Community Forums

Arial · 08-04-2017, 09:47 AM

Hello all,

We have just joined this community as we are considering an RV trip (renting a C25) to the West Coast, flying into SF from Europe, and would like some 'expert' advice.
We would d be travelling for 12 days with our children, at the end of March.
Our idea for this trip is a mixture of sightseeing of cities (main landmarks only), and wildlife. We visited San Francisco before, and are well aware of the fact that we should pick up the RV when we are ready to leave the city. Our idea would be:

Day 1: arrival and check in a hotel (pre-booked)
Day 2 : Alcatraz - and early dinner in Fishermans Wharf
Day 3: walk across the Golden gate, RV Pick up, grocery shopping,
dinner in Sausalito (provided we can find suitable place to park, and head towards Yosemite. Night in the park
Day 4: Hike in Yosemite . Night in the park
Day 5: drive to Las Vegas - not sure where we could park for the night?
Day 6: drive to Grand Canyon park - spend 2 nights We would like to see Monument Valley, Zion and Bryce park
Day 8: drive to LA: park in Santa Monica. Spend 1 night in a campsite out of town. Could amyone advise here?
Day 9: visit universal studios - night out of town
Day 10 drive back to SFO via coastal route, stopping half way through and
spend the night - suggestions on where would be much appreciated
Day 11 second part of journey back, stop for the night.
Day 12 RV drop off at lunchtime and fly back in the evening.

Too ambitious? Nothing in this itinerary is set in stone, even the flights can be changed and the trip start from LA instead. We could even opt for car instead of RV hire; we have traveled on an RV before, and the kids loved it so we thought it might be a fun way for them to approach this trip, and for us a way to stay away from crowded restaurants.
We are not sure how cost-effective it would be as opposed to hiring a fully-equipped 7-seater and staying in motels and lodges in the parks.
We would certainly appreciate advice on the cost, the feasibility of this trip, and on alternative itineraries.
Thank you in advance!

Bob_C · 08-04-2017, 09:57 AM

Circus Circus has a RV campground in Vegas....bit of a walk across Golden Gate bridge....an suv might work also, seeing how far you'll be travel'n ....speed limit being what they are

BobGed · 08-04-2017, 10:56 AM

Day 3 might be a little to ambious. Where are you picking up the RV? It's over 200 miles from the Bay Area to Yosemite, and you're going to have commuter traffic to deal with getting out of the Bay Area.

Also days 6-8 might be a bit aggressive. For example it is over 500 miles from Bryce Canyon to the LA area.

The list of places you want to visit is great, but I'm not sure you're going to have much sight seeing opportunities with such an aggressive schedule.

However whatever you decide I hope you and your family have a great time.

dons2346 · 08-04-2017, 11:07 AM

You have forgot about the snow factor in March. Some of the areas you want to go to could be covered in snow along with the roads

BobGed · 08-04-2017, 11:14 AM

I missed the part about the trip being scheduled for the end of March.

I agree with Don 100%.

coupevilleDF · 08-04-2017, 02:19 PM

I agree with the others. Too little time, too much to see. You don't enough time between days 6 and 8 to see Grand Canyon and Bryce and Zion. We had snow at Bryce when we visited the first week of May a few years ago. The elevations at all those parks are pretty high.

Also be aware that the coast highway (1) was closed due to a serious rock slide the last I knew. I don't know when it is scheduled to reopen.

I don't know about accessing Yosemite that time ofvyezr but for the time you have, I would stay West of the mountains spending more time in San Francisco, seeing the parts of the coast highway that you can access, and spending time in LA at Disneyland, Universal Studios and some of the other family attractions. You might also consider Sea World in as an Diego.