Can anyone please help with my trip?

[mollybe]

Hi,

This is my first post on this site so please be gentle with me. I live in the UK and am planning on travelling to Vegas in September of this year.

We have 2 weeks and would like at some stage to drive to San Fransisco and I am struggling with the best way to do it.

Ideally, we would like to go through Yosemite on the way there and travel some way down Highway 1 on the way back.

I am thinking a one night stay in Yosemite or thereabouts, 2 nights in SF and then another night on the way back. I would also like to visit the Winchester House and maybe Carmel, Monterey would don't really want to drive all the way down to Santa Barbara.

I am also looking for a good value hotel in SF and don't know whether we would be better in the centre or more towards Fishermans Wharf.

I have checked Google Maps and got myself into a complete muddle, well I am female! Can anyone help with any aspect of this trip please. I would be really grateful.

Cheers
Molly

[Southwest Dave]

Hi Molly, welcome to the RTA forums !

This is the most talked about trip on the forums and you will find plenty of info throughout them by way of the search button, but here are some of our favorites to get you started.

With 2 weeks you certainly have time for the trip but you will need to fine tune your timing a little. To go through Yosemite you can also drive across Death valley from Vegas via Pahrump [160] to Death valley junction on Ash meadows / State line rd and the 190/136 to Lone pine and 395 North to Lee Vining/Mono lake and the 120 [Tioga pass] in to Yosemite. I would recommend stopping 1 night on the Eastern side [Bishop/Lee vining for example] and head into Yosemite the following morning and spend at least a night in the park or just out the other side. A couple of nights in SF and then at least a couple of nights back to Vegas via Monterey/Big Sur and possibly Cambria/Morro bay before heading inland back towards Vegas.

Generally speaking the central hotels in SF around Union square are dearer, and you also have to check for parking fees that can be expensive. Lombard street has some value hotels and some [or used to] have free parking facilities. It is also not far from the Mariner and piers.

[mollybe]

Thanks for that...it sounds good to me. I am off to look at the other threads you suggested and another look at google maps. I WILL be back.

[Southwest Dave]

Hi Molly,

I have just noticed that I gave you an incorrect link in my first post. I have amended it but you can find it here.

Just ask away when you are ready !

[CC OZ]

Hi Molly,

As for a hotel in San Francisco, we stayed in the Hotel Del Sol. It is situated in the Marina District. Its reasonable cheap, very clean and has free parking. One block away is the 32 bus (I think) which links you to fishermans wharf, cable cars etc. Or if you feel energetic and like stretching your legs, you can walk all the way along and down lombard street.

PS, The Vegas, Yosemite, San Fran Monterey loop of our trip was my favourite.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum...ad.php?t=19842

CC OZ.

[colonelhall]

I agree about Hotel Del Sol. Check out Chestnut Street for a nice neighbourhood feel. Take the walk from there to Fort Mason and then on to Fisherman's Wharf.
Try Vegas to San Louis Obisbo. Peachtree Inn is good. It's a long day's journey, but the town is nice for eating, shopping and relaxing.
From there take highway One all the way to S.F. stopping for breathtaking views. Check out the Bakery in Big Sur, the best Danish ever!
On the way back: S.F. to Yosemite. It could be crowded and you may not be able to book at this stage. Yosemite to Lone Pine. Lone Pine to Vegas.
I cannot see you doing this in under five days, not counting the time spent in Yosemite and S.F.