LA>29 Palms>Death Valley>Kings Canyon>Yosemite>Oakdale>San Fran

[Neil McCrae]

Hi - I'm hoping someone can help. We've decided on the above route which we are embarking on in a couple of weeks. My question is:
1. Any recommendations for things to see/do in Joshua Tree and Death Valley? I'm an amateur photographer and so would love visit for the landscapes.
2. Additionally we're looking for places to stop off - any recommendations would be great.
Thanks All
Neil

[glc]

Welcome!

I can suggest the following routing:

Take I-10 out of LA and enter Joshua Tree via the south entrance at Cottonwood Springs Road. Exit via the north entrance on Park Blvd. From 29 Palms, take Amboy Road to old 66 in Amboy, go east about 6 miles to Kelbaker Road and go through the Mojave National Preserve. Exit to Baker and take CA-127 to Death Valley. Exit via CA-190 to US-395, go south to CA-14 to CA-178 and take that toward Lake Isabella. From there, there are various routes you can take through Sequoia and Kings Canyon. From there, work your way to Fresno and take CA-41 to Yosemite. As of today, it appears that all the roads that have been closed for the winter have been reopened except for the high Sierra passes themselves (120, 108, 4).

Lodging is available in 29 Palms, Furnace Creek in Death Valley (expensive), Ridgecrest, Lake Isabella, and towns west of the parks (Porterville, Visalia, Three Rivers, Fresno, Oakhurst among others).

For things to see and do in the parks, you can visit the nps.gov site and research each park.

[Lifemagician]

My question is:
1. Any recommendations for things to see/do in ....... Death Valley? I'm an amateur photographer and so would love visit for the landscapes.

When it comes to Death Valley, all you need is a camera and lots and lots of time. That place must be a photographer's paradise. And just when you think you have taken enough photos of that spot, you turn around and lo behold, the sun has moved, the colours have changed, and yes, more photos. If you have the time, go visit most spots at different times of the day, and you will be amazed. Just make sure you have enough of memory cards.

Lifey