America of America are on my journey schedule every year. As with most long-haul journey I add per week of leisure to a enterprise journey. This “bleisure” journey is my lifestyle. My journey this yr was not completely different and my daughter joined me on a 14-day west coast street journey beginning in Los Angeles. On this article I present you my itinerary on the west coast. I visited Yosemite Nationwide Park, Demise Valley Nationwide Park, Zion Nationwide Park, Grand Canyon Nationwide Park and Las Vegas. I stayed a couple of days in Los Angeles too, however that was primarily for the enterprise a part of the journey. Get pleasure from this street journey with me.
Making ready a west coast street journey
Let’s begin with a couple of sensible ideas for a west coast street journey within the USA. All about baggage substitute, all-inclusive vehicles and journey distances within the USA.
USA Visa / ESTA
If you don’t maintain a United States passport you most likely want a visa or apply for an ESTA underneath the Visa Waiver Program. At this time 38 nations take part together with the Netherlands the place I’m based mostly. Getting an ESTA could be completed simply on-line so apply to your ESTA now instantly on-line. E-Visums processes each utility very fast and controls the information. They’re quick, simple to make use of and dependable and I usually use E-Visums to use for e-visa all over the world. If you’re not a part of the 38 nations underneath the Visa Waiver Program, then please seek the advice of your native US embassy for an everyday visa.
Automobile rental within the USA
I’m very demanding if it involves vehicles. A west coast street journey within the USA wouldn’t be a street journey with out an enormous SUV. I favor to guide an all-inclusive automobile that means that I’m positive I don’t have any shock prices. Sunny Vehicles presents this. They take over any further insurances, personal threat charge, tire & glass injury and their helpdesk is there 24 hours a day to help. All-inclusive is one factor however I additionally need a finest value. Take into accout whereas evaluating costs that their costs are all-inclusive; so no 10-20 greenback charge a day further for doable further insurances. Their service is one of the best and I must share this with you.
Throughout the journey I had 2(!!) flat tires considered one of which in Demise Valley. I didn’t use the roadside help as I can change the flat tire in simply 20 minutes 🙂 This protects time. No substitute SUV was accessible close by so the primary time a substitute automobile was pushed in a single day to my resort so I may proceed with the brand new automobile subsequent day. Two days later it was the identical drawback: no SUV accessible to make a fast change on brief discover. I used to be supplied a pleasant muscle automobile, which was really a better class. I accepted this automobile as this may be good for my Las Vegas go to plus the truth that my daughter just like the automobile too as you may see within the image beneath. Altogether I’m very constructive with the service of Sunny Vehicles and looking out ahead to make use of them once more.
Take into accout when planning!
One factor I do know from expertise is that distances are far within the USA. If the navigator says 5 hours, it will likely be 5 hours or much more for those who make some stops. I at all times take sufficient drinks, a lightweight lunch and snacks in order that I don’t unfastened time in the course of the journey. I at all times purchase this initially of a street journey and simply go away it within the automobile. Throughout busy summer season months the parks I visited can get crowded and a few would possibly ban vehicles so you need to park and take shuttles. Plan in a bit of additional time. When you go to a number of nationwide parks ensure to purchase the nationwide park move to economize. It’s legitimate for a yr for all parks and can prevent cash. Now, lets begin with a daily itinerary.
West Coast Day 1 & 2 – Arrival to Los Angeles; to Merced
Really day one was not day one for me. I already spend three days in Los Angeles for enterprise. This time I didn’t go to Los Angeles itself as I’ve been there earlier than. When you plan a couple of days in Los Angeles earlier than this 14 days’ west coast street journey, then learn my tips about issues to do in Los Angeles for a primary timer. I drove to Merced the primary day after my enterprise. The Vacation Inn Categorical Merced was my residence for 3 nights and my gateway to Yosemite Nationwide Park.
In case you keep longer in Los Angeles see a (very brief) story I wrote 7 years again with some choices on what to do:
USA – Los Angeles and the wealthy and well-known
West Coast Day 3 & 4 – Yosemite Nationwide Park
Yosemite Nationwide Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Website and presents a singular panorama. Its panorama was shaped by glaciers many million years in the past. You possibly can see granite peaks, rock formations, waterfalls, pine forests and wildlife. Until you wish to make full day hikes I like to recommend visiting it for 2 days. The primary day go to Glacier Level and the varied locations in Yosemite Valley. The second day I like to recommend to drive the Tioga Highway in direction of Mono Lake (not a part of Yosemite Nationwide Park) which has some distinctive crystal formations. I drove each days from the Vacation Inn Categorical Merced to the Yosemite Nationwide Park. The world has actually distinctive nature and an ideal place with superb views.
Learn all about these dasy within the detailed day articles:
USA – Yosemite to Mono Lake: The perfect stops on Tioga Move Highway
USA – The perfect Yosemite itinerary for first time guests (1 or 2 days)
West Coast Day 5 – To Pahrump and a little bit of Demise Valley
At this time the primary a part of the journey was an extended journey within the automobile from Merced to the doorway of Demise Valley at Panamint Springs. This a part of the west coast street journey may be very nice with good views for those who take the street from Bakersfield to Lake Isabella. I handed Sequoia Nationwide Park which is a spot I wish to go to one other time. When you have a day additional this can be a excellent spot so as to add a further cease. The concept was to go to a couple of locations in Demise Valley however I ended up seeing solely two.
A flat tire made me drive slowly on the spare to Pahrump. I did handle to drive a couple of kilometers on Saline Valley Alt Highway. You possibly can see there many Joshua Timber. Drive till the street splits and take the smaller street left for a couple of lots of of meters for one of the best views. Additional down the street you want a 4×4 off-road automobile. Additional down freeway 190 which runs via Demise Valley you see a parking zone for some good views. It’s the place that I had the flat tire and I drove direct to Pahrump after. The concept was to drive down the Outdated Toll Highway, go to the Charcoal Kills, see Mosaic Canyon and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes this present day too. Besides the Outdated Toll Highway, I managed to go to them on day 7 as an alternative. They have been nevertheless on the way in which this present day which might have been rather more environment friendly. I arrived late night on the Vacation Inn Categorical Pahrump which is a superb start line to go to Demise Valley.
West Coast Day 6 – Demise Valley off-road
All locations on this USA west coast itinerary could be visited by an everyday SUV or perhaps a regular sedan aside from the 2 locations on this present day I like to recommend a 4×4. I first drove to the ghost city known as Rhyolite. It’s an previous mining city. From there I drove via the Titus Canyon which has magnificient views. The street goes steep up and down and I didn’t see anybody else there in any respect (on this canyon a 4×4 is a should).
I continued north in direction of Race Observe Playa with a small cease at an extinct volcano on the way in which. Race Observe Playa is the ground of an historic lake and it has shifting rocks. Rocks transfer over the sand when it’s moist leaving a observe, therefore the identify. You can drive to Race Observe Playa with an SUV and good tires, however most rental firms solely have common tires and so they do get flat rapidly. Today I drove a 4×4 with heavy obligation tires which made the drive rather more nice and enjoyable.
Learn all about this present day within the detailed day article:
USA – Driving off street within the Demise Valley: Titus Canyon & Racetrack Playa
West Coast Day 7 – Demise Valley once more; to Springdale
The concept was to solely make a small circle via Demise Valley and arrive in Springdale, Zion Nationwide Park, for dinner. Nonetheless, I wanted to go to the locations I missed on day 5 first (see above) and a second flat tire plus an hour time distinction made me arrive at 1 AM. Early morning, I departed from the Vacation Inn Categorical Pahrump in direction of Furnace Creek to drive the brief however stunning 20 Mule Staff Highway and to make a cease at Zabriskie Level. I continued to the missed objects of the day gone by. This was a 3-hour detour; I did velocity.
Again in Furnace Creek I ended on the Borax Works and drove the small Mustard Canyon Drive earlier than I lastly began on Badwater Highway. Right here I drove the Artist Drive Loop which is nicely value a go to and stopped on the Devils Golf Course. A tremendous surrealistic view. I continued on Badwater Highway and exited Demise Valley over that street again to Pahrump. It was already 6PM and I nonetheless needed to drive to Springdale. Simply 10 kilometers earlier than my resort in Springdale I bought the second flat tire. The nice factor was the following day I didn’t want the automobile so it could possibly be exchanged in the course of the day.
West Coast Day 8 – Full day Zion Nationwide Park
I visited solely the Zion Canyon, probably the most well-known a part of the Zion Nationwide Park, throughout this journey. The precise Zion Nationwide Park is greater however that is probably the most stunning place. In a day it’s doable to see most issues however the few day hikes you can’t do in fact. I went as much as the Emerald Swimming pools together with the highest one. If you return ensure in some unspecified time in the future you are taking a left flip to take one other means again down. The views are superb. From there go to The Narrows on the finish of the street on the Temple of Sinawava. Right here the canyon will get smaller and smaller till there may be solely river left and you need to stroll via the river. Be certain that to do that on the finish of the day as you don’t wish to stroll all day on moist footwear.
Learn all about this present day within the detailed day article:
USA – Zion Nationwide Park day journey: The should see locations and should do hikes
West Coast Day 9 – Springdale to Grand Canyon
The drive from Springdale to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon was one of many longer ones on this USA west coast street journey itinerary. I ended first for a brief hike in Zion Nationwide Park. This hike known as Canyon Overlook Hike is simply behind the tunnels you’ll drive via. It offers a stupendous view in direction of the doorway of the Zion Canyon. A number of kilometers down the street you will see the Mesa Checkboard (2 pictures above). It’s a big hill with traces and carvings making it seem like a chess board.
From this level onwards it’s an extended drive via a stupendous altering panorama. I counsel to drive via Jacob Lake and cross the dual bridges however simply earlier than head to Lees Ferry touchdown to see the Colorado River up shut. I may have pushed instantly in direction of the Grand Canyon now however I made a decision to make a 20-kilometer detour to see the Horseshoe Bend. It’s an impressive view as you may see within the image beneath. This detour did make me arrive late night time to my resort, the Vacation Inn Categorical Grand Canyon. It was nevertheless nicely value it.
Learn all about this present day within the detailed day article:
USA – The perfect route from Zion Nationwide Park to the Grand Canyon South Rim
West Coast Day 10 – Hike into the Grand Canyon
A go to to the Grand Canyon ought to embrace a day hike into the canyon. It’s not suggested to make a hike all the way in which to the underside and up on a day however it’s doable to hike midway and again. The perfect path to hike is the South Kaibab Path as much as Skeleton Level. This path offers an enormous number of views plus at Skeleton Level you may see the primary glimpse of the Colorado River. The hike will take between 4 and 6 hours relying how fast you stroll. As my daughter of 11 joined me on the hike I didn’t rush it. It was an unforgettable hike which included a lot of high quality time with my daughter. I did the same hike on the Tiger Leaping Gorge in China with my son two years again.
Learn all about this present day within the detailed day article:
USA – Grand Canyon day hike: South Kaibab Path to Skeleton Level
West Coast Day 11 – Finest views of Grand Canyon south rim; to Las Vegas
To get a great impression of the Grand Canyon one wants to go to a number of viewpoints. There are a number of in direction of Hermits Level and in direction of Desert View level. In the direction of Hermits Level I walked the primary 5 or 6 viewpoints over the rim path. From there I took the shuttle bus to every of the following factors till the tip as a result of the space between the factors was fairly far and I didn’t have time to stroll all the way in which. After lunch I continued to cease at a couple of factors in direction of Desert View Level and the watch tower. The watch tower is value a cease for positive. It was already later afternoon after I began my journey to Las Vegas the place I arrived late night. The final cease of this west coast street journey.
West Coast Day 12 – Full day Las Vegas
Las Vegas: you prefer it otherwise you hate it. I favored it for a day however was additionally completely satisfied to go away. As I travelled with my daughter I wasn’t in a position to enter all over the place and even sit on the terrace of a microbrewery. I visited Fairmont Road to do the zip line. Walked the strip to see the fountains and all of the unbelievable structure. I completed the day on the rooftop of a parking zone, no not a hangover 🙂 however to look at the sundown. This was nicely value it as you may see within the following picture.
Learn all about this Las Vegas day within the element day journey report:
USA – High 5 issues it’s essential to do in Las Vegas if in case you have a day
West Coast Day 13 & 14 – A bit extra Las Vegas and again to Los Angeles
Early morning, I had a scrumptious in room breakfast with my daughter on the Intercontinental Venetian Las Vegas. I then walked along with her to the M&M Retailer which she thought was heaven. After she completed chosing all the colours she needed I paid for the kilo of M&M’s. At this time I drove again to Los Angeles from the place the return flight to Amsterdam departed early morning subsequent day.
The 2 weeks west coast street journey got here to an finish. I hope this itinerary helps you intend your west coast street journey within the USA. When you’re extra into metropolis journeys try my USA metropolis journey itinerary for two weeks. It was an exquisite journey with my daughter. I hope to make one other one along with her quickly. The place? I don’t know but however the future will inform.
Keep tuned for extra tales and subscribe to the e-newsletter or observe CTB on social media (Fb, Twitter, Instagram together with Instagram tales; on all social media you will discover CTB @christravelblog) to get up to date data.
Did you go to West Coast of the USA too or do you will have questions? Please go away a remark on the backside of the web page. Love to listen to from you!
