Vegas, Grand Canyon, Napa, San Fran

[trvmail]

Ok I know I am asking a lot but need some advice.. I will be going to Vegas for 4 days for work in early November. I was thinking of incorporating a trip to the Grand Canyon while there cause my girlfriend may come with me. Given that I am thinking about heading out about a week early with her in order to do some roadtripping..

So my original plan, fly into Vegas, get a vehicle and drive to the Grand Canyon. I wanted to go to the North Rim then the South figured take a day or two so we had some time to check everything out. Now from what I understand the North maybe closed or at least there will be nothing more to do other then see it in Early November (no real services in the area). Anyone know if this is the case? Also have people that have been there think getting to the North in the Morning then heading to the South later in the day would be best? We would like to do some hiking but based on temperature don't think we will be doing to much other then maybe a short hike.

So that was the original plan... However my girlfriend has never been out west so I started to think about ways to incorporate going to San Francisco for a nite or two and/or napa for a nite or two. Can someone tell me how reasonable this is?

Also anyone know if there are affordable 1 way rentals cause I was thinking maybe fly into SFO, spend 2 or 3 days in that area then drive to Vegas and or straight to the Canyon then back to Vegas and fly home from there.. Also I hear roads from Northern CA to Vegas maybe closed in early November? I have never done this drive as I have always flown from CA to NV.

Basically at this point looking for advice cause there are a lot of options and I am not sure on travel times etc.. Any help would be great..

[Robert Schaller]

Now from what I understand the North maybe closed or at least there will be nothing more to do other then see it in Early November (no real services in the area).

Yes sir, it will be closed. No services and as soon as we get the first snowfall, the road will close south of Jacob Lake Jct to everything except snowmobiles and snowshoe jackalopes.

We would like to do some hiking but based on temperature don't think we will be doing to much other then maybe a short hike.

Could be very cold, or you might luck out and get a warm day. I have done winter hikes in that area more than once and had great weather -- other times snow, ice and crampons and 15 degrees. You won't know until you go.

However my girlfriend has never been out west so I started to think about ways to incorporate going to San Francisco for a nite or two and...

You could do this -- but San Francisco will typically take more than a day to get to from Las Vegas -- you can get most of the way in one day but unless you really push it, you'll need a couple hours into a second day if you are taking it easy and sightseeing. While some of the most scenic and desirable routes will be closed perhaps, there is always a way to get there.

Also anyone know if there are affordable 1 way rentals...

Try Advantage, but shop around other major companies as well. Rates vary from one week to the next between companies. Bob

[trvmail]

Thanks Bob...

This is starting to not look as doable cause it looks like I have from Nov 3 to Nov 8th only.. Any suggestions on itinerary would be great.. I can fly RT to LAS or to CA then out of LAS..

[trvmail]

I found an intinerary in another thread and modified it. I am wondering if some of you experienced western state road trippers can tell me if this is #1 doable, will it #2 give us enough time to see a decent amount and #3 can your provide any suggestions on routes, places to stay etc.. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated as I have done road trips all west of the mississippi and Europe but nothing in the west other then the CA Coast.

I am looking at starting this on 11/2 in San Fran (or Oakland) ending in Vegas on 11/7 cause I have to be there for work on the 8th..

Day 1 -- SFO to ?? - Would like to go through the Sierra Nevada's but if not doable then maybe Yosemite? Not sure on best places..

Day 2 -- Open for exploration of whichever area?

Day 3 -- Drive to Las Vegas stay in Vegas (would like to get to Vegas around 5-6pm)

Day 4 -- Drive to Grand Canyon (Leave Vegas about 8-9am?) - We would like to go to the North Rim but not sure if that is doable this time of year or if it is worth going there just to check it out and then making our way to the south rim?

Day 5 -- Day of exploration in Grand Canyon?

Day 6 -- Drive back to Vegas.. Need to arrive in Vegas by 6pm

Also any suggested routes or maybe an online mapping site would be great.. Thanks again in advance