First trip to US Christmas and New Year 25/26

Question

Hi all,

My family and I are visiting the US for the first time at Christmas and New Year, returning to the UK on 5th Jan 26. We are flying in and out of San Francisco, my wife wants to see the Grand Canyon (no debate!). We are spending Christmas in SF, leaving on the 26th, I have the Oasis in Death Valley booked for the 27-29th. I would like to drive via H395 past Yosemite and Mt Witney and maybe stay at a hotel on H395 over night. I have seen that H395 can be a wee bit tricky in December and wondering whether it maybe better to go the other side via Fresno? We plan to spend new year in Williams AZ doing the Route 66 stuff and Grand Canyon southern rim. We leave Williams on the 1st and need to be back in SF for our flights on the 5th, not really sure which way and what to see on the way back? Las Vegas is not considered as it’s not our thing, any idea would be welcome.

Answer

Your trip sounds amazing — combining San Francisco, Death Valley, H395, Grand Canyon, and Route 66 is ambitious but doable with careful planning. Winter travel in California and Arizona has some challenges, especially with snow in the Sierras and shorter daylight hours, so route planning is key.

1. Driving H395 in December

Highway 395 is incredibly scenic, running along the eastern Sierra Nevada. However, in late December, some sections may experience snow or icy conditions, especially near Mammoth Lakes and Tioga Pass (Yosemite’s eastern entrance). Tioga Pass will almost certainly be closed for the season, so direct access through Yosemite’s high elevations won’t be possible. For your plan:

Consider driving H395 south from Mammoth Lakes and staying somewhere like Bishop, Lone Pine, or even Mammoth Lakes for the night. These towns are well-prepared for winter conditions and have hotels.
From Lone Pine, you can visit Mt. Whitney portal area and the Alabama Hills — scenic and accessible in winter without hiking up the peak.
The road along H395 is generally plowed and maintained, but winter tires or chains may be required.
If you prefer a safer, lower-elevation route, taking the western route through Fresno and CA-99 is reliable and avoids potential snow delays, but it’s less scenic.

2. Death Valley (27–29 December)

Your Oasis booking is excellent — December is actually one of the best times to visit because temperatures are much more tolerable than summer. Plan to arrive mid-afternoon and use the first evening to relax or catch sunset at Zabriskie Point. Highlights:

Badwater Basin salt flats
Dante’s View
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at sunset
Artists Palette scenic drive

3. Christmas in San Francisco

San Francisco is magical during the holidays. Focus on classic highlights:

Union Square and its holiday lights
Fisherman’s Wharf / Pier 39
Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints (Battery Spencer or Crissy Field)
Optional day trip to Sausalito if weather permits

4. Grand Canyon / Williams / Route 66 (30 December – 1 January)

Driving from Death Valley to Williams will take roughly 7–8 hours, depending on your chosen route. Options:

Option 1: Via Mojave Desert → Kingman → Williams: most straightforward and avoids mountain passes.
Option 2: Through Sedona (slightly longer, more scenic, and lots of Route 66 vibes), then to Williams.

New Year’s in Williams is great for Route 66 enthusiasts — festive lights, small-town charm, and proximity to Grand Canyon South Rim. At the Grand Canyon, prioritize:

South Rim viewpoints (Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Desert View)
Short walks along the Rim Trail
Visitor Center for orientation and exhibits

5. Returning to San Francisco (2–5 January)

Options for the return trip:

Option A: Central Route via Bakersfield/Fresno: Safer winter route avoiding H395 snow, roughly 12–13 hours total if driven straight (split into 2 days). Possible stops: Sequoia National Park (lower elevations accessible), Fresno for overnight, then north to SF.
Option B: Northern Route via Yosemite / H120 / CA-140: > Lower elevations can be accessible in winter (e.g., Mariposa area), but check snow forecasts. Yosemite Valley may be partially accessible; Glacier Point Road is closed, but Valley and Wawona are open. Adds scenic mountain experience if roads are clear.

6. Recommended itinerary tweaks:

Consider staying one night along H395 (Bishop/Lone Pine) between San Francisco and Death Valley for comfort and to enjoy Alabama Hills.
Allow 2 nights in Death Valley to explore without rushing.
Williams 1–2 nights for Route 66 and Grand Canyon South Rim.
Return via Fresno / Sequoia National Park if snow is likely, with an overnight in Fresno or Visalia.

Key tips:

Check Caltrans road conditions for H395 and Yosemite for winter closures.
Carry warm layers, blankets, and water in your car — winter desert nights can get cold.
Daylight hours are short (sunset ~4:45pm), so plan driving and sightseeing accordingly.
Book hotels early — late December/early January is still busy in popular spots.

In summary, your trip is feasible, but H395 in December should be planned with winter closures in mind. For scenic winter driving with safety, consider an overnight stop at Bishop/Lone Pine, then proceed to Death Valley. For the return, taking a lower-elevation route via Fresno and Sequoia is safer than relying on high mountain passes.

First trip to US Christmas and New Year 25/26

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