AboutCmdrMark Expertise National, State and Local Parks, Preserves and Forests around Las Vegas. Some "off the beaten track" information. Fossils. Petroglyphs. Ghosttowns, Primitive Camping. Minimal Las Vegas related info (ie. shows, hotels, buffets, casino, gambling, etc.)
Question QUESTION: Hi there
My family are flying from London to San Francisco to start a fly drive.After Yosemite (not sure where to stay 2 or 3 nights - any recommendation) we are travelling down to Las Vegas via Death Valley. Would a stop over in DV be a good idea or would be better doing the drive in one day, also could you advise on route through valley to see most interesting sights. Thought of staying in Vegas 2 nights (not gamblers) and then on to Grand Canyon (possibly staying at Canyon or Flagstaff. We would also like to see Sedona and wondered if Zion would be within driving distance. Could we base at Flagstaff or would be be better driving to Zion and staying there. We finally fly back to UK from Phoenix.
Any help advice with routes and points of interest would be great.
Many thanks
Ann (writing from England on a particularly lovely sunny day!)
ANSWER: Hi Ann,
When are you planning your trip?
How many days (and nights) total will you have between your landing in San Francisco and your departure from Phoenix?
Have you made ANY reservations for lodging at this time? Lodging fills up as much as TWO years in advance!
Zion is close to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon...As the crow flies, but to drive there would take HOURS. As a rough guess, maybe an 8-10 hour drive ONE WAY from the Grand Canyon.
If you let me know your time parameters, I can more fully answer your questions. Have you had the opportunity to see my website? The "Trip Report" section contains places I've visited and also maps to give you a general idea of the distances.
Oh, and SUNNY weather in England? Another misconception of mine dispelled!
Regards,
CmdrMark
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Weather here still warm and sunny and we recently stayed in a cottage on the Solway Firth (Scotland) and had beautiful weather there. Don't believe everything they say about UK!
We arrive in S.F. 18th Oct and have booked accommodation there late afternoon for 4 nights. (only accommodation booked so far but vacancies still available in or close to parks)
We thought we would see usual things there and perhaps drive over to Napa Valley/Muir Woods whilst staying there. Then drive down coast to take in Monteray & Big Sur, overnight near Monteray/Carmel and then continue on to Yosemite. Had thought maybe 2 nights there (you may think we need longer)before driving down to Death Valley (do we need to stay 1 night) then to Vegas (2 nights?)Hoover Dam then Grand Canyon (possibly at Thunderbird Lodge or staying at Flagstaff for a base as that looks really nice) We then thought of exploring Sedona area. If Zion is too far then we will give it a miss
We would like to stay near/in Phoenix for our final night. Flight back to U.K. from there 21.30 on Monday 3rd Nov. Total of 16 nights.
Any advice re itinerary would be really appreciated.
We are 3 travellers, myself and my husband (both mid 50's but fit and active and our 28 year old daughter). We are interested in the landscapes/scenary of this area. Previous visits have been to Florida and New York.
Many thanks
Ann
Answer >We arrive in S.F. 18th Oct and have booked accommodation there late afternoon for 4 nights. (only accommodation booked so far but vacancies still available in or close to parks)
You'll enjoy San Francisco.
>then continue on to Yosemite. Had thought maybe 2 nights there (you may think we need longer)
Note: When I traveled, I was in a 29' RV so did not stay in any hotels.
A couple of nights will give you a good taste of Yosemite and you won't feel rushed. The Ahwahnee is a great hotel but not certain if it will be open when you're there. I've heard good reports about the Wawona Hotel which I know is open. Dinner at the Ahwanee was a high point of our trip.
I'd suggest you drive around the valley to get a flavor of this oldest National Park in the US. You'll enjoy the views of El Capitan and Half Dome and there are many places to park and hike or if you prefer, simply stroll and marvel.
Side Trips:
Glacier Point - 4000 feet above the valley provides spectacular views of the valley.
Mariposa Grove - Home of the Giant Sequoias, trees of an unimaginable size, hundreds (some trees are said to be thousands) of years old.
>before driving down to Death Valley (do we need to stay 1 night)
You could do see most of the main attractions in a day but the trip from Yosemite with a short stop in Death Valley and then on to Las Vegas will be a lot of driving. I stayed one night just outside the park at an RV camping area and toured the park the following day.
Possible Side Trip enroute to Death Valley:
Manzanar War Relocation Center....A shameful episode of US history when during WWII, US citizens of Japanese ancestry were rounded up and "relocated" to this site due to fears of sabotage. The US governmant has since apologized for the blatant racism and the govt's actions giving camp inhabitants and their descendants $20,000 in reparations to in part show the govt's remorse. http://www.cmdrmark.com/manzanar.html
>then to Vegas (2 nights?)
Two nights will give you a chance to see a lot of "Sin City". The famed Strip with all the neon and attractions (Dancing Fountains at the Bellagio, the Pirates at Treasure Island, etc). Downtown may be worth a quick stop as it's the old part of Las Vegas. This is where the Fremont Street Experience is located. It is a large canopy of lights running 3 blocks and has different lightshows on the hour. I always got a kick out of the beginning of the show when all the casino neon lights go black (to better see the "Experience"). Prior to the Experience's construction, the neon was lit 24 hours a day.
Side Trip: Valley of Fire located about 1 hour north of Las Vegas off I-15. HIGHLY recommended. Whenever I'm in Las Vegas, I ALWAYS make it a point to visit. Red Rock Canyon - Nice but the Valley of Fire is MUCH better.
>Hoover Dam then Grand Canyon (possibly at Thunderbird Lodge or staying at Flagstaff for a base as that looks really nice) We then thought of exploring Sedona area.
It's around a five hour trip (traffic depending) from Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Hoover Dam is certainly worth the visit. As I like to say "See where giants worked!
The Grand Canyon is certain to be a high point on your trip. Dinner at the El Tovar was quite good the two times I was there. Try to stay "in park", it's much better use of your time rather than driving back and forth from Flagstaff.
>If Zion is too far then we will give it a miss
Yes, Zion is really in the opposite direction. Sedona might be a worthwhile stop for you when you're on your way to Phoenix.
>We would like to stay near/in Phoenix for our final night. We are interested in the landscapes/scenery of this area.
Can't really be of assistance in that area.
Safety Speech - You'll be in the DESERT - People die in the desert (but it's usually from doing something foolish (see West Side Road story at http://www.cmdrmark.com/dv94.html )and STAY ON PAVED ROADS!
It will be cool in October, bring warm clothes. I ALWAYS have a gallon or two of water in the car. (Overheating shouldn't be a problem in October but you never know when you might pass by a fellow traveler in need of some.) I also carry a can of Fix-A-Flat in case I get a flat tire.
