Where to visit in the USA in December

JB · Sep 18, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Sounds like a good plan to me, Andrew. If you have the time, I suggest driving east from the Grand Canyon (on Interstate 40) to the Meteor Impact Crater for a few hours before heading back to LA. It is not as well known as places like the canyon and Yosemite, but it is spectacular.

Andrew Leigh · Sep 18, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

I hear you Wimperdink. We are not big city people but was placing myself under pressure to do the tourist "thing". Will take careful consideration of your recommendation. We spend mosty our time in the bush area's like the Kruger National Park, that is where we are comfortable, we are not what i think you guys would call "city slickers". Are you suggesting the area around Vegas is great to drive around? Thanks JB, the one thing I did not mention is that when coming south from the Grand Canyon I wanted to drive through Winslow Arizona to get my picture taken whilst "standing on a corner in Winslow Arizon. (a song called Taking it Easy - The Eagles). Winslow is on the Interstate 40, perfect. Have looked on Mapquest.com to find the crater, not too much joy! Could you give me the nearest town / city so that I can get my bearings. Is it into NM. Thanks that was very helpful gentlemen Cheers Andrew

Andrew Leigh · Sep 18, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

As you were JB, I googled it. Barringer Meteor Crater is between Flagstaff and Winslow. Cheers Andrew

Andrew Leigh · Sep 18, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

On the same topic. Can anyone recommend the best road atlas to tour the above mentioned area with? Would you also be kind enough to give me a web address. Cheers Andrew

cbnoodles · Sep 18, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Andrew, check out Rand-McNally: http://www.randmcnally.com As long as you're in AZ, you may want to check out the petrified forest (northeast part of the state if memory serves). Also, for a feel of smalltown America, try getting off I-40 and see some of the little (and some decrepit) towns along Route 66. There are still some pretty cool things to see and do in the area.

Fly Rod · Sep 18, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Marathon Florida for fishing and warmth!!! Las Vagas for either gambling or going to see some nice shows!!! New York City!!!

Bassy · Sep 18, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Is there a reason you're arriving in LA? You might want to arrive in San Fransisco instead of arriving in LA and driving all the way to San Francisco. Just a thought. If you plan on arriving in Yosemite in the afternoon there is a town called Oakhurst to stay in, which is about 30 minutes from Yosemite, beautiful little mountain town. Then drive into Yosemite for the day and stay in Oakhurst that night. Just another thought. Unless you really wanted to stay in Yosemite. One day is plenty unless you're a hiker is my opinion. You'll need chains to get to Yosemite in December. Road may not even be open. Just something to keep in mind. Bassy

OLDSPUD · Sep 18, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

If your gonna be close to southern Utah, may I suggest Zion Nat'l park, Capital Reef, and Arches (near Moab)or even Mesa Verde in Nex Mex just east of Moab, SE corner of Utah. December in those areas is moderate, sweater weather. But the scenery is like nothing you've seen before. AS far as California goes, I like San Diego, very much like Hawaii, you could do the drive up the coast (PCH) to San Fran., a favorite of mine. Vegas of course is a one of a kind kinda place, gotta see it to believe it. Not much of a gambler, but just peoplewatching is a hoot. I think you'll have a great time, would be hard to do all in one trip. Spud

Andrew Leigh · Sep 18, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Hi Guys, keep it coming, this is really useful

. Noodles thanks for that, exactly what I need. The Route 66 part sounds especially nostalgic and exciting. I hear only portions of it exist now? Flyrod you could have a point there, from what i'm hearing and seeing ....... COLD WEATHER

. So NYC would be out. Bassy, thought the drive through California would be nice

? No problem to fly directly to SF. You scare me with the chains thing, that means Brrrrrrr cold, also we never have to drive on ice where I stay. Although it should not be a problem I was of the opinion that there was no snow there in December, obviously did not research well enough. Could you please give me a first hand weather update for that time of year, both down in LA and in SF area. Thanks for the valuable input would hate to get there and not be able to access the park. Do they have guided day trips into Yosemite were one need not use ones own vehicle? Spud, I am coming to the same conclusion that all that in one trip may well be too much. Thanks for those sites, that the kinda stuff i'm into. Will check them out on the net. I may well need to keep to a radius around Phoenix such that we could cover Death Valley, The Canyon, Flagstaff etc. Cheers Andrew

rudeafrican · Sep 19, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Hi Andrew, I did the same trip in December 2003. Started in Denver and worked our way south west. If you into Disney, go to Annaheim and check out the original Disneyland. Must sees are: Grand Canyon - even better with a bit of snow. Archers National Park near Moab. Great must see. Hoover dam Las Vegas, even if your'e not into that lifestyle, spend more than 1 night there and go into the hotels on the strip to just check out the decor. I was there 3 nights and did'nt spend a cent gambling. I drove a Porsche 926 Turbo down Route 66 and loved it!! even though most, if not all has been renamed. Accommodation: just rock up in any town and find a motel. Cheap, clean and convenient. Stay away from Holiday Inns. They were the worst ones we stayed in. Lot of the smaller towns have micro breweries attached to restaurants. Good places to eat interesting food. Enjoy!! Wish it was me again!!!!

ae708 · Sep 19, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Come to Charleston. Beautiful city, nice people, good food, lots of water...rivers, ocean, plantations, old homes. Mild winters...most of the time.

crab bait · Sep 19, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

it can be nasty in the mountains in calif. in dec.. flagstaff is high elevation also brutile.. old tucson in s.arizona is cool.. if'n you can swing it,, see some redwood groves.. they are the most memorible thing you'll encounter.. ther's a beautiful stand 10 miles across the goldengate bridge from san fran.. john muir nat'l monument.. absolutely wonderful.. www.wunderground.com just type in where an you get it..

Andrew Leigh · Nov 6, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Hi all, It's less than a month and herself and I will be in the States. Must confess that I simply have not had the time to do adequate research but with Rand Mc Nally and Wunderground I have come up with a route, based on some of the suggestions posted here. Fly into San Francisco pick up a hire car and drive down the coastal road through Monterey down to Ventura. (Thought one cannot miss this drive ???) At Ventura cut east to the Grand Canyon. After the grand Canyon head north to Moab and the Arches. Finally from Moab to Denver and fly back to the U.K. from there. All that in 10 days ? but that's whats going to happen. Would really appreciate local knowledge from people in the areas I will be passing through with a view to attractions and places to stay. Can anyone tell me when does it get dark in SF early December? What are good value hotel / motel groups Rudeafrican said to steer away fro Holiday Inns? What would be a comfortable well priced hire car with good gas consumption? Thanks and Cheers Andrew

Wimperdink · Nov 6, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Originally posted by Andrew Leigh: the one thing I did not mention is that when coming south from the Grand Canyon I wanted to drive through Winslow Arizona to get my picture taken whilst "standing on a corner in Winslow Arizon. (a song called Taking it Easy - The Eagles). Winslow is on the Interstate 40, perfect.

Funny you should mention that... I did a motorcycle road trip by myself from north eastern North Dakota to San Diego California when I was younger, one memory of that trip was after I realized I was gonna go through winslow arizona, it took about 300 miles to get that song out of my head. Didn't like it anymore for awhile after that

one more cast · Nov 6, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Andrew, You will be able to pick up that road atlas at any Walmart for under $10. Road Atlas

Kalian · Nov 6, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Hi Andrew, to answer your question about when it gets dark, I believe after 5

opm it's going to be getting prety dark, especialy if there's fog. I agree aboue the chains in the mountains. You might run into severe weather and you might not. The drive down the coast sounds great, the farthest south I've gone is from SF to Montery, and that was awesome! I lived in vegas for 2 years, and some of the casinos are extravagant. If your in vegas you have to drive down the strip (las vegas blvd) at night at least once! And get a schedule for the water show,(can't remember the name of the casino,)it's free, and you don't want to miss it! Hope you enjoy your trip!

Haut Medoc · Nov 6, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Make sure you go to the "old" part of Vegas too.....Bring some good hiking shoes for Moab.....There is "Arches National Monument" & Canyonlands National Park. Two different entities....See them both!....The "Needles" are very cool.....Spend a little time to research this area, there is alot to see. Be prepared for "Chilly" Weather....Can't name a specific car, but anything one grade above economy works for me....Stay on the right side of the road!

.......JK

PW2 · Nov 6, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

In all of the places you mentioned, you could spend the entire time you were there on any one of them, and still not do them justice. Maybe it's just me, but less is more for me when travelling. If you try to fit in too many places, at some point they all become a blur. But that is I suspect a personal predudice. Good Luck and have fun

technostingray · Nov 7, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

Originally posted by Andrew Leigh: Hi all, It's official, the provisional tickets are booked . I would really appreciate some more specific advice now. Advice like most scenic routes to get where I want to. If I am planning on staying to long at a place etc. Places that should not be missed. Things not to do etc. Reasonably price motel chains, eateries etc. This is what I plan; 1.) Fly into Los Angeles the 3rd December. Perhaps spend that evening and half the next day there. 2.) Pick up a hire car on the 4th in LA and head north to San Fransico. Perhaps overnight at a suitable desitination en route. Arrive in SF on the 5th and spend the night there. OR Drive directly to Yosemite. 3.) Midday on the 6th travel east to Yosemite and spend the next two nights there. 4.) Leave Yosemite on the 9th for Las Vegas. Overnight in Vegas. 5.) Leave for the Grand Canyon on the 10th. Spend the night there as well as the following night. 6.)On the 12th depart for LA stopping enroute for one night. I have left myself one day in this program in case one needs to stay longer somewhere. As stated I am used to long drives so the distance does not bug me. Have I bitten off too much? If so what do I leave out. The above is not fixed, but I would definitely like to see the following; Yosemite Grand Canyon Thanks for the help Andrew

I don't know if this will mean much coming from me but judging from you proposed itenerary I would say you are in for a whirlwind tour. Perhaps even ill-advised. the trip from LA to San Francisco, even with the new intersate system, is an eight hour drive and not much in between. If your desire is to see San Fracisco at the expense of San Simeon, Big Sur, Monterey, not to mention some of the most beutiful coast line in the world the interstate is the way to go. If your interest is in beautiful scenery and majestic natural wonder then I would suggest a different tac. Securing a car from Enterprise rental head North Via the San Diego Freeway, change to I5 North,then catch US highway 99 to State highway 65 follow the signs to Sequoia/Kings Canyon Nat'l Park. Spend as much time here as you have. Be sure your Batteries are Charged and keep a strong control on your emotions. Depending on the weather you should be able to wind your way through the parks and take California 180 within in a stones throw of bassy. to Fresno and a major decision. San Francisco and Yosemite or Grand Canyon.

crazy charlie · Nov 7, 2005

Re: Where to visit in the USA in December

I would recommend Orlando Florida to get to Disney and Seaworld and then hop on the Florida turnpike for 3 hours to South Florida to snorkel and sunbath by day and Dine outside on the intracoastal at night and watch the boats go by.Charlie

Where to visit in the USA in December

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