itinerary help

hi we are arriving into San Fran on Sept 6th and will be leaving from Phoenix on September 27th.

We plan to stay 4 nights in SF and then hire a car and road trip our way to Southern Arizona.

Does anyone have suggestions on the best way.

We would like to perhaps tour the wine region, see yosemite, death valley and head into Southern Arizona for some scenery , wildlife and general R%26amp;R.

Suggestions on what not to miss would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

itinerary help

You%26#39;ll be there in perfect time for a trip over the Tioga Pass to the Eastern Sierras and on to Death Valley. A short search of this forum should reveal some useful info about the drive on 395 to DV and beyond (it%26#39;s not a trip I %26#39;ve personally done.)

I assume by wine country you mean Napa Valley? If so, I%26#39;d recommend driving in on 120. I%26#39;ve started an Inside Page on driving into Yosemite, and have only gotten as far as describing route 120 indetail. See if it%26#39;s useful to you.

itinerary help

Hi Tia,

Starting sept. 6, 4 nights in SF, I suggest 2 nights in Napa leaves you 15 nights to go Phoenix. leaving sept. 27.Plenty of time in a great time of year! Although, plenty of time? So many awesome places to visit.

Day 1 and 2: Visit to Yosemite NP. Buy a National Parks Pass at the entrance, saves you money.

Day 3. From Y along Tioga Pass to Lee Vining. Visit to Mono Lake and down ca 395 to Bishop for a great espresso (next to the Best Western Creekside Inn on 395). To Lone Pine. Visit the visitor center at the 136/395 jct.

Day 4: Day in Lone PIne. Many things to see. Alabama Hills, Eastern Sierra%26#39;s with Mnt Whitney. Hiking paradise.

Day 5: Lone Pine to Las Vegas through Death Valley. Takes all day.

Day 6: Day in Las Vegas. A must!

Day 7: Las Vegas to Zion NP. Visit Valley of Fire SP on your way and try to find accomodation in Springdale at the South entrance or in the park.

Day 8: Zion.

Day 9: From Zion to Bryce, visit Bryce and drive to Torrey along ut 12, a very scenic route.

Day 10: From Torrey to Mexican Hat. Visit to Capitol Reef NP, Natural Bridges NM, Moki Dugway and Gooseneck SP. Night in Mexican Hat.

Day 11: Make the 17 miles scenic drive (on dirt roads) from Mexican Hat and drive to Monument Valley. Make a Navajo tour in the afternoon and stay at Goulding Lodge (reservations essential) otherwise in Kayenta.

Day 12: From MV to Page. Visit Antelope slot Canyon east of Page by guided tour and relax at Lake Powell.

Day 13: From Page to Cameron. Drive through Grand Canyon and stay in or near GC.

Day 14. To Sedona by scenic az 89a. from Flagstaff.Take a jeep tour in the afternoon.

Day 15: Sedona to Phoenix.

This is just one route. Others will add others (and maybe better ones) but this is what I would do.

Tet(:o)-

thanks so much for the detailed response

we were hoping however to concentrate our arizona part of the trip to the southern half of the state as we have already toured the northern half ( monument valley, grand canyon, sedona etc etc etc)

as much as it was beautiful and we would love to go back we are really keen on seeing the southern half of the state and perhaps taking in some birdwatching as this area is reported to be one of the best birding areas in USA

Can anyone suggest places of interest in the southern half of arizona taking in birdwatching, sights, scenery, shopping and R%26amp;R

thanks again for the info thus far

Hi Misunderstood. My mistake!

Would you like to visit Zion and Bryce or go directly to S. Arizona from LV?

go direct from LV to s Arizona please

Hi. Another 2 cents.

Day 7: Take a Hoover Dam tour in the morning and drive nv 95 south to nv 163 east to Davis Dam. Visit Oatman on old route 66 and continue on az 95 to Lake Havasu City for the night.

Day 8: Maybe a day at the lake?

Day 9: From Lake Havasu az 95 to Parker and az 72 to I 10. At inters. 112 go south to Gila Bend on az 85 and to Ajo. Visit Organ Pipes NM in the afternoon. Take the unsealed 21 M loop from the visitor center. Bring water.*

Day:10/11 From Ajo to Tucson. Visits to Sonora Desert Museum and Saguaro NP are musts. Many things to do in Tucson.

Day 12: From Tucson I10 to Benson and south to Tombstone. Visit to Tombstone in the afternoon and to Bisbee for the night.

Day 13: Bisbee in the morning and back to Tucson. Take scenic az 79 to Florence and az 60 to Globe.

Day 14: Take the fantastic route to Lake Roosevelt az88 and to Tortille Flat and Apache Juncktion. (Partly unsealed, steep and winding).

Maybe take a look at Goldfield Ghost Town and on to Phx.

* It%26#39;s a long detour to visit Organ Pipes NM. If you want to skip it go Tucson directly and stay an extra day in Tucson. Or, if you like to visit Mexico, go to Douglas/Agua Prieta from Bisbee. Leave the car in the USA and walk into Mexico.

Hope this helps

Tet