California Roadtrip

Hi, Myself and a friend are planning a roadtrip in california in late april 2004. We will fly into LAX from the UK and hire a car for our 2 week trip. We want to see LA, San Simeon, San Fran, Las Vegas, San Diego and back to LA. I realise this will be a rush trip but we want to see as much as possible. Has anyone got any advice, tips, things we shouldnt miss etc. And the best nightlife places? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Cheers guys, Ash.

Ash,

Your big problem with your planned route in April is that inbetween San Francisco and Las Vegas is a mountain range that will be snowbound. You will probably have to skirt the southern end of the Sierra Nevadas to get to Vegas. Checkout the map of California on
http://www.uk-2-usa.com/California.html to see what I mean.

I guess the journey is still do-able but it will be quite a drive.

UK

To get over the Sierra Nevadas, you should plan on using I-80 and US-95 for the leg between San Francisco and Las Vegas. Even during the heaviest snow storms, they (mostly) keep I-80 open.

A really scenic route could entail exiting I-80 at Placerville and following the Gold Rush Trail <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/drives/ca49.htm">(CA-49)</a> through the foothills. There are some really fun bars and historical places along the route. When you reach Sonora -- head west and pick-up I-5 and jet down to Buttonwillow -- pick-up CA-58 to Bakersfield and on through Tehachapi and over to I-15 up to Las Vegas.

The road south from Las Vegas (I-15) crosses Route 66 several times -- on your way to San Diego.

It's possible, but I think you're looking at 20+ hours of driving time minimum. If you plan on doing somesightseeing, I would guess it's about 4 driving days It's a nice trip, the only thing that I would mention is that Las Vegas is kinda a long detour from the rest of your itinerary. If you leave from LA, figure on 5 hours to get to San Simeon, another few hours to get to SF, but from SF to Vegas is about 9 hours on the most direct route. I don't think you'll have to worry about snow, there are a couple different routes you can take cutting through Bakersfield, I've never encountered snow on them. Search the forum for stockdale highway and you'll find them.

If it were me, I might rearrange the trip so that you leave from LA, head over to Vegas (4 hours) spend a night or two there. then come back down to San Diego (5 hours) for a night or two. From there you can start heading up the coast to LA, on your way to San Simeon (6-7 hours) Then from San Simeon is another 4 hours to san francisco to spend however much time you want, then back down to LA (6-10 hours, depending on the route) This breaks up your trip into shorter segements, plus the road to vegas is relatively easy, gives you a chance to get used to driving here. These are all based on California driving times, which in some cases can average 80+ mph on some stretches of highway.

Four hours LA to Las Vegas? If one fails to slow down in the construction areas (marked at 50 mph for long stretches) and traffic is light one can reach the East San Gabriel valley in four hours (Pasadena) but I would love to speak to anyone who can drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas during daylight hours in less than five hours. Because of the posted construction speeds, I know that top speed one can average is 50 mph between LA and Las Vegas even if one's car slips into 70+ once in a while. I personally make this drive at least once per month and I know I am exceeding the posted limits when I reach LA in five hours...

You're right. I forgot they're coming from LAX, all the way across LA, so that adds at least another hour or more. But I can usually make the drive in less than 4 hours from the pasadena area if there's very little traffic. I should mention I usually drive at night, when there's almost no traffic and everyone is averaging 80+ mph for most of the way past baker. I'm not a very fast driver either, I usually hang out in the slow lane. Try riding in some of my friend's cars, we've made it from LAX to Berkeley in 4.5 hours. I think we might have exceeded the speed limit once or twice.

If you want to see some of the spectacular scenery that California has to offer, then you should think about Death Valley and Yosemite National Parks. They'll both add a detour to your route, but I don't know anyone who has been to these places and not been seriously impressed. Definitely nothing like you'll see in the UK. As for nightlife, San Francisco is a fascinating city with nightlife to suit every taste. Good luck, Ted.

If you want to see some of the spectacular scenery that California has to offer, then you should think about Death Valley and Yosemite National Parks. They'll both require a bit of a detour to your route, but I don't know anyone who has been to these places and not been seriously impressed. Definitely nothing like you'll see in the UK. If you have the time and can drive north along the spectacular Hwy 1 coast route, then you might be able to do a bit of whale watching. As for nightlife, San Francisco is a fascinating city with nightlife to suit every taste. Good luck, Ted.

My husband and I will be in San Francisco for a few weeks for work and want to take 2 weekend excursions. One weekend we plan to go South along Route 1 and the other weekend we want to go inland. I'd like to go to Lake Tahoe and my husband would like to go to Yosemite. I'm wondering if we can do both in one weekend -- in particular, I'm not sure what the roads are like between the two, in terms of snow, or how long it would take. We don't want to spend the whole time in the car -- we'd like to at least do some short hikes here and there. So I'm wondering if we really should choose one or the other and not try to do both. Any ideas?

I'd choose one -- if you try to do both all on one weekend, you WILL be on the road too much and you won't have any time to spend eitehr place. If you haven't seen either, I'd choose Yosemite first as it is considered by many the "jewel in the crown" of the US National Park system. Not that the Tahoe area and Gold Rush country aren't great too. But Yosemite is the BEST. Just my opinion. Bob

Thanks Bob. Makes sense not to try to do both.
We actually have already been to Yosemite,
so we might go for Tahoe if we have to choose (I'll
have to discuss this with my husband). On the map I
can see lots of other smaller lakes near Tahoe --
do you happen to know them at all?

Most (maybe 100%) of the lakes are resevoirs used for storing water and recreational activities. While most are beautiful, comparing something like Cherry Lake with Lake Tahoe is like referring to the Atlantic Ocean as the Pond, (neither descriptive nor accurate).

If you are up for an adventure (and some small, but pretty lakes) head to Fresno and take CA-168 to Mono Hot Springs. Along the way you will pass a number of small lakes to the end of the road at Mono Hot Springs. It has been awhile since I was there -- but there are cabins for rent, a hot (commercial) pool and a number of "natural" hot pools in the immediate area. My favorite is one called "Little Eden" moss and fern-lined one can enjoy a stunning view of the snow-covered Sierras while basking in 102 degree water. (You may need to ask a local for directions to the footpath-- but it is an easy 15 minute walk from the parking lot).

Mark

The idea of the Mono hot springs appeals to me -- sounds very cool (I guess I should say "hot"). I like things off the beaten path.

So, I have a question that you may not be able to answer. I've been kind of interested in Tahoe all along, but I suspect my interest has a lot to do with the fact that it's so well known. I mean, I'm sure the reason it's well known is because it's spectacular. But I'm wondering if it's classes above other mountain lakes -- the kind of thing you'd really be stupid to miss, or is it not so different from other gorgeous mountain lakes, and something like the hot springs would be more unique, and also spectacular. We don't get to California from Germany very often, so we're trying to make a good choice. I know -- I'm trying to get out of having to make a hard choice on my own. I do accept that you can't do it all. I feel lucky as it is to have this kind of choice in the first place. Still -- it helps a lot to hear the opinions of people who've been there, and have nothing at stake.

Thanks again!
Laura

Laura,

Mono Springs is certainly "off the beaten path" but Lake Tahoe is really, really nice. It is not like a lake found in the German Alps -- it is one of the deepest lakes found in the entire world. It is not pristine -- thousands of people visit it every day and thousands more live around it.

Still, a drive around the lake augmented by stops at lakeside inns and restaurants would still be my choice.

There are seven state parks located adjacent to the lake -- Emerald Bay being one my personal favorites. One can also find seriously tacky attractions -- like the "Ponderosa Ranch" where the TV western "Bonanza" was filmed.

DL Bliss state park has crystal clearl turqouise water, white sand and plenty of under-used hiking trails. River Ranch lodge (near Tahoe City) is my choice for sipping fine wine and watching the river roar past your table. Plus a nice day trip from Tahoe is Virginia City, Nevada.

As I mentioned in an earlier e-mail -- don't count out Mendocino -- it too, is a very cool daytrip from San Francisco.

Well, my husband is concerned that Lake Tahoe will be
frozen in April (he's Swedish and maybe he's had enough
frozen lakes to last a lifetime). Do you know whether
that would likely be the case?

Laura

I hope I'm not overstaying my welcome on this site. I
just wondered about accomodation. We're used to driving
around and taking walks until we're tired and then
looking for cheap accomodation somewhere. Do you know if
one can do that at Lake Tahoe on a Saturday night, or would it be advisable to look for rooms away from the lake, or make reservations (god forbid -- but we have done it when necessary).

Laura

Laura,

I don't think Lake Tahoe has been frozen over since the last ice age - at least a few thousand years. Even in January and February (heaviest snow storms) people water-ski on the lake.

Cheap accomodation? (better forget Mendocino) anyway, there are both very elegant inns and inexpensive motels. I think that you will have little diffculty finding lodging when are planning on being there.

Mark

If it were me regarding the trips, I would take the Yosemite trip, only because I'm partial to highway 395. You'll pass the highest mountain in the continental U.S., Mt. Whitney. That's in Lone Pine, CA. Further up, you'll pass Mono Lake, an interesting lake that's up in the Sierrra's, but is a salt lake. It's the remnant of a huge lake that supposedly covered from Utah's Salt Lake to California. If you're into western history, the ghost town of Bodie is not too far from Mono Lake. Also, if you have the time, the hiking is great up in that part of the country. You could drive up into Nevada, and see Reno & Lake Tahoe. From Mono, probably another 4-5 hours. Anyway, I hope you have a nice time on your drive, wherever you decide to go. I'm glad this forum is here, to give anyone ideas of where to go in this spectacular country.

Robert,

Just a reminder -- these folks are starting in San Francisco and they will be unable to reach US-395 from Yosemite until at least the end of June. The road over Tioga Pass still has about 20 feet of snow on it!

Thanks for the regular posts of roadtrippers like yourself -- this forum is a constantly evolving & dynamic source of ideas.

Hi
Im still finalising my roadtrip. 3 weeks in June. Arrive LAX and stay in LA(california) for 3 nights, then haul up the coast to santa cruz(california) for 1 night then onto san fran(california) for a 2 night stay. Over to Lake tahoe(california) to stay for 3 nights then down to mariposa(california) for sightseeing at yosemite for 2 nights. Then down further to Vegas(nevada) for 2 nights, over to bryce canyon(utah) for 1 night then onto durango (colorado) for 3 nights, and finally one hell of a long haul back to LA(california) passing through the grand canyon for a rest break.
Things im going to do (hopefully) and in no specific order are, magic mountain, LA beaches, hollywood, beverly hills, cycle across the golden gate bridge, ride some trams, visit alcatraz, horse riding, getting some sun, ATV rides, white water rafting, visite silverton town(durango), gambling, see a magic show, visit the borg exhibit and any other ideas you guys can come up with. entire length of trip is roughly 4000 miles across 5 states in 18 nights/19 days. hardest thing for me to plan is the spending money which also covers petrols costs.
sites i used to help plan this trip are, expedia (good for directions and small maps of areas im visiting) and this site here --> http://home.planet.nl/~pegjong/usa_trip/index.htm .
Ive pre booked all my hotels allready, so0 that i can budget better, i would rather have just went and booked along the way giving me more flexibility, but my budget outweighed this.
Im travellign from Scotland over to LA to start my wonderful trip off, and am travelling alone, some tips on safety for lone travllers would be helpful, many thanks
hope this helps

Hi,

You seem to have everything worked out.

Are you planning to go from Durango to LA in one day ? I would not have thought this was possible. My trusty trip planner has this as a 760 miles drive taking around 14 hours.

If tou want to see Silverton from Durango, take the train for a breathtaking journey through the mountains.

yes, i will be going from durango to LA, and yes it is one hell of a drive, but im stopping at grand canyon for a rest, then continue on, unfortunately i ran out of days to be able to spend a night at grand canyon which is what i originally intended, my flight back home is on the 28th, and i wanted to spend the weekend at durango, so this is the best way i could fit it in, itll be tiring and im sure ill sleep on the flight back home, but it will be worth it. what planner are you using for your distances.

thx

I use a Rand McNally Trip Planner CD.

I'd consider losing a day somewhere and staying overnight near the Grand Canyon if I were you.

Sounds like you have some good plans -- I like the reference to the Borg Exhibit in Las Vegas -- we are planning on doing a feature ourselves next week on the "invasion."

Some solo tips are online <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/tips/solo.htm">here</a>. It may look at first glance like it is targeted to RVers, but scroll on down.

Thanks for the reference to Peggy's and Maurice's web site. They did a very nice job and I will feature them next week.

Have an adventure!

Mark

thanks for the info about rand mcnalkly, ive looked at it onlne and it looks good, and i might drop the last night in La for one in GC to split up that mammoth drive.

thanks for the link for the solo trips, only area that gave me any concern was really walking around LA, i was fine, and to some extent still am, but everyone at work keeps asking if im not concerned about going myself, which i wasnt and never gave any real thought to safety.
Ill read over it, but im sure i would feel safe.
3 years ago i was in NY watching a drugs dealer in washington park for about 20 minutes, and that didnt spook me, i jus tthought it was fascinating, albeit illegal. and amazingly there was a police control unit parked around the corner. ah the sights you see when travelling around

"Walking around LA" -- its not like walking around London, and no one really walks around LA. There are some incredibily beautiful sections of LA with thousands of walkers -- but LA is huge -- a few hundred square miles and I doubt you will be walking the entire thing.

Like any urban place -- keep some street smarts engaged and you will fine.

Mark

sorry, didnt mean walking everywhere, ill have the car from day one, really meant around the beach areas and hollywood plus beverly hills. but thanks for all the tips guys