Forum Discussion

jfrangella's avatar
jfrangella
Explorer
May 02, 2015

9 Nights RV California

My name is Juan Frangella, from Argentina, and I m writing to get some tips for plannning a route for our 9 day RV trip beggining june 11 to june 20 in Los Angeles.

We booked a class A 34 from el momte rv for six people (adults)

It will be very helpful if you may suggest a route which includes las vegas, grand canyon, yosemite, san francisco and back to LA.

We know that it will be a tight schedule, buy your suggestions will be kindly appreciated.

Also we let you know that it will be our firts rv experience although we are all 44!

thank you very much

Juan Ignacio Frangella
  • Naio's avatar
    Naio
    Explorer II
    For San Francisaco, leave your RV in the campground and take the trains (BART and MUNI) everywhere. It is faster and easier than driving, and a great way to see the city!
  • I would suggest also to do away with yosemite and the grand canyon and visit lake tahoe if you want to gamble, Kings Canyon and Sequoia forest which is adjacent. both are nice and relaxing and not overly crowded. Carson city is a nice leisurely little town to visit and if you are not used to long miles driving it will get to you fast. We had in-laws from overseas visit and we went to visit some places and they were amazed at the distance and times involved. Told us it didn't look that far on the map! If driving a DP for the 1st time you will need to drive slower than normal also till you finally figure out how to do so safely. I drive a school bus and thats a prime reason we bought a class c, large vehicles are not necessarily fun IMO.
  • I have to agree with both the previous posts. This is way too much to see and drive, in the short amount of time you have allowed. Having just returned from Yosemite last week and the Grand Canyon last month, my suggestion would be to drop the Grand Canyon from your list. It is "Grand" in every sense of the word, however, its just a big hole in the ground! It is massive and huge and awe-inspiring, but you don't get any real idea of just how big it is, because of its enormity and the fact that you are looking down into it. That fact alone, that you are looking DOWN into it, as a human, makes everything seem somewhat lesser than it really is. Though that's just my humble opinion.

    On the other hand, being at the bottom of Yosemite Valley and looking up at those massive granite cliffs, gives the true sense of wonder and awe that you feel so small in this vast world.

    As I said, just my opinion.

    If you are still doing the Grand Canyon, take I-15 North to I-40 East almost all the way to Flagstaff then head north to the park. Come back the same way but go north on Highway 93 in Kingman to get to Las Vegas. See below for where to go after leaving Vegas.

    If you cancel the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas would still be doable, its a long HOT trip in the desert one way and back. You could always use one of the days you save skipping the Grand Canyon to stay one more in Vegas, if you want to. Hoover Dam is pretty neat if you make the time, its about 30-45 minutes from Vegas. Go early, as traffic backs up quickly at the security check point. Be warned the officers, check the ENTIRE motorhome, top to bottom front to back, inside and out, to make sure no one tries to blow up the dam.

    If you're still bent on going to Vegas, take I-15 from LA to there, then on the way back down I-15, take Highway 58 at Barstow, CA towards Bakersfield. If you want quicker, more boring drive take Highway 99 from Bakersfield to Fresno and Highway 41 into Yosemite. Another scenic route would be Highway 58 to US-395, up the eastern side of the Sierras to Highway 120 and into Yosemite. This does require a trip over Tioga Pass up to almost 10,000 ft (3,048 m) don't know if anyone in your party (or the motorhome) can handle that, though.

    From Yosemite, take highway 120 West to I-205 to I-580 straight into the Bay Area. After San Francisco, if you have time, take Highway 101 all the way back down to Los Angeles. Much nicer drive than I-5 and only an hour or two longer if you don't stop on the way.

    Places to stay? Hopefully, you've already made reservations in either Grand Canyon or Yosemite. They book up as soon as they become available inside the parks. Grand Canyon isn't as bad, there are RV parks just outside the park. Any RV parks outside Yosemite can take up to an hour to get into the valley.

    In the Bay Area, there are very few RV Parks near San Francisco, you will be driving at least 30 minutes to get there. Plus with an RV the size of yours be VERY VERY careful driving around the city. Many small, narrow streets, and some extremely STEEP hills. Best advice don't drive THROUGH the city, stay mainly on the Embarcadero near the waterfront.

    Good Luck, hope you enjoy your trip. It may be brief, but it will be fun!

    Regards,
    Tom
  • Either do the Grand Canyon or Yosemite...not both. Leave more time to enjoy one or the other or it will be too much driving!
  • Whole lot of driving with little time to visit!!!!
    1. LA to San Francisco----------7 -8 hrs driving
    2. S.F. to Yosemite ------------4 hrs
    3. Yosemite to Las Vegas-------8 hrs.
    4. Las Vegas to Grand Cannyon--4 hrs.
    5. Grand Cannyon to LA -------7 hrs
    This is approx. and driving at 65 miles per hour with minimal stops for food or rest:( So 4 of your 9 days with be just driving. Leaving you with 5 days to discover and explore and relax. Personally, I would suggest you talk about eliminating 2 choices---Yosemite and Las Vegas:( Yosemite is beautiful but it is the high time for tourist and congestion). Las Vegas is a great time for adults and fun but unless you really enjoy eating out and gambling, there is not much to see. They do have some great night club shows. If you had 18 days for your trip then I would leave all the trips in.