Route from Las Vegas to San Fransisco.

[PaulST]

Hi all,
In August this year I'll be visiting Las Vegas (mostly to see the Hoover dam) and then trecking over to San Fransisco. Initially I was going to fly but I'm now considering driving. Possibly the cliche of getting a Mustang...etc.
I'll give myself two days so I'll stop over somewhere in between the two (it's approx 700 miles).
I'd be interested to drive through death valley and along the coast.
(1) How's this route seem? (2) Recommend anywhere to spend the night? An alternative might be to stay inland and drive through Yosemite but I'd be keen to drive along the coast.
It's reasonably long so if I've included any unnecessary bits (that wouldn't be worth the extra driving) then feel free to sing out as well.

 

[ShaneN]

That is a very long trip for two days. The coastal highway 1 from San Luis Obispo to Monterey is very slow driving - and you will want to stop a lot for the views, photographs. A visit to Hearst Castle is essential in my view, and will take a couple of hours.

I was in Death Valley in October and loved it. However it also takes time to explore. The route you have shown from Beatty NV through Stovepipe Wells CA misses much of the best scenery a bit further south around Furnace Creek, also the ranger station location and a real oasis in the desert. I suggest a route taking in Furnace Creek, perhaps via Pahrump NV. The other issue is that Death Valley in August will be almost unbearably hot, probably over 50 degrees.

Bakersfield would seem the obvious overnight stop for your proposed route., but I have not been there.

My recommendation would be to skip Death Valley and either take the inland route over Tioga Pass through Yosemite, or if you want to see the coast (highly recommended) take a quick run down the interstate to Barstow and cut across to San Luis Obispo area.

Hoover Dam is amazing, but I found the new bridge next to the dam just as impressive.

 

[russ]

Two days to cover that is not enough time. You'll be spending 8 hours per day just driving, and no time for lunch, breaks, etc. The coastal road is a beautiful drive, but there's lots of turns so you need to focus on driving, not singing along to the Elvis station on Sirius XM.

As ShaneN says, you ought to stop off at Hearst Castle. (Hint: Book in advance)

Bakersfield is a hole. Here's what you get when in Yelp when you search for Attractions in Bakersfield.

 

[AdMEL]

I've driven pretty much the route you propose, though I can't remember over how many days (suspect it was two or three).

As has been mentioned, Hearst Castle is definitely worth a visit (I was alerted to it on AFF!).

With the Coast road, you've missed the bit immediately South of SF, which I would include.

When I drove through Death Valley in August, it was just under 50°C. Only stopped briefly if I recall correctly.

Your map isn't detailed enough to see whether you're going the right way, but if you want somewhere very different to stay, there's a very old motel in the middle of nowhere at Death Valley Junction that looked fantastic.

The drive via Yosemite is also very good.

I drove these roads in a Camaro, rather than Mustang - didn't fit into the last Mustang (will likely try the new Mustang in Hawaii in July).

 

[knasty]

Agree with the above. We spent 5 days santa Monica to San Francisco via Yosemite and that didn't do it justice. Can you squeeze a few more days?

 

[JohnM]

As others have said, try to allow more time. Cambria is a reasonable town to stay fairly near Hearst Castle.

If you're into wine, ramble around Paso Robles and if you really want to try some excellent Zinfandel, visit the Turley winery near there Turley Wine Cellars | Wines

Bakersfield is definitely a hole. They write melancholy C&W songs about it: DWIGHT YOAKAM LYRICS - Streets Of Bakersfield

Agree about the Death Valley comments. Yosemite is something else, and not to be missed if at all possible.

On the way up through Palo Alto, a visit to the modern cultural icons The Mothership (aka Apple HQ) and the GooglePlex are worthwhile, while Stanford Uni is a beautiful campus to visit.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Hi all,
In August this year I'll be visiting Las Vegas (mostly to see the Hoover dam) and then trecking over to San Fransisco. Initially I was going to fly but I'm now considering driving. Possibly the cliche of getting a Mustang...etc.
I'll give myself two days so I'll stop over somewhere in between the two (it's approx 700 miles).
I'd be interested to drive through death valley and along the coast.
(1) How's this route seem? (2) Recommend anywhere to spend the night? An alternative might be to stay inland and drive through Yosemite but I'd be keen to drive along the coast.
It's reasonably long so if I've included any unnecessary bits (that wouldn't be worth the extra driving) then feel free to sing out as well.

I've done it over 5 days via Yosemite, great roads, even through the national park.

 

[PaulST]

Hi all, thanks for the replies.
Unfortunately I'm fairly time poor due to other commitments* so I can't really fit any more time in this region. I expect Death Valley's heat will be rather intolerable, but for me, that's part of the experience. I was in Israel last year when it hit 47.
It's a fair bit of driving but I'm used to long drives and enjoy them so it should be OK. I see it as a bit of an American road trip, and hopefully in either a Mustang or Camaro (prefer the Ford).

*This trip is a 3 week nerd-fest of aviation, political and historical sites. I'm travelling by myself (I presume no one would could tolerate what I want to visit) so I'll plan to do places like Yosemite properly in a few years with friends.

Thanks again.
Here's an adjusted map.

 

[ShaneN]

Your adjusted route via Furnace Creek will allow you to see a lot more of Death Valley, even if you only make a quick stop (Zabriskie Point lookout is right next to the road). You will also go through Death Valley Junction with the old motel mentioned by Admel, which is right next to the Amargosa Opera House in the middle of nowhere.

I would try to spend the night somewhere on or near the coast to allow plenty of time for the coast highway on the second day.

 

[PaulST]

Thanks again!

 

[AndyC1970]

We drove from San Francisco to Las Vegas in November 2014. It took a good 2 days, although our route took us through Barstow (Outlet Malls!) and Bakersfield. We stayed at San Simeon the first night out of SF, so we could catch the first few tours of Hearst Castle, which is a real highlight. We then went on to Carmel for lunch- another highlight. Drop in if you can- really charming. We stayed in Tehachapi the second night - a smaller town to the east of Bakersfield. As I said, this was just enough time. Your route would need at least 3 days I think.

 

[PaulST]

Thanks again for the comments.
Just thinking out loud...
Another option would be to hire a car in Vegas for 24hrs (Hoover dam, +/- death valley), and then hire another car for 24hrs in San Fransisco. It may not be cost effective but I'm keen to try a few different American cars too.

So, if you had a hire car in SFO for 24hrs, (maybe something like 0900 until 0900 the next day), what route would you suggest? Maybe a loop down the coast a little, then across inland towards Yosemite? I'd be OK with driving up to ~800kms.

Thanks!

 

[andye]

...I'll be visiting Las Vegas (mostly to see the Hoover dam) ......

Of course that's why. What happens in Vegas...

That coastal route past Pebble Beach, Carmel, Big Sur etc is a great drive. It's worth taking leisurely if you can but I wouldn't miss it if you have the opportunity just because time is tight

 

[JohnM]

Thanks again for the comments.
Just thinking out loud...
Another option would be to hire a car in Vegas for 24hrs (Hoover dam, +/- death valley), and then hire another car for 24hrs in San Fransisco. It may not be cost effective but I'm keen to try a few different American cars too.

So, if you had a hire car in SFO for 24hrs, (maybe something like 0900 until 0900 the next day), what route would you suggest? Maybe a loop down the coast a little, then across inland towards Yosemite? I'd be OK with driving up to ~800kms.

Thanks!

It's quite a slow drive on winding roads in parts to Yosemite. Not doable in one day from my recollection.

 

[russ]

If I hired a car in San Francisco for 24 hours, I'd put it in a parking lot and walk. There's plenty to see.

However, your objective seems to be going for a drive, so may I suggest a drive over to Half Moon Bay and then down to Santa Cruz then back in through Los Gatos. Some good roads, good scenery, good restaurants and the amusement pier thing at Santa Cruz all packed into one trip.

 

[PaulST]

If I hired a car in San Francisco for 24 hours, I'd put it in a parking lot and walk. There's plenty to see.

However, your objective seems to be going for a drive, so may I suggest a drive over to Half Moon Bay and then down to Santa Cruz then back in through Los Gatos. Some good roads, good scenery, good restaurants and the amusement pier thing at Santa Cruz all packed into one trip.

Sorry I should have clarified, I'll be spending a few days in SFO and I plan to be on foot for all but one of them.

I'll have a look at that route. Thanks.

 

[russ]

I highly recommend seeing Beach Blanket Babylon while you are there!

The Santa Cruz trip I mentioned above would be my main recommendation for a drive. Alternatively you could head NW and see the giant redwood trees. Or head further north and see the wineries in Sonoma, etc. I do not recommend heading out towards Sacramento... very boring drive. If you can, I suggest you schedule your drive for a weekday. Some of the weekend traffic out of SF is horrid.

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for the tip.