Arizona, Nevada, California

[sl555i]

We are looking at the possibility of flying into Phoenix driving to Cisco taking in Grand Canyon, Death Vally and Yosemite Nat. Pk, I appreciate this is a long stretch. We want to explore as many Nat. Parks as possible but also spend time in them, I dont mind driving about 180 miles a day. Has anyone done this and is it possible in 2 weeks or am I being greedy. If I am being greedy can anyone suggest an altwrnative. Last time I went this part of the States was 18 years ago and we did something similar in 3 weeks.

[marlouwrig]

We did all this (and a bit more) on a coach tour last year as we do not like driving on holiday (prefer to laugh and chat etc).

It lasted 12 days from LA to SF. It was FAB :spin: :d:

[*source*]

We did it as a fly drive...

Into San Fran though.... (the following are not in the exact order we did it but if you need any more detailed info feel feee to PM me!)

We did Yosemite, Death Valley, Sequoia National Park, Zabriske Point, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Sedona (amazing!), Palm Springs and flew out of LA.

FANTASTIC! Absolutely loved it although it was a lot of driving but definately do-able :)

[Cyclospora]

We did it as a fly drive...

Into San Fran though.... (the following are not in the exact order we did it but if you need any more detailed info feel feee to PM me!)

We did Yosemite, Death Valley, Sequoia National Park, Zabriske Point, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Sedona (amazing!), Palm Springs and flew out of LA.

FANTASTIC! Absolutely loved it although it was a lot of driving but definately do-able :)

I don't suppose you have a trippie...... or even an itinerary of this that you could share? - sounds wonderful!

[Serendipity]

We did similar in March/April, but we went Phoenix/Grand Canyon/Vegas/California coastline up to San Francisco. We wanted to do Yosemite but we left it too late to book anything (and it was Spring Break) and the only accommodation that was left was around $250 a night so we gave it a miss.

We flew into Phoenix and took the slightly longer route to the Grand Canyon via the Apache Trail which was well worth it. The Apache Trail links Apache Junction via Theodorre Roosevelt Lake taking you through the Superstition Mountains. We had a night stopover in Payson which is nice and we stopped off in Sedona for 2 nights along the way which was awesome and was voted America's most bautiful city. The route from Sedona to Grand Canyon is also very scenic. Again we did a detour and took a look at Montezuma Castle which is also worth a stop off.

We stayed inside the Grand Canyon South Rim which was just a couple of minutes from the rim. Much more convenient than staying at Tusayan, just outside the Grand Canyon National Park.
We were in the Maswick Lodge. All the hotels within the park are operated by the Xanterra group and they range from luxury to basic, but even the basic is still good. They get booked way in advance though, especially the El Tovar, so book as early as you can if you want to stay in the South Rim. We left it too late to book and were very lucky to get a room at the Maswick Lodge after a cancellation.

I did a small website with trip reports for family while we were away if you want to take a look. Ignore the other pages which are just reports for the family and stuff but the trip report for this section of the journey might be interesting for you: http://www.disneyvillarentals.com/chapter4.html

[Serendipity]

Forgot to say, we took about 3 weeks from Phoenix to San Francisco, had plenty of time and the driving was very easy considering the vast distances.

[Cyclospora]

Thanks Serendipity!

Lovely looking villa by the way!!

[Serendipity]

You're welcome and thank you!

[grumpys wife]

Serendipity, your photo's of the Grand Canyon are fantastic. We have been lucky enough to have been there three times now. Don't you think there is something magical about the Canyon. Sedona is beautiful also. Another place to go on that trip is Bryce Canyon, very different but well worth a visit, and Zion National Park. Yosemite is a must do, I am not religious but I call it Gods garden. Lake Tahoe is a lovely place also. :thumbs-up

[Serendipity]

We really wanted to do Bryce Canyon too and also many Americans recommended us to go to Moab but there was a huge jeep meeting or something around the time we wanted to go and all the hotels were fully booked. It is apparently fabulous around there.
I agree the Grand Canyon is mind blowing!
I'd love to do Lake Tahoe but we can only go away during the winter months and I just don't do cold very well!!

Off track a little (sorry Annie!), I noticed under your signature - I didn't know we could see the Tree of Life from our bridge - that's great!

[roadtrippersx2]

We flew into phoenix a couple of years ago,we stayed in phoenix at the red roof inn a very good budget hotel.we drove up to williams and got on the grand canyon railroad up to the grand canyon,they have a bit of a show on during the train ride,also all the restaurant staff at the train station at williams stand on the platform and waved the train off,it looks really nice as they are all dressed in black and white.It takes a few hours to drive up to the train,we had hot sunny weather in phoenix but as we got to flagstaff and further up it was snowing.We also drove down to tombstone and stopped off at a desert park,i cant remember what it was called. we thought tombstone was a waste of time.we only stayed for 8 nights but got loads done,i really liked the indian reservation. :wavey:

[kiya]

We were in some of that area last year. We landed in L.A. Stayed in Anaheim for 2nights. Went to Palm Springs for 2 nights. Went to Lake Havasu 1 night. Went to Grand Canyon stayed 1 night on to Las Vegas stayed 3 nights. Then to Yosemite stayed 2 nights then on to San Francisco. They tell me it was about 1600 miles. I did all the driving and apart from the trip from Vegas to Yosemite which took forever (even though it was not the longest ) it was fine. Would have liked to have had a bit longer in Vegas. As long as you like to drive and plan well you should have a brill time