San Francisco to Vegas in the Fall

Hello!
I´m a brazilian planning my first road trip in the USA for last week of september/first week of october. My husband and I are both in ours early 30s. I´ve read a bunch of threads so far, and have a couple questions:

*how far in advance should I book lodging inside the parks?
*Is this ittinerary ok? Does it make sense? Any suggestions?

day 1: arrive in SF after long flight
days 2 to 5: SF with my parents, who lived there for a while and want to show us around the city and Stanford, where they went to school
day 6: drive from SF to Sequoia NP
day 7: Explore Sequoia
day 8: drive from Sequoia NP to Yosemite NP
day 9: explore Yosemite
day 10: drive from Yosemite to Death Valley
day 11: explore Death Valley
day 12: drive from DV to Grand Canyon (South Rim)
day 13: explore the South Rim
day 14: drive from GC to Vegas
day 15: Explore Vegas
day 16: Fly Vegas-Orlando and meet my sister in law, nephew, etc... 6 whole days in Orlando.

What we thought was basically drive one day/explore one day, since my husband is doing all the driving...

The part that concerns me the most is SF-Sequoia-Yosemite. I really don´t know if that is the best route to go... would I be able to go through Tioga Pass?

Thank you in advance!

Lucia

As far as booking the lodges, as soon as you've got your trip solidified, I would book. While Sept-Oct time frame in NP is "shoulder season", with few families there, it's a good idea to have reservations.

Your concern regarding Tioga Pass is very real. Tioga Pass just opened about 9 or 10 days ago, and it's known for only staying open for 2 or 3 months before closing again. Your itinerary looks like you might have put Sequoia first and then Yosemite so that you could go over Tioga Pass to the east side of the Sierras and get to Death Valley. That really does make sense. However, whether it will really work, is another thing. Nobody can predict when the Road will close.


Donna

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

I think you have done a good job with your planning and its at a nice relaxed pace. Although anything is possible, I doubt very much you will have any problem crossing Tioga pass at the end of September and would be confident that you can stick to that route. I too would advise that you try and book NP lodgings as soon as possible. On day 10 you could look for lodgings in the Bishop area and take your time along the Tioga pass to sight see and to take pictures. You could also stop at Mono lake for a while and perhaps drive the June lake loop road.

Tioga Pass will almost certainly be open during your time of travel, and if you did see a closure, it would be a temporary one while they clear the road due to an early season storm.

Historically speaking, Tioga Pass hasn't closed for the season in September since the 1940's, and in the past 60 years, the earliest closing date was October 17 (2004).

I experienced a temporary closure last year on October 4 - it was only closed for one day. It happens. If it does happen, you can go north or south to get across the Sierras and to Death Valley. On that day, CA-108 (Sonora Pass) and CA-4 (Ebbetts Pass) were also closed, but I took CA-88 (Carson Pass) to get across. If you don't have Internet access, Caltrans has a toll-free number (1-800.427.7623) you can call to get road status, it's an automated system where you press the highway number on the keypad and listen. I used a pay phone at the Crane Flat gas station to check the status because I didn't have cellular coverage.

If you do have Internet access, this is the full screen site and this is the mobile site.

Hello and thank you all very much for the quick response.
Now one more question:
Do you think we will make the most of it if we skip Sequoia and spend more time exploring (hiking) Yosemite, or should I really go to both parks?

That's really a question that only you can answer. You have the time and both parks are quite spectacular. If you decide Yes, I would head South as far as Visalia and then enter Sequoia NP via Three rivers to the 'Generals highway' [198] that drives right through the heart of the park and out via 180 to Fresno. If you decide 'no', and want more time Yosemite you can visit Mariposa grove of giant Sequoia tree's near the South entrance to the park. Whatever you decide, make sure you leave time to make your way up to Glacier point in Yosemite, the views are spectacular !

A compromise would be to go to Sequoia and spend a night in the park and continue driving through next day [day7] and onto Yosemite, or close by like Oakhurst for example.

Yes, I was thinking of this possibility. This way I would spend only one night in Sequoia, "driving through", and then I could spend one night in the Bishop area, like you suggested before.

It would go something like:

day 6: drive from SF to Sequoia NP
day 7: drive from Sequoia NP to Yosemite NP
day 8: explore Yosemite
day 9: explore Yosemite, heading to Bishop. Overnight in Bishop.
day 10: drive from Bishop to Death Valley
day 11: explore Death Valley
day 12: drive from DV to Grand Canyon (South Rim)
day 13: explore the South Rim
day 14: drive from GC to Vegas

What do you think?

I've read that the South entrance to Yosemite is pretty amazing too...
If I pass through Sequoia, can I skip the Mariposa Grove in favor of other hike, or is it amazing anyway?
And what about GC? Will I be able to do any hiking in the canyon, or just car sightseeing?

Another question I have, is do you recommend a specific road map for this trip? I found a lot of guides on the parks and hikes, but am a little lost when it comes to the roads to get from one place to the next.

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day 6: drive from SF to Sequoia NP
day 7: drive from Sequoia NP to Yosemite NP
day 8: explore Yosemite
day 9: explore Yosemite, heading to Bishop. Overnight in Bishop.
day 10: drive from Bishop to Death Valley
day 11: explore Death Valley
day 12: drive from DV to Grand Canyon (South Rim)
day 13: explore the South Rim
day 14: drive from GC to Vegas

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It will work, but originally I was thinking that you could stop at Bishop and then explore DV next day and stay the night in DV before heading off to GC. That would have given you more time between Yosemite and DV. If you 'gained' that time from Sequoia it will be a case of where do you want to spend it ? If you wanted to hike more in Yosemite you could use day 10 to drive from Yosemite to Lone Pine and explore DV from there on day 11 and to GC day 12, giving you 2 full days in Yosemite. It's just a bit of 'fine tuning' that will best suit you.

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If I pass through Sequoia, can I skip the Mariposa Grove in favor of other hike, or is it amazing anyway?

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It's all pretty amazing and there is so much to choose from ! Yosemite NP site.

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And what about GC? Will I be able to do any hiking in the canyon, or just car sightseeing?

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The rim walks are nice and easy with great views. Definitely get out of the car and soak it all up ! You can walk different sections and hop on and off the free shuttle buses along the way. There are trails down into the canyon where you could go 'so far' as time permits but these trails go right into the canyon and can require an overnight stop. At nps.gov you can find all the info on all the parks like here at the Grand canyon.

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Originally Posted by lucitcha

Another question I have, is do you recommend a specific road map for this trip? I found a lot of guides on the parks and hikes, but am a little lost when it comes to the roads to get from one place to the next.

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I don't have any specific preference as long as I have a map with good detail. I usually print off some detailed NP maps for reference to finer detail. You could look around in the RTA map pages.

Ok, is this what you meant? So, you think it's fine to drive from Bishop and explore Death Valley the same day?

day 6: drive from SF to Sequoia NP
day 7: drive from Sequoia NP to Yosemite NP
day 8: explore Yosemite
day 9: explore Yosemite
day 10: explore Yosemite, heading to Bishop through Tioga Pass. Overnight in Bishop.
day 11: drive from Bishop to Death Valley. Overnight in DV.
day 12: drive from DV to Grand Canyon (South Rim)
day 13: explore the South Rim
day 14: drive from GC to Vegas

Yes, I realize the fine tuning is up to us, but since I've never been to any of the parks, it's a little rough to choose (but really cool, too!)
Planning is a big part of traveling, love it! =)

That's about what I would do, yes. Like I mentioned, as you have that extra day in Yosemite I would perhaps go to Lone Pine instead of Bishop to get more time in DV as it is closer. You should be able to hike around Mariposa grove and take a ride up to Glacier point and short walk to the viewpoint. Other walks such as 'Taft point' are possible along Glacier point road and then spend some quality time in Yosemite valley hiking. Explore Tioga pass when leaving for DV and make a few stops, Tenaya lake, Tuolumne meadows etc.

Ok, thank you all so much for the advice.

I think it's a nice plan, an we do have a few months before making flight/lodging arrangements. So it's a lot of time to go over the plans. My husband is pushing for one day less in Yosemite, one day more in the Grand Canyon. We'll see... I think we'll have to do some more research before we decide it. There are just so many amazing places to know in your country. I'm already kind of blue for not considering Bryce and Zion!

Will come back to tell you our final plans, and later on after the trip!!!!!!!!

1 last question:
Is it cooler to go from GC to Vegas through Route 66? Any cool places to stop by?

It adds about an hour taking 66 from Seligman to Kingman.

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Originally Posted by lucitcha

1 last question:
Is it cooler to go from GC to Vegas through Route 66? Any cool places to stop by?

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There are a couple of places I'd recommend. First, Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-in and the magnificent Sitgreaves Pass and Oatman.

Mark

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Originally Posted by lucitcha

My husband is pushing for one day less in Yosemite, one day more in the Grand Canyon.

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Why not wait till you get there, and decide. Do you really have to plan so tightly that you cannot decide when actually there. He may want to stay longer... on the other hand, you may agree with him and want to move on. You never know till you get there.

Lifey

Yes, actually since he wants to go all the way down the trail to the bottom of the Canyon, we have to decide very far in advance what night we're going to be down there, so that we can book lodging in the Phantom Ranch 13 months before (for what I've read, it sells out this far ahead). We also want to stay INSIDE all the parks, and all the threads here semm to go for BOOK IN ADVANCE. Also, we won't be able to "extend" our grand canyon part as a spur of the moment thing, since we're buying flight tickets months before and this will be the last part of our trip.

So, how about.

day 6: drive from SF to Sequoia NP
day 7: drive from Sequoia NP to Yosemite NP
day 8: explore Yosemite
day 9: explore Yosemite
day 10: Drive to Stovepipe Wells DV.
day 11: Drive from S Wells to Williams AZ
day 12: Explore South rim
day 13: explore the South Rim
day 14: drive from GC to Vegas

On day 9 you could leave Yosemite just after lunch, sight see along Tioga pass and stop in Lee Vining to give you a little more time in DV and possibly make Furnace creek your overnight destination on day 10. Another option would be to revert back to skipping Sequoia and visiting Mariposa grove.

Hi,

just wanted to tell you guys that we bought our plane tickets and made hotel reservations for the trip. We're really excited! Thank you all for the help and kindness...

Our trip goes like this:

27/09 - Leave Rio
28/09 to 02/10 - Get to San Francisco
03/10 - Get early on the road to Yosemite. Staying at Yosemite Lodge at the Fall.
04/10 - explore Yosemite
05/10 - leave Yosemite through Tioga Pass (hopefully), spend the night at Lone Pine
06/10 - go to Death Valley. Staying at Furnace Creek Ranch.
07/10 - Leave for GC. Stayin ate the Bright Angel Lodge
08/10 - GC. Going to the bottom od the Canyon =) was not able to get a spot at Phantom Ranch, hope to get a camping permit
09/10 - GC. Going out the Canyon.
10/10 - Leaving for Vegas, through Route 66. Spend the night in Vegas. End of Road Trip.
11/10 - Spend the day in Vegas and catch a flight to Orlando late at night. Meeting my nephew there and staying for a week.

Any other advice???? Cool thing to do?

Hi, Welcome back !

Your trip looks well balanced and relaxing and you will have a great time !!

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Any other advice???? Cool thing to do?

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While in San Fran a trip to Alcatraz is a 'given thing'. I would recommend booking tickets in advance through the official channels right here. It gets busy and it will save you waiting in queues at the ticket office and for an available Ferry ride.

In Yosemite there is much to see and do in the Valley and you will be given guide leaflets at the entry kiosk. Definitely take the drive and short walk to Glacier point and admire the views, you will be 'Gob smacked' !! You can also visit the Giant Sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove if you can fit it in.

Allow a nice amount of time to get to Lone Pine as you will want to stop along the Tioga pass, take in the views and have a stroll. In fact you could consider staying around Mammoth Lakes/Bishop to give you a little more time, as you have a night in Furnace creek which is only 100 miles from Lone Pine and only another 60 miles from Bishop.

Last but not least, PLEASE come back and tell us all about your trip !! In the meantime, if you have any other questions just ask.

Dave.

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Originally Posted by Southwest Dave

While in San Fran a trip to Alcatraz is a 'given thing'. I would recommend booking tickets in advance through the official channels right here. It gets busy and it will save you waiting in queues at the ticket office and for an available Ferry ride.

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Have to agree with Dave, Alcatraz is a given.... but much more so, if you have the chance, see if you can take the evening tour. It adds an extra dimension, seeing and walking through the old jail at night. And outside you can see the lights of SF come on all over the city as the sun sinks into the Pacific Ocean behind the Golden Gate Bridge.

Lifey

Hello everyone!

Just got back from my trip, it was absolutely wonderful! Thanks for all of your insights and tips!
I'll be back in the next few days with details and pictures.

Love,

Lucia

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Originally Posted by lucitcha

Hello everyone!

Just got back from my trip, it was absolutely wonderful! Thanks for all of your insights and tips!
I'll be back in the next few days with details and pictures.

Love,

Lucia

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We have a special forum for that - RoadTrip Field Reports.

Lifey

So pleased to hear this and I am looking forward to seeing your report/pictures.

Thanks for the update !