Road trip San Fran to LA to San Fran - any advice or recommendations??

[ninbi]

Hi there

We're optimistically planning a road trip for this summer (with full cancellation options!!), driving a RV from San Francisco down to LA along the Pacific Highway, and then back up to San Fran via Grand Canyon and Yosemite.

Has anyone done this in recent years and have any advice they could offer pl? They'll be four of us - me, husband and two teen daughters.

Any shared experiences, advice or notes about any aspect from routes, vehicles, what not to miss, budgeting, scheduling - all appreciated!!

Thanks!!

[bobbsy]

You'll have a fantastic time - I did similar about 10 years ago. In an RV perhaps you won't have too many issues, but watch for police, specifically along the pacific highway, as it was easy to speed. San Luis Obispo was a fun college town, and the country roads/mountain roads up to Lake Isabella were brilliant.

[BrandNewGuy]

Half Moon Bay and Princeton-by-the-Sea just south of San Francisco are worth stopping off at. Beautiful bay, some great restaurants and walks along the shore. Spent many happy hours in the Old Princeton Landing bar and the brilliant no-frills fish restaurant Barbara's Fishtrap.

I'd also recommend Santa Cruz for a stop ? hippyish arty vibe with some interesting galleries etc.

[ed_pete]

Did LA to SF many years ago. It was a great trip but the PCH was blocked by a landslide and we had to take a very scary diversion through the hills on some quite precipitous tracks. Three things I remember - staying in the the slightly odd town of Solvang which is historically Danish and eating at the diner featured in the film Sideways (one of my favourites), the aquarium at Monterey and cycling (with two young children) across the Golden Gate to Sausalito and ferrying back across the bay.

[Nigello]

All I would say is have as much insurance as you can afford and take as much time as you can as the distances are large and there is so much to see and experience! Sausalito is nice to visit and Alcatraz is very worthwhile as a day trip.

[ninbi]

Wow thanks so much everyone. That's really helpful.

[natty01295]

Enjoy your wonderful trip😎

[Jules-and-Boo]

Fab. I used to live in San Fran and LA and it?s a great drive and SF will be awesome for your teens

[katesonic]

Most surreal experience I had in SF was going to a gospel church early on a Sunday morning and thinking I'd landed in a James Brown concert...amazing way to start the day. (Not a regular church goer - given headsup by a musician friend).

K.

[alex_b]

A few thoughts: Don?t over schedule your time, give yourself time and flexibility. This also sounds like a huge trip, I?d expect a month to do that properly. You might think about dropping the GC/Vegas leg as that?s a big big detour. On the other hand you shouldn?t stop at LA but should carry on down to San Diego (stopping at Disney in Anaheim on the way).

I?d make sure you?ve booked pitches for Yosemite (and Grand Canyon if you go) very early as they fill up quickly. For the National Parks buying an annual membership will be cheaper than paying individual entries if you go to more than a couple of National Park/Monument (Muir Woods in San Francisco is also a National Park/Monument). Also if you want to do overnight camping away from the Valley in Yosemite you?ll need a wilderness permit (again apply early). Half Dome I think also requires a separate permit these days.

I grew up spending summers in SD and have family throughout California. We were going to go this summer too but I?m thinking it?s unlikely to be possible.

[Nigello]

I agree that Vegas could well be better ditched in favour of more time in the rest of the places or to include San Diego. Don't expect to travel faster than about 65mph and watch out for the CHiPs! Cut out coupons or download them digitally for places like Denny's, etc., for breakfast, if you are not eating in the wagon. America is cheap but when you add in the tax and the obligatory "gratuity" it gets pretty dear.

[ninbi]

Thanks for all this - we were going to give Vegas a miss, but can see that GC is a big detour.

As for whether we'll be able to do it this summer.........