I have regularly dreamed of this highway trip:
Seattle, along Oregon as well as California coasts to San Francisco, cut easterly to Las Vegas, north a tiny to Zion/Bryce Canyon Nat’l Park in Utah, afterwards south to Grand Canyon (AZ), see a tiny New Mexico precipice home ruins, up by Colorado as well as to Salt Lake City, UT, afterwards by Yellowstone/Grand Teton toward Sun Valley, ID, afterwards Spokane, WA as well as behind to Seattle.
I have plugged it all in to Google maps, as well as gotten a good tiny outing plan. However, we am not certain what we even wish to see, or because we wish to go to all these places. we adore hiking & camping (would substantially expostulate a tiny sedan as well as move a tent – as well as copiousness of motel money, too). we additionally adore photography as well as a view of a Southwest.
My subject is: Have we been to these places? Better, have we road-tripped in this area? What did we like? What was off-the-beaten-path? What didn’t we like? Any revisions you’d make? (I know, we know, it’s all formed upon what we wish to see – though only give me a tiny suggestions to begin with.)
Also, any ubiquitous highway outing suggestions? (e.g. "You won’t similar to pushing as most as we consider we will!")
Thanks!
I’ve been and driven to almost everyplace you’ve mentioned. My first thought is how hot it will be this time of year. Have you ever been to these places? I’ve been to SF several times and booked a tour, which gives you an overview of the city and some history. I walked through China town and ate lunch there. The one place I really wanted to go was the new CA Academy of Sciences (it was under construction when we went). We stayed in a hotel by the airport and took the BART into the city. Got to take the trolley – most everything is within walking distance from the BART. Close to China town is Fisherman’s Wharf, you can do the Alcatraz tour from there.
Recently went to the Grand Canyon & went up through Salt Lake. I spent many years in Salt Lake, a lot has changed since the Olympics, it has gotten so big, I hardly recognize it. You should probably stop at Temple Square downtown and take a tour (I think it’s free). There’s a famous hamburger joint there on 425 S. 700 E. (close to U of U campus). It’s an old fashioned one that you drive up to, turn on your lights and they come take your order and bring it to your car – great old fashioned burgers!! I’ve actually never been to the salt lake, it really smells & I never had the desire to try and float in it, but some people want to do that.
You must, must go to Yellowstone. You should book a place to stay now, I booked about 2 months in advance and when I went to change the date, they couldn’t change it at all. Everything gets booked there and the towns next two it months in advance. You need a minimum of 2 days to see the park. It’s a big loop, but you need time to walk out to see the geysers and such! It’s worth it. When we drove by the buffalo, my little dog barked out the window the entire time, it was so funny. Then my daughter found an odd grey rock she brought in the car to show me, when I held it, legs popped out, it was a giant tick, and of course I dropped it down the console, so we had to dig everything out of the car to locate it. I’ve been to Yellowstone throughout the years, and it’s always the best. It can be a bit chilly, so a light jacket is a must. On the east entrance to Yellowstone is the snake river. You can book a white water rafting tour!
I’ve also been through Moab many times as well as camped there – but not in this hot weather. I haven’t been to any of the other ones you mentioned (Zion/Bryce Canyon Nat’l Park), but I’m sure they’re just as spectacular.
I was in Spokane last week, I actually live in the Seattle area, so I’ve pretty much done the big loop like you’re going to do. Most of what you are going to be doing is driving. I think Yellowstone is worth it, not sure about going to Arizona, Southern Utah, etc. this time of year – too hot for me. Check the weather in those areas for those 100-110 degree temps.
I’ll be driving through Salt Lake this weekend, but I personally would not want to go further south.
If it were me, I would concentrate on Salt Lake, Idaho, and Yellowstone – take your time, enjoy. Then do the CA, AZ, Zion/Bryce Canyon Nat’l Park thing another time when it’s cooler.
If you’re a AAA member, you should go to the office and inquire about what kind of things there are to do in the areas you want to go. They’ll give you maps & hopefully point out some places of interest.
Good Luck, enjoy!
It sounds like a wonderful trip. I have road tripped around many of the places you mention but not all in one go. you don’t say how long you plan to take. I would say you need 5 or 6 weeks to have a chance of actually seeing the places on your trip as opposed to just driving through.
I attach several links to trips I have done that will give you a flavour of what there is to see and do.