San Fran_Monterey_Yosemite_Furnace Creek_Vegas

[Sparky1]

Hello from London! My girlfriend and I are embarking on our first 'Road Trip' in September and we were wondering what are the best routes to take for the following itinerary:

San Francisco for 4 nights then pick up the car (saloon),
head to Monterey for 2 nights,
up to Yosemite for 3 nights,
down to Furnace Creek for 1 night and...
finish in Vegas.

Our main aim is to take in the best scenery, whilst sticking to this schedule.

Any suggestions of places that 'we must see' would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Hello from London! My girlfriend and I are embarking on our first 'Road Trip' in September

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum!

San Francisco for 4 nights then pick up the car (saloon),

What is a saloon? The only saloons I know are drinking establishments -- sedan maybe?

head to Monterey for 2 nights,

I would take state route 17 over the coast mountains -- Highway One is still closed at Devil's Slide and the locals are getting cranky....Plus SR-17 is nice drive over the hills. When you reach CA-1, turn north (away from the direction to Monterey) and take the exit for the Natural Bridges State Beach. You are in for a treat! Thousands of monarch butterflies will be arriving after their 2500 mile flight from the Canadian Rockies and you can see them at the sanctuary on the beach. Then follow the coast road past those awesome cliffs, stopping at the Lighthouse Point where you can see some expert California sufers ripping the waves. From there it is a nice drive down to Monterery.

up to Yosemite for 3 nights,

There are plenty of routes, but I would suggest SR-156 to SR-152 to SR-99 to to SR-145 to SR-41, through Coarsegold and Oakhurst on your way to the park.

down to Furnace Creek for 1 night and...

This one is an easy choice -- SR-120 over Tioga Pass and then down US-395 to SR-136 to SR-190 into Death Valley. There are a couple of detours, well worth the time on the way south. The first one is the June Lake Loop, which will be the first paved road to the right after you descend from Tioga Pass and enter US-395. June lake has some nice alpine lakes and nice views. Bishop is a lovely town and has some great murals. When you reach Big Pine, I would take the detour up to see the bristlecone forest -- just follow Westgard Pass Road. There are lots of articles about Death Valley on this Forum and throughout the site.

Happy Planning!

Mark

[Sparky1]

We British call them saloons... a standard four door car!

Many thanks for the info Mark

[staceykozak]

Between Yosemite & Vegas go through Sequoia National Park/Kings Canyon to see the big trees! The biggest trees you will likely ever see in your life, and they're right on the side of the road. Don't pass it up, if you can.