Southern California / Nevada road trip itinerary advice pls

[KerryB]

Firstly are we insane to be thinking about a June road trip - covering inland southern California and Nevada . Is it way too hot ?

Initial thoughts are flying into LA ( just a one night stopover) , Palm Springs, Las Vegas & then this is where we get stuck with planning ... From Vegas ideally we would like to visit Sequoia national park via Death Valley - is this viable option ? & how long would you suggest at these stops ? We have 13 or 14 nights in total and we would like to finish with last 5 nights in Santa Monica so is there anywhere between sequoia and Santa Monica we should be considering too ?

There are only 2 of us so it's the usual problem of seeing as much as poss without it being a whirlwind tour, & also keeping the driving distances comfortable .

Any thoughts or advice welcome . Thanks ! :)

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

There is no direct way to get from Death Valley to Sequoia National Park - you have to find away across the Sierras first.

Assuming you are talking about this year, the popular thing to do would be to go through Death Valley and then to Yosemite National Park via Tioga Pass (The pass is open for 2014, although if this is for a future year, the pass generally opens sometime between mid-may and mid-june). There is a grove of Sequoia trees within Yosemite, or you could head back south to Sequoia from there.

Either way, I'd think you'd want to look at traveling down the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most famous ocean view drives in the world, especially traveling through Big Sur - so getting to the coast around Monterey and then heading south.

You might have to sacrifice some of your time in Santa Monica to fit it all in, but I think you'd find it worthwhile.

[DonnaR57]

As a southern California resident who is often here during June, no you're not crazy. Yes, it would be HOT in Death Valley and Las Vegas. It will be very pleasant in Santa Monica and along the coast -- once the "June Gloom" burns off. This morning, June 1st, we didn't have much June Gloom, but it's pretty normal.


Donna

[Lifemagician]

Death Valley is a popular place, even in summer. Visiting there in May, some years ago, I left the car engine running and the air conditioning on, each time I exited the car. Be sure you have lots of water with you, sun screen and a wide brimmed hat or parasol.

A night in Death Valley can be most rewarding. The night sky and the stars are like nothing you will see elsewhere. To keep water cool for drinking, I found it great to freeze them overnight. Be sure to let out a little water first.

To see all, including that mentioned above, you could cross the Sierras over Tioga Pass, through Yosemite (definitely worth a couple of days) head down to Kings Canyon and Sequoia. Take 198 out of Sequoia and then US101 to Monterey. Then take your time heading down the spectacular Pacific Coast Highway. A stop around Cambria or Morro Bay would be recommended.

Not knowing how long you plan to spend in LV, you could spend a night in Death Valley and one (or two) in Yosemite. Another to the coast, a night in Monterey and lastly a night down the coast, would still give you your alloted time in Santa Monica.

Another place along the way you may want to look into is Solvang.

Lifey