Monument Valley & Grand Canyon

[Fiona]

Hi. Can anyone offer any advice? We are booked to fly Aug 5 to San Fran and fly home 22nd from LA. We plan to have a GREAT BIG LONG TRIP but are having problems working it out. Must see sights/activities are obviously San Fran and hit the outlets (coming from Scotland we need to take the time to buy some new cheap and cheerful clothes!!). Up to the Redwoods and then drive over somehow to Yellowstone. It looks fine on the the map but I have no idea where we could stop off en route and even what is the best way to go! From there we would like to see Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and a one day stay in Vegas before heading back to LA which is where my son wants to spend a couple of days doing the sights. Although I have been these places before, my husband (now deceased) planned everything and I dont have a clue where to start or how to budget. There are three of us, my son (21), my pal and me. We are quite happy sharing a room to keep costs down - well you know us Scots and how tight fisted we are!!! Can anyone help.
Sorry this has been such a long post - I talk too much!
Fiona

[Mark Sedenquist]

Hi. Can anyone offer any advice?

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum!

We are booked to fly Aug 5 to San Fran and fly home 22nd from LA. We plan to have a GREAT BIG LONG TRIP but are having problems working it out.

Looks like you are off to a great start!

Must see sights/activities are obviously San Fran and hit the outlets (coming from Scotland we need to take the time to buy some new cheap and cheerful clothes!!).

Better come to Las Vegas then -- the shopping here is some of the best in the world!

Up to the Redwoods and then drive over somehow to Yellowstone. It looks fine on the the map but I have no idea where we could stop off en route and even what is the best way to go! From there we would like to see Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and a one day stay in Vegas before heading back to LA which is where my son wants to spend a couple of days doing the sights.

Generally you should plan to drive no more than 500 miles in a day and if you can limit that to 350 or so -- much better. So a drive to the Redwoods from San Francisco would be day's journey and 1-2 more to Yellowstone and 1-2 more down to Grand Canyon and another transit day to Las Vegas and another to Los Angeles.

I dont have a clue where to start or how to budget

. Here are some tips for keeping the cost low while on the road and here are some tips about eating well. I hope this helps with getting you started on the planning of this adventure!

Mark

[Fiona]

Thanx Mark. I feel a little bit more confident now. Off to try the first stage of planning- will be back with more questions I am sure. What a great forum!!

[Fiona]

Hi. Can anyone help with suggestions for this part of our trip? We (3 adults) are hoping to see Monument Valley and Grand Canyon before heading over to spend a night or two at Vegas. What are the do's and don'ts for this trip. We will be coming down from Yellowstone and driving straight to the Valley (probably quickest route). How long should we plan for and does anyone have any ideas whereabouts we should stay so that we can be there at dawn or sunset as all the books say this is"the time" to see these amazing sights.

Fiona

[AZBuck]

Well, my first recommendation is that you not drive straight through from Yellowstone to Monument Valley and just drive by everything in between. At the very least, you really should consider stopping in Salt Lake City and taking one of the free tours of Temple Square which includes the Mormon Tabernacle, and absolutely must see Arches National Park. Even with those two stops, you can still get to Kayenta, Arizona in two days of about 375 miles per day. I wouldn't try to make it down in one day under any circumstances. Kayenta probably offers your best option for good lodging at reasonable prices near Monument Valley. Monument Valley itself is in the Navajo Nation. There have been previous posts extolling the benefits of hiring a local guide, so I refer you to the website for the Navajo Nation's Monument Valley Park. You might want to contact them before your arrival. By the way, If you haven't already done so, you should get a National Parks Pass which for $50 will get you all into every National Park for a year (but not Monument Valley, which is not a National Park). You can also buy one at the first park you come to if you'd prefer.

Good Luck

AZBuck

[Quebec Gen]

Hi Fiona,

For other suggestions of things to see en route (LA, SF, LV, Grand Canyon, etc.), I suggest you take a look at this thread. While going through Utah, in addition to Arches NP, you should consider visiting Bryce NP, one of the most beautiful parks in the US. You could arrange a guided tour of Antelope Canyon near Page, AZ.

For great shopping in Las Vegas, head to the Forum Shops at Ceasar's Palace (Versace, Mont Blanc, DKNY, Bvlagri, D & G, Valentino, Armani) and stop at Sephora and other Grand Canal Shoppes boutiques at the Venetian.

Have a fun trip!
Gen