San Francisco to Denver

[UKCraig]

So a couple of weeks ago I was looking at flights and inadvertently managed to press the wrong button. Whilst my bank manager is not very happy it seems silly to let the tickets go to waste so I have been putting together a few ideas over the past few days. Interested to hear your thoughts and suggestions.

Last summer we took the kids on their first roadtrip and feedback from them was that it was too hurried with too little time at some stops so we have tried to slow it down a little with 2 nights or more where possible. Some of the stops have been requested by the kids (13 and 12 years old when the trip comes around) so are non-negotiable (Hard Rock Cafe, frozen custard, Cracker Barrel, Buc-ee's! to name a few) whilst some accommodation has already been booked (most can be cancelled if there is a better suggestion but the 3 nights in the cabin in Montrose CO cannot be changed (and we are looking forward to that in particular anyway!)

Interested to hear of any deviations in routes which don't add spectacularly to the distance (keep in mind the promise to try and slow things down this time) whilst adding to the spectacle or roadside attractions, etc. which we have missed. Interested to hear whether the estimated timeframes listed are achievable and particularly interested to hear thoughts on the final week (the section from Great Sand Dunes NP to the airport in Denver) as really not too sure where is a good place to stay in those locations and ideas for visits?

The Telluride Jazz festival is on whilst we are passing unfortunately and I am presuming that this makes a stop there a no-go? Is it even wise to be in the area? Really not sure of the traffic levels that it would generate?

Would like to have maybe done a jet boat ride someplace but not sure there is any en route? I believe the closest would be Moab and adding that to the journey would open a whole new can of worms I think... best to keep things simple as that would require at least another week to be added. Remember the poor bank manager!!

Final thought: this is obviously based upon the idea that the PCH is fully open by next August. In the unlikely even that it is not then I would be interested to hear of alternative suggestions to get from San Francisco to Furnace Creek which would be of interest to the kids (who have requested to see the ocean again and enjoy some beaches where they can swim in the water).

Sunday 28^th July - Day 1:
Fly London - San Francisco (arrive 13:00)
Overnight accommodation booked: Hotel Caza, Fishermans Wharf

Monday 29^th July - Day 2:
Explore San Francisco on foot
Ride cable car
Cable Car museum junction of Washington St and Mason St? see streetcar.org
Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe
Overnight accommodation booked: Hotel Caza, Fishermans Wharf

Tuesday 30^th July - Day 3:
Lombard Street
Golden Gate Bridge
Drive south to Pinnacles NP
Overnight: Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove?

Wednesday 31^st July - Day 4:
Drive toward Monterrey and then head south along the PCH
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
McWay Falls
Limekiln State Park
Overnight: Cavalier Oceanfront Hotel, San Simeon?

Thursday 1^st August - Day 5:
Finish driving south along the PCH
Lunch at Morro Bay
Avila Beach / Pismo Beach
Drive toward Death Valley NP and find accommodation en route (total journey time +/- 6.5 hours)
Overnight: Bakersfield? TBC

Friday 2^nd August – Day 6:
Continue drive to Death Valley NP via 395 north to 190
Father Crowleys Overlook – watch for planes on Rainbow Canyon
Overnight accommodation booked: Furnace Creek Ranch Cabin

Saturday 3^rd August – Day 7:
Explore Death Valley NP
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Zabriskie Point
Devils Golf Course
Artists Drive / Artists Pallette
Sunset Badwater Basin
Overnight accommodation booked: Furnace Creek Ranch Cabin

Sunday 4^th August – Day 8:
Sunrise Dantes View
Free entry to National Parks today – avoid!
Drive to Las Vegas (+/- 2.5 hours)
High Roller ferris wheel?
Las Vegas Sphere (show at 7pm)
Overnight: Staying with relatives south of Las Vegas

Monday 5^th August – Day 9:
Drive to Kingman (+/- 4 hours)
Visit Hoover Dam
Frozen Custard at Culvers!
Overnight Kingman?

Tuesday 6^th August – Day 10:
Drive along old Route 66 to Grand Canyon NP (+/- 3 hours)
Explore Grand Canyon NP
Overnight accommodation booked: Maswik Lodge South

Wednesday 7^th August – Day 11:
Explore Grand Canyon NP
Overnight accommodation booked: Maswik Lodge South

Thursday 8^th August – Day 12:
Drive to Page Az then on to Monument Valley (+/- 6 hours)
Stop at Navajo Bridge and Horseshoe Bend
Overnight: Kayenta?

Friday 9^th August - Day 13:
Monument Valley Tour
Leave MV to the north (via Mexican Hat) and drive toward Mesa Verde (+/- 2.5 hours)
Photo stop at Four Corners Monument
Overnight TBC

Saturday 10^th August – Day 14:
Mesa Verde NP tour
Drive western part of San Juan Skyway via Cortez, Telluride and Ridgway
Note: Telluride Jazz Festival – how does this effect this plan?
Overnight accommodation booked: Montrose Barndominium

Sunday 11^th August – Day 15:
Ouray Hot Springs
Overnight accommodation booked: Montrose Barndominium

Monday 12^th August – Day 16:
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP
Overnight accommodation booked: Montrose Barndominium

Tuesday 13^th August – Day 17:
Head south to Silverton via Million Dollar Highway
Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour and gold Panning
Drive towards Great Sand Dunes NP (TBC whether south to Durango or east via Creede?)
Overnight TBC

Wednesday 14^th August – Day 18:
Colorado Gators Reptile Park?
Great Sand Dunes NP
Royal Gorge Bridge?
Overnight Colorado Springs

Thursday 15th August – Day 19:
Drive up Pikes Peak (reservation required)
Garden of the Gods
Overnight Colorado Springs

Friday 16th August – Day 20:
Breakfast at Cracker Barrel
Drive toward Rocky Mountains NP
Overnight: Near RMNP

Saturday 17th August – Day 21:
Rocky Mountains NP
Overnight: Near RMNP

Sunday 18th August – Day 22:
Drive toward Denver
Stop at Buc-ee’s in Johnstown
San Diego Padres vs Colorado Rockies @ Coors Field 1:10pm
Overnight Denver

Monday 19th August – Day 23:
Explore Denver
Elitch Gardens?
Overnight Denver

Tuesday 20th August – Day 24:
Fly Denver – London (depart 18:35)

Sorry for the long post but needed to brain dump a little as it is going round and round at the moment with so many options open to us!! Thank you in advance for any feedback.

[Rick Quinn]

Howdy!

This looks like my knind of Road Trip--with the possible exception of Death Valley in August. Make sure your rental car has serious air conditioning!

One question: you plan to drive "old route 66" from Kingman. You're referring to the road that goes through Peach Springs, correct? (Because that's most definitely the best way to go!)

Rick

[UKCraig]

Yes, sir! This is the route that Google spews out but we will obviously tweak that to get the best of the run.

Death Valley in August is something to be experienced I think. It was 44 degrees in Joshua Tree last summer and the kids are keen to push themselves a little from that! Last year it was low 30s at the same time of year which is unlikely again I suspect but it is what it is. I know that Dave is very much of the belief that 2 nights there will be too much for them but I am thinking that it is best to have the opportunity to stay indoors with the A/C on full if necessary and use the mornings and evenings to explore if necessary thus two nights give us more opportunity for that.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Sunday 4^th August – Day 8:
Sunrise Dantes View
Free entry to National Parks today – avoid!
Drive to Las Vegas (+/- 2.5 hours)
High Roller ferris wheel?
Las Vegas Sphere (show at 7pm)
Overnight: Staying with relatives south of Las Vegas

Craig, I hope we get to meet your kids and wife this time around? (And, see you, of course.)

The best part of the Sphere is still the outside--In our view. Here is a field report from a recent trip.

And yes, two full days at Death Valley in August sounds heavenly to me.

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

Hi Craig.

That looks like a fun filled trip in some awesome surroundings and something to really look forward to!

Sorry for the long post but needed to brain dump a little as it is going round and round at the moment with so many options open to us!!

Yeah I remember that feeling well! So many options with a relatively small amount of time. It looks like you're getting there with the planning and when I get a bit more time I will have a longer look and see if I can come up with any suggestions.

Dave who can't wait to get back in the USA!

[Midwest Michael]

A couple quick thoughts.

When you're at Mesa Verde, the best and most important parts of the park, like Balcony House, require a guided tour and reservations. Make sure you're factoring that into your plans (it seems like that's a pretty busy day for you).

I think Durango's a pretty nice town - if you have the time and budget for it, consider doing a trip on the narrow gauge railroad, but even seeing the trail itself is pretty neat, although you may have a chance to see it in Silverton too. The Durango Diner is also a great example of a classic American "greasy spoon" breakfast/lunch counter, and also a great spot to try Green Chile, which is a regional specialty.

Great Sand Dunes is a nice detour, but personally, I would skip Royal Gorge. It's really just an over the top and expensive tourist trap, and a rare place I actively suggest that people avoid - I hated it that much!

For Rocky Mountain NP, I believe they are still doing a timed-entry system (they were last time I was there in 2020), so you'll need to get a reservation, with a specific time permitted to enter the park, unless you are staying at lodging right within the park.

[glc]

For Rocky Mountain NP, I believe they are still doing a timed-entry system (they were last time I was there in 2020), so you'll need to get a reservation, with a specific time permitted to enter the park, unless you are staying at lodging right within the park.

https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvis...mit-system.htm

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) will implement a pilot reservation system using timed entry in 2024, beginning on Friday, May 24.

[UKCraig]

Hi all
Thank you for all the tips and pointers. I have made a few changes to our plan and will continue to work on that to make it flow better. I have visited most of the areas solo in the past so, like last summer's trip, I am using my experience to (hopefully) put together something that the kids will enjoy. The Colorado leg though is different as I have never been there and it is good fun trying to figure out the plan!

I have removed the Royal Gorge part of the trip (saw the negative comments elsewhere when searching other threads!) and added a stop in Durango. Unfortunately there's not time for the trip on the train although it does sound fun.

A pity that RMNP have added the reservations thing; I hope it is not too difficult to get entry tickets for the time we want :s I see that Mesa Verde tours open 14 days ahead so, likewise, I hope that we get what we need there. If not we could always cut out the Page stops, head straight to Monument Valley and do something there in the evening thus freeing up time the next day should we only be able to get those slots. Do you know if the tickets are hard to get? And what would be your recommendations for destinations with 12 and 13 year olds along with two out of shape old farts!

Thank you for the article linked, Mark, very interesting. We may well give the inside of the Sphere a miss then (especially as it will run to several hundred Dollars anyway!) and just see the outside. Any thoughts on the High Roller? We (actually I!) just wanted to make a stop at the Sphere along our route and, unfortunately, I am under instruction that we need then to go straight to Kristina's relatives house for the evening so we'll not be able to say hi this time :(

[AZBuck]

Craig, I know that this trip seems like a dream to you and everyone else who has checked in, but I'm left feeling a bit uncomfortable. Roughly 2,000 miles over 24 days certainly doesn't sound like much and should be quite doable. I think that what bothers me most is that you plan to stay in 18 different places during those 24 days, with Montrose being the only place where you'll spend more than one two nights. Unpacking every night and repacking every morning is going to get old fast, and the time spent doing so is going to eat into what you have available for everything else.

Just as an example, I'd probably plan to stay one more night in San Francisco, cut out the overnight at Pacific Grove and get to San Simeon and spend three nights there. Anything that has to be 'skipped' to do that can be from the southern portion of that leg and seen from San Simeon. Same with Bakersfield - I'd drop the stop there and do San Simeon to Furnace Creek in one go, etc. The idea would simply be to not have to drive somewhere new each day with everything that entails.

With four people over 24 days, unless you're planning on bringing steamer trunks, you're going to have to devote a day or two to just doing laundry, shopping for food and other sundries. My wife, who does all our bookings when we travel, tells me that about three nights in a rental HOME (AirBnB, VRBO, etc.) is where they start to make economic sense so keep that in mind as well. So maybe the Furnace Creek and Montrose areas for your more extended stays?

In any event, everyone has their own travel style, but the suggestions above seem to fit in with your family's desire for a less harried pace.

AZBuck

[UKCraig]

Hi AZBuck!
It is such a balance, isn't it! Ideally I'd love for us to have more time at every stop but time and resources are naturally limited so we have to prioritise things. After some discussion amongst the family we agreed that the way we did things last year was not to everyone's cup of taste but that wasn't so much the moving along from hotel to hotel; rather the longer days in the car which inevitably ended up with the kids getting irritable. I also feel that the danger with basing yourself in one spot and then travelling back and forth is that you often cover the same ground multiple times. With this in mind we have tried to identify certain 'destinations' - taking a couple of nights at a time at these locations - and then break up the longest of the drives between them with interesting stops along the way to break the journey or overnight stops where necessary. The suggestion that we drive six-seven hours direct to Death Valley, for example, was met with the demand that we stop somewhere en route (Bakersfield simply being a placeholder for that stop which we would determine on the day depending on how energetic everyone felt - or otherwise!)

We spent several days in San Francisco only last year and we are really only using it as a hopping on point so we are not worried about spending any more time there than it takes to acclimatise a little to the new time zone. Given the very linear nature of the PCH route, and the relative lack of (affordable) accommodation along the way, it seemed that the only realistic option was to stop at either end which leads us to what we have come up with so far. It is indeed a little less than perfect but I cannot see any other way of meeting the criteria of limiting the daily hours in the car, seeing the PCH (which we missed last year), spending time on the beaches at the south of the route, etc. I can look at it again though as I would be more than happy to change that section up a little if it helps the flow. What, would you say, is a realistic timeframe from the Fishermans Wharf area of San Francisco to somewhere in the San Luis Obispo are via the PCH? We'd want to stop at a couple of state parks along the way plus the obligatory pull offs for photos. I am not sure that is a comfortable drive in a single day? If it is then perhaps a change is on the cards there.

We have made some tweaks and changes to other aspects of the trip to try and minimise the number of nights on the move; I just need to get round to writing it up and I will post it but would love to hear the views on the above before I do.

Thank you.