• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Planning trip on west coast/need help for ideas

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
The Bunny Ranch FTW (jk)

Come to San Diego! Lots to see here!
Torrey Pines, La Jolla, Coronado/
Go deep sea fishing if you have a day to spare. Do 1/2 day or 3/4 day. If you're in SD they take you past the mexican border. As long as you're along the coast, you'll find deep sea fishing.
 
Last edited:
The coast south of Portland is scenic the whole way, can't go wrong.

Patrick Point near Eureka is supposed to be nice but I have not been there.

Point Lobos just south of Monterrey is worth a visit.

Pick a good route from LA to Vegas, maybe Joshua Tree or go north and cut through Mono Lake (probably too far north ) or Death Valley. Death Valley in August, what could be better?
 
FuzzyDunlop said:
Hearst looks pretty cold for at least a couple hours visit.
I was thinking that my time at vegas would include the grandcanyon (and a trip to hoover dam? Not sure how far away it is yet, havent gotten that far.).
You guys may be right, I should cut down on vegas time and spend more time at yellowstone (or check out yosemite - seems a bit out of my way?).

1. Portland Oregon - 2days
2. Eureka, California - Redwood forests - 2days
3. San Francisco - 2days
4. Santa Barbara - 8-10days
5. Las Vegas - approx 8-10days
6. Idaho Falls - Yellowstone - 2days

Also- these times would include driving. so its more like
1. Portland Oregon - 1days
2. drive all day
3. Random Redwood Forests and hiking - 1days
4. drive all day
5. San Francisco - 1days
6. drive all day / hearst castle
7. Santa Barbara - 8days
8. drive all day
9. Las Vegas - 8days
10. drive all day
11. Idaho Falls - Yellowstone - 3days?

Id prefer to tent when I can so that Im not tied down by exact dates that I need to be at places. Vegas would proly be the only place I would have to book real far in advance?
Click to expand...

Yosemite would be a few hours out of your way, but much less than the Grand Canyon. It's basically due East of SF. I think it would almost be a crime to miss it after being so close. You really should do anything you can to fit it in. I'm not into gambling so I know you'll look at it differently, but unless you're with your buddies, spending more than a couple days in Vegas is a waste of time. You'll miss out on some spectacular national/state parks if you spend so much time there. You could spend a week at each national park before you've felt like you've gotten a good taste of the park. The Hoover Dam is on the road from Vegas to the Grand Canyon so you should definitely stop and get out of the car there.

If you stay the night inside any national park (camping or hotel), you may have to plan way ahead actually. I would really start looking into that now. Camping spots can fill up very quickly. Also, it can be quite a drive out of the park to find a place to stay. I think with most it's about an hour drive to leave the park completely. Camping reservations could even be a problem with state parks along the coast. I've driven through Vegas a couple of times and I've just made reservations the day before. I've ended up with nice rooms for about $40-50 and I'm not trying to find the perfect deal.
 
L.A rose garden
Long Beach (city) shoreline drive <--- the queen mary included 😛
The wet marsh Bolsa Chica wild reserve <---- MUST SEE
 
FuzzyDunlop said:
yeaaa, i dunno, i think I would like to do something a little more interesting than look at a bunch of sad animals on my vacation.
Click to expand...

Not many sad animals in the wild animal park. Best zoo I have seen bar none. Even the San Diego zoo paled in comparison.

Some great beaches and golf near La Jolla as well.
 
Beaches in ventura county would be more conducive to learning I think, but again, there's not a whole lot of exposure. Most of that area is quite flat during the summer months, but as far as learning goes, even going every day, it takes a long time to get decent. Best waves will be in south facing beaches in LA and Orange counties.
 
tcsenter said:
Stop on by. I'm on CA-99 in Stanislaus county roughly half-way between SF and Fresno.
Click to expand...

Gross. This place sucks.

That said, if you keep going EAST a bit, you get to Tuolumne County which is kind of nice. Yosemite is great, though if you're going to Yellowstone probably not necessary. Calavaras Big Trees is interesting, though...tree stump with a 30-foot diameter there. And the Moaning Caverns is kind of cool, too, if you're into that kind of thing.

Really depends on what your interests are. California beaches suck for the most part. Taking Highway 1 to get from San Francisco to Las Angeles can make for a fun and pretty day trip, though. Catalina Island is supposed to be very nice, too, though I've never been there.
 
drebo said:
Gross. This place sucks.

That said, if you keep going EAST a bit, you get to Tuolumne County which is kind of nice. Yosemite is great, though if you're going to Yellowstone probably not necessary. Calavaras Big Trees is interesting, though...tree stump with a 30-foot diameter there. And the Moaning Caverns is kind of cool, too, if you're into that kind of thing.

Really depends on what your interests are. California beaches suck for the most part. Taking Highway 1 to get from San Francisco to Las Angeles can make for a fun and pretty day trip, though. Catalina Island is supposed to be very nice, too, though I've never been there.
Click to expand...

CA beaches suck? How is that, exactly?
 
I would do only 2 full days in Vegas. It gets a tad old after two days, unless you are a big gambler. Or you are taking some mind altering substances.

Definitely see the Grand Canyon. Just remember that in August its going to be pretty damn hot in both Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Like 100+ degrees hot. Its miserable outdoors during the day in august.

Maybe you should go up to Reno after Vegas and see Lake Tahoe? Its pretty beautiful up there.
 
There are a number of real beaches in Central and NorCal. e.g. Carmel, Monterey, and Baker Beach (SanFran) to name just a few.

They're colder, windier, and totally suckier.
 
cheezy321 said:
I would do only 2 full days in Vegas. It gets a tad old after two days, unless you are a big gambler. Or you are taking some mind altering substances.

Definitely see the Grand Canyon. Just remember that in August its going to be pretty damn hot in both Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Like 100+ degrees hot. Its miserable outdoors during the day in august.

Maybe you should go up to Reno after Vegas and see Lake Tahoe? Its pretty beautiful up there.
Click to expand...
Well, yes, Vegas is death in the summer, but the Grand Canyon is actually quite nice along the rim. It's actually pretty high up in altitude so it's mid 70's or so while the canyon floor is in the high 90's.
 
I live in SB. If you need any help or tips when you are in the area, just let me know. It sounds like you already have a friend here though.
 
FuzzyDunlop said:
So, this august I am planning a 3 week- 1month trip around the west coast of the states.
Ill be starting off in Portland where Im visisting some friends. then driving down the coast to Eureka and the National Redwood Forest in NoCal. Down thru San Francisco to see the golden gate bridge and alkatraz. Down to Santa Barbara to meet a friend and stay for a while to learn to surf. Then over to vegas for a week of poker - also want to visit the grand canyon. then north to idaho falls - and maybe visit Yellowstone.

Any neat/helpful little tips or hints (or points that are must sees) that you can give would be great!

cliffs:
1. Oregon coast - 5~6days
2. Eureka, California - Redwood forests - 2 days
3. San Francisco - 5~6 days
4. Santa Barbara - 2 days
5. Las Vegas - approx 2~3 days, 4 days top
6. Idaho Falls - Yellowstone - 3~4 days
Click to expand...
Edit ftw.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top