First time and overwhelmed!!

Hi all. This forum is opening my eyes to so much as I am planning my first trip overseas and where better than America? I Hope I can get help from here as the idea of going to America is very daunting at the moment.
If I throw down my wish list here, I was hoping that I could start to build my itinerary with the help of everyone here.

Plan is 3 weeks max and hopefully in May 2011.

Wanting to do some driving at some stage but dont want to be driving too long distances as I think I may be trying to cram too much in as it is.

Well here goes and this will be in no order. I will begin to build itinerary based on opinions from here.

Los Angeles
San Fran
Vegas
San Diego
New York
Nashville
Memphis New orleans
Miami

Things to see and do are
Alcatraz
Helicoptor over GrandCanyon
Stay at Bellegio
Disneyland
Sea World
Universal Studios
Golden gate bridge
Fishermans Wharf
American Indians
Shopping

Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated and of course I will keep everyone updated with my itinerary progress and also my experience once I have had my holiday.

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

I think a big reason you're overwhelmed is because you are trying to cram the entire US into one trip. Even if you do decide you can fit in everything you've already listed into 3 weeks, you're going to be much better off breaking things into pieces.

I assume you are thinking of flying from the west coast back to NY? What about your stops in the Southeast - are you going to drive to them from NY, or are you looking at another flight somewhere?

You've got a lot you want to do, and it might be too much to do in 3 weeks, but the easiest way to figure out is to start by mocking up an itinerary, and get a rough idea of what you would do and how much time you'd have to do it. That should give you a better idea of how you want to go about doing your trip, and if it is too much. Once you've got that down, we can help you decide what will work, what won't, and what you can do in between the stops you've listed.

Ok thats what I thought. I have started an itinerary that I will attempt to attach. It does show that I do not know how to finish trip and also I need to start fleshing out activities and how to get from place to place. How do i attach a file? Said was invalid. Just an excel spreadsheet!!

The only types of files you can attach are images. I'd recommend you simply copy and paste the spreadsheet into the reply box. Hopefully, it will format okay.

Yeah, that's a lot to attempt in 3 weeks, especially as you don't want to do long drives. If you were to drive the entire route it would be in the region of 6000 miles. If you were to spend just 2 day's at each of your destinations listed to see the sights, you would need to drive for about 9 hours a day for the remaining 13 day's of your trip ! That's without travelling to and from the US so that's already quite a squeeze.

You could of course fly between certain area's, but that can be time consuming and expensive with a number of car rentals, subject to one way drop off fees plus the flights. I think you will get more out of the trip by doing less, perhaps by either driving around the Southwest and flying to NY, or drive across the country via Memphis etc, but either way leave the South and Miami for another day.

It's probably best just to jot your thoughts down in the reply box for us to look over.

Ok well here goes. This is just regurgitated thoughts so happy for anyone to start talking about best ways to do this. I will then start an itinerary and post again. Happy for any suggestions here.

X Fly to LA and stay at Anaheim do Disney, Universal Studios and walk of fame etc. think 3 days. Should I add another day for San Diego Seaworld?
X Go to Vegas. Not sure on how to get there yet. Fly or drive? Do Grand Canyon from here and Hoover Dam by hiring a car. thinking 3 days here.
X Fly or drive? to San Fran. Do Alcatraz, Golden Gate and other recommended. Not sure how long to stay here. Yosemite?
X Fly to New York. Do the tourist stuff. Any recommendations here? Bit lost for time and activities here.
X Now want to include Nashville Memphis Tennessee New Orleans if possible in some way.
X Florida Orlando Miami if possible
X Fly back to Australia. Not sure where from.

I don't think 3 weeks is enough to see all the sights you want in the West, Northeast, and South. You could very easily burn up 3 weeks just doing what you want to do in the West!

That's a better start, but you've still got quite a lot to work out.

I'll say this: the only things you've laid out times for are in LA and Vegas, and with just those 2 stops you've already burned up your first week. You've got 7 more cities listed you want to see - and most of those are on the opposite sides of the continent.

Just from a first glance, I think you'll want about 2 weeks just for the west coast, It would probably be easiest and cheapest to rent a car and do a big loop LA to Grand Canyon to Vegas to Death Valley/Yosemite to SF and possibly back down the coast to LA. With your remaining week, I think I'd pick from one of the other three options: New York, Florida, or Tennessee/NOLA. Otherwise, I think you're going to have to fly from city to city, spending almost as much time in airports as you do actually exploring places.

How about this as a different approach and then I can flesh it out.
Fly to San Fran 2 days
Fly to LA on 3rd day. 2 days
Fly to Vegas 3 days.
Fly to New York 3 days?
Fly to somewhere around kentucky memphis. Want to do elvis tour, bourbon tours and new orleans. Not sure on how long? Fly from Memphis to New Orleans?
Fly to Orlando? To do miami florida etc but not sure how long.
Fly back to either LA or straight to Australia.

Are you sure this is what you want from your trip ? If you want to fly in and out of a few major City's, then you can pretty much make things fit as you want to, to the time you have available. We are happy to offer advice where we can, but being a Roadtrip forum with like minded people, we are generally about getting out on the road and exploring America rather than flying over it. There is nothing wrong with your choice's if that is what you want to do, I am just not sure that you will get the experience you are after going from City to City, and airport to airport.

Note that you can't visit Grand canyon from Las Vegas as a day trip in a car rental, it would require at least one overnight stop. If you want to see different aspects of the US, then I would re-visit Michael's advice in his previous post, if you are after City breaks then you can make it fit to your own preference's.

I would urge you to do some of your own research, as there are some pretty amazing sights in the US that doesn't involve everything being 'man-made'. At least then you can make some informed decisions on how to get the best from your trip.

If you fly from city to city, you are still going to have to get around from place to place. The public transportation systems can be quite restrictive, and renting a car in each place can get quite expensive. The cost of multiple internal flights will add up quickly too.

As I mentioned, yes, if you are willing to simply fly from city to city, then your plan certainly is workable and if that is what you want to do, then by all means, go for it.

I'll say my personal reaction to a plan like that is "yuck." It sounds insanely expensive - you'll easily be spending more than $1000 just on internal plane tickets. It also sounds extremely dull. All of the cities you've mentioned are certainly great places to visit, but spending three weeks just going from city to city certainly isn't my idea of a good time - if for no other reason than because I'd know that I was constantly flying over the top of some of the most unique landscapes on the planet.

Again, we constantly say on this forum a trip should be about what you want - and if this is what you really want then by all means go for it. However, if that is your idea of a good time and what you are really looking for - then why would you come to a forum about Roadtrips for advice?

That's a retorical question with this simple point: I'd make sure you aren't falling into a trap where you are so focused on getting to everything on your list, that you miss out on everything you actually want to see and experience.

Guys, sorry if i am taking the wrong approach. Yes it started as a roadtrip but the more i looked, the more i saw that i could not achieve what i wanted by doing a roadtrip. I will end this post if i need to. The problem I have is that this probably will be my one and only trip to america so am trying to achieve as much as i can.

Quote:

---

Guys, sorry if i am taking the wrong approach.

---

No need to apologise. We are not saying you are taking the wrong approach, if that is what you want to do then it is the right approach, we are [and I think you maybe] just unsure of what you want to achieve. We are not trying to change your mind, more giving you things to consider.

Quote:

---

The problem I have is that this probably will be my one and only trip to america so am trying to achieve as much as i can.

---

The point is, what is it you are trying to achieve ? You don't have to fly thousands of miles to see more of America, in fact you will see much less, as a lot of your time will be spent in the air. It could be argued that you will see more of America by spending your 3 weeks in the Southwest [or wherever] and get a good mix of City, small town, open road and natural wonders than you will from spending your time in airports and 'concrete jungles'. Seeing different City's on different side's of the country doesn't equate to seeing more of America.

I hope you get what we are trying to say.

Ok and yes I understand where you all are coming from. And believe me I am grateful for all the advice and direction I am receiving. I am going to leave you gys alone for a while I think and replan my direction. I think I am going to drive the west and then pick another destination to fly to. Will come back and show what I have come up with.
Thanks.

That's probably a better way to look at it - places are closer together in the east and public transportation is better - especially in the northeast.

Ok so I am back to haunt you all again...haha
We have decided to stay west and will be driving. The entire holiday can only be 3 weeks.
My thoughts are fly to San Fran and work down including yosemite and vegas ( i need to do some research for what to do on way down ) any suggestions greatly appreciated.
So Itinerary could be ( without times )
San Fran
Yosemite
Death Valley
Vegas
Grand Canyon
San Diego
La
this need sto be about 2 to 2.5 weeks.
Fly to Hawaii for 4 days then Australia.
Is San Fran best to fly into or should I swap around a bit to fly into LA ( cheaper from what I can see)
Is there any threads copying my trip before Hawaii I could find?
I now need to find my activities and times between destinations.

This is by far the most talked about area on the forums and by using the search box at the top right of the page you will find an abundance of info, but to get you started, here are some of our favorites.

If LA is cheaper then it would make sense to fly into there, you could stop at SF or continue down the spectacular coast Rd and complete a loop. Your trip would then look something like this; LA>Grand canyon>Las Vegas>Death valley>Yosemite [**a possible drive through Sequoia NP**]>Yosemite>San Fran>LA[?]

**From Death valley to Yosemite, a spectacular and popular drive is across the Tioga pass [CA120] but there is a chance that during May [and possibly into June] the road will still be closed due to winter snow accumulation, [the pass reaches over 9000ft in elevation] if that is the case you can simply head around the Southern end of the Sierra's via Bakersfield and possibly visit Sequoia.

Thank you so much. Sorry new to forums. I will research then be back with some questions.

It would probably be cheaper to fly in and out of the same city - there will be no one way dropoff fee for the rental car. Compare airfares and car rental rates for all the cities on your route to make the decision - LA, SF, LV, and SD. A "loop" trip to see what you want can be done from any of those 4 cities.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by galaga

Thank you so much. Sorry new to forums. I will research then be back with some questions.

---

It's fine, I was just pointing you in the right direction. Ask away when you are ready !

Guys how far is it from LA to San Diego then San Diego to Grand Canyon? I want to leave LA and go to sea world then continue near Grand Canyon if possible without losing a day. Explore Grand Canyon ( how much can I do in a day?) and stay near there somewhere. Then move on.
So far my thoughts are LA> San Diego>Grand Canyon>Las Vegas>Yosemite>SanFran> then need some things to do back down to LA.

We know what it's like to have to try and cram a lot into a short period of time, but it's real important to change your thinking. If you rush around trying "not to lose a day" you will end up seeing nothing. A day spent doing the things you want to do is not a day lost, although I do understand what you are saying, but you are not going to see everything, so you must prioritise your time and then enjoy it.

I guess you already know what's coming by now, but no, you won't get out of the urban sprawl of LA, visit Seaworld and get somewhere close to the GC same day. If you want to see Seaworld, it's the best part of a day gone, San Diego to Grand canyon is close to a full day on the road, and to really enjoy the canyon, you need a full day there. So, 3 day's I would recommend as a minimum, but even that will be a little rushed.

I think you should work on your whole itinerary from start to finish, and then work back again, as I don't see why you would feel the need to rush so much early on in your trip.

From San Fran to LA check out Monterey, Big Sur, San Simeon etc, or just type Pacific Coast Highway [PCH] into your search engine.

Keep at it !

I agree with Dave, you've kind of listed 3 days worth of stuff you want to do in one day.

LA to San Diego is a couple hour drive (depending upon where you are starting in the LA area, if its north, if can be a 4+ hour drive, if you're in Orange County it could be under 2).

Sea World really is a full day activity. First, with the price of tickets alone I want to get my money's worth, but just as important, its a place where a lot of the fun is centered around shows, so you're limited in how fast you can see things. I'd try to get there as soon as the gates open, which means even driving in from LA that morning means you're looking at a long day, and one where you should really planning to spend the night in SD.

I'll also throw out just as my own personal preference, if I was only going to do one big SD attraction, I'd probably do the zoo instead of Sea World.

SD to the Grand Canyon is a full day drive, and I'd recommend planning to spend at least a full day there. You're then a half day drive back to Vegas.

Hi I am back again. So is LA to San Fran and back again with most popular attractions in between actually achievable in 16 days? I have had to compromise with my partner as she wants to spend 3 days in hawaii before coming back to australia. Was thinking maaybe fly one way and tour as much as possible one way. My list is still same but. LA, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, ( is May good time to be here? ), Big Sur, San Fran, and any way to throw in a Navajo trip? Yes I know it is out of my way.

Yes, your trip is doable in 16 day's.

I am not sure what you mean by fly one way and tour the other, your route is fairly circular and it looks as though it's a case of where to fly into and where to fly to Hawaii from.

The month of May can be a good time to visit Yosemite, but as I said earlier in the thread, some of the higher Sierra passes could still be closed, namely the Tioga pass. You will have to choose your route accordingly, but the waterfalls into the valley floor will be spectacular.

As I also pointed out earlier, you will save miles by going from LA direct to the Grand canyon and then back to Vegas. If you are considering driving around Big Sur, say to the Cambria area, you could head to SF from Yosemite and complete a loop back to LA.

Navajo tours include Monument valley, Antelope canyon and Canyon De Chelley. You could possibly take either one, but the more you try and squeeze in the faster the pace you will have to travel. What about San Diego ?

How long are you planning on staying in places such as Vegas, LA, Grand canyon etc, all these factors will determine what you can do. Start plotting your itinerary in terms of the 16 day's you have and then it will become clearer what you can add or what you will have to take away.

This is what I have come up with so far. My concern is when leaving Vegas and the best way to get to San Fran. I am not sure of the best route and also how long to take. I am looking for some ideas while I am still researching. Do you guys think my timing is ok? I think I can cut some time off LA too. And I want more time in San Fran too.

1 13-May-11 Friday Fly To Los Angeles. Leave Sydney 11am arrive 8am
2 14-May-11 Saturday Visit universal
3 15-May-11 Sunday Visit Disneyland
4 16-May-11 Monday Visit Disneyland
5 17-May-11 Tuesday Drive Los Angeles to San Diego
6 18-May-11 Wednesday Drive Sandiago to Las Vegas (6hrs)
7 19-May-11 Thursday Grand Canyon tour from Vegas
8 20-May-11 Friday
9 21-May-11 Saturday Drive Las Vegas to Death Valley Nat Pk (2.5hrs, 194km)
10 22-May-11 Sunday Drive Death Valley to Sequoia Nat Pk (1.5hrs, 78km)
11 23-May-11 Monday Drive Sequoia to Yosemite (4.5hrs, 384.6km)
12 24-May-11 Tuesday
13 25-May-11 Wednesday Drive Yosemite to San Francisco (3.5hrs, 302km)
14 26-May-11 Thursday San Francisco
15 27-May-11 Friday Drive Sanfran to LA
16 28-May-11 Saturday Drive Sanfran to LA
17 29-May-11 Sunday Fly LA to Honolulu
18 30-May-11 Monday
19 31-May-11 Tuesday

Hi galaga, you have been busy !

You have got an itinerary that will work for you. Each day is manageable but do not expect your drive times to be realistic, they look as though they have come straight from a mapping program. Yosemite to SF for example will be closer 5 hours than 3.5 [depending on traffic], yet still perfectly 'doable'.

The biggest 'no, no' is Death valley to Sequoia, you would need a helicopter to get across the Sierra mountain range to do it in that time and distance. From the centre of each park it is approx 360 miles and around 8 hours on the road, as you will have to drive around the Southern end of the mountains via Lake Isabella. If you want to spend the night in DV, then Panamint springs is the furthest lodgings to the West and would reduce an hour off your trip to Sequoia next day. You could actually push on to the Lake Isabella/ Bakersfield area for the night and have more time in Sequoia, that's something you will have to decide for yourself.

Be aware that the tours from Vegas do not generally go to the Grand canyon National park, but to Indian lands at the West rim. I am sure it will be a great experience but won't offer you the famous views seen in so many pictures around the world.

For an extra day in SF you will need to do a straight swap with a day in LA or cut out San Diego to keep your trip balanced in my opinion.

Hi again. Quick question as we are changing the itinerary slightly. I want to drive from san fran to yosemite and stay overnight. Initial plan was to drive back to san fran but am now thinking to head to monterey or similar as we will be driving coast road back to LA.
At this stage, we are flying from vegas to san fran so have missed the national parks but still want to see yosemite.
I am planning 3.5hrs from san fran to yosemite on Hwy 140?
Stay overnight at ?
Leave yosemite for coast. How long would it take to get to monterey? Is this the best place to join the coast?
Are there any chances of roads being closed?

Thanks

You should plan on it taking 4.5 hours from the City and similar back to Monterey depending on your start points. If your budget can manage it I would stay inside Yosemite NP as your time is limited. If not one of the nearby towns of El Portal, Mariposa, Wawona etc would be a good bet. Cheapest lodgings will most likely be found at Oakhurst a little further South.

You will be OK getting around in Yosemite valley, that has a lot to offer in a short stay anyway and any road closures will be up on higher ground such as Tioga pass and Glacier point.

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.

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.

---

Death valley has an incredible landscape and that alone should make the overnight stop worthwhile in my opinion.

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.