Cal West Coast advice needed.

[peatoire]

I'm going to the States in Sept on our honeymoon for 3 wks. 3days in NYC then 3 days in San Fran also doing 3 days in Yosemite and Vegas. But we're leaving around a week free to go wherever we want, probably centred around the coast road driving south.
I'm taking my gear with me so looking for some good photo opportunities, I'm sure I'll be fine in the places I've mentioned but was wondering if anyone has any recommendations around that area, not just for photography but general 'not to miss' visits. (Mustn't let the new wife get left out ;-) ) Really can't wait for this as I've never been to the States
Grateful of any advice.
Andrew

[Steve Parr]

I'm going to the States in Sept on our honeymoon for 3 wks. 3days in NYC then 3 days in San Fran also doing 3 days in Yosemite and Vegas. But we're leaving around a week free to go wherever we want, probably centred around the coast road driving south.
I'm taking my gear with me so looking for some good photo opportunities, I'm sure I'll be fine in the places I've mentioned but was wondering if anyone has any recommendations around that area, not just for photography but general 'not to miss' visits. (Mustn't let the new wife get left out ;-) ) Really can't wait for this as I've never been to the States
Grateful of any advice.
Andrew

If you take some time to drive south along the coast from San Francisco, you'll see some amazing coastline.

Then again, you'll see some amazing coastline if you drive north, too...

[ba15ck]

if you can make it this far south--I would check out venice beach in Santa Monica--whole Beverly Hills/Westwood/Downtown L.A area is very cool and photogenic.

[peatoire]

Thanks guys

[Citizensmith]

Go check in this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=155608&page=4) for help. It's the latest meet for the California POTNers so it means you be able to get a ton of advice.

Heading south from SF along the coast is a good plan. Places like Monterey particularly make it worthwhile.

[primoz]

Coastline between SF and LA is nice, but from all those things which we traveled through last summer (we were traveling around NPs of SW USA for more then 3 weeks), there's one place which stands out for me. Joshua tree NP is really something amazing for me. I actually like it so much, that I'm sure I will drive there for day (and especially night) when I will go for week to LA later this summer. It's not far out of LA and I don't know... it's just really amazing place for me. Especially when sleeping out in sleeping bag only with noone around.... and that means no noise no light no nothing just desert and stars. And only then you realize what kinda "sky" we have in cities where you can see only few stars on sky

[peatoire]

Thanks, Joshua tree NP will definitely be on the list.

[Citizensmith]

How are you travelling? Flying or driving? It's not too bad to drive from SF, down the coast to LA, then inland through Joshua to Vegas. You'd be able to take your time and see lots. I did it in reverse about 5 years ago with my wife and a couple of friends.

Also, from SF drive to Yosemite, Mono Lake, and then down the back side of the Sierras is really pretty.

Do you have any part of the plans set yet or are you still trying to figure out what works best?

[Reyno]

From Yosemite, you might want to drive a little farther south to King's Canyon and Sequoia National Park. Enjoy your trip!!!

[coreypolis]

in between san fran to LA is santa barbara. Its a great little tourist town right on the water, amazing scenery. LA has a ton of great spots too. Or you could go the opposite way and go to oregon along the coast

[crn3371]

Coast highway, between Monterey, and San Luis Obispo, has some spectacular scenery. The Big Sur area is especially nice. The scenic drive in Carmel has some really nice views, and the Point Lobos marine preserve has some really nice coastal views.

[peatoire]

Great, many thanks, (and thanks for the link Citizen) I'll keep an eye out for all these places.
Trip goes like this:
Fly into San Fran then drive to Yosemite: double back a little to the coast then drive south, this is the bit we're leaving free to go where we want.
Then plan a route up to vegas probably from around LA I would say.
I know driving back west from Yosemite isn't ideal but we prefer to drove south and end up in Vegas with a 'bang' :-)
How's it sound?

[primoz]

We went opposite way last summer. So if I turn our trip around to fit your trip, it would be SF to Yosemite, then over Tioga pass down to Mono lake (another few kilometers north is Bodie which is interesting place to see), and then from there down south to Death Valley. Death valley is a little bit hot in middle of July :twisted: but still great place to see. And from Death Valley you have few hours drive to Vegas. All this goes in middle of nowhere so there's little chance to spend money (except for Yosemite) so you have chance to still bring money to Vegas :D

[peatoire]

That was our initial plan but with us flying in to San Francisco and wanting to end in Vegas we need to drive south down the coast which means driving NE to Vegas. A shame as I would have loved to drive Yosemite~Death Valley~Vegas.
We should still be able to fit in Joshua Tree National Park though.

[primoz]

Oh ok I was thinking you will be flying back from SF too. Then of course my suggestion is out of question :)

[sdommin]

You'll probably want to spend an extra day or two in Yosemite (that place tends to grow on you and call you back!). After that I would drive down the coast (Route 1), but don't go as far as LA - you'll be wasting your precious time. Cut over through the Mojave Desert, through Vegas up to Zion NP in Utah, then drive over to the Grand Canyon. By then you'll only have a day or two left. Spend as little time in Vegas as possible (you'll want to see the lights at night, but that's about it), unless you like to gamble, then you should STILL spend as little time as possible in Vegas!

[peatoire]

Cheers Scott, sounds like a plan.

[Az2Africa]

The Grand Canyon, man !! The Grand Canyon ! Wait, I'm in Arizona. Maybe I'm biased.

[Sledhed]

Go see the Grand Canyon. The wife and I went to Vegas last year and took a flight seeing tour from Las Vegas to the Canyon. Once we got to the Canyon we took a helicopter to the bottom and then a boat ride on the Colorado River and had lunch with the Hualapai Indians. This was the hightlight of our trip to Vegas.

http://www.airvegas.com/

[peatoire]

Yup, that's what we're planning too. Helicopter picks us up from Vegas straight to the Canyon and down to the river for lunch. Man this is going to be a hell of a trip, I can't wait.

[sdommin]

If you're staying in Vegas, you can make day trips to/from Zion, Grand Canyon, and Death Valley (one park per day, of course - and they are VERY long days!).

[peatoire]

Yes, staying at the Wynn for 4 nights. Grand Canyon will be a full day. Zion sounds interesting, it wasn't on the list but looks beautiful.

[ba15ck]

if you want to see a city-- I would suggest to go as far south as LA--it is not a bad drive from there to Vegas--I do it all the time--cutting accross the desert is very boring--and hot--something you need to worry about is your car--rental or otherwise--unless it is a honda--overheating can become an issue--driving fro 6 hours in 110 heat with the AC on tends to take it tole on a car--beware of gas prices out here to--they are just absolutely rediculous right now.

[peatoire]

We might just do that, I'd love to see LA, have to say it's the only place that you seem to get mixed reviews from a tourist point of view. I was thinking of hiring a dodge durango which I think will be a guzzler but being a Limey I'm used to paying around $6.50 a gallon. :-(

[ba15ck]

We might just do that, I'd love to see LA, have to say it's the only place that you seem to get mixed reviews from a tourist point of view. I was thinking of hiring a dodge durango which I think will be a guzzler but being a Limey I'm used to paying around $6.50 a gallon. :-(

Well then you will be delighted with the price of our gas.

Mixed reviews because it is not a tourist city. What I mean by that is...it is spread out--all of the sights all require a drive, and although they may only be a couple of miles apart, they can take you 20min-1 hour to get to because of the traffic. if you do decide to come this far down--pic a couple of stops to hit up rather trying to catch the whole city.

I would suggest going to santa monica--very cool and comfortable place and plenty to see. 3rd street promenade is cool, and venice beach is a must see (on the weekend it is in full effect--but still cool during the week). From there you would be able to checkout some of beverly hills if that suits your fancy--or instead of you could go to downtown, but doing all three of those places when you don't know your way around can be stretching it.

The Hollywood area is of course a cool place to check out--Hollywood BLVD, Sunset, Melrose.

If Iwere doing it (or rather when I take people into LA who are from out of town) I take them to Hollywood, Santa Monica/Venice Beach and if we have time go to downtown.

[peatoire]

That's really great info. many thanks.