pretty much impossible to explain or imagine how impressive it is til you see it for yourself. I drove there from Las Vegas, but at around five hours each way you may not feel able to spare that amount of time. I stayed overnight at the Red Feather Lodge in Tusayan, a ten minute drive from the South Rim, which was great, and since I was still on UK time I woke early and went to watch the sun rise over the canyon rim. Wow. (Couple of pictures here.)

A couple of my friends thought it would be "too tourist-y" but I've never quite understood that. Sure it's more fun seeing things without feeling like you're part of a herd, but the Grand Canyon is the perfect example of a beautiful area justifying the attention it receives.

(PS say hello to Kent for me—I grew up in Beckenham!)

DJ...You made our minds up for us. We're definitely going to include the Grand Canyon on the schedule, and we've decided to do it by driving. The problem with me is I don't want to miss a single thing!

I've spent so much time over the years around SF, Tahoe, Yosemite and Monterey, so I'm willing to spend a little less time there this year and concentrate on all the things that are new to me and Andy.

Kent says HI!!! (I'm in Sevenoaks)

I'm still a little concerned regarding the possibility of snow....anyone?

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Originally Posted by viv1969

I'm still a little concerned regarding the possibility of snow....anyone?

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If it isn't snowing in the Sierras by November 1st, we are big trouble! I would suggest staying overnight at the Furnace Creek Inn in Death Valley!

Mark

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Originally Posted by Editor

If it isn't snowing in the Sierras by November 1st, we are big trouble! I would suggest staying overnight at the Furnace Creek Inn in Death Valley!

Narj

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Thanks for the heads-up Narj. At least the roads are kept well plowed over there....at least the main hghways.

I know we've got a while to wait but I am SOOO looking forward to this!