One of the finest road trips there is runs from San Francisco via Nevada and Arizona to Los Angeles - as well as some of the most interesting cities there are (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, Sacramento) the landscape is to die for (Death Valley, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Mojave desert, Yosemite). If you are looking for that holiday of a lifetime, you can't do much better than hire a car in San Francisco and plan a route down the coast. The views are spectacular on the drive down to Los Angeles and there is plenty to keep you occupied - just be prepared to stop on every corner! Here's our guide to a round trip drive from San Francisco.
If you are city people you could begin with a stay in San Francisco for some laid back hippy vibes. More laid back than New York, more real than LA, it’s a great introduction to Californication. Cross the red, red Golden Gate bridge, wander the streets (a big no no in your last port of call) or take a cable car up the hills and absorb the vibes this city has to offer. Great food, fantastic nightlife and amazing views. If you feel more like beginning your holiday in relaxed style, hire a car and set off from the airport, in an hour or so you'll hit Carmel and Monterey - a beautiful place to spend your first night.
On your way down the coast you'll pass through San Simeon, home to the well worth a visit Hearst Castle where you can soak up the old lifestyle of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, and Santa Barbara - either place is worth an overnight stop depending on how much time you have.
From Santa Barbara head down to Los Angeles. The second largest city in the US and one of the brashest. Its Mediterranean climate makes it extremely popular in summer, particularly along the coastline where you’ll find toned, tanned rollerskaters and oiled up muscle men. Give your credit card a workout instead and hit the shops.
From Los Angeles you can choose to carry on South down to the wonderful San Diego or head across to Nevada (via the oppulent Palm Springs) and Las Vegas! On this guide we're going to Nevada!
Since you're driving this way, why not stop off for a night in Palm Springs - if only for the scorching hot weather, which may well be a change from the coolness of the coast. There are plenty of golf and country clubs offering one night specials in Palm Springs (depending on season) so you could stay in luxurious accommodation. Take a drive through downtown and soak up the highlife.
From Palm Springs drive to Nevada and visit the Hoover Dam as you cross the state line, now on to Las Vegas and a completely different couple of days. Slap bang in the middle of the Mojave desert. Take a limousine down ‘The Strip’, take in a show or spend some money (if you dare). There’s also plenty of shopping malls should gambling not be your scene. If you've never seen the Grand Canyon, it's close enough for a day trip (or a nights stay) if you drive or if you're feeling really brave you can book flights over the Canyon from Las Vegas!
Depending on the time you have at your disposal, you could head into Arizona. Arizona is synonymous for its arid desert landscape, extremely hot summers and mild winters. The Grand Canyon is Arizona’s most famous feature here. The Grand Canyon is a steep gorge created by the Colorado River over a 17 million year time span. Monument Valley near the Grand Canyon is in Northern Arizona and is a spectacular drive. It lies within the Navajo National Reservation and holds great cultural significance for the tribal Navajo people who live there. The valley floor is largely red sand or siltstone with huge tall ‘totem poles’ of rock creating a magnificent skyscape. For both the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, the best way to view is either on foot, or horseback, or if money is no object, by hot air balloon early morning.
For the purposes of this guide though, we're just doing a day trip to the Grand Canyon so on we go...
To Death Valley. The extremity of this region needs no explanation – it’s in the name. Hot, dry and dusty. It holds the world record for the hottest temperature in the Western hemisphere at a staggering 56.7 degrees Celsius. Don’t forget that temperatures also drop to below freezing in the night too so take a jumper. Death Valley holds many interesting natural features including salt pans although it’s the wide flat expanse of cracked dry land that appeals to most.
Head onto Yosemite National Park - note that some of the passes across the Sierra Nevada Mountains you think you can take could still be closed by snow in April and May! If you have the time, it's usually guaranteed that the Lake Tahoe pass is open - and Lake Tahoe itself is well worth a visit.
Yosemite is up there as one of the experiences to have in your lifetime. Trees the size of gods, sheer rock faces of El Capitan and Half Dome and mist from the waterfalls so beautiful they’ll make you want to cry. We guarantee that you'll never forget the view from Tunnel View or Inspiration Point.
Finally San Francisco - and if you didn't stop overnight on your way out, why not finish your trip in style. San Francisco has a lot to offer, from Fishermans Wharf and Alcatraz to Golden Gate Park, it's well worth your time before you head home.
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