Road trip SFO -> LAS

Creamy Goodness

Hey all,

I've booked the following road trip for September.

* San Francisco 3 nights (Alcatraz, golden gate, fisherman's wharf)

* Yosemite NP 1 night (I should have made this two in hindsight, going to leave early for arrival and leave late when departing).

* Monterey 1 night (pretty much want to just have dinner, sleep and small exploring).

* Santa Barbra 1 night (pretty much want to just have dinner, sleep and small exploring).

* LA 2 nights (want to do the walk of fame, hollywood sign and to visit the Elliott Smith Figure 8 memorial wall

* San Diego 2 nights (not sure what to do here, might take a quick spin over the border to Mexico).

* Las Vegas 3 nights (canyon, casinos, etc.).

The plan is to take a day trip in San Fran to visit the national computer museum in Mountain View (also include trip to 1 infinite loop (if you haven't guessed i'm a nerd)).

Anything we must see and / or do in Monterey, Santa Barbra?

In LA we're planning to do Universal Studios (anyone got any advice on this, girlfriend seems keen but it kinda just looks like a theme park to me?) Any opinions that might change my mind here?

I'm driving all legs to San Diego, where we ditch the car and fly to Vegas. In Vegas I want to do the Canyon, but not sure of the best way to do it, that includes the sky walk?

Thanks in advance.

lc180

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

In LA we're planning to do Universal Studios (anyone got any advice on this, girlfriend seems keen but it kinda just looks like a theme park to me?) Any opinions that might change my mind here?

Yep its a typical theme park with no real big rollarcoasters, its a good way relax and destress from all the sightseeing. The main reason I recommend Universal is the tour of the film studio and lot. You get to see the sets from films and the likes, found that part brilliant! If you are anyway a movie nerd you'll love it.

rossie1977

yes the backstage tour in universal is terrific as is the waterworld live action show (its a million times better than the movie its based on ).

the setting is also really nice in the hollywood hills and citywalk is worth a look for its bars/shops and restaurants

the skywalk grand canyon i wouldn't bother to be honest. thats the west rim and while its much closer to vegas that part of the canyon is nowhere near as dramatic as the south rim (where 99% of tourists visit for good reason). the best way of getting to the south rim from vegas is to fly as its a 6 hour drive each way.

honestly looking at that list you are going to struggle to get everything done. america is huge and the distances vast, you are really doing yourself disservice only staying 2 nights in la e.g and 3 in vegas if you are going to the canyon.

InTheTrees

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

* Yosemite NP 1 night

* Monterey 1 night (pretty much want to just have dinner, sleep and small exploring).

* Santa Barbra 1 night (pretty much want to just have dinner, sleep and small exploring).

Thats pretty intense, basically Yosemite to SB in 2 days with a stop in Monterey.

Monterey is nice, there's the amazing Aquarium, and the old Historic wharf area, plus Pebble Beach and 17 Mile Drive, plus the town of Carmel which is really pretty.

Then you've got over 250 miles(!) of slow winding cliff road down the coast.

You can make it easier by stopping for the night in San Louis Obispo (or Morro bay) instead of SB, then on to LA the next day.

Just a thought.

InTheTrees

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

* San Diego 2 nights (not sure what to do here, might take a quick spin over the border to Mexico).

There may be issues with taking a hire car into Mexico.

I'd check with your hotel in SD about crossing the border, i'm sure its easy to get into Mexico but there could be considerable waiting time getting back into the USA again.

InTheTrees

And just to make sure. After Monterey you take Highway One, the road that hugs the coast.

Dont take Highway 101.