Total WOW Overload! - highs and lows from our trip

[KristyA]

Wow, sounds like an amazing trip, we are doing Vegas and San Fran next month but would love to do a West Coast road trip like this.

[Mqt]

This totally amazing. We are doing something similar in September. Are you going to post any pics on here? Thank you for posting such a lovely summary.

[kellwall]

Sounds awesome. I would love to do a trip like your.

[Cloverlady]

Originally Posted by Buggles94

Would you be happy to share your itinerary as I'd be interested in know how much driving is involved to see the wonderful sights you saw! Thanks again

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Originally Posted by Myakka Lodge

Do you mind writing your actual route for this amazing holiday.

Thanks

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Hi sure, of course!

In brief we...


Flew into LAX, picked up car, stayed 2 nights in Burbank area, From here we did the usual Hollywood etc etc.


After that 1 night Palm Desert. From here we did a trip up the Aerial Tramway at Palm Springs.


We then drove to Vegas next morning via both the Mojave National Preserve, and the Joshua Tree National Park. (Brilliant! )


4 nights Las Vegas, Hard Rock Hotel. From here we did general Vegas stuff, We did Valley of Fire and Lake Mead as a day trip from Vegas. We went on a circular route entering Lake Mead and seeing the Hoover Dam before driving up Lakeshore Road, into and through Valley of Fire then back on the fast roads to Vegas. A long day but WELL worth it.


We then had 1 night at the Grand Canyon south rim. Stopped off at Kingman and Seligman for the Route 66 experience, Stayed at Yavapai Lodge, walking distance to actual rim. We saw a sunset and a sunrise at the canyon rim. (so stunning! )


We then returned to Vegas, South Point Hotel. From here we did more Strip stuff.


We had realised the weather was good and so made enquiries whilst there about current Yosemite conditions, and decided to squeeze 2 nights in staying just outside the NP (no availability in the park as last minute booking, plus we could not enter Yosemite via the scenic top roads and Tioga Pass, as the north of Yosemite still closed at this time of year)


So we left Vegas and drove to Bakersfield for 1 nights stay en route to Yosemite via Death Valley National Park, taking detour to see Badwater Basin and Artist’s Drive. (fabulous! )


Stayed 1 night in Bakersfield then next morning headed up to Oakhurst just outside southern Yosemite, did Badgers Pass area and Wawona.


Next morning headed into Yosemite Valley and spent the day (wow! ) Stayed in Mariposa that night.


Next morning we set off for San Francisco, stayed 3 nights there, whilst here we did a trip to Muir Woods to see the huge sequoia trees. (anyone doing Yosemite from next year would be able to visit Mariposa Grove for their huge trees , it’s closed at the moment so we couldn’t do it) We also did Alcatraz whilst in San Fran.


Next we drove for a 1 night stay in Monterey, Best Western Plus Victorian Inn, via Santa Cruz for the Boardwalk area, then did the ‘17 Mile Drive’ at Pebble Beach.


Next day drove down the Pacific Coast Highway on our way to Pismo, Cliffs Resort, stayed in Pismo 1 night right on the seafront with direct access to Pacific Ocean down a cute wooden staircase.


Next day we drove back to LA via Santa Barbara, spent 2 more nights in LA before coming home ( ) did Santa Monica and the beach areas.


Phew!


3500 miles were driven in all, and all done by my hubby. He does enjoy driving in the States though, and tells me he enjoyed it and didn't get tired, as it was all split up.

Hope this helps!

[Buggles94]

Wow, wow, wow! Thanks so much - really does look amazing and obviously was a holiday of a lifetime! The planning has begun for me

[smedley]

Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us, we are doing a very similar trip in September and you have me excited for it again, for some reason I'd gone off the boil a bit. Time to get back to planning again now then

[tinks75]

Oh Ellen - im blubbing again. Its just sounds so amazing!

[Cloverlady]

Originally Posted by tinks75

Oh Ellen - im blubbing again. Its just sounds so amazing!

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Awwwwww! that's not going to help you feel better today is it? x

Oh and notice there are SIX thousand photos now? We got another bunch off the kids phones!

[tinks75]

Originally Posted by Cloverlady

Awwwwww! that's not going to help you feel better today is it? x

Oh and notice there are SIX thousand photos now? We got another bunch off the kids phones!

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No way! I feel a viewing eveing coming up - oh, guess who lives the closest 😁

[Cloverlady]

Originally Posted by tinks75

No way! I feel a viewing eveing coming up - oh, guess who lives the closest 😁

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