Maybe you really want to discover California and the West Coast. To simplify your trip, I have prepared a small practical guide of the places not to be missed during your journey. Have a good trip!

A mythical trip

The West Coast is a dream. Dream beaches, incredible deserts, impressive cities. It is therefore quite normal to want to know more about it and to go on an adventure in this part of the United States. There are many ways to explore the area. And among these, the road from San Francisco to Las Vegas is an optimal choice to discover the local wonders.

If you don’t have a lot of time, it’s best to fly. There are several flights a day between the two cities. Obviously, this is a less complete way to explore, but you can still see some beautiful landscapes from the window.

For the more adventurous, it is also possible to travel the 900 kilometers by car or by bike, or even if nothing stops you, on foot!

Let’s opt for the least tiring solution and drive to Vegas. There are many car rental agencies of all kinds in San Francisco.

To drive in the United States and rent a car, you must be over 21 (and sometimes 25) years old and have a driver’s license, no need for an international license. Complete with a passport and a credit card and you’re all set.

A quick advice: don’t forget that in the United States, the automatic transmission is king. You will have to practice a little, but a lot

American roads are of very good quality. But if you decide to leave the main routes, you might need a 4X4 to drive on the small roads. Think about this before you rent your vehicle.

Ideally, you should allow a week to reach the two American cities. You can of course shorten your time there, but it will take at least 4 days to complete the tour.

On the route, many hotels and restaurants are available. The itinerary I propose is possible from June to October, dates that correspond to the opening of the Tioga Pass.

A walk in San Francisco

You will be able to see the famous Golden Gate Bridge, the museums, Chinatown or climb aboard the mythical cable car. Once you know the city better, you can leave it. Also explore Alcatraz prison. To save money on your activities, I suggest the San Francisco City Pass.

Even if the city is gigantic, it is still human-sized! To get the most out of it, it’s a good idea to plan at least 2 days on site. It’s time to leave now!

A journey into the past

The first step will take you through the hills of the Sierra Nevada Foothills. It’s a slight detour from your itinerary, but well worth it. Head to Jamestown and immerse yourself in gold rush history. You’ll visit villages built for the occasion in a matter of months and learn about gold panning in the river.

After this trip back in time, get back in the car and head for a famous park.

Yosemite Park and the Sierra Nevada

It is by the western entrance that you will enter the mythical park. If you have time, I advise you to book one or two nights there to better explore the incredible place.

You will be able to spend long minutes to marvel in a dream setting at Glacier Point, El Capitan, Half Dome or Merced Grove. And don’t forget to check out the beautiful redwoods at Mariposa Grove.

A walk in San Francisco

You will be able to see the famous Golden Gate Bridge, the museums, Chinatown or climb aboard the mythical cable car. Once you know the city better, you can leave it. Also explore Alcatraz prison. To save money on your activities, I suggest the San Francisco City Pass.

Even if the city is gigantic, it is still human-sized! To get the most out of it, it’s a good idea to plan at least 2 days on site. It’s time to leave now!

A journey into the past

The first step will take you through the hills of the Sierra Nevada Foothills. It’s a slight detour from your itinerary, but well worth it. Head to Jamestown and immerse yourself in gold rush history. You’ll visit villages built for the occasion in a matter of months and learn about gold panning in the river.

After this trip back in time, get back in the car and head for a famous park.

Yosemite Park and the Sierra Nevada

It is by the western entrance that you will enter the mythical park. If you have time, I advise you to book one or two nights there to better explore the incredible place.

You will be able to spend long minutes to marvel in a dream setting at Glacier Point, El Capitan, Half Dome or Merced Grove. And don’t forget to check out the beautiful redwoods at Mariposa Grove.

I will add Lake Tahoe to your discovery program and of course the famous Death Valley. This site is simply impressive.

You can stop at the crater of the Ubehebe volcano, laze around at Dante’s view (a sunset is a must here) or be enchanted by the sunrise at Zabriskie Point. You can also reach the lowest point in the United States: Badwater which is -86 m below sea level.

Lone Pine, a jump out of time

Finish your discovery of the area with Lone Pine. This small village is worth a stop. You will see many western style buildings and a totally different atmosphere from San Francisco or Vegas!

Here, people take their time and enjoy trout fishing with passion. It is the ideal starting point for hikers who want to reach the Alabama Hills or Mount Whitney, the highest point in the United States outside Alaska. You leave California and enter Nevada.

Las Vegas opens its doors to you

It’s time to leave nature and its wonders to arrive at your destination, the incredible city of sin: Las Vegas. It will take you about two hours to drive from Death Valley to Vegas.

The city offers of course many casinos where you can try your luck, I recommend you to sleep at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, my favorite hotel !

You can also attend many shows and explore museums. I recommend the National Atomic Testing Museum, a rather surprising place since it is dedicated to the nuclear tests that took place in the past in the surrounding desert. Another museum is also worth a few hours of your time: the Mob museum.

Think you’re an expert

If you’re a fan of the CSI series, another activity will make you happy: the CSI Experience. You will have to solve an investigation by studying the crime scene. Very fun! Go to the MGM Grand, 3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas.

Jump in the void

If you want to get some height, well, don’t miss the Stratosphere Tower. At the top, you’ll get a 360-degree view of the city and its surroundings. Once you’re totally amazed, you’ll also be able to have fun, because the place offers many activities (Insanity the Ride, Big shot, or the incredible Skyjump that allows you to jump from the tower into the void).

And what about the Canyon?

If you can, you could also visit the Grand Canyon. It’s 450 km away from the city, but there are many helicopters from Vegas to discover this incredible natural space. Closer (45 minutes by car), I can also advise you to go to the Hoover Dam, a water reservoir that makes an impression. If you have time, you could also rent a Jet Sky or a boat to spend the day on Lake Mead.

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