Vacation Mamma
07-06-2006, 09:15 PM
Marek - a very ambitious itinerary!
First when will you be visiting our western states? This makes a big
difference especially regarding reserving camping spots.
> What do you think about this plan for an 11-day trip on the West Coast:
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 1. Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, do some sight-seeing, sleep.
> 2. More GC, drive to Monument Valley, arrive in the evening.
ok to this point...
> 3. MV sight-seeing, leave to Los Angeles around noon. Sleep along the road.
Why drive all the way to MV and only stay the morning? When you go be
sure to spring for the jeep tour that is operated from the kiosk in
front of the visitors center. Keyah Hozhoni tours,
www.nomumentvalley.com 928-309-7440 Negotiate a little on the price,
but most importantly, enjoy. If you don't take the tour, you won't see
the best stuff in MV. This is one of my most memorable moments of all
the touring I've done in the West.
> 4. Arrive to LA around noon, do Beverly Hills, Hollywood and one studio,
> leave to San Francisco at night. Sleep after leaving LA.
The drive from MV to LA is long and grueling. Plan to arrive at night.
You'll see the city lit up, and be fresh in the morning. Spend some
time at Graumans, the stars, and some eclectic shopping in Hollywood.
Take a studio tour or make it a big day and go to Universal with rides,
tour, and Citywalk. Or skip LA altogether since you expressed this is
more of a camping/natural trip. I like to split my city trips from my
nature trips because they involve a different budget, mentality, and
packing.
You might enjoy Malibu Creek State Park camping instead
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=614.
> 5-7. Drive Highway-1 north to SF, stopping by if a place is nice.
It's all nice!!! Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Pismo, Refugio, Morro Bay,
Avila, San Luis Obispo, Hearst Castle, Central Valley Wine Country,
Julia Pfeiffer, Big Sur, Point Lobos, Monterey, Half Moon.....This is
some of the most interesting coastline in the United States. Enjoy.
If camping from May-September this year, you may be too late to get
reservations. The state campgrounds are the some of the nicest in the
country.
> 8. Arrive to SF around noon, do Alcatraz, Golden Gate, downtown). Sleep.
A half day in San Francisco isn't much, but it is better than nothing.
So much to do and so little time.
> 9. Drive east to Yosemite, arrive afternoon, do a short hike and sleep.
>
> 10. Hike in Yosemite, sleep.
Yosemite is a fantastic spot. Again, make your reservations very
early. It is one of the most crowded NP. I personally prefer Sequoia,
but it is still a must see in CA.
> 11. Leave to SF in the morning, maybe do some more sight-seeing there,
> get to the airport for an 11pm flight (already booked). Definitely do some more sightseeing here!
Again, I'll reiterate, although it cramps your style, if you travel in
the summer, you MUST have reservations at these places (the beaches,
national parks) - the rest can be more flexible if you don't really
care where you sleep.
Enjoy and feel free to ask more questions as I've enjoyed all those
places you are targeting.
First when will you be visiting our western states? This makes a big
difference especially regarding reserving camping spots.
> What do you think about this plan for an 11-day trip on the West Coast:
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 1. Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, do some sight-seeing, sleep.
> 2. More GC, drive to Monument Valley, arrive in the evening.
ok to this point...
> 3. MV sight-seeing, leave to Los Angeles around noon. Sleep along the road.
Why drive all the way to MV and only stay the morning? When you go be
sure to spring for the jeep tour that is operated from the kiosk in
front of the visitors center. Keyah Hozhoni tours,
www.nomumentvalley.com 928-309-7440 Negotiate a little on the price,
but most importantly, enjoy. If you don't take the tour, you won't see
the best stuff in MV. This is one of my most memorable moments of all
the touring I've done in the West.
> 4. Arrive to LA around noon, do Beverly Hills, Hollywood and one studio,
> leave to San Francisco at night. Sleep after leaving LA.
The drive from MV to LA is long and grueling. Plan to arrive at night.
You'll see the city lit up, and be fresh in the morning. Spend some
time at Graumans, the stars, and some eclectic shopping in Hollywood.
Take a studio tour or make it a big day and go to Universal with rides,
tour, and Citywalk. Or skip LA altogether since you expressed this is
more of a camping/natural trip. I like to split my city trips from my
nature trips because they involve a different budget, mentality, and
packing.
You might enjoy Malibu Creek State Park camping instead
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=614.
> 5-7. Drive Highway-1 north to SF, stopping by if a place is nice.
It's all nice!!! Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Pismo, Refugio, Morro Bay,
Avila, San Luis Obispo, Hearst Castle, Central Valley Wine Country,
Julia Pfeiffer, Big Sur, Point Lobos, Monterey, Half Moon.....This is
some of the most interesting coastline in the United States. Enjoy.
If camping from May-September this year, you may be too late to get
reservations. The state campgrounds are the some of the nicest in the
country.
> 8. Arrive to SF around noon, do Alcatraz, Golden Gate, downtown). Sleep.
A half day in San Francisco isn't much, but it is better than nothing.
So much to do and so little time.
> 9. Drive east to Yosemite, arrive afternoon, do a short hike and sleep.
>
> 10. Hike in Yosemite, sleep.
Yosemite is a fantastic spot. Again, make your reservations very
early. It is one of the most crowded NP. I personally prefer Sequoia,
but it is still a must see in CA.
> 11. Leave to SF in the morning, maybe do some more sight-seeing there,
> get to the airport for an 11pm flight (already booked). Definitely do some more sightseeing here!
Again, I'll reiterate, although it cramps your style, if you travel in
the summer, you MUST have reservations at these places (the beaches,
national parks) - the rest can be more flexible if you don't really
care where you sleep.
Enjoy and feel free to ask more questions as I've enjoyed all those
places you are targeting.