Road trip through southern CA (to LA)

Hello!

In June we will be taking a two week road trip through the US, which will take us through some sourthern parts of CA. To have all answers concentrated in one place I%26#39;ve made a post with all the details in the Chicago forum, which is where our trip starts. Here is the thread:

…tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g35805-i32-k24330…

I know there has been some controversy so far over my choice of road trip itinerary. I myself have felt worried about it too, with the same concerns about driving lengths, but I really wanted us to be able to see and do as much as possible, and I%26#39;m hopeful that everything will work out and we will have an incredible trip. With your help it can be even better. :) We%26#39;ll head to CA from Vegas early morning and have most of the day in LA before then leaving the next morning. Pretty much a full day in LA, you could say, with maybe some stops along the way there and back.

Anyway so it%26#39;s easier to keep track of things, your suggestions in the thread linked to above would be great!

Thanks for the help!

Road trip through southern CA (to LA)

Given your driving packed vacation, I would say - driving the 5 hours from Las Vegas to Los Angeles is not worth it unless you have a specific destination you have in mind seeing. I would skip it for this trip since Los Angeles is so spread out. If you have a specific something you want to see....not just drive around aimlessly - as Los Angeles is huge and traffic is intense, then let us know.

Road trip through southern CA (to LA)

The main reason we included LA was really just to get to reach and touch the pacific ocean. Though of course in the city itself we%26#39;ll be doing a few of the highlights, like the walk of fame and such. :)

Two of us spent a week in LA three years ago so we%26#39;re pretty good about the highlights (and about driving there), so the part while in the city anyway I%26#39;m pretty confident about. Haven%26#39;t done any sights along the way though which is where I need the help (lots more info in the thread I linked to above, where I posted about the trip).

I agree with mini. You basically have an afternoon to do something in L.A. It seems like a comically short amount of time. If you just want to see the Pacific, take the 10 to Santa Monica and wander about Third Street, the Pier and Venice Beach. This will make for a pleasant afternoon. It is all a beautiful setting and very pleasing to visitors.

However, since you%26#39;ve been here before, what have you already seen (so other won%26#39;t recommend doing it) and what kinds of activities interest you?

This information would help making recommendations.

I would say rent the movie ';Vacation'; with Chevy Chase and Beverly D%26#39;Angelo and get in the spirit. Have your friends rent it too. :o)

You said you can%26#39;t change your hotel reservations. Are you sure about that? From your current schedule you will be driving 8 hours A DAY on your trip.

Well for the latter half it%26#39;s mostly 4-5 hours, it%26#39;s the first half that%26#39;s a bit harsher but that%26#39;s when we have a few full days of no driving so it%26#39;s ok I think:

Day 1: no driving

Day 2: no driving

Day 3: 14 hours which is indeed harsh (though we%26#39;ll probably speed a bit (during other parts of the drive too) and shorten this a bit hopefully)

Day 4: 6 hours

Day 5: no driving

Day 6: 6 hours (plus the detour to Bryce but that%26#39;s fun so it%26#39;s perfectly fine)

Day 7: no driving

Day 8: 4 hours

Day 9: 7 hours

Day 10: 6 hours

Day 11: 4 hours (plus the detour to Santa Fe which adds an hour, but it%26#39;s fun)

Day 12: 6 hours

Day 13: 4 hours

Day 14: 4 hours

Day 15: 5 hours

Ok you are doing the research so you know the driving times.

Have a good trip.