LA to LA via where?

Hi,

I am at the beginning of organising a road trip late June early July 2016. I've noticed a number of people post there itinerary up and have you experts offer helpful advice so I thought i'd get this early to save me making too many mistakes early on. Please offer comments on the route, the activities and give suggestions on things I might want to take in on the way and what is the best area to stay on my overnights. It will be just me and my 16 year old son.

I will be flying into LA and staying with friends for the first couple of days in Riverside area.

From there I plan to hire a car (Thoughts on suitability of a Mustang convertible?) and do a big loop returning to spend the last few days with my friends again.

Road Trip Day 1 - Drive to Sedona
Day 2 - Off Road self drive buggy tour Sedona (drive to Monument Valley afternoon/evening)
Day 3 - Monument Valley - Horse riding tour (drive Grand Canyon late afternoon/evening)
Day 4 - Grand Canyon - Some kind of tour, undecided yet, is helicopter value for money? (drive to Vegas in evening)
Day 5 - Las Vegas - Suggestions of shows, or activities that don't involve gambling as son is only 16
Day 6 Las Vegas
Day 7 Death Valley
Day 8 Drive to Yosemite
Day 9 Yosemite (late afternoon/evening drive to San Francisco)
Day 10 San Francisco - Alactraz
Day 11 San Francisco - (late afternoon drive to Monteray)
Day 12 visit and hopefully play Pebble Beach Golf Links (afternoon drive to San Simeon) PCH
Day 13 Drive from San Simeon back to Riverside



I plan to be over for 21 days maybe a couple more and so I have flexibility to add days in certain places if need be or detours to places you think I've missed.


As well as suggestions on things to do en-route, i'd also appreciate suggestions on what to do from Riverside as a base. LA? San Diego?

Also suggestions on actually routes between the points on the itinerary to see the best scenery.

Finally, I have read a number of excellent posts already on this site and on one it suggested a book to buy which has good maps of the area, but now I can't find that post, so what map/guide would you suggest I get to help me on my way.

Have appreciated the response I've got so far on the other question I've asked, so thanks in advance for you help with the above.

Pete

The "book" you want is the Rand McNally Road Atlas. Available from the RTA Store (link below) or amazon.co.uk.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by glc

The "book" you want is the Rand McNally Road Atlas. Available from the RTA Store (link below) or amazon.co.uk.

---

There is none better!

If you order it now, you will have it in a couple of weeks. When you get it, you may like to follow the advice in this paragraph:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AZBuck

Start with maps. Not GPS, not software, not Google, but real honest-to-god paper maps that show you your entire route, that you can mark up (and erase), that you can stick pins in, and that show something about the land you'll be driving through. Those are your essential tool in any RoadTrip planning process. Start by marking all the places you know you want to visit. Then connect the dots. Then look for more places of interest and scenic routes along the lines connecting the dots. Repeat until you've got as many sites and roads as you think you want.

---

Lifey

You don't really need to take a tour to see the Grand canyon, you can get around under your own steam and enjoy the views. A helicopter flight over the Grand canyon from the Grand canyon airport in Tusayan is a memorable experience, there is a 45 min tour that takes you over the Painted desert and North rim and back again. Most helicopter tours from Vegas go to the west rim on Indian lands.

You would have to research what shows are on at the time you are in Vegas but just walking down the Strip and through the hotel Lobbies is quite an experience. Lot's of free street shows like the Bellagio water fountains, the Volcano and the Pirate ships battling outside Treasure Island.

I would consider spending another night near Yosemite and driving into SF the following morning, it's a big place with lots of amazing areas to the park.

To drive down Big Sur takes a bit of time especially if you want to stop and take in the views and State parks. If you want to play golf you might be better off just staying in Carmel or Monterey and seeing some of the sights there and then drive Big Sur the following day to San Simeon or beyond.

If you had an extra 2 or 3 days you could go to the Grand canyon from Sedona and then to Monument Valley and then head into Utah via Page AZ and visit Zion NP [another gem] and then head into Vegas down 1-15.

Unfortunately, Dave, the Pirate show outside Treasure Island in Las Vegas shut down in 2013. I would have enjoyed that, too, but it's gone. The volcano is still around, as are the water fountains outside the Bellagio.

One Las Vegas show that we particularly enjoyed was the Blue Man Group. This was a show full of great percussion, special effects, lighting (including black light) and a lot of fun. But other than an occasional MC's voice, there is no talking. We loved it, and the price was decent. There are other shows that are there; this one was not "dark" when we were there in early July. (I would have enjoyed Donny and Marie Osmond, I'm sure, but they were "dark.") We found our original information on vegas.com, for show schedules.

Since you say "drive to Las Vegas in the evening" from Grand Canyon, bear in mind that it is a 4-5 hour drive. Grand Canyon deserves a full day, with either a sunrise or a sunset if you can.


Donna

Book ordered! Thanks.

Agree about using proper maps rather than GPS. I've had a large paper one pinned to my office wall to help with the planning and a visual reminder of what to get excited about.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Londoner Pete

Hi,
<snip>
Day 11 San Francisco - (late afternoon drive to Monteray)
Day 12 visit and hopefully play Pebble Beach Golf Links (afternoon drive to San Simeon) PCH
Day 13 Drive from San Simeon back to Riverside

Pete

---

Planning late afternoon drives around major USA cities is a no-no. Rush hour can be crushing. Especially so for the LA area, but the greater San Francisco area is no slouch in this regard.

Under best of conditions for traffic density and weather, the Big Sur drive is slow going. During peak summer it can become brutally slow at times (good time to pull over for a sandwich and snack). At least in July there is daylight until 8 to 9p.

Not sure if San Simeon is a touristing destination for you or not (Hearst Castle). The coastal route to Los Angeles (Santa Monica) is a good drive. At Santa Monica you will likely take the I-10, check the traffic reports (smart phone Google Traffic, or pull into a WiFi spot like Starbucks, and check the traffic).

Less scenic, but maybe dodging LA traffic better, is to take CA 126 at Ventura to I-5 South and ride the backside of LA's freeways to Riverside.

Watch out for the toll roads in Los Angeles. Not all of them have humans to take payments. If you don't have a toll pass it snaps a photo and processed the billing through your car rental agency, for a premium fee.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Londoner Pete

Book ordered! Thanks.

Agree about using proper maps rather than GPS. I've had a large paper one pinned to my office wall to help with the planning and a visual reminder of what to get excited about.

---

If you already have a wall map, the atlas will be of immense value to you. It will give you detailed maps of each State, with all towns and most attractions printed on it. Scenic routes are highlighted as well, and all roads are clearly graded to show what to expect. You might like to consider bringing your AA membership with you, as it will give you access to free maps and tourism information from the AAA - anywhere in the US. Many of us like to travel with multiple maps, as well as our electronics. Often there is something on the AAA maps, which is not in the Rand McNally - or vice versa.

You're on the right road to planning a great trip. Just be careful not to pack too many miles or sites into each day. Give yourself some time to really absorb the sites and the atmosphere of each.

When you are on the road, or after you return home, it would be great to read how you got on. Not sure if you have found your way there yet, but we have a forum especially for members to record their road trip.... with photos and all.

You might also like to check out this page, which might give you some more ideas for when you are on the road.

Lifey

Some invaluable advice - Thank You!


Next question i'm hoping you'll know the answer to as the Avis website doesn't seem to want to tell me. The Mustangs that Avis (or similar) hire, do you know what model they are?

From what has been discussed on these forums in the past..... they are more likely to be corvettes.

Lifey

any idea of the model?

Why not contact the office where you saw this. Drop them an email, or call them. If you have Skype you can usually do this via a free call number, or to a normal number for very little. I make dozens of international calls and usually can talk for an hour for not much more than a couple of A$.

Lifey

I'm not really sure what you're expecting - None of the major car rental companies will promise a specific model on standard rental. That's exactly why the "or similar" language is in there. On the convertibles, the Mustang generally is the most popular model in rental car fleets, but the Chrysler 200 or Chevy Camaro are also mixed in there. If you want any better information, you'll have to contact the rental location directly.

If you want a specific model, then most rental car companies - including Avis - do offer specialty car rentals where you can reserve a specific model. However, there is usually a significant extra charge to go that route.

Be aware that the trunk (boot) space in a convertible is often smaller than your average sedan. The backseat is also a wee bit tight in some cases, too. So storage space for suitcases and coolers is at a premium. I also noticed that the price of rental is a lot higher, too, when I was looking for a vehicle to rent last summer. (We were looking for a 7-passenger, but the list of vehicles came up first on all of the websites that I checked.)


Donna

Rental Mustang and Camaro convertibles are usually base models with V-6 engines and automatic transmissions. You aren't going to find a GT or SS in standard rental fleets.

Lifey, I think you meant Camaro, not Corvette.

Assuming I drive up the 395 from Death Valley, which road would you suggest is the best to get across Yosemite - 120? 108? 4? or 88?

Depending on the best one will determined where about i'll stay over night.

CA120 is the direct entry road to Yosemite NP from the east, once you have entered the park it is known as Tioga Pass. It's a spectacular drive and you should allow a little time to get out at some high points of the park such as Tuolumne Meadows and Tenaya lake

Thanks Dave. Rand McNally Atlas turned up this morning so will be selecting route and booking accommodation in the next couple of weeks so that really helps

So flights booked (July 1st - 24th).

Route planned and now beginning to book accommodation. The road atlas advice was much appreciated - it has been very useful.

1st-3rd Stay with Friends near LA

4th - Drive to Sedona

5th - Sedona/Winslow

6th - Drive to Monument Valley via 4 corners monument

7th - Monument Vally am - Drive to Grand Canyon pm

8th - Grand Canyon

9th - Route 66 and Hoover Dam on way to Las Vegas

10th - Vegas

11th - Vegas

12th - Death Valley

13th - Drive to Mammoth Lakes

14th - Yosemite

15th - Am Yosemite, PM drive to San Francisco

16th - San Francisco

17th - San Francisco

18th - Highway 1 to Monteray

19th - AM Pebble Beach Golf (hopefully) then drive to Pismo beach area Highway 1

20th - Pismo to LA

21st - 24th with friends near LA



I realise there are a few long drives in there and may have crammed a lot in.

thoughts?

Looks quite reasonable to me. You sure have put a lot into the limited time you have. I think you will enjoy it very much.

Did you manage to get accommodation within the national parks?

Lifey

Monument Valley - Staying in a Hogan... just for the experience!

GC - a B&B just outside the park

Death Valley - Furnace Creek

Yosemite - Night before at Mammoth Lakes and looking to get a second night somewhere in the park... not booked yet, will be looking later today.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Londoner Pete

So flights booked (July 1st - 24th).

Route planned and now beginning to book accommodation. The road atlas advice was much appreciated - it has been very useful.

18th - Highway 1 to Monteray

19th - AM Pebble Beach Golf (hopefully) then drive to Pismo beach area Highway 1

thoughts?

---

Monterey: Lone Oak Lodge. I stayed there a few years ago while visiting Monterey, Carmel and northern Big Sur. It was a reasonably priced, clean old-style motel.

Just north of Pismo Beach is Shell Beach (both are part of a huge miles long cove). I planned to stay at the Shell Beach Inn until my plans changed from a cross-country flight to a cross country road trip and a reunion of sorts north of Santa Barbara. Having not stayed there I can not personally vouch for the Inn based upon personal experience, but I had researched / scrubbed area motels. Basic, but blocks from the beach and 5 minutes to the Pismo Beach Pier.

Have a fun trip!

Thanks I'll take a look at them.

I've made use of Air BnB for the first time at some points of the trip, but haven't booked Monteray or Pismo/Shell so that's a useful tip.

At the very early stages of planning my road trip this site was my first port of call and now it is all booked I thought i'd pop back and say Thank you for the advice.

Starting in LA (Riverside) I take in Sedona, Winslow, Four Corners, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Seligman, Kingman, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite, San Francisco and PCH back to LA.

I'll make a point of coming back in August and letting you know how it went, but really appreciate the advice given.

Thanks again

Peter

Moderator Note: Please keep all posts about this trip in the same thread.

Peter, we have a special forum for that, and would love to hear how you got on, and of course, see some of your pics. Hope you are able to make some notes as you go.

Looking forward to it.

Lifey

Hi Pete!

I'm also from England and am planning a road trip that includes quite a bit of what you're doing. As I say, I haven't been yet but I'll share a couple of things I have found that your son might enjoy.

In Vegas we're planning on hitting up cowabunga waterpark to take a break from the drinking/gambling side, and it looks awesome so could be great for you and your son.

Just outside of San Francisco we're staying in Santa Cruz, it has a great boardwalk and fun fair on the beach which you might both love!

I'm still planning my own trip but if I come across anything else I'll come back to this post.

I hope you have a great time!