A Dane going from Vegas to San Francisco

[DaitheDane]

Hi there,

In April I am arriving from Denmark and planning a trip that will be basically Los Angeles to Las vegas to San Francisco. I am struggling to find a good route with interesting things to see from Vegas to San Francisco. Whilst in Vegas I am planning to see Grand Canyon.

Can anyone recommend a good route from Vegas to San Francisco, travel time about two days, togther with a couple of interesting places to visit en route, together with a good place to overnight?

Appreciate your taking the time to help.

thanks,

Paul

[Mark Sedenquist]

In April I am arriving from Denmark and planning a trip that will be basically Los Angeles to Las vegas to San Francisco. I am struggling to find a good route with interesting things to see from Vegas to San Francisco. Whilst in Vegas I am planning to see Grand Canyon.

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! I can't imagine how you could have to "struggle" to find a scenic route between Las Vegas and San Francisco. This is the WEST -- all roads are scenic and cool. In April some of the summertime routes are closed by snow, but this road trip has been discussed a couple hundred times on this board -- if you do a search and put in either Las Vegas or San Francisco, you will be able to read scores and scores of suggestions. Here are a couple more:

Las Vegas to Grand Canyon is not really a day trip (you will need to stay over-night either at Grand Canyon Village or Flagstaff or the greater-Grand Canyon area). By the fastest possible route, it will take about six hours to drive there from Las Vegas.

Two possible routes from Las Vegas to San Francisco: Go to Death Valley and then over Emigrant Pass to US-395 and then north to Lake Tahoe, (over-night) and then on to San Francisco. Alternatively, if the road has opened you could cross the Sierras at Sonora Pass and stay over-night in the historic gold mining town of Sonora.

For a touch of the "old west" I would use US-95 north to Tonopah , make sure you stop at the Tonopah Historic Mining Park, and frequent road contributor Jon V recommends the Clown Motel in Tonopah, NV. $29.95 & fresh roses in the room! If you want to make more tracks -- I would stay over-night at Carson City and make sure you take the detour to Virginia City before heading for San Francisco -- Virginia City is great, great destination for old-west charm!

Enjoy the planning Paul!

Mark

[DaitheDane]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your reply and advice. I guess the thing that has surprised me is that snow can still be an issue in the Sierras in April. I need to get hold of a good road map to help me make the final decision, but your reply will be an excellent start point for me.

All the best,

Paul

[Mark Sedenquist]

I guess the thing that has surprised me is that snow can still be an issue in the Sierras in April. I need to get hold of a good road map to help me make the final decision, but your reply will be an excellent start point for me.

Paul, in most years, the Sierra passes (with the exception of I-80 and US-50) are still closed until late May or early-to-mid-June. Sonora Pass opens before Tioga, here is a post that addresses this June opening scenario but you need to assume that getting over the Sierras in April will require either the use of the Lake Tahoe passes (in the north) or the southern trip. If you decide on Tonapah -- let us know, there is a great motel that one of the RTA founders stays at -- and I will get the name upon her return from LA).

Mark

[travel_monkeys]

I used to live in the SF area and I've done that route multiple times. My recommendation for the best scenery is:
Highway 160 to 190 to Death Valley. Continue on 190 through Death Valley.
At the split take 136 to US-395 North.
Unfortunately all the mountain passes will probably be closed so you'll have to keep on 395 until you get to US-50. Take US-50 to Sacramento where it hits I-80 into SF.
Bring a camera. The drive on 190 out of Death Valley is worth it.