Californian Road trip

[Nudga]

As above, has anybody been and done one?
Just looking for advice on the does and don'ts, places/attractions to visit or avoid.

This is our itinary if it helps.

3 days San Francisco, seeing alcatraz, pier 39,golden gate Bridge and 924 Gilman Street (Old skool punk club).

3 days Yosemite National Park

2 days monterey

1 day Pismo beach

2 days Santa Barbara

1 day LA, Universal studios

3 days Las Vegas

Thanks.

[NickDRFC]

As above, has anybody been and done one?
Just looking for advice on the does and don'ts, places/attractions to visit or avoid.

This is our itinary if it helps.

3 days San Francisco, seeing alcatraz, pier 39,golden gate Bridge and 924 Gilman Street (Old skool punk club).

3 days Yosemite National Park

2 days monterey

1 day Pismo beach

2 days Santa Barbara

1 day LA, Universal studios

3 days Las Vegas

Thanks.

I was planning to do something similar this summer but just didn't have the time - could only get about 10 days which wasn't enough to do everything we fancied. From what I've heard doing the sort of trip you are you either need to be prepared for a fair few long drives and a bit of a rush around at times.

Heard contrasting things about San Francisco, some good, some bad, but all positive reviews of Yosemite; supposed to be incredible. I've just got back from a few nights in Vegas and really enjoyed that - crazy place but 3 nights was definitely enough. Had hoped to get to the Grand Canyon and we probably had time but was with 4 other guys who were all about partying so didn't manage it.

Hope you have a blast and report back - it's something I'm still planning on doing within the next couple of years.

[Nudga]

Grand Canyon is a no, its a 4hr drive from Vegas but we're going to see The Hoover Dam which is a lot closer

[Donnywolf]

I did one to coincide with my 40th Birthday so that is a long time ago BUT I may look older but the places will not have changed that much

I included evrything I could into 3 weeks but the last week was on Waikiki Beach Oahu Hawaii. The rest (highlights)  included Las Vegas (Nv) my first visit - London Bridge (Havasu City - Az) Grand Canyon (way beyond brilliant). I crossed the Hoover Dam - & I crossed Death Valley after leaving Las Vegas (surreal) and climbed out of there and the desert after about 7 days and all at once there was grass. It was so very strange - like seeing it for the first time.

Onwards to San Francisco (remember a thread on this a while back which may be useful) over the Golden Gate to La Jolla. I went to Carmel, Monterey the iconic Pebble Beach golf Course and drove down the (iconic again) Pacific Coastal Highway via Big Sur to Los Angeles. Stayed one night on Queen Mary moored in Long Beach for around £42 in 1991. I stayed in San Diego going over the Coranado Bridge (knees still knocking) and from there caught a Tram to San Ysidro famous for a Gun massacre in a McDonalds but more famous for being the Border Town next to Tijuana. God what a culture shock that was !

There is loads more but I will park it there for now. The best bits :

Grand Canyon by a mile - but Free Breakfast (Grand Slam) at Dennys on my 40th Birthday on a Balcony watching the Surfers on Waikiki Beach .... brilliant

[Donnywolf]

Grand Canyon is a no, its a 4hr drive from Vegas but we're going to see The Hoover Dam which is a lot closer

Take a Helicopter or Fixed wing plane 9 Seater or similar and it will fly you over Lake Mead and over the Hoover Dam - thats as good as you need. It then flies way up the Grand Canyon and lands for a Coach trip in a spot to give you a taster of something 281 Miles long. Whatever it costs my advice (and I try not to do this) is do it. It will be worth every Cent ! I have been back at least three times and have been there as the sun comes up and the sun goes down. Incredible

I usually drive from Las Vegas and have a night booked at the Canyon so I can drink it all in. If anyone is a fan of Bill Bryson read the Chapter on the Grand Canyon in Notes from a Big Country - it sums it up perectly but the main thrust is while he was there but in no hurry there was thick Fog for a few days. There were other people including a Honeymooning couple who could not see the Canyon. They were philosophical / blase / saying oh well it was not meant to be. However Bryson was beside himself and went to the edge again and again FRUSTRATED as hell because he KNEW exactly what he was missing

And the first sentence of the Chapter and the last sentence are absolute classics. Read before you go and again when you have been ! The last sentence still makes me laugh now
 
EDIT+++EDIT+++
I forgot to mention there are daily Coach Trips from Vegas so you can sit back as they drive you after an early start to the same place as the Planes land. You get quite a few hours there and then its a return trip to arrive back late at night. I have never done it but I have driven twice and though its a long way it is an Interstate most of the way which with Cruise Control makes the journey bearable. However that was then - and last night I would not take on Accrington and opted for the Supporters Coach

[Nudga]

Thanks wolfie, appreciate that.

[Donnywolf]

No problem - glad you enjoyed it ! I would lend you Notes from a Big Country but I cant find the bugger ! Maybe someone can help out ?

Maybe I will lend you my Video of it (relax nobody should suffer that  )

Maybe others will add stuff too - but PM me if you want my opinion on any of it !
Heres the Thread on San Francisco I looked for - some good stuff      https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=266670.msg790121#msg790121