West coast USA Itinerary

fire_man

Hi,

Heading to west coast USA for two weeks. Would like to visit San Fran, LA, San Diego ,Vegas and Yosomite Park. Is this too much packed in or doable?What order should I do this in? Flying to and from San Fran.

Elvisjuice

fire_man wrote: »

Hi,

Heading to west coast USA for two weeks. Would like to visit San Fran, LA, San Diego ,Vegas and Yosomite Park. Is this too much packed in or doable?What order should I do this in? Flying to and from San Fran.

good local info here http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/

tglynn

Just landed back today after 2 weeks in California. We flew into LAX and drove straight to Yosemite for 3 nights beautiful place. Glaciar point, rainbow falls, taft point were some of the highlights there. Then drove to South lake tahoe. We stopped at Bodie on the way up there, definitely worth a stop. South Lake Tahoe is beautiful, we wish we had stayed longer. Beach on the lake is lovely and the casions are really close (Nevada). We stayed in a hotel called the Coachman inn which was lovely. We then went to San Fran for 4 nights. Looking back, 2 nights would have been enough, book Alcatraz asap. Also did a segway tour which was great fun. Then went and stayed in Monterey for one night and Santa Barabara for another night. Route one is closed so you'll need to go the unscenic route down/up the coast which does take a bit longer unfortunately. Whale watching in Monterey is worth a look. It's a lovely place, aquarium is cool also. Lots to do in LA, we took in Universal and disney on 2 different days which were fun (worth getting front of line in universal for sure). We didn't include Vegas as planning on doing that on it's own during another trip. It would also be a full day of driving through the desert so we thought it best to leave it out.

Enjoy your trip, beautiful part of the world

Elvisjuice

tglynn wrote: »

Just landed back today after 2 weeks in California. We flew into LAX and drove straight to Yosemite for 3 nights beautiful place. Glaciar point, rainbow falls, taft point were some of the highlights there. Then drove to South lake tahoe. We stopped at Bodie on the way up there, definitely worth a stop. South Lake Tahoe is beautiful, we wish we had stayed longer. Beach on the lake is lovely and the casions are really close (Nevada). We stayed in a hotel called the Coachman inn which was lovely. We then went to San Fran for 4 nights. Looking back, 2 nights would have been enough, book Alcatraz asap. Also did a segway tour which was great fun. Then went and stayed in Monterey for one night and Santa Barabara for another night. Route one is closed so you'll need to go the unscenic route down/up the coast which does take a bit longer unfortunately. Whale watching in Monterey is worth a look. It's a lovely place, aquarium is cool also. Lots to do in LA, we took in Universal and disney on 2 different days which were fun (worth getting front of line in universal for sure). We didn't include Vegas as planning on doing that on it's own during another trip. It would also be a full day of driving through the desert so we thought it best to leave it out.

Enjoy your trip, beautiful part of the world

was it busy in Yosemite ? heading there next month, where did you stay ?

fire_man

Thanks guys.Where did you stay in san fran and LA?

myate

Elvisjuice wrote: »

was it busy in Yosemite ? heading there next month, where did you stay ?

Yosemite is crazy busy in summer. It quietens a bit in September/October, when we normally go. Lovely & quiet in the mornings anyway, and once you hit the trails to hike, the crowds disappear.
We stay in the same holiday rental cabin every-time we go, in a place called Foresta, inside the park, 15 mins drive from the valley floor. One of the closest places you can rent cabins in. Away from the crowds, yet close to the valley and ok distance to Tuolumne Meadows area...make sure to check that area out, every-bit as good as the valley just without the crowds.

tglynn

Elvisjuice wrote: »

was it busy in Yosemite ? heading there next month, where did you stay ?

Wasn't too busy, we went during the week. I'm sure the weekend would be much busier. We stayed in Oakhurst and Buck Meadows. Both just outside the park but about an hour drive into the valley (even though i found all the best trails/things to do outside the valley). It'll quieten down come september also, waterfalls will most likely be all dry

c1ans7even

Have stayed in El Portal the last two years in a row,
basic accommodation but great if you have a car half an hour in to the park
worth a look

fire_man

Where did ye stay in San Fran ans LA and would you recommend this?

InTheTrees

fire_man wrote: »

Where did ye stay in San Fran ans LA and would you recommend this?

For LA I would highly recommend the Santa Monica area, or Venice Beach. You'll probably have to pay for parking.

Don't be tempted by lower prices around the airport, the areas around the airport are not good. Except maybe marina del ray. Also "Downtown LA" is the financial centre, there's banks and offices and its busy during working hours but very quiet off hours and not for tourists.