LA to Albuquerque in 17 days

[CRUZEIRENSE]

OK,

Thanks Southwest Dave and GLC. What about that?

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY:

July 14th - LA - SANTA BARBARA (100 miles?) - Wander around some points of interest in LA, from 9AM to 2/3PM - Leave LA (probably from Santa Monica) heading to Santa Barbara - See something interesting in Santa Barbara, as the pier and the historical buindings, for example

July 15th - SANTA BARBARA - CARMEL (240 miles?) - Morning - leave Santa Barbara around 10AM - Follow the PCH until get to the Hearst Castle (book the visit for around 3PM) - then Big Sur - Julia Pfeiffer Burns Park - Carmel - Sleep in Carmel - THE QUESTION HERE IS: When I drive through Julia Pfeiffer and Big Sur (which are said to be some of the most beautiful spots in PCH), around, let's say, 6PM/7PM, would there be day light, or we will be talking about night already? Too busy day?

July 16th - CARMEL - SAN FRANCISCO (190 miles?) - Leave Carmel - 17 Mile Road - Monterrey - San Francisco (I would like to try to get there by 1PM)

What do you think?

NATIONAL PARKS ENTRANCES

I got that!

HOOVER DAM

Thank you!

GRAND CANYON - M. VALLEY - CANYON DE CHELLY

I'll try to leave G. Canyon early in the morning (by that time, I will have spent 2 and a half days in the G. Canyon), to avoid having to run a lot on visiting the M. Valley. I can't sleep in Kayenta, because in the other day I'll have to visit the Canyon de Chelly AND go to Albuquerque (no problem if I get there late in the evening), so the 2 hour drive between Kayenta and C. de Chelly I guess I'd rather face it on the day before.

[glc]

Santa Barbara to Carmel in one day with the visits you want to make is pushing it too far. I'd really try to stick more time in there between LA and SF.

Last time I went up that way, I left Westlake Village (on 101 between Hollywood and Oxnard) in the morning, and didn't get to Hearst Castle till about 3pm. I didn't get out of there till almost 6, so I spent the night in San Simeon. Next day, I went through Big Sur, had lunch in Carmel, and did the 17 Mile drive. I didn't get to Alameda till 5pm.

[Southwest Dave]

Thanks Southwest Dave and GLC. What about that?

Yeah, it was like an echo ! But glc has got faster fingers Lol!

I'm a bit confused with the coastal idea, I thought you was staying in San Simeon, you have changed that ? If that is the case you might be better heading on to the Morro bay area and make your next day a little more comfy.

With 2 1/2 days at the Grand canyon you would of had time to take the shuttle bus to Hermits rest and hop on and off at the various viewpoints and see the views from Mather point etc nearer the village and you could possibly take a drive a little way along Desert view drive to at least Grandview point which will leave you less to do when leaving, but make sure you stop at the Old watchtower when leaving.

Edit I told you had quicker fingers Lol !]

[CRUZEIRENSE]

Guys,

You are really quick!

Well, there are too many things to see and do and there's little time...

Sometimes we get deceived by the maps information (you see the distance and think you can do that...), that's why the advices you are posting here are so valuable.

Maybe I could do like this:

Day 1 - 100 miles: LA (leave at 2PM) - Santa Barbara

Day 2 - 130 miles: Santa Barbara (leaving early) - San Luis Obispo - Hearst Castle - San Simeon

Day 3 - 230 miles: San Simeon (leaving at dawn) - Big Sur - Julia Pfeiffer - 17 mile - San Francisco (I know, I'll get there tired and late in the evening, but I have to be there on this day).

One more time, thank you!

[glc]

That sounds a LOT better.

[CRUZEIRENSE]

Hello,

Do I have to have an INTERNATIONAL driver's license to drive in the USA, or is it sufficient a NATIONAL one (I am brazilian)?

I have been told both that an INTERNATIONAL one is mandatory and that it is enough a brazilian one, so now I have this doubt.

I will be glad if someone could inform be about that.

Thank you.

[glc]

You should get one, just to be safe. If your Brazilian license is not in English, you will have to get one. All an international license is - is your home license translated into several languages, no tests involved, just payment of a small fee.

[CRUZEIRENSE]

Hi, it's me again.

Thank you for the driver's license information. I'll try to get one.

Well, I'll visit Monument Valley during the day of July 29th.

On the night of July 30th I'll sleep in Las Vegas (New Mexico). From there I'll go to Santa Fe and then to Albuquerque.

At first, the plans were: 2 hours drive from M. Valley to Chinle (Canyon de Chelly) - sleep in Chinle - visit Canyon de Chelly in the following day and head to Las Vegas (New Mexico), to visit friends, in the afternoon - long trip - 10 hours drive (get there late in the evening)

I was wondering... in terms of optimizing time and distances, is it better to visit Mesa Verde (CO), instead of going to Canyon de Chelly? Maybe it would too rushed the visit either do Canyon de Chelly or to Mesa Verde, and, in that case, would it be better to go straight from Monument Valley to Las Vegas (NM), passing quickly through Four Corners (what to do there?) and Ship Rock?

Thank you once more!

[glc]

Four Corners can be completely "enjoyed" in 30 minutes. All that's there is a place to stand in 4 states at once and a bunch of booths selling Native American jewelry and trinkets and fast food. It costs $3 to drive in.

Chinle to Las Vegas NM is about 350 miles - figure at least 7 hours. Mesa Verde to Las Vegas NM is 325 miles, also about 7 hours. Shiprock is somewhat out of the way of both these routings.