HONEYMOONERS, trip of a lifetime, need help!!

Hi all

Firstly this site is MINT!
I see all you guys suggesting routes and stops time and time again and I don't want to be a pain but most of them include camping!

Now i'm not shy and don't mind camping, but i'm getting married on 1st July 2006 and want to take my wife on the most amazing trip ever and swap the sleeping in UV's to bathing in Hot tubs.

Now I dont' know anything about Road tripping, all I know is I want to go to Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica and end up in Vegas.
I am planning around 10 - 14 days in July or August for the trip and I need to do it in no more than 4 - 5 stops (the wife wants us to relax not drive all week) ...but there is sooo much to choose from, I dont know which would be the best stops to make and in what order to do them.

Now, I need a car, a fast car...a very fast car..none of this UV stuff, i'm after a Dodge Viper or Covette or similar, so some help here would be appriciated too.

We need to do the trip in good Hotels, preferably with Hot tubs and luxury, but not at $500 a night type thing..

I would like to see the Grand Canyon, but can you stay in a Hotel there?

Please please, help me make our dream. We have no children....yet....so want to make this the best!, we may not be as free next time..:)

I sooo look forward to hearing from you guys!

Speak soon

Jefferson

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

On the face, its seems like this should be a pretty easy trip to pull off. You can spend a few days in the LA area, before spending a day driving out the the Grand Canyon, spend a night or two there, before heading to Vegas.

That of course is assuming that you are flying into LA and then renting a car and driving from there. You didn't say where you are starting from. If you are planning to start your drive from somewhere else, you could be talking about a whole different story.

Yes, there are several very nice hotels and lodges right at the grand canyon, however they do fill up early and reservations should be made as soon as possible for any chance at getting a room this summer. If the places on the rim are booked, you can also try staying at hotels in Flagstaff or Williams about a hour drive from the South Rim.

As far as lodging in LA and Las Vegas there are a million possible choice that fit what you are looking for. You can check out the Travel Reservations section of the RTA website to see what is available during your trip. You should also be able to find a nice sports car or convertable available for rent from this service.

Cheers for the tips, sorry, yes I am starting at Los Angeles. To be honest, I have only been told it is easier to start there as I am flying from the UK, is this true?

Other than the Canyon, could you tell me how close and how many days would be suitable to soak up the joys and sights of Hollywood, Beverley Hills and Santa Monica, I also want to visit Universal Studio's on route, is this possible and within a drivable distance?
Also, is it worth going to Santa Monica for a few days or is San Francisco better, as I have not included SF and don't want to miss out...

If you guys can think of something better than what I have said, please fire away, I am only working of hear say anyway, i'm just wide open for options..

Can someone suggest a classic route, tried and tested like...
Vegas and Los Angeles are the start and finish, can you fill in the gaps...remember no more than 5 stops...hehe quiz time!

Speak soon

Jeff

Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Universal Studios are all in the General LA area, and can easily be enjoyed simply by getting one hotel in a central location. I'd think spending 5 or 6 days there, then a couple days at the Grand Canyon, and then a few more days in Vegas before making the 5-6 hour drive back to LAX would fit your plan about perfectly.

San Francisco is nice, but if you are concerned about spending too much time on the road, I would leave it out for this trip. It would basically add 2 full days of driving to your schedule.

Flying into LAX is probably the cheapest option for you, but if you find a better deal on a flight to Las Vegas, you could always start your trip there and then work backwards.

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Originally Posted by lovegravy

I see all you guys suggesting routes and stops time and time again...but most of them include camping!

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Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum. Actually most of us on this board are not campers per se. The first time I have slept in a tent was last Monday night and the previous time was at least a decade or two earlier. We suggest camping as a means of stretching trip budgets. My idea of roadtripping often involves a five-star hotel...

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Now I dont' know anything about Road tripping, all I know is I want to go to Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica and end up in Vegas.

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Where are you starting from?

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I would like to see the Grand Canyon, but can you stay in a Hotel there?

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There are a variety of motels and a fancy Inn nearby.

Happy Planning.

Mark

Hi all

Right, I'm gonna book this thing up!! Thanks for the help so far, you have been class.

The starting point looks like it depends on the car..
Now, does anyone know any good hotels in Los Angeles, anything a bit different, with Hot tubs or something....same goes for Vegas...can anyone help, otherwise the strat will have to do..

The starting point looks like it depends on the car, i've found an AC Cobra and a Camaro SS, in Vegas but they won't let me leave it in LA. I also tried the links on the site, but it won't give me definate choice of car...the car is the most important bit (to me!)...can anyone suggest any other dealers that might not be listed in google?

If I didn't stay at the Canyon for the middle stop, is there anywhere more populated that might be more fun between LA and Vegas?

Right, I have found this little monster...
http://www.exoticcarrentalslasvegas....onvertible.htm
Now I can pick this up in Vegas and the company have a branch in San Diego I can drop it at, so...Why are all the Hotels in San Diego more expensive than in Vegas and LA??
Also, I never planned going to San, but if I can get this car...is it a worth while visit? Is sea world that good?
So, If you think this is a good idea, the trip will be to fly from UK to Vegas (5 days)..Pick up the Beast! Drive to LA via the Grand Canyon (no stop). Do LA and area (5 Days) then down to San Diego for 2 days(drop off the beast..cry)..fly from San to UK.
As I wrote this I just realised I probably wont need the beast for the 5 days I am in Vegas, am I right in thinking its easy enough to travel without a car there?? This way I can save the dosh and hire the beast for 7 night instead of 12!?

Looking forward to hearing from you... We are making progress here!

Speak soon

Jeff

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Originally Posted by lovegravy

The starting point looks like it depends on the car..
Now, does anyone know any good hotels in Los Angeles, anything a bit different, with Hot tubs or something....same goes for Vegas...can anyone help, otherwise the strat will have to do..

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Just about anything you can envision can be obtained in Las Vegas -- it just takes a little persistance and lots of cash. There are several places that rent high-end performance cars here. If it were me, I think I would wait until you get here and can really see what choices are available.

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If I didn't stay at the Canyon for the middle stop, is there anywhere more populated that might be more fun between LA and Vegas?

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There are some high-end and budget places in Palm Springs. Personally I like the quality of the water at Sam's, but the tubs/pools are public. If you are seeking some private soaking under the stars -- you might consider Tecopa (it is very rustic) or some of these in Arizona.

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Why are all the Hotels in San Diego more expensive than in Vegas and LA?? Also, I never planned going to San, but if I can get this car...is it a worth while visit? Is sea world that good?

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Actually, hotel rates in Las Vegas are usually much higher than San Diego, but the rates fluctate daily depending upon what conventions are in town. Sea World is a hoot -- but I like the Wild Animal Park (associated with the SD Zoo) more.

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So, If you think this is a good idea, the trip will be to fly from UK to Vegas (5 days)..Pick up the Beast! Drive to LA via the Grand Canyon (no stop)

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. Um, you need to look at a map. By the fastest possible route, it is six hours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and ten hours from the Grand Canyon to LA. So, if you spend 1-2 hours looking at the Grand, you will be on the road for nearly twenty hours that day. That doesn't sound very romantic to me!

Mark

Hi Mark, thanks for the tips
...
Just an update...the chap with the Mustang won't let me drop it at San Diego, even though he has a branch there.
So...I have also discovered that I can save at least £300 flying from Where I landed - Vegas..
So, it will be much easier all round if I landed in Vegas for a couple of days, hired the car, then do a loop round LA/Santa Monica (5 nights), down to San Diego (2 nights) and back to Vegas for the last 2 nights. I can then get the car I want and return it to Vegas no bother.

I think i'm gonna have to pass on the Canyon..Shame, but I might take a copter ride in Vegas to fill that gap.

I am realy particular about the car, is it realy easy to pick something like a Rouge Mustang, even at last minute, I don't want to find out I can't get one when i'm there you see.

Thanks so much for the help guys!

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Originally Posted by lovegravy

I am realy particular about the car, is it realy easy to pick something like a Rouge Mustang, even at last minute, I don't want to find out I can't get one when i'm there you see.

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In that case, I guess you had better book it before.

Mark

Hello again.

I am now at the arrangement stage for my amazing drive to LA.
What sort of timing will I need to drive from Vegas pass through Death Valley and arrive at LA in one day, without a struggle?
Also what would be the best route?

Thanks guys!

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Originally Posted by lovegravy

I am now at the arrangement stage for my amazing drive to LA. What sort of timing will I need to drive from Vegas pass through Death Valley and arrive at LA in one day, without a struggle?

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The route I used this week is not the most direct route, but it will enable you to see a litte bit of Death Valley -- however, it will require every bit of eight hours (depending where in LA you are headed). If you take the time to see a little more of the park you would need to adjust this up or down by those hours. Plus, I still think you should consider staying overnight at the Furnace Creek Inn. It is a very romantic place and remains one of my all-time suggestions for a nice get-away.

But I digress, there are 3-4 routes, but this is the one I would choose for your travels: I-15 south to SR-160 (Blue Diamond Road) turn west headed for Pahrump. At Pahrump, there is a local's short-cut, but I am recommending that you follow the traditional tourist's route -- because I think you will get a kick out of seeing Shoshone. To that end, follow SR-372 southwest from town (it changes to SR-178 at the California border) take a few moments to grab some tourist shots in Shoshone (you will see what I mean when you get there) and then go 1/4 mile north on SR-127 and then turn west again on SR-178 this will take you over Jubliee Pass and into the southern end of Death Valley. SR-178 officially ends just past the entrance to the park (as you will see in the next couple of posts), but the road continues north....

Follow the winding road north and stop at Badwater -- and then north to the turn-off for Artists Palette (it is a graded, gravel road, but you should be able to drive it with your performance car). The Artists Palette is one-way loop and provides some great views -- proceed on north to Furnace Creek. Stop in at the Ranch -- great museum here.
http://www.meganedwards.com/Vegasland/DeathValley07.jpg
Run up to the Furnace Creek Inn for some ice tea and to see the wonderful lilly pad gardens and then drive a ways back east on SR-190 -- stop and take some photos at Zabriskie Point and then consider taking the graded, dirt road loop at the 20 Mule Team Canyon (you will see lots and lots of opening for the borax mines and get a good idea of hell on earth it must have been to have been a borax miner in the summer in Death Valley. Drive east to park boundary and then turn around follow SR-190 past Furnace Creek, past the sand dunes, past Stovepipe Wells and up Towne Pass (a good test of the hill-climbing power of your beast -- just follow the speed limits...)

If you a feeling parched or want a bit to eat you can stop at the cafe at Panamint Springs. Now you have a couple of choices -- the road on west of Panamint Springs has some great mountain curves and views and is alot of fun to drive. But if you are feeling like it is time to unleash the beast, (in a fully reasonable sort of way, of course) I would suggest turning around and go 3 miles east and turn south on the Panamint Valley Road. This road is a bit rough, but has some nice straight-aways and I have been known to unleash my own horses from time to time. Keep an eye peeled skyward since the local TomCat fighters like to fly "on the deck" up this valley and if you are lucky you might have a close-encounter with one of them.

As you zoom south, you will note that you have "re-joined" SR-178 again -- follow it past the town of Trona to the Trona Road and follow it to the now-reviving ghost towns of Randsberg and Johannesburg (follow the signs to Red Mountain). Now you have another couple of choices -- if your LA destination is towards the east side of LA (or San Diego, Orange County, etc.) I would head south on US-395 to I-15 and into the LA Basin. If, on the other hand, you are headed to Hollywood or any section of west-LA I would turn west again on the Randsburg Red Rock Road and drive over to SR-14 and head south again.

Follow SR-14 past Lancaster & Palmdale where you have a couple more choices. If you want a kick-toosh driving experience (and some nice views) At Pearblossom turn south on the Angeles Forest Highway and follow that to the Angeles Crest Highway and keep going south until you reach I-210 at La Canada. From there you can follow the interstates to your LA destination.

If time is short (and it may well be by the time you get here) I would bypass the mountain curves when you reach Pearblossom and stay on SR-14 (off to your right you will see Vasquez Rocks state park -- a famous location for hundreds of western movies) continue to follow SR-14 to I-5 and then I-5 to wherever you are going in LA.

This would be a long day in the saddle -- but I drove most of it a couple of days ago.

Mark

To make it from Las Vegas to Los Angeles in a day, you won't have time for much more than a drive-by viewing of Death Valley. Still, with the top down on a clear day...

Mark has given you a number of good options, the one I'd offer is slightly different, but then freedom of choice is what RoadTrips are all about. Anyway, the route I'd recommend is US-95 north out of Las Vegas to Amargosa Valley, NV, then NV-373/CA-127 south to Death Valley Junction, CA, and CA-190 through the park as far as the Emigrant Campground, and then turn southeast on Wildrose Road (which crosses the historic Emigrant Pass) down to the Trona Wildrose Road, whereupon you would turn west and follow it to CA-178 and on to Ridgecrest where you'd join either US-395 or CA-14 south into the Los Angeles area - depending on which part of LA you want to end up in. That makes for a day's drive of around 425 miles, let's you see a good bit of Death Valley and is still well within the realm of possible. You may even have time for some short hikes in Death Valley.

AZBuck

There are still some road maps that show CA SR-178 as reaching all the way to SR-190 in Death Valley, leading many folks to assume it is a good, paved road all the way. But beware, if you are driving anything other than a SUV with good clearance -- there is a section between Wildrose Campground and the Panamint Valley Road that is a little rough to say the least. There are a dozen springs or so along the road, that have tended to wash out sections of the pavement. I drive an Infinity Q-45 (with lowered suspension) and there is zero chance I would ever attempt this section in the Q-45. The upper road that snakes along the upper Emigrant Canyon is an awesome road, but it is twisting, narrow and subject to washouts. Before driving this section, ALWAYS check with the rangers and see if it is open. (It was closed due to washouts this week).

Plus, officially SR-178 ends shortly after Trona even though the road continues north and is paved and in reasonably good condition. [Hint: There is a "missing" section of SR-178 and if you were in a helicopter you could follow SR-178 by turning east shortly north of the town of Trona and flying east over the Panamint Range, Death Valley, the Black Mountain Range and landing on the terminus of SR-178 just north of the ruins at Ashord Mills in Death Valley.] This is the same SR-178 that I recommend using when you reach Pahrump and are headed to Death Valley and Shoshone -- It is a phenomenon of travel in the west that a number of state highways are not continous -- there a significant gaps due to obstacles like mountain ranges and deserts. A prime example of this is SR-190 which travels through Death Valley and eventually reaches US-395 on the eastern slope of the Sierras and then there is a huge gap (you will need that helicopter again) to fly over the mountains and land in Sequoia National Monument to pick it up and keep driving west.

As AZBuck suggests you could stay on the southern part of SR-178 right through Ridgecrest and over to SR-14.

Happy Planning!

Mark

My god! You do know your roads you guys!

It's all letters and numbers to me at the moment guys, i'm currently downloading tomtom usa maps to make sense of it all.
I will be in a mustang, so I best not choose the "Dakar Rally" route, incase I lose my deposit..lol.

The day will be dedicated to the drive, so I don't mind the long haul (if I manage to get hold of a bag of gods own herb that is! i'm trying...!)
I would love to stay over and I am currently working on my wife to be, to try get her to agree to another stop.

I will be heading to Hollywood, so hopefully this makes it that bit easier.

Again, I thank you soooo much for all the help!

I will be be back!

Regards

Jeff

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Originally Posted by lovegravy

The day will be dedicated to the drive, so I don't mind the long haul (if I manage to get hold of a bag of gods own herb that is! i'm trying...!)

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Other than the legal issues you can run into while possessing such herb, particularly as a non-citizen, Driving while under its influence is both illegal and exceptionally dangerous.

Please limit those activites to days you will not be behind the wheel.

Thanks,
Everyone else who will be on the road.