San Francisco - LA - San Francisco: insiders ideas?

[Jostravels]

Hi there,

In september two of us are going on a roadtrip to the west. Now we know where we want to go and we know where we want to sleep, but what else is on?
I'm looking for great tips from people knowing this area. Where's the best view, what's the coolest/cosiest restaurant, where can we have a lovely walk without busloads of others, which funky places will we get to worth a stopover, ...., ... ??

This is where we go and what we already thought of ourselves:
San Francisco (3 nights): biking the bridge / visit Alcatraz
Yosemite (2 nights)
Death Valley (1 night)
Las Vegas (2 nights): gamble / visit a show
Bryce Canyon (1 night)
Page (1 night): Antilope Canyon
Grand Canyon (2 nights): heliflight
Las Vegas (1 more night): visit Hooverdam
Anaheim (2 nights): Disneyland
Los Angeles (3 nights): visit Dodgersgame / beach
Highway 1 LA>SF (2 nights)
SF (1 night)

A lot of blanks to fill in!
Thanks for your ideas!

[Mark Sedenquist]

In september two of us are going on a roadtrip to the west.

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum -- your basic route matches well with just about the most asked about trip on this Forum. Here are some other threads that have addressed it.
Here is a field report from Southwest Dave -- with some awesome photos.
Here is one of the must-stops on the Big Sur
Here are some tips for visiting Los Angeles
Here are some of the reasons that RTA is based in Las Vegas.

Mark

[Jostravels]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for all the information. I already found a lot those threads myself, but there are some nice ones in there that are really helping.

But I'm still wondering about favourites. Especially in the pieces on LA / San Francisco, I don't find a lot of clues when it comes to fun restaurants. And can anybody recommend certain walks trough SF?

Maybe I'm just not looking hard enough (this site contains so much information!)...

Thanks again! Jos

[Southwest Dave]

Hi there,
The heart of San Fran is fairly compact and we found Market street a good starting place to explore from [using Powell street station].

It was a long day but we walked from there [lots of shops warning] to Union sq and then through China town and onto Coit tower for views of the bay. On the way a small detour will take you to the cable car museum, which of course you have the option of using the cable cars throughout the city.
For food and a fun atmosphere we went from the tower to Pier '39 where there are no shortages of good grub, try Bubba Gumps for good food and fun. The little shops, Sea lions and street musicians all add to the atmosphere.

We also enjoyed walking through Pacific heights area with nice homes and little parks and less touristy with the odd coffee shop dotted around. Pick up a city map and it makes it easy to follow, and will give you a thousand and one other pointers.

Yosemite. For my favorite view take the ride up to Glacier point, it'll be busy but it's worth it. If you are heading over the Tioga pass [120] to D/V, [brilliant drive] when you arrive at the junction of 120 and 395 nr Mono lake there is a gas station,tucked around the back is "Whoah nellies deli", a great little diner.

On the way from Vegas to Bryce, I would definitely stop at Zion N.P. for a look, but you will only be able to visit the main part of the canyon by free shuttle bus. The little town of Springdale was one of our favs, lots of little shops and places to eat and you can get the shuttle from here.

Before Bryce there is Red rock canyon, it makes a great short stop with the rock formations right by the road, and not a lot of people normally.

Between Page and the canyon a stop at the trading post in Cameron is quite cool.

I hope that helps a little.

[Jostravels]

Great, Dave, thank you! Have you been to LA as well? Celebrating my birthday there, so I'm looking for a cosy place to eat.

we walked from there [lots of shops warning] to Union sq

No need to warn me, but I'll make sure to warn my boyfriend... :)

[Southwest Dave]

I'm afraid not but would imagine a great place to celebrate your birthday.

Before we headed to San Fran we 'Googled' and looked at places that appealed and used trip advisor as a rough guide. Of course once there, you can't beat the advice of the locals.

No need to warn me, but I'll make sure to warn my boyfriend... :)

OOPS! There I go again. LOL!

[Mark Sedenquist]

I don't find a lot of clues when it comes to fun restaurants.

We used to do a lot more restaurant articles than we do do now, but for future use here are the restaurants we have written about.

Here is one of my favorite seafood restaurants on the California coast -- it's not fancy -- but the food is excellent. More about Phil's here. This is located at Moss Landing.

Robert Schaller, a one-time Moderator on this forum wrote:
On some of my last trips along the coast, I have enjoyed eating at Scoma's at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, rather than some of the more famous restaurants the tourists frequent -- Scoma's was recommended to me by a local and more than measured up to his recommendation. Of all of my recommendations, this one is closest to being a gourmet establishment I suppose, but worth your time if you enjoy great service and seafood.

In San Luis Obispo, try some all-American flavors at J.D. Boone's Smokehouse. Last I was there they had some pretty respectable barbecue -- with a complete variety of regional sauces to try along with it. Bob

Great, Dave, thank you! Have you been to LA as well? Celebrating my birthday there, so I'm looking for a cosy place to eat.

So many excellent places to eat in LA. I would go to Pasadena's "Old Town" -- in recent years it has become the "hot spot" for fine cuisine-- As you can see from this list, there are scores and scores of choices -- I would recommend the Parkway Grill -- I have always been pleased with the service and creativity of the meals therein.

In Death Valley -- no question -- the Furnace Creek Inn -- is a Five Star restaurant -- truly awesome meals. {I am not positive it will be open in September -- if not, I would eat at Panamint Springs -- less cuisine, more flavor if you know what I mean}.

Hope that helps some.

Mark

[Eris]

When in the Bay area I use THIS as a useful information source. As you can see there is also a link for the events of the day in question.

And for any family member looking in with children – click on the Kids link.

[Jostravels]

Well, this will be a gourmet roadtrip after all! Wrote it all down and will definitely check out these places!

Do you also have ideas as to where to go for drinks after dinner in SF/Vegas/LA?
And for stretching our legs during the long rides?

Thanks again!

[Jostravels]

Actually, one more question about San Francisco. Everybody in this forum is talking about Fishermans warff, Union Square, China town, etc. But I don't see a lot of 'talk' about the other neighborhoods. I was planning to have a look a The Castro en The Haight. Are those places any good? Or am I wasting my time? And what about The Mission? Is that part worth a visit?
Does anybody know about the 'hotspots' in these areas?

Thanks again! Jos