Ideas/Feasibility for a California/Nevada/Arizona roadtrip? (San Diego, San Francisco: to rent, shop)

[kw3333]

Hi guys,

I have a week of vacation coming up from Fri Mar 11 to Sat Mar 19... we are thinking about taking a road trip in the California/Nevada/Arizona area but not sure exactly where to go yet. We are starting in San Diego and I think we are pretty set on going to Las Vegas from Sun. morning to maybe Tues night but from there not sure where to go afterwards.

We might also be interested in going to Yosemite (is this place worth it?), Tahoe, San Francisco/Jose, Grand Canyon, drive down the PCH back to San Diego... obviously we wouldn't be able to go to ALL of those places, just some ideas. If I am missing any other great places, please chime in and let me know!

Does anybody have a better feel for the time to travel, lodging, and so forth to make a kind of road trip like this? Mainly I am concerned with what places are worth going to, and also having enough time to fully travel to and enjoy the places, and how to schedule.

Also, would it be better to rent a car for the rough ~1400 mile drive it would potentially be if we did California? I am seeing around 240$/week rates for this.

I really appreciate any feedback or suggestions you guys have for must-see/do places that I may be overlooking, and whether we'll have enough time to do some of these things. Thanks a lot guys!

[esmith143]

Yosemite is generally considered to be "off-season" in March, but, if it does not delay your schedule too much, you might as well visit it. San Francisco will require you to go around on foot (parking situation in the city is quite bad).

[.highnlite]

In March you will be happier in the desert rather than in the mountains. Aside from possible high winds, the weather will be much warmer in the desert than in the mountains.
It is easy to spend a week in just the Mojave Preserve or in Death Valley. I have been going to Death Valley for close to 40 years, and still haven't seen it all.

[StandingLenticular]

Here it is:

I-8 E to I-5 S - Google Maps

No, don't argue. Do it.

First Stop: Anza Borrego Desert State Park in March is a desert wildflower mecca!

Next Stop: The hills through Arizona from I-10 through Prescott are gorgeous, with saguaro cacti and junipers side by side. The drive through Jerome is a must. A great old mining town. You'll never forget the road. Believe me.

Next Stop: Sedona. Period.

Flagstaff is nice, but try to avoid it if it's snowing! If it's been a few days since the last storm, roads will be fine.

Next Stop: Grand Canyon, but of course!

Next stop: Vegas, baby! You'll get to drive over the brand new Hoover Dam bypass bridge too.

Next Stop: Death Valley. March is the best month to go there, period.

The drive up Owens Valley by Lone Pine and Bishop is one of the prettiest drives in the world I think, especially in March with the snow peaked sierras

If you can't wait to hit the snow, check out Mammoth Lakes.

Next Stop: Tahoe. Love snow? Big Lakes? Check.

The 80 is one of the safer ways to cross over the Sierra Nevada.

Next Stop: San Francisco. Never been to the Golden Gate Bridge? Make sure you come from the North.

Next Stop: The PCH. Gorgeousness in Surround Sound!

Then Back to San Diego.

Go, have fun, and share some pictures!

[esmith143]

What he said ^^^

Just a couple more suggestions.

While in Death Valley, be sure to visit Dante's View (side road off 190 about five miles before Furnace Creek) and also Badwater (on 178 five miles south of Furnace Creek). Badwater is the lowest spot in the 48 states. You can park your car and go for a walk on the surface of a dry salt lake.

Along PCH, the "17 mile drive" is supposed to be quite good, it's a road that goes along the coast near Monterey.

[kw3333]

StandingLenticular you are awesome!

Thank you for that wonderful Google Map diagram! We will definitely consider stopping at some of the places you've mentioned if we have the driving time to do so