Las Vegas to San Fran Road Trip Via LA

hegarty147

Hi Guys

Just wondering has anyone done the above road trip and has any advice , tips, journey plan. I am only planning to go for 7/8 days max so I want to do the most as possible. I will be driving.

Thanks

InTheTrees

Its a really good route, it may be a little rushed for 7/8 days but is doable.

What kind of things do you like to do?

hegarty147

to be honest just want to do all the touristy things. So hoover damn,universal studios hollywood etc. My plan is two nites vegas,3 nites LA, one nite in monteray up the coast then two nites in san fran

nazzy

hegarty147 wrote: »

to be honest just want to do all the touristy things. So hoover damn,universal studios hollywood etc. My plan is two nites vegas,3 nites LA, one nite in monteray up the coast then two nites in san fran

I haven't done that exact road trip but did Vancouver to San Fran - highly recommend the west coast for driving, it's stunning.

I've been to Vegas and LA on a separate occasion - two nights is sound for Vegas but I didn't think much of LA - if you're doing universal, look into the VIP package if you can spare the extra cash - you skip all the queues so will suit someone with limited time. I THINK Disneyland may be a bit out of the way so maybe check it out, if you plan on doing it. Someone else may know better if 2 days is enough/too much for Hollywood. Just in case Yosemite or Yellowstone or somewhere would be worth a day instead. Yellowstone probably a bit too far north mind you.

I found driving really affordable - provided you're over 25, I believe there's some additional charges if you're not. We got the international driving licence issued by the AA, it's only €10.

San Francisco is a cracker. Obviously Alcatraz is a must. The view from twin peaks is class as well so be sure to take a spin up there. Pixar have their studios there but they're closed to the public, bar 1/2 days per year. Boo!!

There's another great site - www.roadtripAmerica.com - might be of some use to you.

I hope you have an amazing time!!

Jimmy Two Times

Drove the Pacific Coast Highway last summer from SF to San Diego and spent a few days in Vegas beforehand.

Highly recommend a trip to the Grand Canyon while you are in Vegas. It will take a full day but you can take in the Dam too and is well worth the spin. The Canyon is breathtaking.There's also nothing else to do in Vegas during the day other than checking out the hotels and casinos, some of which are mind blowing.

Honestly, I wouldn't spend 3 nights in LA. Other than Santa Monica and Venice Beach / Boardwalk ( which is a must ) there's not a lot else. Wouldn't waste a day in either of Unoversal or Disney. Quick spin around Hollywood, Laurel Canyon and Beverly Hills will be plenty.

Santa Barbara would be a lovely place to spend a night. It's compact,lively and has a huge number of good bars and restaurants centred around the main street ( name escapes me for the minute ).

Monterey is magnificent,there's a fabulous wine bar in one of the old cannery buildings near the aquarium ( which is also worth a visit ). You should also do the " 17 Mile Drive " around the peninsula and have a look at the world famous Pebble Beach Golf Club.

If you get a chance, stop at the River Inn at Big Sur for a snack on the way to Monterey.

Agree about Alcatraz, well worth a visit but make sure you book well in advance as it's extremely popular.Make sure you take the audio tour as the history is fascinating. A spin across the GG Bridge over to Sausalito is also to see how the other half live is a must.

Plenty going on in SF at night with the Italian quarter particularly lively. There's even a restaurant that specialises in Garlic Ice Cream.

If you can manage a day trip to Yosemite I'd highly recommend it as some of the scenery is breathtaking. If you do get to go, make sure you have your itinerary planned well in advance as you can waste a lot of time deciding what to go and see. There are many shortish hikes and treks throughout the park which provide an opportunity to see loads.

iusedtoknow

I would recommend two days minimum up the PCH from LA. We did the drive from Monterey to LA in 1 day and it was a long long day of driving. The section from San Simeon to Monterey is breathtaking (Big Sur). You should take your time on this route.

I personally didn't find much to LA - i have friends down there, always happy to see them, but it doesn't hold much interest for me as a place. 2 days there would probably be enough.

As for SF (i live here) - Alcatraz is great for a visit, i'd recommend doing the night tour. It's quiet (only 2 boatloads, instead of the constant stream of people in the day) and is pretty creepy.
Little Italy has some great food, if you're into books Versuvio bar is nice for a couple of beers (where the beat poets used to hangout) and the book store next to it is great.
The mission district (BART stop is 16th and Mission or 24th and Mission) has great bars and Mexican food, it's where I would hang out most of the time.

tricky D

Unless you're doing studios (overrated imho) and amusement parks (6 Flags/Disneyland) you'd be better off dropping a day from LA, it's not that great. Better to add a day to SF which is amazing.

The International Drivers Licence isn't required usually if your licence is in english, always worth double checking though. The bigger issue is if you are under 25. Get satnav is my advice.

Seriously think about spending $250 on a Grand Canton heli tour, it's awesome and a once in a lifetime thing.

Yosemite would be a bit much to add to your itinerary imho, it's a bit too far out of the way, pity.

As iusedtoknow says the San Simeon to Monterrey stretch of the PCH/Hwy1 is spectacular. It is also challenging driving so do not do this in the dark, apart from missing the scenery.

Hearst Castle is beside San Simeon, book in advance. You'll need to time this well unless you're staying San Simeon.

+1 for the River Inn at Big Sur, though it can be booked out for a wedding as happened to me. Plenty of other spots too.

Enjoy!

ironclaw

I drove from Las Vegas to Yosemite to San Francisco in a single day. And frankly, while the most amazing trip over my life, it almost killed me and I was sharing the driving.

I was lucky on a J1 and landed a job with a good deal of driving. I saw everything from San Diego, to LA, to San Fran, to Klamath Falls to as far afield as Boise, Idaho. So if you want some driving advice or tips, just ask.

LA is really disappointing to be honest. Worth a day and half at most, you will even see it all in 12 hours if you really wanted to. Hollywood is about the most of it, and even there, a few blocks over and it gets really sleeazy. Never felt unsafe anywhere in the States except LA.

I would however seriously recommend to / from Las Vegas via Yosemite and stay there for a night. Its an amazing place and my biggest regret is having to storm through it in an afternoon.

This would be my route: http://goo.gl/maps/NbYVZ

smchugh84

Hi folks, we're planning a road trip on the West Coast for 2 and a half weeks in June. We've no interest in seeing LA because we've been there before and it is over rated. The main places we want to visit are San Francisco, San Simeon, Monterey, Carmel, Santa Barbara, Yosemite, Vegas and Grand Canyon.

Has anyone any ideas of which way would be best to drive and what route would be best to take in everything I've listed above? It's looking like we will fly in and out of San Francisco.

Any information would be much appreciated.

ironclaw

smchugh84 wrote: »

Hi folks, we're planning a road trip on the West Coast for 2 and a half weeks in June. We've no interest in seeing LA because we've been there before and it is over rated. The main places we want to visit are San Francisco, San Simeon, Monterey, Carmel, Santa Barbara, Yosemite, Vegas and Grand Canyon.

Has anyone any ideas of which way would be best to drive and what route would be best to take in everything I've listed above? It's looking like we will fly in and out of San Francisco.

Any information would be much appreciated.

San Francisco, Yosemite, Vegas, Gran Canyon is easily do able over about 3 days (If you are in a rush of course) I'd recommend overnighting in Yosemite at the very least. Its an amazing place and I regret only being able to pass through it.

The problem is that the Grand Canyon puts you very far 'out of the way' so to speak as its a good distance from Vegas (If you drive it) so you'll be doing a loop there.

That said, you could easily go from Vegas, by-pass LA and return up the coast.

smchugh84

Thanks, we've 17/18 days so we're not in any rush. Would you drive south from San Francisco as far as San Simeon and then over to Vegas or Yosemite? We're looking to break up some of the long drives and stay in some of the towns along the route

ironclaw

smchugh84 wrote: »

Thanks, we've 17/18 days so we're not in any rush. Would you drive south from San Francisco as far as San Simeon and then over to Vegas or Yosemite? We're looking to break up some of the long drives and stay in some of the towns along the route

My route was direct Vegas - Yosemite - San Fran in one day. Epic drive but its seriously tiring. Really depends on what you want to see and how you want to travel. I loved it, very varied. There isn't all that much directly between San Fran and LA, at least on the Interstates. I didn't do the coast road so I can't comment there. What I will say however is the Coast roads are much slower so factor this into your calculations.

iusedtoknow

smchugh84 wrote: »

Thanks, we've 17/18 days so we're not in any rush. Would you drive south from San Francisco as far as San Simeon and then over to Vegas or Yosemite? We're looking to break up some of the long drives and stay in some of the towns along the route

Yes! I would recommend starting the drive straight from san francisco, drive to Monterey via highway 1, overnighting then down. To San Simeon from there. San Francisco to san simeon is around 6 or 7 hours without stops, and down that stretch, you'll be stopping a lot. Big Sur is incredible, and it would be a shame to rush it.

Hazys

Doing something similar is less time.

Which rental company is the cheapest for picking up a car in one location and dropping off in another?

ironclaw

Hazys wrote: »

Doing something similar is less time.

Which rental company is the cheapest for picking up a car in one location and dropping off in another?

Never had a problem with Hertz and they were usually cheapest (All things considered). And their insurance is really good. Take as much insurance as possible. I brought back a car following a robbery, missing a door and most of the glass. Didn't bat an eyelid and never affected subsequent rentals.