advice my first trip to California in RV

Michael is correct, I have not come across an RV company that permits an International visitor to take it on the same day as arrival, I think it is law. Although I have never been asked when I had arrived in the US when collecting an RV, I don't think it is a good idea to try. There is a lot of paperwork and explanations of how it all works and you might even have to sit through a 20 min video as well before they will let you take it. Driving a huge vehicle like this while feeling the effects of jet lag isn't going to be a great way to start the trip, find yourself a reasonable priced airport hotel and relax.

Las Vegas has a few RV parks, although limited. [The Oasis RV resort is cool] San Francisco also has limited choices, there is one that offers free bus rides downtown, [you don't want to head to the City in an RV] but I understand it to be no more than a parking lot for RV's with a few facilities. I think it is called 'Candlestick' but just google 'San Fran RV resort'.

If you are spending a week in LA, and you still want to travel in an RV, I would seriously consider dropping the RV off when you arrive back at LA and rent an apartment for all of you.

I'll also mention as a route suggestion - San Diego is a bit far, and has so much to potential do, that you might want to make it a destination by itself rather than just trying to squeeze out a daytrip from LA.

Within the scope of your entire trip, it might make sense to do this first, going to SD then the Grand Canyon. But if you wanted to do it at the end to break up the long stretch in LA, that would work too.

Thanks to all you are very kind,
*I'll just rent a minivan when we arrive to Los Angeles and maybe at San Francisco but we'll sleep at the RV because the rooms for 6 are not cheap. You think San Diego deserve more days,ok. My itinerary left 7 days to Los Angeles because it was open to delays in the trip or changes in the estimated routes or places. I can't travel in another season of the year and I feel sad because I dream to know Yosemite, but in winter i know I'll have problems because it is not the best time to go.
anyway thank's to all from Uruguay South America Daniel

You should be able to visit Yosemite Valley - worst case, CA-140 is almost always open with no issues. Check the Caltrans website for road conditions and chain restrictions before you go.

While it might look on the surface that it will be cheaper for 6 people to sleep in an RV, I think when you factor in all of the costs, the numbers will be much closer than you'd think.

With 6 people you'll need two motel rooms. That will probably cost $100-200 a night, depending on your location and how nice of a place you want to stay.

However, in many places you're going to need to spend $50 a night on an RV Park with hookups. Throw in the fact that you'll be spending about twice as much on gas, plus the higher cost to rent an RV -especially one big enough to sleep six, plus the cost to rent a minivan to "get around," and those costs are going to even up very quickly.

Then on top of that consider the comfort factor. It will be much easier to get around in a regular car/minivan than a large RV, and many of the places you'll be visiting will be in higher elevations and desert area where temperatures will get quite cold overnight - in several cases likely dropping below freezing. The could make it difficult to get a comfortable night sleep in an RV (or spending a lot of extra money on generator fuel to keep the heat going at full blast).

There are plenty of cases where an RV really makes sense, but there are alot of times where people just assume an RV is the best choice without really breaking it down. When you consider everything, I'm still not sure you wouldn't be better off skipping an RV for this trip.

I hope can visit yosemite, any suggestions about camping in a 29 feet RV at yosemite. Do i need to make reservations? There are camping inside and outside the park, is that right?

One of the 'Pines' campgrounds in Yosemite valley would be my choice. In the heart of the park in a wooded setting and great value. find info here. At this time of year they are not reservable if I remember correctly, but it shouldn't pose a problem.

Depending on how your time works out, a couple of others I have stayed at near Yosemite are; Yosemite Pines and if you are arriving late in the day from the South, Oakhurst is home to the High Sierra RV park. There will be others if you google, but these are the one's I have stayed at, but there is nothing quite like at least one night in Yosemite NP. Make sure you have some logs on board to light up the fire pit provided, get a hot drink [with maybe something a little stronger mixed in to keep you warm ;-) ] and it will be a night to remember !

Great Dave, all of your advice has been of utility, I will follow all your suggestions,this is a great site for inexperienced traveller like me. One last question because i don't want to abuse of your kindness, whar road do you suggest from san francisco to los angeles because I have read the coast road is dangerous for a motorhome ,is that true ? My estimated plan was to travel for the Pacific coast highway because the scenic places to see and visit. Thanks to all Daniel

The coast highway is not particularly dangerous for a motorhome, it's just slow going. Be considerate and use the turnouts to let others who may be more in a hurry to pass you.

Thanks to all, I wait for you at Uruguay it's a nice country
don't hesitate to write me
Daniel