Help with routes for this summer - California and on to Las Vegas

This July and August I am coming across from England with my family and am looking for help with routes / directions for the various trips.
First we are travelling from Union Square in San Francisco to the Cedar Lodge at Yosemite.

Our second stage is from the Cedar Lodge at Yosemite to Pismo Beach.

Our third stage is from Pismo beach to San Diego

And our fourth and final stage is from San Diego to Las Vegas

Anybody who can help with routes / directions for any / all the stages, with things to see along the way, I would greatly appreciate it.

Many thanks in anticipation

Ian Stabler

Hi, and Welcome to the Great American Roadtrip Forum.

How long do you have allocated to each of these legs. That has a great effect on which route you can take, and how often you can stop to explore the many attractions along the way.

Lifey

Each of the journeys we were hoping to do in a day and then stay at each end destination for several nights

How long do you have in total from San Francisco to Las Vegas?

Your first leg can be done in a day without too much worry. I'm a little puzzled why you would go from Yosemite to Pismo Beach, as it will mean you miss most of the very scenic Pacific Coast Highway. It is the area morth of there, up to Monterey, where the great sights (and seals) are. If it were me I would head to Monterey from Yosemite, and the next day head to Pismo Beach. (It takes two days drive along the PCH to LA.)

You might want to leave more time to get from Pismo Beach to San Diego. A stop in LA would be on the books, especially if you could make it a bit to the southern side of LA. You will be surprised how slow the going can be through the LA metropolitan area - often referred to as the messtropolis.

Your last leg from San Diego to LV can be done in one day, but you will be driving past some great attractions which you would miss.

Is the Grand Canyon on your agenda? I only ask, because when you are in LV you will see many tours to the Grand Canyon, but you need to be aware that without exception, they do not go to the National Park, the most spectacular part of this natural wonder. Flights from LV typically go over the west rim, which is nowhere near as beautiful, and road trips mpstly go to the Skywalk, which is also on the west rim and on native lands. It is very expensive to go there, and you will not be allowed to take any photos.

The Grand Canyon NP is the best part of a day's drive from LV. but you could choose to go there direct from San Diego, and then head to LV afterwards.

Do you have maps to help you plan this trip? If not, may I suggest that you purchase a Rand McNally road atlas from the RTA store via the link at the bottom of this page. If you order it now, you will have it in a couple of weeks. You will find it a tremendous help with much more detail than digital maps will be giving you. You will need good maps when on the road. Don't rely solely on your electronics.

Lifey

Many thanks for your reply, and some excellent points to look at. Will definitely get the map