Driving San Francisco to Las Vegas

[Southwest Dave]

Hi again Jantomo, glad to here it's coming together.

but still havent got my head round getting from the SF airport to the Yosemite Bug. Looks like there could be 2 routes. Which is recommended?

The quickest would appear to be head South on 101 and cross the bay on the J Arthur Young fwy [92] and get on the I-580 East untill you get to SR 132 to Modesto. At Modesto take SR 99 to Merced and then CA 140 to Mariposa and Midpines.

I look forward to the next round of planning ;-) Have fun!

[glc]

South on 101, cross the San Mateo Bridge (CA-92), north on 880, east on 238 to 580, 205 to 5 to 120 to 99 to 140.

[Jantomo]

Hi again
I'm looking at routes now - (I've quite missed not doing any planning for the last month ). Would the best route from Stovepipe Wells to Las Vegas be up through Beatty or across to Pahrump or is there a better way. Just been looking at Google directions and am not sure of the best route ?
Also on the second part of the trip (Las Vegas circular to canyons) when we stay at Page,is Wahweap Marina the best place to book for a Lake Powell trip. We would like to visit the Rainbow bridge. We have a whole day, then we can book to visit Antelope Canyon on the following morning before we set off for the Grand Canyon.
Thanks
jantomo

[Southwest Dave]

Would the best route from Stovepipe Wells to Las Vegas be up through Beatty or across to Pahrump or is there a better way.

We really don't do "best route" here as they all have there own merits, it would depend on what appeals to you given the choices. The popular route to Vegas would be 190 through Furnace creek to Death valley junction and State line/Ash Meadows road to Pahrump and then 160 to Vegas.
I would say that Wahweap is the place for the boat trip as the other's are some distance away.

[glc]

A suggestion for Page - do NOT stay at the Super 8. It's overpriced, not well maintained, and customer service is lacking.

[Jantomo]

Hi again everyone
Now that things are booked I'm working on day to day planning. Any advice in addition to all I've already been given would be welcome.I can't thank folk enough for al the help so far. It's great.I've written so many notes and have so many print outs 3 months would be better than 3 weeks.Anyway here goes ---
Day 1
Taking BART train from station nearest Howard Johnson Express Inn South. Thinking of taking an open top hop on/off bus tour of the major sights.Which would be reccommended and is this possible from Union Square if we get off the train at Powell St ?
Day 2
BART train again to Powell St and with 1 day cable car/bus passport doing a walking tour to take in Union Square, Chinatown,North Beach,Pier 39,Fishermans Wharf, Lombard St and back to Union Square for a look at some shops. 9Althoigh Alcatraz looks really interestingthat will have to wait for a future trip.
Day3
Picking up car from SF Airport. Drive to Yosemite Bug. Not sure whether to attempt visit to Yosemite valley floor on this day or make the followng day a really full day.( depends on time and tiredness)
Day 4
Take car to car parking area at Valley floor.Thinking of taking the floor bus tour (2 hours) then a possible short hike using the shuttle bus.( possibly Vernal Falls footbridge ? or any other sugestions?
Drive to Glacier Point late afternoon before returning to Yosemite Bug for 2nd night.Does this sound feasible in a day? Woud Vernal Fall be the best hike in September?
Day 5
Yosemite Bug to Bishop via Tioga Pass with photo stops, Mono Lake and June Lake loop.
Day 6
Bishop to Stovepipe Wells (overnight stay)
Day 7
Stovepipe Wells to Las Vegas
What arre the 'Must Sees'while travelling on these 2 days so we can make the most of our time?
This is the 1st part of our trip and when I've finalised these plans I would like to return to pick everones brains about the 2nd part ( Las Vegas, Zion,Bryce,Page and Lake Powell, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and back to Las Vegas.
Thanks, Janet

[Southwest Dave]

Hi Janet,
It's all looking good and you have obviously been doing your research, but in places like SF and Yosemite [or anywhere for that matter] there is no "one best" that will suit all. I like to get around under my own steam but a recent visitor to SF recommended Urban safari as a good experience. I also think it would be a shame to miss out on the Alcatraz experience and think you can do this as part of a tour or by yourself, booking through the official site.
Armed with your info I would go to Yosemite and follow your basic outline but then "go with the flow" as to where you want to hike. Along with your visitor guides you can pick up, there are the Rangers, a friendly bunch on hand with any help or advice you might need.
On day 6 as you make your way to Stovepipe wells you could stop in Lone pine and admire Mount Whitney [highest peak in the 48 ] and even take a drive up the Whitney Portal road and then head for the Sand dunes in DV and witness a sunset over them.
The following day you could visit the lowest point in the US at Badwater, close by is Furnace creek ranch with a diner, museum and gardens etc. You will come across viewpoints as you travel or maybe you want to divert to Scottys castle. Again we don't do "must see's" as everyone is different but the Death valley NP site should help you decide.

[Jantomo]

Thanks a lot for your last reply Dave. We've been away in UK and I haven't managed to get on the comp until now.I really appreciate all your help and will be asking for a bit more soon about the 2nd half of the trip. As people have said the planning is an enjoyable part of the trip.Sorry also about all the spelling mistakes in my last questions. Did it quite quickly and obviously didn't check it !!!
Janet

[Jantomo]

Hi again
I think phase 1 of the trip is about dealt with. Now I'm moving on to phase 2 which is Las Vegas to Zion NP, Bryce Canyon, Page,Grand Canyon ,Kingman, Las Vegas. Not too many questions here. Not got all the road numbers sorted yet but have a rough idea.Have read lots of the website threads anyway and as usual they have been lots of help. However I have a couple of questions which are :
Has anyone done the half day Rainbow Bridge lake tour and if so which tour company would you recommend for the longest stop-over at Rainbow Bridge. I have looked at different ones and the time at Rainbow Bridge varies. The whole point is to do the hike to the bridge but if there is only a 1/2 hour stop-over I cant see us hiking 1 1/4 miles each way bin the heat in that time. Another tour says there is plenty of time to hike but doesnt say how long you get. I think the 7.30am departure would be better heatwise but would the 12 .30 be better for colours?
While staying overnight in Kingman we would like to visit a ghost town . The most recommended one seems to be Chloride. Can anyone advise on this?
Another question is which map is probably best for the whole trip?
Thanks
Janet

[Southwest Dave]

Hi Janet,
I can't help much with this one other to say that you would be better off e-mailing the tour company regarding Rainbow bridge and get an itinerary straight from them. As the bridge is the whole point of the tour I can't see them not allowing the time to walk there and take pics etc. I would imagine the half hour is for the purpose of standing there and admiring it, taking pics and not including the time for the walk.
I like to buy a seperate map for each State I visit as I find them more detailed than one that will cover larger areas. AAA do reasonably priced ones.