Family holiday to the states

[zixaq]

All the biggest Sequoia groves are south of Yosemite, so basically pick any one (or more) along the way:

https://www.google.com/maps/search/sequoia+groves/@36.6818065,-118.9329999,9.5z

The biggest are in the General Sherman grove, iirc. Wikipedia will know.

If you're in the area and you also like OLD trees, you can visit the Methuselah Grove where several of the oldest known organisms still live (bristlecone pines). It's a bit east of Bishop.

 

[Cloggy]

Does this look like a good route to Las Vegas?

Route San Francisco to Las Vegas.

 

[Motogiro]

Does this look like a good route to Las Vegas?

Route San Francisco to Las Vegas.

Looks pretty good to me as you'll be hitting some nice park areas along the the way.
To give an idea of how large some of those trees are in Sequoia Nat'l Park, look at the tree in the attached picture. Can you find Lisa? Lol!

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Helicopter ride out of Vegas to the Grand Canyon is the best, but very pricey but well worth it in my opinion. Depending on which tour package you purchase, it can even include the Skywalk, or have a champagne lunch at the bottom of the canyon or even take a short boat ride up and down the river. Jules (Aussijules) did it when he took his honeymoon out in Vegas. Or you can drive out to the Skywalk and even take a short hop down to the bottom on the helicopter. It's about a 2.5 hour driver from Vegas or a 45 minute helicopter ride each way. I'll let you ride my Multi if you come to Reno

https://www.sundancehelicopters.com...5Es7DcBv08BV7fO1d6e2mSI7SWNS2ufxoCX6MQAvD_BwE

 

[Red Wazp]

Stop for a few minutes at Father Crowley overlook off 190 in Death Valley (it will be on your left) and also if time allows go through Artists Drive and Dantes View. If time is short just do Artist Drive, it's worth it.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Art...80c71e6785b673ff:0xa94a69f36db606a5!3e0?hl=en

 

[Cloggy]

Looks pretty good to me as you'll be hitting some nice park areas along the the way.
To give an idea of how large some of those trees are in Sequoia Nat'l Park, look at the tree in the attached picture. Can you find Lisa? Lol!

Thanks for the info, we would love to see the big trees, unfortunately some of the routes are shut off for winter but I believe the route we will be taking takes us past some of the biggest trees

Helicopter ride out of Vegas to the Grand Canyon is the best, but very pricey but well worth it in my opinion. Depending on which tour package you purchase, it can even include the Skywalk, or have a champagne lunch at the bottom of the canyon or even take a short boat ride up and down the river. Jules (Aussijules) did it when he took his honeymoon out in Vegas. Or you can drive out to the Skywalk and even take a short hop down to the bottom on the helicopter. It's about a 2.5 hour driver from Vegas or a 45 minute helicopter ride each way. I'll let you ride my Multi if you come to Reno

https://www.sundancehelicopters.com...5Es7DcBv08BV7fO1d6e2mSI7SWNS2ufxoCX6MQAvD_BwE

Thanks for the tips, it looks like we will be staying in Vegas for 3 nights, but will be using it as a base for the skywalk aswell. The helicopter ride looks amazing, but we will be with 4 of us and it would really put up our budget for the holiday, although we are thinking about doing one of the cheaper flights from the grand canyon viewing area's, but I still have to look into this.

I'll let you ride my Multi if you come to Reno

Thanks for the offer it almost makes it worth it, but unfortunately I would need another week if I did

Stop for a few minutes at Father Crowley overlook off 190 in Death Valley (it will be on your left) and also if time allows go through Artists Drive and Dantes View. If time is short just do Artist Drive, it's worth it.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Art...80c71e6785b673ff:0xa94a69f36db606a5!3e0?hl=en

I must admit I wasn't really fussed about death valley but the girls seemed to think it was worth it (mainly with it being well known), but looking at the pics this looks great. thanks for the info.

 

[Red Wazp]

Death Valley is worth the time to go through the park. I was just there a week ago and last fall with dirt bikes for the back country. One of my favorite places on the planet -just not in the summer when it is as hot as your oven. I forgot to mention a real quick place to visit is Mosaic Canyon next to Stovepipe Wells. It would take less than an hour to walk (a very short walk) into the Canyon and back in the car. Look at pictures on the net, very cool place that you would all enjoy. That and Artist Drive are easy to see, skip Dante's view unless you have and extra hour and a half.

One thing to remember, the distances in the western US are much farther than they appear on a map so allow extra travel times than what google maps says.

 

[Motogiro]

Keys Point/View is a great experience even after dark. You get there through Joshua Tree Monument Park [MENTION=9318]Jblk9695[/MENTION] (Jerry) and I did a ride to the park a few years ago.

https://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/keysview.htm

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Where are you staying in Vegas and when exactly are you going to be there? March is a very busy month for that city. That city has change sooooo much in just 4-5 years and not all for the better. Most of the major strip resorts charge for parking, use to be free. A city where you could find bargains, now it's getting very expensive to visit. That's why I love living in Reno. Thought I would miss Vegas but I don't.

The light show that was mentioned is called the Freemont Experience, it's located downtown. It's free and runs every hour. Each hour is different so stick around to view at least 2. Lot of things to do that are still free. Such as viewing the Bellagio Fountains, best to view at night. Make sure you go inside the Bellagio too and view the conservatory, hopefully it's decked up with the local season and not in between. If you have never been to Venice, go inside the Venetian and see the canals. The most popular Harley Davidson Dealership is also on the strip, just south of the Mandala Bay, pretty much right across the street from the iconic "Welcome to Las Vegas Sign" and Vegas is very teenager friendly, they will not be bored. Warning, the resorts are enormous in size, looking at them from a distance appears to be close by, but they are not. Make sure you some you have good walking shoes on for the strip.

 

[Cloggy]

Where are you staying in Vegas and when exactly are you going to be there? March is a very busy month for that city.

We'll be arriving Thu 26 April, and staying for 3 nights, will be staying 200 meters from the strip.

That city has change sooooo much in just 4-5 years and not all for the better. Most of the major strip resorts charge for parking, use to be free. A city where you could find bargains, now it's getting very expensive to visit. That's why I love living in Reno. Thought I would miss Vegas but I don't.

The light show that was mentioned is called the Freemont Experience, it's located downtown. It's free and runs every hour. Each hour is different so stick around to view at least 2. Lot of things to do that are still free. Such as viewing the Bellagio Fountains, best to view at night. Make sure you go inside the Bellagio too and view the conservatory, hopefully it's decked up with the local season and not in between. If you have never been to Venice, go inside the Venetian and see the canals. The most popular Harley Davidson Dealership is also on the strip, just south of the Mandala Bay, pretty much right across the street from the iconic "Welcome to Las Vegas Sign" and Vegas is very teenager friendly, they will not be bored. Warning, the resorts are enormous in size, looking at them from a distance appears to be close by, but they are not. Make sure you some you have good walking shoes on for the strip.

Great info thanks, we will definately be watching the freemond Experience, and visiting a few of the larger casinos. A pic by the sign is a must as well

 

[Cloggy]

This is the planning of our great American road trip :

Day ........................Morning .........activities........... Evening
Day1..............San Francisco..............SF............................SF
Day2..............San Francisco..............SF............................SF
Day3..............San Francisco..............SF..................Near Yosemite
Day4.............Near Yosemite.......YosemiteNP.............Squaw valley
Day5...............Squaw valley........Sequoia NP ..............Bakersfield
Day6................Bakersfield.........Deathvalley................Las Vegas
Day7................Las Vegas.....LV, Hoover Dam.............Las Vegas
Day 8...............Las Vegas.....G.Canyon Sky walk etc..Las Vegas
Day9................Las Vegas.......Zion Park .....................Page
Day10..............Page...........Grand canyon Village.......Sedona
Day11..............Sedona.....Montezumas castle/Lake..Joshua tree
Day12..............Joshua tree..Joshua tree NP................Los Angeles
Day13...............LA................LA....................................LA
Day14...............LA.........Beverly Hills walk of fame ......Flight home

hotels/motels are booked upto and including Las Vegas (still working out exact route.)

Route San Francisco to Las Vegas.

This is route from Las Vegas to Montezumas castle

I'm really looking forward to it, and thanks for all the info

 

[Cloggy]

Looking at the prices of the national parks I think I'll be better off with an America the beautiful pass for many of the national parks, can anyone tell me if this will speed up entrance to the parks or do you just wait in line with everybody else?

I really hope that the government shut down doesn't happen again while we're on holiday, that would be a real PITA.

 

[Fawlty]

I really hope that the government shut down doesn't happen again while we're on holiday, that would be a real PITA.

I wouldn't worry too much about that. A similar thing happened under Obama in 2013. Political games that happen from time to time and thankfully not on a regular basis. We had the same worries prior to our trip to Yellowstone in the fall of 2013. Turned out to be a short lived episode, like this one, and we had no problems. Highly unlikely to be a repeat when you are there. Hope you enjoy the trip. I know you will!

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

You'll be fine... The democrats (with NO platform) played Russian roulette with President Trump and lost...

They won't pull that stunt again anytime soon...

 

[SirLanceralot]

This is the planning of our great American road trip :

Day ........................Morning .........activities........... Evening
Day1..............San Francisco..............SF............................SF
Day2..............San Francisco..............SF............................SF
Day3..............San Francisco..............SF..................Near Yosemite
Day4.............Near Yosemite.......YosemiteNP.............Squaw valley
Day5...............Squaw valley........Sequoia NP ..............Bakersfield
Day6................Bakersfield.........Deathvalley................Las Vegas
Day7................Las Vegas.....LV, Hoover Dam.............Las Vegas
Day 8...............Las Vegas.....G.Canyon Sky walk etc..Las Vegas
Day9................Las Vegas.......Zion Park .....................Page
Day10..............Page...........Grand canyon Village.......Sedona
Day11..............Sedona.....Montezumas castle/Lake..Joshua tree
Day12..............Joshua tree..Joshua tree NP................Los Angeles
Day13...............LA................LA....................................LA
Day14...............LA.........Beverly Hills walk of fame ......Flight home

hotels/motels are booked upto and including Las Vegas (still working out exact route.)

Route San Francisco to Las Vegas.

This is route from Las Vegas to Montezumas castle

I'm really looking forward to it, and thanks for all the info

Awesome, looks like a fun trip! You'll pass about 3 minutes from my house on the way to Zion, haha! I live in Washington, Utah.

 

[Red Wazp]

Good call on the park pass, won't get you through the line (if there is one) any faster. Won't need it for Death Valley, they pulled out the gate stations years ago.

Don't forget the sunscreen and lip gloss any other moisturizing cream the ladies like to use. The desert air dries you real fast when it's warm..

 

[Mide24]

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet, but you have to be 21 to gamble here in Vegas. People under 21 are allowed inside the casinos but not on the gaming floor or at the machines.
If you have any extra time, I suggest a show, blue man group for example is Amazing. If you're here and need any help, hit me up, not far from the strip and I believe I still understand some Holländisch.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Bakersfield Ca, just keep on driving! But there a lot of options there for lodging.

 

[Cloggy]

I wouldn't worry too much about that. A similar thing happened under Obama in 2013. Political games that happen from time to time and thankfully not on a regular basis. We had the same worries prior to our trip to Yellowstone in the fall of 2013. Turned out to be a short lived episode, like this one, and we had no problems. Highly unlikely to be a repeat when you are there. Hope you enjoy the trip. I know you will!

You'll be fine... The democrats (with NO platform) played Russian roulette with President Trump and lost...

They won't pull that stunt again anytime soon...

Thanks guys good to know, it's just with so many naional parks it would really mess up our trip otherwise.

Awesome, looks like a fun trip! You'll pass about 3 minutes from my house on the way to Zion, haha! I live in Washington, Utah.

I'll give you a wave, any extra tips on Zion park are welcome .

Good call on the park pass, won't get you through the line (if there is one) any faster. Won't need it for Death Valley, they pulled out the gate stations years ago.

Don't forget the sunscreen and lip gloss any other moisturizing cream the ladies like to use. The desert air dries you real fast when it's warm..

Thanks for the tip, good to know we don't have to queue BTW my whole family are very very fair skinned so we'll be wearing lots of sun cream and that tends to help

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet, but you have to be 21 to gamble here in Vegas. People under 21 are allowed inside the casinos but not on the gaming floor or at the machines.
If you have any extra time, I suggest a show, blue man group for example is Amazing. If you're here and need any help, hit me up, not far from the strip and I believe I still understand some Holländisch. ��

Thanks that's great I'll get in touch before we go, don't know about the show as I think there is enough to do in the few days/nights we're in vegas and especially not knowing how late we'll be getting back from the day trips. Just curious how do you know Dutch?

Bakersfield Ca, just keep on driving! But there a lot of options there for lodging.

That's exactly what we're using it for (cheap accomodation booked), would definately have skipped it if we could have cut across the mountains toward death valley.

Thanks for the info guys :thumbup:

 

[SirLanceralot]

I'll give you a wave, any extra tips on Zion park are welcome.

Weather in April here in southern Utah is spotty, so it may be on the colder side, may be up to 90s, just depends. I'd recommend checking the weather a couple days before your trip to see if you need to pack a little warmer clothes like pants, or raincoats if it may rain, to avoid buying overpriced clothes last minute at the local gift shop, haha. If it is looking like it will be warmer weather, some shorts you don't mind getting wet, and some water shoes (or an extra pair of shoes you can get wet would be great to bring if you plan on going on the narrows trail that goes through the water (definitely recommended if it's not going to be cold outside).