West Coast Virgin - New itinerary #36

[Disney Wishing]

If Yellowstone and Grand Caynon are your must do's how about leaving California for another trip. Fly into SLC or or Phoenix and work out a trip from and included some of the other national parks instead.

Here's a few trip reports that might help you out and give you an idea of timings:

https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho...d.php?t=908185

https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho...d.php?t=966228

https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho...d.php?t=823194

[Hooray4Disney]

Originally Posted by Macca04

Yosemite is brilliant, but I think your plan to fly to Yellowstone is better, perhaps do Yosemite on another trip.

You would probably have to pay a hefty fee to pick up a car in SLC and drop off in LA.

We did four nights in LA which was more than enough for us.

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Thank you - need to look into LA -it only ended up being the amount left at the end.

Am I right in thinking Universal is in LA? I know Disney is Anaheim. Is Universal different enough from Orlando to enjoy a visit? Or is it the same?

Any recommendations of things to do in LA with the boys would be gratefully received.

[Hooray4Disney]

Originally Posted by Disney Wishing

If Yellowstone and Grand Caynon are your must do's how about leaving California for another trip. Fly into SLC or or Phoenix and work out a trip from and included some of the other national parks instead.

Here's a few trip reports that might help you out and give you an idea of timings:

https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho...d.php?t=908185

https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho...d.php?t=966228

https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho...d.php?t=823194

See more...

Thank you kindly - going to have a read this evening

[Macca04]

Originally Posted by Hooray4Disney

Thank you - need to look into LA -it only ended up being the amount left at the end.

Am I right in thinking Universal is in LA? I know Disney is Anaheim. Is Universal different enough from Orlando to enjoy a visit? Or is it the same?

Any recommendations of things to do in LA with the boys would be gratefully received.

See more...

Universal in LA is very similar to Florida, however we really enjoyed our day here. We also went on the Warner Brothers tour which was really good. We stayed at the Garland Hotel which is near Universal and has a trolley bus which takes you there and back. However there wasn’t anywhere to walk to in the evening. The hotel bar and restaurant was good though. We went to the Walk of Fame disappointing, however we loved the Griffiths Observatory brilliant views and very interesting. You also get a good view of the Hollywood sign from there. We spent half a day in Santa Monica and dipped our feet in the Pacific. The water is very cold though.

[jdouds]

Hi yosemite to Yellowstone 12 hours drive , suggest look at google maps and perhaps stay Twin Falls area. We fly next year to Denver and onto Bozeman , from there we are spending 4 nights in Yellowstone after which we are stopping twin falls area and then onto Lake Tahoe , Monterey ,San Fran. Would perhaps shave a day of LA and use earlier

[CrispyA]

Originally Posted by Hooray4Disney

Thank you for replying. We have never been to the West Coast.

The boys really want to go to Yellowstone and Grand Canyon - these are their top two choices of things to do.

Do you think it would be better to fly there?

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Yellowstone is in the West but it isn't on the West Coast. Obviously it's your holiday and you can do what you like, but I wouldn't try and visit the West Coast and Wyoming in the same trip.

If the boys really want to see Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, that's a great trip but you would have to miss out California. If you visit Yellowstone, there is Grand Teton National Park right next door and plenty to do in that area - it would be a shame to have a flying visit. Having a look at a map will give you an idea of the distances involved.

We had a fantastic road trip visiting Yellowstone and other National Parks in the Rocky Mountains and Utah - this is my trip report

Both the West Coast and the West are fantastic places to visit but you might enjoy it more if you concentrate on one or the other.

[Hooray4Disney]

Thank you for your replies - you Dibbers have so much valuable experience - I really appreciate it.

Now looking at flying into Phoenix - this looks like a much better starting place.

Am going to save LA for another trip - it was the last few choices of everyone when we scored the destinations and activities, and think it will be better to add in Grand Teton -again, this looks amazing.

Now need to map a new route up and finishing in San Francisco to fly home from.

[Hooray4Disney]

OK, after having bought a map - this is the new plan...

Flying into Las Vegas.

Las Vegas - 1 night
Grand Canyon - 2 nights
Bryce Canyon - 2 nights
Salt Lake City - 2 nights
Yellowstone - 3 nights

Drive back to Salt Lake City
Flights to San Francisco

San Francisco - 7 nights?

Questions -

Is it best to spend all 7 in one place - where to stay, if not central San Francisco.

Would it be worth going to Monterey for one or two nights?

Is Yosemite a must do?

Thank you all so much for helping me - I really appreciate your advice.

Thank CrispyA for the trip report recommendations - they were great reading.

[jdouds]

Hi again would suggest you now drive to Yosemite from vegas (5 hours) and go via tioga pass, 2/3 night there and then drive to San Fran for 4 nights, 4 1/2 hours

[Hooray4Disney]

Originally Posted by jdouds

Hi again would suggest you now drive to Yosemite from vegas (5 hours) and go via tioga pass, 2/3 night there and then drive to San Fran for 4 nights, 4 1/2 hours

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Hey,
We are going to Grand Canyon from Vegas?

The Yosemite question is for the end of the trip - not sure if it will be worth visiting?