Road Trip: San Francisco, LA, San Diego, Grand Canyon and Las Vegas

[Rinks]

Hi guys,

Myself and 2 friends are planning on driving from San Francisco to Las Vegas via LA and San Diego. Ideally, we want to stay as close to PCH as much as possible. Below is a rough plan of where we want to go and see...

16/09 Fri San Fran
17/09 Sat San Fran (Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Lombard Street)
18/09 Sun San Fran
19/09 Mon San Fran/Big Sur (Monterey Bay, Bixby Bridge, Julia Pfeiffer Burns Park)
20/09 Tues Big Sur/Malibu (Hearst Castle, Malibu)
21/09 Wed Malibu/LA (Venice Beach, Hollywood, Beverly hills)
22/09 Thurs LA (Universal Studios)
23/09 Fri LA/San Diego (Newport Beach, Laguna Beach)
24/09 Sat San Diego (San Diego Zoo)
25/09 Sun San Diego (Gas Lamp Area, Tijuana???)
26/09 Mon San Diego/Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon Village)
27/09 Tues Grand Canyon/ Las Vegas (Hoover Dam)
28/09 Wed Las Vegas
29/09 Thurs Las Vegas
30/09 Fri Las Vegas
01/10 Sat Las Vegas/Home

Really looking for some advice on the trip above...is it too much to do, are we spending too much/little time in one place, have we missed out on any other must see places.

Would really appreciate some advice on the drive from San Diego to the Grand Canyon. At the moment we are planning on doing the drive in one day, setting out fairly early and trying get there before sunset. Not sure if the Village is the best place to stay, so again if anyone has any other suggestions it would be very much appreciated.

Oh yeah, we are meeting friends in Vegas so that's why we will be there for 4 nights. It's not set in stone so we could potentially cut that short by 1 day if needed.

Thanks
Rinks

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

Your trip looks good for the most part.

San Diego to the Grand Canyon can be done in one long day, but to shorten the drive and/or find cheaper lodging options, you might consider stopping just a bit short in Williams or Flagstaff. However, do note that a half day at GC isn't a ton of time for this very large and interesting area. You could do it in your timeframe, but I would recommend spending two nights near the Canyon, and driving back to Vegas on the morning of the 2nd day.

If you are willing to trim two other days from your city stops, I'd look strongly at completing the loop, and heading back to San Francisco via Death Valley and Yosemite. That will also likely save you money both for flights and car rental fees.

This is the most discussed basic trip idea on this forum, so you can find lots more information by spending a little time looking around!

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

Your trip looks reasonable and relaxed, although I would use 'that day in Vegas' to stop a little longer at the GC. Williams or Flagstaff would make it an easier drive and offer better value lodging on arrival. You could go from either town and head North on US89 towards Cameron and come in the East entrance along Desert view drive [64] near Cameron and then into the village area for perhaps a second night. Visit 'Hermits rest' on the free Shuttle bus and leave by the South kiosk to Vegas and you have completed a nice loop of the South rim. It would also leave you a little spare time to drive part of old route66 through Seligman and perhaps stop at the Hoover dam.

Tijuana is recommended as a 'no go zone' what with the drug cartel wars going on, it isn't worth the risk IMO.

[Rinks]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

If you are willing to trim two other days from your city stops, I'd look strongly at completing the loop, and heading back to San Francisco via Death Valley and Yosemite. That will also likely save you money both for flights and car rental fees.

Thanks Midwest Michael, unfortunately we have already booked our flights and are flying back home from Vegas. Will definitely consider spending the extra day at the Grand Canyon.