Road Trip Summer 2013: LA - SF - Death Valley - LV - Zion - Page - GC

[Mathias]

I'm currently planning my trip with my family to California where i would like to make a round trip to see LA, SF, Death Valley, LV, Zion, Page and the Grand Canyon.
I've put together a tour plan but i'm not sure i've chosen the right places to stop except the major cities. Besides that I still don't know what route to take when leaving the Grand Canyon in direction LA and where to stop because it looks like there is not much inbetween than dessert. We have 4 1/2 days left when leaving the Grand Canyon until we fly back to Zurich.

here the tour details:

What Stop
8.07 1 Flight to LA Los Angeles
9.07 2 Hollywood, Venice Beach, Sightseeing Los Angeles
10.07 3 Six Flags Los Angeles
11.07 4 open Los Angeles
12.07 5 Nr1 to Santa Barbara (incl. Malibu) Santa Barbara
13.07 6 Nr to Morro Bay Morro Bay
14.07 7 Nr1 to Monterrey Monterrey
15.07 8 Nr1 to San Franzisco San Francisco
16.07 9 Sightseeing San Francisco
17.07 10 Sightseeing San Francisco
18.07 11 travel to Yosemite Yosemite National Park (NP lodge)
19.07 12 Yosemite Park visit Yosemite National Park (NP lodge)
20.07 13 travel to Mono Lake Lee Vining
21.07 14 travel though Death Valley Furnace Creek Ranch
22.07 15 tavel to Las Vegas (stop Badwater early morning) Las Vegas
23.07 16 Las Vegas Las Vegas
24.07 17 Las Vegas Las Vegas
25.07 18 travel to Zion NP Zion NP lodge
26.07 19 travel to Page Page
27.07 20 activities around Page (Antelope Valley, Boat) Page /Bryce Canyon
28.07 21 travel to Grand Canyon Grand Canyon
29.07 22 Grand Canyon Grand Canyon
30.07 23 open
31.07 24 open
1.08 25 open
2.08 26 Los Angeles
3.08 27 Flight back to CH Los Angeles
4.08 28 Arriving in Zurich

thanks for some hints/tips.

Matt

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

You have done a good job with your plans ! One thing you might want to consider is to alter the direction of your trip so that the Ocean and ocean side pull outs will be on your side of the road when heading south from SF.

I would also head to Bryce canyon for a night after Zion NP and then down to Page for it's attractions, like Antelope canyon, Lake Powell and Glen canyon. I would also consider spending another night in Zion [or the wonderful nearby town of Springdale]before heading to Bryce the following day.

From the Grand canyon you could head through Red rock country and explore around Sedona and then head towards Joshua Tree NP. You might also consider a detour to Monument valley between Page and GC and spend a night there.

[Mathias]

Thanks for the tips. Do you recommend staying in Springdale or in a Lodge in the Zion national park?

[Southwest Dave]

We actually travel by RV, but I usually recommend staying in the National parks if it is within budget and there are availabilities, you just can't beat 'being there'. However Springdale is a good alternative, as it is close to the main entrance and the free shuttle bus into the canyon area runs frequently from the town, which saves having to drive in and park as with most National parks. All things equal, I would still pick the park lodgings as they offer the best location and least hassel in my opinion.