American West Coast Travelling, What Shall We Do?

Question

Hi Folks

My wife and I are both 24 and are looking to do some travelling for 5-7 weeks. We love America and go on vacation there from the UK for most years, but have never got as far as the West Coast.

Ideally we would love to do some sort of road trip in campervan and camp or stay in motels. Can anyone give me some tips on the top things we should do/see?

Obviously things such as Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, are standard. We are thinking of places off the beat and track that us folks from the UK might not have heard about.

I would ideally like to go see some of the National Parks in Vancouver in Canada then make our way down the west coast. Any ideas?

We have a year to plan this trip and are working on a budget between £5,000 - £7,000.

Thanks guys and gals.

Answer 1

I would start in Phoenix or Albuquerque, and head west.



Some of the sites on the way in the South West are Moab and Arches National Park. Canyonlands NP. Bryce Canyon. Monument Valley. Grand Canyon. Mesa Verde and Canyon de Chelly (Anasazi cliff dwellings). Acoma (the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the US) and the Hopi pueblos. Sedona is the mystic airhead capital of the Universe, but is also beautiful. Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona is a real surprise. Las Vegas (even if you don't gamble it is a really bizarro place). Death Valley. You will be bouncing around the fabled Route 66 for a lot of this. Avoid Blythe and Quartzite - horrible towns.



I would hit the coast at San Diego or Los Angeles then head north up the coast on Highway 1 to San Francisco, stopping at Hearst Castle, Big Sur, Carmel and Monterey on the way. San Francisco is a pretty good place to spend a few days. Yosemite National Park and the Lake Tahoe area are a must.



I have never driven north of San Francisco on the coast but hear it is prettty good. Vancouver is a pretty laid back town and the scenery to the north on the way to Whistler is good. You could do a loop through Whisler to Lillooet to Cache Creek and back down Hwy 1 or the Coquihalla to Vancouver. You could head out on a whale watching cruise.



Do searches on some of the names I have mentioned to get an idea. The South West in summer is hot.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

You have asked this on Australias Site. Ask again on Canadas and Americas. Watch for those bears in Canada. and remember they drive on the other side of the road . Can be very confusing . I have been to Vancouver and Las Vegas and crossing the road is difficult one tends to look the wrong way for cars.

Answer 4

I wanted to weigh in on your the Grand Canyon segment of your trip...



I highly suggest you use Las Vegas as a base to visit the Canyon. It's one of the best "two-for-ones" in the States that I know of.



From Vegas, you can easily book a bus or helicopter tour to either the West Rim or the South Rim. Here's a couple of articles that are helpful:



South Rim Or West Rim - How to Pick a Grand Canyon Bus Tour

http://ezinearticles.com/?South-Rim-Or-West-Rim---How-to-Pick-a-Grand-Canyon-Bus-Tour&id=3728325



South Rim, West Rim - Picking a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour

http://ezinearticles.com/?South-Rim,-West-Rim---Picking-a-Grand-Canyon-Helicopter-Tour&id=3721925



Considering your budget, I'd consider a helicopter tour. Trips to the West Rim (home to the Grand Canyon Skywalk) can take you to the bottom (you can add a pontoon boat ride on the Colorado River, as well). South Rim trips are a combination bus/helicopter package.



At any rate, I hope your trip to the States is awesome. Have a fantastic time!