If you do San Francisco -- an interesting side trip is the working model of the Bay area.
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If you do San Francisco -- an interesting side trip is the working model of the Bay area.
One more thought about Death Valley. It is one of my all-time favorite places in the USA. You can get a nice overview from driving through -- but all of the places you mentioned requires that one get out of the car and spend a few minutes walking around. 55-c degrees is an interesting novelty -- the first time -- but interest will wane if you try and do it more than once or twice a day. (Don't forget to tell everyone -- AVOID TOUCHING THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR DOOR)
Anyway, I am sure that this will be a grand adventure.
An alternative to the southern route along the coast -- drive over Sonora Pass. Even in August there will be waterfalls all over the place. And then south on US 395 and over to Death Valley (if you really must drive that much.)
Mark
Wow, great attention to this thread, you'd get away with charging a fortune for this level of personal service! I feel sure that, whatever changes we decide on, Death Valley is non-negotiable from at least two of the others in our party (I'd be disappointed to miss out too!) so I know that will 100% stay. I am aware that I listed some possible destinations there but I am also very much aware of the temperature there so I fully expect to visit one or two and spend the remainder of the time there enjoying the pool... or, more likely, hiding out in the airconditioned cabin relaxing :)
I have never been over Sonora Pass so, if there are any issues with the PCH again next year, or indeed if we decide to skip the PCH, that looks like a good option (particularly as the kids really loved a place where we spent a couple of nights last year just south of Bridgeport...
I have just ordered a copy...!! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist
Another random thought.
If you do drive down some of the California coast -- one of my favorite beach towns is Cayucos. It's not as well-known as Morro Bay -- but there is a really beautiful white sand beach and the pier is fun.
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...-200x300-2.jpg
Thanks for ordering Rick's book -- here is a bit more about it.
There are some unique roads over the Sierra Nevada mountains. One memorable solo trip I did three of them in one day.
Tioga Pass
Sonora Pass
Ebetts Pass (This is my favorite mountain road -- lots of hairpin turns)
Here is a map that shows all of them (22)
Sherman Pass is pretty amazing too.
You mentioned Bakersfield at one point.
I do have a favorite hotel in Bakersfield. It is a historic hotel with great views of the historic downtown area. It is called the Padre Hotel. Originally built in 1928, it is an eight-story Spanish Colonial Revival hotel. It is probably more fun for adults than kids.
Mark
Thanks for the beach tip, I will note that! The map showing the various mountain passes may be useful if we do not run down the PCH and I will revisit that when we talk over the options later.
Bakersfield was going to be a layover when we were originally planning to break the journey from the coast to Death Valley but we have been given the green light for a couple of the days to stretch in to longer 'travel days' in order to improve the flow of the trip and give more time at the more interesting stops.
I was going to write up and post the revised itinerary however there are a raft of new thoughts to run through with the family first now I think! :)
Sounds like a good plan!Quote:
Originally Posted by UKCraig
Mark
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog.../0104_0744.jpg
Morning view -- Yosemite High Country
Okay, here goes, version 2.0! I know that some will say it is perfectly achievable whilst others will say it is still too rushed and I have ignored all the advice. I don't think I have ignored anything that has been posted - I have found it all very useful feedback - and I am pretty pleased with what we have now come up with. I have tried to take in to account as many of the suggestions that I could whilst maintaining the basic shape of the intended route. A few things have gone entirely (such as Pinnacles NP, tour at Monument Valley, the show at the Sphere, Horseshoe Bend/Navajo Bridge, Royal Gorge, Elitch Gardens, etc.) and some sections have been rejigged entirely to give a great time at a particular destination (eg a full day at Mesa Verde to allow us to meld our day to whatever tours may be available to us when I come to book). The number of different overnight stops is down to 14 and, apart from two 'driving days', where the distance to be traversed is more than I would have liked, I think that the distances to be covered are perfectly achievable without grinding everyone in to the ground. If, when we hit the road people start to get a little stressy, I have tried to leave little blocks where we could skip certain visits or 'cut off the corner' in order to slow things down should it prove necessary.
Still interested to hear from anyone who has been to Telluride when the festivals are on (Jazz in this case) but I suspect we will simply show up and see what happens. Interested also on recommendations for accommodation in any of the TBC locations: Monterey, Kingan, Cortez, Durango, Colorado Springs, downtown Denver (possibly near the ball park?) and Estes Park (or another suitable alternative to base ourselves for the RMNP). Either reasonably priced cabins or well-located/fun hotels realistically ideally with pools for the kids.
All we need now is for the PCH to be shut down again after winter does its worst and it'll all need reviewing again but I am sure that we could come up with a revised plan to get us from San Francisco to Death Valley without too much in the way of stress if it comes down to it.
Let me know if there are any other thoughts or suggestions. Thanks all!
Sunday 28th July - Day 1:
Fly London - San Francisco (arrive 13:00)
Overnight accommodation booked: Hotel Caza, Fishermans Wharf
Monday 29th July - Day 2:
Ride cable car to Cable Car museum junction of Washington St and Mason St
Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe
Overnight accommodation booked: Hotel Caza, Fishermans Wharf
Tuesday 30th July - Day 3:
Lombard Street/Filbert Street
Golden Gate Bridge
Drive south to Monterey and relax there for the afternoon (+/- 2.5 hours)
Overnight: Pacific Grove/Monterey
Wednesday 31st July - Day 4:
Head south along the PCH
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
McWay Falls overlook
Limekiln State Park?
Overnight: Cavalier Oceanfront Hotel?
Thursday 1st August - Day 5:
Finish driving south along the PCH
Lunch at Morro Bay?
Afternoon at Avila, Cayucos or Pismo Beach
Overnight: Cavalier Oceanfront Hotel?
Friday 2nd August – Day 6:
Travel day: drive to Death Valley NP via Lone Pine (+/- 6.5 hours)
Sunset Badwater Basin
Overnight accommodation booked: Furnace Creek Ranch Cabin
Saturday 3rd August – Day 7:
Explore Death Valley NP
Zabriskie Point
Devils Golf Course
Artists Drive / Artists Pallette
Overnight accommodation booked: Furnace Creek Ranch Cabin
Sunday 4th August – Day 8:
Sunrise Dantes View
Free entry to National Parks today – avoid!
Drive to Las Vegas (+/- 2.5 hours)
Overnight: Staying with relatives south of Las Vegas
Monday 5th August – Day 9:
Drive to Kingman (+/- 4 hours)
Visit Hoover Dam
Frozen Custard at Culvers!
Overnight: Kingman
Tuesday 6th August – Day 10:
Breakfast at Cracker Barrel!
Drive along old Route 66 to Grand Canyon NP (+/- 3 hours)
Explore Grand Canyon NP
Overnight accommodation booked: Maswik Lodge South
Wednesday 7th August – Day 11:
Explore Grand Canyon NP
Overnight accommodation booked: Maswik Lodge South
Thursday 8th August – Day 12:
Travel day: drive to Cortez (+/- 6 hours)
Stop for lunch at the roadside in Monument Valley
Quick stop at Goosenecks State Park to enjoy view
Photo stop at Four Corners Monument
Overnight: Cortez
Friday 9th August - Day 13:
Mesa Verde NP tour (reservation required)
Overnight: Cortez
Saturday 10th August – Day 14:
Drive western part of San Juan Skyway via Telluride and Ridgway (+/- 4 hours)
Gondola from Telluride to Mountain Village and back?
Note: Telluride Jazz Festival – how does this effect this plan?
Overnight accommodation booked: Montrose Barndominium
Sunday 11th August – Day 15:
Visit Ouray Hot Springs
Ridgway for lunch?
Overnight accommodation booked: Montrose Barndominium
Monday 12th August – Day 16:
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP
Overnight accommodation booked: Montrose Barndominium
Tuesday 13th August – Day 17:
Head south to Durango via Million Dollar Highway (+/- 4 hours)
Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour and gold Panning in Silverton
Overnight : Durango
Wednesday 14th August – Day 18:
Drive towards Great Sand Dunes NP (+/- 3 hours)
UFO Watch Tower?
Colorado Gators Reptile Park
Great Sand Dunes NP
Overnight accommodation booked: Great Sand Dunes Lodge
Thursday 15th August – Day 19:
Great Sand Dunes NP
Drive onwards to Colorado Springs (+/- 2.5 hours)
Garden of the Gods
Overnight: Colorado Springs
Friday 16th August – Day 20:
Drive up Pikes Peak (reservation required)
Drive to Denver (+/- 2 hours)
Overnight: Denver
Saturday 17th August – Day 21:
Explore Denver
Colorado Rockies vs San Diego Padres at Coors Field (6:10pm)
Overnight: Denver
Sunday 18th August – Day 22:
Drive out toward Rocky Mountain NP via Peak to Peak Highway (+/- 3 hours?)
Overnight: Estes Park?
Monday 19th August – Day 23:
Explore Rocky Mountains NP (reservation required)
Overnight: Estes Park?
Tuesday 20th August – Day 24:
Drive back to Denver Airport (+/- 2 hours)
Stop at Buc-ee’s in Johnstown
Fly Denver – London (depart 18:35)