Family of 8 Sedona-Vegas-San Diego

[TableforEight]

Southwest Dave!

We took your advice and booked our tickets for May 1st to May 15th. Thank you. It is official now. :) ok. I see what u are talking about with the Sequoia NF and park. I noticed one map sending me into the forest which looks more direct while one sending me around to the park. I just want to see the trees! Lol. So what is the difference. Thinking we should stay the night there for the full experience so I am assuming we go in through the park entrance to access lodging?

[TableforEight]

Ok. We made 2 big changes. Moved our dates to may 1-may 15 and to give us more time in the places we reeeally want to see, we are flying directly into vegas instead of phoenix. I know based on google chatter that we will end up viewing the 'inferior' side of the grand canyon if we visit from vegas...but given that we are from boring florida, will it still be absolutely spectacular?

[glc]

It's a 5 hour drive from LV to the GC national park south rim, which is what you want. It's the west rim that you are being warned about, that's not part of the national park.

[Midwest Michael]

What "side" are you now planning to visit?

Within the National Park, there are only 2 sides, the North Rim and the South Rim, and in early May, the South Rim is the only side that's open. Now, I suppose you could be talking about the "west rim," which is closer to Las Vegas and is where you'll find the "skywalk," however, it is on Native American Reservation Land and isn't nearly as spectacular as the National Park. It is also far more expensive - it won't be covered by the National Parks pass and admission isn't by the carload - instead, you're looking at $50 for the each adult and $40 for each child just to get onto the west rim and $85/65 if you want to do the Skywalk.

As far as Sequoia, the National Park and National Forest are two distinctly different places, and while there are some Sequoia Groves within the National Forest, I'm guessing you'll want the National Park. That's where you'll find the largest/oldest/famous trees like General Sherman. It is worth noting, there are also a couple groves of Sequoias within Yosemite, which is something you might think about as well.

[Southwest Dave]

I know based on google chatter that we will end up viewing the 'inferior' side of the grand canyon if we visit from vegas.

There are 2 different sides to the Grand canyon NP, but neither are inferior. As mentioned above, the West rim is a different matter altogether, go to the South rim of the National park to experience the wonder you would have seen book and film and forget the West rim. For Sequoia NP you will enter through Three rivers on CA198, you will al love the Giants forest. Three rivers is close to the southern entrance and has limited lodging options or you can look on the Sequoia NP webpage for lodging options within where you may find cabins as an option. That would have to be a priority as park lodgings do book up quickly.

[tutuwahinelv]

I'd also recommend at least 2 nights at the GC. there is so much to see even if you don't hike any of the trails. There is a shuttle bus service that runs along the rim, out to Rustlers Roost, and it takes a big chunk of the day if you hop off at a couple of the stops. And you want to do this early in the day as it gets busy later in the day.
You definitely want to be there to take in sunset AND sunrise along the rim, it's magical. And the dark skies at night..... we could see the milky way from the parking lot of the lodge!! amazing.

[Southwest Dave]

Hi Tutu and welcome to the RTA forums !

Thanks for dropping in and offering sage advice on your first post !

Dave.

[DonnaR57]

Hollywood ... it really would depend on what you want to see there. Probably the best studio tour is Warner Bros., but I don't believe they'll allow the younger children.

Many people want to see Grauman's Chinese Theater, the Walk of Fame, the Kodak Theater, in Hollywood. This is cheap -- free unless you want to go into one of the museums or some of the gaudy souvenir shops along the way. About 13 years ago, I wrote an article about a visit up there. It's tied around the TV show I Dream of Jeannie, with sites that relate to that, but it describes Hollywood Blvd., Malibu, Westward Beach/Point Dume (where lots of shows and commercials have been filmed), just click here. I have also been fortunate to be able to attend a ceremony awarding a star along the Walk of Fame, a few years back. At the time, I was among quite a few "stars" from my era -- Bob Newhart and other cast members from his 1970s show, Dick Van Dyke (who shied away from all autograph requests -- darn!), Garry Owens, Peter Marshall, the Sinatra sisters. There are pictures of this ceremony. You have to be pretty lucky to actually get to the Walk of Fame on a day when they are doing a ceremony, though.


Donna

[Lifemagician]

In several posts you have expressed a concern if there is enough to do for the children. On arrival at each park, visit the visitor centre and enroll the the children in the junior ranger program. The program is age appropriate. The children will have lots to do and explore to earn their rewards, and will have learned much about the park, its history and its future. No doubt you will do it with the three year old.

But don't sell yourself short by going to the West Rim. As mentioned above, it is NOT the national park, not anywhere near as magnificent, and as well as their exhorbitant prices, you will be forbidden to take a camera with you. Its just not worth it!

At Sequoia NP, besides the junior ranger program, there are huge fallen trees the children can climb over, and even one they can walk through. The latter being right by the parking area for disabled. Your children won't run out of things to do.

Lifey

[DonnaR57]

The cheapest Grand Canyon West package that includes the Skywalk is $82.37 PER PERSON. Entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park is currently $30 per carload and is a 7-day pass.



Donna