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The least expensive places to stay near Yosemite are in Oakhurst and Mariposa. If you don't mind roughing it a bit, you can stay in Curry Village in the park, they have unheated tent cabins. The hotels with amenities are very costly. El Portal is the closest lodging outside the park but the lodges there are about $100.
I would allow at least 5 hours to get from Yosemite to Monterey. Best way is 140 to Merced, 59 to 152 to 101. It's at least 4 hours from SF to Yosemite via I-580 and 120.
thanks guys. I will continue planning. I think I am close to my itinerary!!
Hey all I have amended my itinerary a little. Any advice appreciated. I will try to detail as much as I can as I am looking to see if it is doable or if there are any better suggestions.
13th May Fly to LA arrive 8am ( should I plan anything this day? )
14th Visit Universal
15th Disneyland
16th Disneyland
17th Drive LA to San Diego early ( go to Seaworld. ) Hours from Anaheim?
18th Drive San Diego to Vegas 6hrs?
19th Vegas
20th Vegas
21st Fly Vegas to San Fran ( do flights leave daily? )
22nd Drive to Yosemite 6hrs? Not sure where to stay yet.
23rd Drive to San Fran
24th San Fran
25th San Fran
26th Drive San Fran to LA
27th Drive San Fran to LA
28th Drive San Fran to LA
29th Drive San Fran to LA
30th Fly LA to Honolulu.
Is this a good plan?
Can you suggest activities for destinations?
Will Yosemite work?
How long do I need to drive San Fran to LA? What will my plan allow me to see comfortably?
Thanks for any help.
I would certainly take a day from somewhere between arriving in SF and leaving LA and have an extra night in Yosemite. I also would consider driving to Yosemite from Las Vegas. It will add up to an extra 5 hours of driving overall, but by the time you have dropped off and collected another rental car off, checked your luggage in and out at the airport and flown you would have saved very little time. Although this is coming from someone who loves to drive and doesn't enjoy airport surroundings.
You could drive from SF to LA in a day by the direct route on Interstate. Too enjoy the coast along CA 1, I would recommend a couple of nights minimum and stopping in the Monterey area and Cambria area, which breaks the journey up nicely and would also give you the 'other' night in Yosemite.
If you decide to drive to SF your itinerary could look like this 21st] Vegas > through Death valley stay Bakersfield/ Lake Isabella or alternatively, If the Tioga pass is open] Bishop/Mammoth. 22nd] To Yosemite > 23rd] Yosemite > 24th] Yosemite to SF > 25th/26th] SF > 27th] Monterey > 28th] Cambria > 29th] To LA.
You can drive from Anaheim to San Diego in 2 hours as long as you don't try it in rush hour.
Thank you for all the help and suggestions. Southwest Dave, how long would it take to drive to yosemite from vegas? And which way would I go? This sounds a good idea. I also like the idea of taking my time driving SF to LA. I like coast scenery and would like to explore this drive. I am happy to take 3 to 4 days doing this drive unless you think that is too long.
You could drive from Vegas to Yosemite via Bakersfield in 9 to 10 hours. To do this you would take I15 South from Vegas and then CA58 to Bakersfield and CA 99 to Fresno and CA41 to Yosemite.
If you decided to stop along the way, I will refer you to what I said in my previous post.
Death valley has an incredible landscape and that alone should make the overnight stop worthwhile in my opinion.Quote:
If you decide to drive to SF your itinerary could look like this 21st] Vegas > through Death valley stay Bakersfield/ Lake Isabella or alternatively, If the Tioga pass is open] Bishop/Mammoth. 22nd] To Yosemite > 23rd] Yosemite > 24th] Yosemite to SF > 25th/26th] SF > 27th] Monterey > 28th] Cambria > 29th] To LA.
The Tioga pass [CA120] is what I would recommend, but this would have to remain open to change as there is at best, only a 50/50 chance of it being open.
Ok i think i might lock in my itinerary after just a few questions.
Regarding the drive fron san fran to LA, is it achievable to drive 4-5hrs a day and then look for accommodation or will it be difficult to find accommodation without booking? And is 4-5hrs a day driving far enough to achieve the drive in my itinerary?
Can you see anything else that may not work?
Any suggestions on flights and car hires?
13th May Fly to LA arrive 8am ( should I plan anything this day? )
14th Visit Universal
15th Disneyland
16th Disneyland
17th Drive LA to San Diego early ( go to Seaworld. ) Hours from Anaheim?
18th Drive San Diego to Vegas 6hrs?
19th Vegas
20th Vegas
21st Fly Vegas to San Fran ( do flights leave daily? )
22nd Drive to Yosemite 6hrs? Not sure where to stay yet.
23rd Drive to San Fran
24th San Fran
25th San Fran
26th Drive San Fran to LA
27th Drive San Fran to LA
28th Drive San Fran to LA
29th Drive San Fran to LA
30th Fly LA to Honolulu.
Thanks
You should be able to find lodgings as you go without to much hassle if that's the way you want to go.
Everything will "work" but what stands out to me is still the limited time you have in Yosemite compared to the time on the coast between SF and LA. You could comfortably drive down the coast in 3 days with under 5 hours driving time, yet you will have less time to enjoy Yosemite then the drive time will take. I still wouldn't bother going back to SF, instead, I would spend my time there and then go to Monterey from Yosemite, but of course it is your choice.
It looks as though you have decided to fly to SF, but I will point out [once more Lol] that a 6 hour drive from Vegas on the day you are flying would actually put you closer to Yosemite than starting out from SF.
For flights and cars, I would suggest you search the Internet for the best deals when you are travelling as they change all the time.
Southwest Dave, I am hearing you and I think I am leaning towards flying because I am nervous. I have no idea what to expect so flying feels easier to me. I have not ruled out the drive just trying to get the confidence for the unknown.
Would the weather have an impact on where to stay in yosemite? I am worried that my decisions will not work when I am there and the weather has not been kind to me.