Las Vegas to Yosemite via Death Valley

[UKCraig]

haha, I'm so jealous! Have a great time, ssamiraa!

[ssamiraa]

Wowzers!!

As well as picking up a whole load of American ( and not so American ) catch-phrases...we had the time of our lives!

Our road trip from Las Vegas to San Francisco was so amazing! I dont know how long it's been a dream holiday of mine, but it really did meet my expectations and go so beyond. I think it was like 20% as expected and 80% so much unexpected awe inspiring, jaw dropping beauty!

We went from Las Vegas to Death Valley to Lake Isabella to Fresno to Yosemite Valley to Monterey, Drove down and Big Sur Coastline, then from Monterey to San Francisco! Here is a link to the map we drove.

The one thing that made it even better for us, that I havent really read or noticed anyone mentioning is the sound track of the road trip so to speak! I spent just about an equal time preparing and researching the route as I did preparing my 20 or so CDs. And when the music, mood and scenery were hand in hand - man... unforgettable memoires were made that no photos or video could ever capture! So my one recommendation would be to sort your music! and take some classical and operatic tunes as well as whatever else takes your fancy!

[Mark Sedenquist]

We went from Las Vegas to Death Valley to Lake Isabella to Fresno to Yosemite Valley to Monterey, Drove down and Big Sur Coastline, then from Monterey to San Francisco!

So... you drove both directions (north and south) on the coast?

Mark

[ssamiraa]

Yes, thats right, we first drove south to San Simeon then back up north to Monterey. I prefered driving south - We had fresh eyes and the coast was a tad nearer i guess being on the outside lane!

The Elephant seals on the beach at Piedras Blancas near San Simeon were a perfect example of seeing the unexpected! They were gorgeous!

[Angeline Blondel]

Hi Guys,

We'll be going to California (and U.S!) for the first time next week. We've done a fair bit of reading and the posts here have been extremely helpful. Appreciate if you could provide some inputs or suggestions to our routes:

We are planning to take 580-205-120 to Yosemite. We're staying one night in Ahwahnee.

Next day, we plan to take 41-99-155, staying over at Kernville. Is it recommended to exit 99 after Fresno and 180 to the Giant Forest, and continue with 198-65-exit Porterville to 190 to Kernville? I would really love to see the Sequoias. However, is it a bit much to drive?

From Kernville, we'll be taking 178 to Death Valley. We'll be staying at Furnance Creek.

From Furnance Creek, which is the best way to Vegas? 190-373-95 or 190-179-372-160-15?

From Vegas, 15-10 is the best and shortest route?

Thanking all of you in advance.

Cheers!!

[Mark Sedenquist]

We've done a fair bit of reading and the posts here have been extremely helpful.

Since you added your post to this thread, hopefully you have read it and know that what you are proposing for the Yosemite to Sequoia to Kernville leg would be a very LONG day? Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum!

We're staying one night in Ahwahnee.

It should be gorgeous next week -- you might even get to see some spring snow!

Is it recommended to exit 99 after Fresno and 180 to the Giant Forest, and continue with 198-65-exit Porterville to 190 to Kernville? I would really love to see the Sequoias. However, is it a bit much to drive?

It is hard to predict how much this will add to your day -- since the best way to experience the big trees is to get out of your vehicle and walk through a grove or two, but you need to figure on a 3-4 hour detour.

We'll be staying at Furnance Creek.

Are you staying at the Inn or the Ranch? If not the Inn, be sure to go up there for dinner and/or cocktails -- the veranda at sunset is magical.

From Furnance Creek, which is the best way to Vegas? 190-373-95 or 190-179-372-160-15?

Neither of these is the fastest -- the most direct route is to take CA-190 to Death Valley Junction and the turn east on State Line Road (which will change its name to Ash Meadows Road and then Bell Vista Avenue -- but it is all the same road) to NV-160. Turn south on NV-160 through Pahrump and over to I-15 and then north to Las Vegas.

From Vegas, 15-10 is the best and shortest route?

It depends on where you are going -- if LA is your next destination, it could be.

Mark

[W. Larrison]

Hello, Angeline Blondel

From Yosemite, through Sequoia/ Kings Canyon and to Kernville will be quite a long day's drive -- probably pushing 12 hours or more. You'll be coming down out of the Sierras into the Central Valley of California, then going back up into Sequoia, then back out, and then back in to go to Kernville. There isn't any direct route through the Sierras, so this is that route there is.

My concern is in two parts -- you will be driving twisty mountain roads. The roads in general are in good shape, but they will be 2 lanes and going up and down mountains. One of the computer mapping engines I did a quick look at estimated 55 mph on one of these roads. My experience with that is "Hah!!!" -- I think I was going 35-40 at best.

Secondly, the concern is how much you can really experience the big trees and tall granite mountains of Sequoia if you're trying to zip through in a car. As Editor Mark said "You really need to get out of the car and walk through a grove" to grasp how HUGE these trees are. Simply amazing... If you can one option would be to have a picnic lunch somewhere in Sequoia, and enjoy the scenery a bit..

But the northern routes into Kernville (either 155 or 90) are going to be at least a couple of hours of more winding mountain roads once you leave Sequoia. Pretty country, but the roads will be just as windy as coming in and going out of Sequoia. If you're running late, you may be doing some of this in the dark.... The fastest route will be 155.

[ssamiraa]

Hi there,

You sound as excited and as organised as i felt before we went. Had a fab time, hope you do it!

When we drove from Lake Isabella to Yosemite, we did a stop in Fresno to sort a few things out and eat. But we got to Yosemite quite late around 7.30pm to 8pm it was getting dark by then (having left Lake Isabella at around 10am) You'll have a a bit more time as the day'll be a tad longer perhaps?

The thing that kind of slowed and I'd say maybe drained us, at both ends was the very long, winding mountain-side roads, especially CA-155 from Delano to Lake Isabella- but I guess we were just really eager to move on and get to yosemite.

I'd maybe ask and see if any other route from the CA-99 is quicker, pehaps the 178 via Bakersfield (although it doesnt look it on the map) - otherwise it really is a pretty breathe taking drive.

[Angeline Blondel]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated. The picnic lunch is a great idea. We're staying at the Ranch at Furnace Creek but will defintely check out the Inn for dinner. Am really excited about going to Yosemite. Have always wanted to visit it since watching Deputy Dawg when I was a tiny tot.

Mark, Larrison and ssamiraa - have a great weekend ahead.

Rgds

Angeline

[Angeline Blondel]

Hi,

I'm a bit concerned about the "long day" from Yosemite to Kernville. To cut down on the driving time, and yet experience the Sequoias, what is the best route to take? Instead of "coming down out of the Sierras into the Central Valley of California, then going back up into Sequoia, then back out, and then back in to go to Kernville", could we loop into Sequoia just once instead of twice?

Rgds