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Fernando2010XI am going to be in Las Vegas for a week next week and would like to take a trip for a couple of days north or west of there. Any suggestions from anyone? We are considering Death Valley, Sequoia, or possibly California Coast. How far is it to the coast, or Sequoia?
ThanksI would allow 6-7 hours from Vegas to Sequoia National Park – there is NO access to this park from the eastern side of the Sierras. Fastest is the 15w – 58w – 99n to Visalia and then look for signs east to Sequoia.
As far as the coast, whenever you are driving east/west in the state of california, other than on the great 80 in the north or the 10, and parts of the 15, and 40 (15 & 40 do not traverse the entire east/west part of the state like the 80 does) in the South, its fairly slow going as their are no other major highways. San Luis Obispo on the coast is located almost west of vegas if you draw a straight line. Probably about the same distance to the coast as to Sequoia.
Death Valley would certainly be a closer option – you can do some of Death Valley in a very very long day – but daylight in the evening will be shorter by 1 hour next week. I recommend at least 2 full days in Death Valley.
Most people read about the National Park highlights and go to those, but one of the most incredible places in California is up 395 east of the sierras. If you are nature lovers, this area cannot be beat. The world’s oldest trees, the bristlecones are located up by westguard pass off of 395, white mountain makes a stark hike – the easiest of ca’s 14’ers, the odd looking alabama hills on the whitney portal road -great for views, campground at the base of this road, further north, manzanar internment camp during wwII, then Mono Lake and Bodie the ghost town way north on 395, hot springs near mammoth lake are nice, Lake Sabrina 20 miles outside of Bishop – sooo much to do on this side of California.
It will be cold so dress warmly. The distances are far wherever you go.
Stay in Death Valley for the warmer weather. Note in the next few weeks (after the first big snowfall) the main east/west roads in the sierra’s will probably close for the season. Weather looks good for at least the next week or so but could change. When these other roads close, the only sierra roads that stay open east west are 80 in the north and 178 in the south. (if severe snowstorms even these roads may shut down briefly – usually more mid winter, not this time of year)
Let me know if you have any other questions.
~ Dave
