The great family Toal road trip!

[Marianne]

Hi there,

Family Toal from Birmingham, UK are about to embark on their first ever US roadtrip this coming August. Flying into San Francisco on 18th August for 3 nights before heading south to Monterey. We're not sure how many days we're spending there yet, but know we need to get to Vegas by the 23rd. So the first part of our trip is pretty much sorted, and all should be fabulous as long as we don't kill each other (close proximity) en route!

We plan on leaving Vegas on the 25th and have to get back to San Francisco for the 29th. So here's where we kind of need your help/advice. We would like to see Death Valley (not sure about staying over here or just a scenic drive) and arrive at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park (definite stay over 1/2 nights.) We then plan to drive up to Yosemite and spend 2 nights in or around the park.

Route suggestions, accommodation recommendations and potential highlights/areas or interest would be greatly appreciated.

After dropping me back to the airport at San Fran (work calls!!!) mum, dad and my brother have a further 5 days heading North toward lake Tahoe/Nappa Valley. Once again any ideas you road trip buffs have would be greatly appreciated. Due to their great age, somewhere relaxing would be good for them.

We wait in anticipation.

Thank you in advance.

Marianne

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

If you spent one night in Monterey you could drive down the coast on route 1 around Big Sur and stop in the Cambria area for a night before heading inland for Vegas.

The drive through Death valley is highly recommended and with an early start you could have a little time exploring and make it to the Lake Isabella area for a night. You could then drive to Sequoia on the 198 through Three rivers [Generals highway]and stop in the park or out the other side for a night. From Fresno continue North on 41 through Oakhurst and into Yosemite.

This a very popular area and much discussed on the forums so you shouldn't have any trouble finding lots of threads to help you plan and here are some of our favorites to get you started.