13 day itinerary - how mad am I?

Question

My wife and I are coming back to California/West Coast. We have been to San Fransisco a few times (family there) and are flying in and out of LAX as prices are cheaper - the question is what to do while there. After a little research we have put together a rough itinerary as follows for a late September trip -

Day One: arrive later in LAX, overnight at airport hotel to pickup car next morning.

Day Two: Drive via Santa Barbara to Mission San Antonio de Padua (overnight there or close)

Day Three: Drive to Yosemite Valley Lodge, couple of nights there

Day Six: Drive Yosemite to Bakersfield (or thereabouts) via Sequoia National Park

Day Seven: Drive to Las Vegas

Day Nine: Drive Las Vegas to Grand Canyon via Hoover Dam

Day Eleven/Twelve: Drive Grand Canyon to LAX stopping somewhere en route for the night

Day Thirteen: LAX for evening departure back to Australia.

Does this seem achievable? Any thoughts/suggestions for stops and accommodation or 'must see' along the way?

Thanks in advance!

Answer

Your 13-day West Coast itinerary is ambitious but generally achievable, especially if you are comfortable with long drives and want to see a lot in a limited time. Here’s a detailed look at your plan and some suggestions to optimize it.

Day One: Arrive at LAX late and overnight at an airport hotel.

This is a practical choice to recover from your flight and prepare for picking up a rental car. Consider staying at one of the airport hotels with shuttle service to avoid logistics stress.

Day Two: Drive via Santa Barbara to Mission San Antonio de Padua.

Santa Barbara makes a lovely stop for lunch or a quick stroll along State Street or the waterfront.
Mission San Antonio de Padua is a quieter, less-visited mission. Ensure opening hours align with your arrival. Overnight options nearby are limited; consider a nearby town like King City or Jolon for accommodations.

Day Three to Five: Yosemite Valley Lodge.

Two nights in Yosemite gives you time to explore Yosemite Valley. Highlights include Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Fall.
Consider short, moderate hikes like Lower Yosemite Fall Trail or Mirror Lake. Longer hikes may be limited by your time.
Book accommodations as far in advance as possible; Yosemite Valley Lodge fills quickly.

Day Six: Drive Yosemite to Bakersfield via Sequoia National Park.

This is a long day (approx. 6-8 hours of driving plus park stops). Prioritize either Sequoia’s Giant Forest and General Sherman Tree or quick scenic stops.
Overnight in Bakersfield or a nearby town like Visalia for easier access.

Day Seven to Eight: Drive to Las Vegas.

From Bakersfield to Las Vegas is a long drive (~4-5 hours). Consider leaving early to have some time in Vegas.
Las Vegas offers many entertainment options; one night may suffice if you want to rest and explore.

Day Nine: Las Vegas to Grand Canyon via Hoover Dam.

The Hoover Dam is an excellent stop on the way to the Grand Canyon. Allocate 1-2 hours for a tour or viewing.
Arrive at the Grand Canyon South Rim with enough time to catch sunset viewpoints like Hopi Point or Yaki Point.

Day Ten to Eleven: Grand Canyon exploration.

Consider easy to moderate hikes like South Kaibab Trail (to Ooh Aah Point) or part of Bright Angel Trail. Shuttle buses can help you reach key viewpoints without driving.
Book accommodations inside the park if possible; otherwise, Tusayan or nearby lodges work.

Day Twelve: Drive Grand Canyon to LAX, overnight en route.

This is another long drive (~7-8 hours). Flagstaff, Kingman, or Barstow are common overnight stops depending on your route and timing.

Day Thirteen: Depart from LAX.

Ensure you allow sufficient time for rental car return and airport security for your international flight.

Additional tips:

Fuel up and carry snacks/water on long stretches, especially in remote areas.
September weather can vary: Yosemite and Sequoia may have cooler mornings and evenings; pack layers.
Book accommodations in advance, especially Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and near major cities.
Consider your tolerance for long driving days. Some days involve 6-8 hours of driving plus sightseeing.
Optional stops: Santa Barbara wine country, Mono Lake (if coming through Eastern Sierra), Route 66 landmarks near Kingman.

In summary, your itinerary is doable but packed. It blends scenic drives with iconic national parks. Expect some days to be long in terms of driving, but with careful planning and early departures, it can be a very rewarding trip.

13 day itinerary - how mad am I?

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