Phoenix to San Francisco - Need help with Itinary

Travelling from Phoenix to San Fran in April. Was going to fly, but getting tempted to drive based on some of the opinions on here. We have ten days, but want to spend five in San Fran, so is it achievable, and if so, where should we stop on route and for how long. Would really appreciate your help. Thanks

Phoenix to San Francisco - Need help with Itinary

Hi Fatlach:

Its 750 mies so is doable. It can be a bit more miles if you decide to take the coastal route (which can be very pretty in April.).

A couple of suggestions for the drive (there are others).

1) Drive from Phoenix to Palm Springs

The desert is beautiful in the spring with the srping flowers. This would be a perfect time to see Joshua Tree and also take the tram ride up Mt. San Jacinto.

Its 268 miles from Phoenix. You might want to consider staying at the Best Western in Palm Springs (or other places.)

2) See Joshua Tree in the morning, and the drive into Los Angeles. Spend the night in Hollywood (perhaps Magic Castle) and take in a movie either at the El Capitan or Manns Chinese Theater. See the Hollywood sign, Kodak Theater, and other sites.

Perhaps stay at the Renaissance Hotel or at the Magic Castle (both are close to walk to things.)

3) In the morning take in the studio tour at Warner Brothers (they have ones at 9:00 and then you can be on the road by noon. Reserve in advance on their web site. Have lunch in Santa Monica...and then drive Highway 1 through Malibu ending in Santa Barbara for the evening.

4) Enjoy Santa Barbara in the morning, drive to Pismo Beach, and to Morro Bay. Spend the night in Morro Bay. Not sure if you like wine or not but there are several wineries in the Santa Ynez and Paso Robles area to enjoy, so if you do, you might want to plan accordingly.

5) From Morro Bay book a tour at Hearst Castle (morning tour - Tour 1 is good for first timers); after the tour drive up the coast through Big Sur area and spend the night in Carmel.

6) In morning see Pt. Lobos, then go to Monterey Aquarium; and then continue up the coast to San Francisco.

This would basically be:

1) One night Palm Springs

2) One night Hollywood

3) One night Santa Barbara

4) One night Morro Bay

5) One night Carmel

still giving you about 5 days in San Francisco.

I would tend to vote for driving as there is so much wonderful things to see along this drive.

There are of course other sites to see along this way so if there are specific you want to see, let us know more, and we can change this suggestion to more please your personal interests.

Enjoy planning your trip.

Phoenix to San Francisco - Need help with Itinary

It%26#39;s a great route Mini gave you but instead Palm Springs I would stay the night in Twentynine Palms. Take I10 from Phoenix into California and take exit 168. Drive through Joshua Tree NP to 29Palms. See the murals in 29Palms. Next day drive through the NW part of Joshua Tree NP, to Palm Springs and I10 to LA. You%26#39;ll see more of Joshua Tree and you don%26#39;t have to backtrack.

Tet

Mini%26#39;s route is just fine but it%26#39;s not the one I would, and do, take. It%26#39;s on the page of DRIVING DIRECTIONS geocities.com/touringsfo/…DriveDir.html

“A Trip to Las Vegas…” is an augmenting report for Yosemite, Death Valley, Phoenix, etc.: geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/RoadJJ07.html

“A Trip to Anaheim…” is an augmenting report for Monterey/Carmel/Pacific Grove, Big Sur, etc.: geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/Road2N07.html

Tet14: I agree (I was thinking of that myself as an alternative and given your reasoning, I just wanted to let fatlatch know I think this would be good route suggestion! Thanks.

eyeshadow color