Travel
Travel experiences and planning.
Friday, April 18, 2025
Santa Clara County Parks
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Summer 2025 options
CharDham tour operators quotes per person for 6 folks for June 2024. All include hotels, transportation, breakfast, dinner. Innova Crysta will have a carrier. We prefer Tempo 9 seater for additional space given long drives & luggage; Tempo also has carrier.
Sanjay Tours: Tempo (quote for 14 seater instead of 9 seater): Rs.1 lakh, 12 nights
From Uttarakhand tourism website: https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/assets/media/UTDB_media_1742284284listofoperator.pdf
ABD Travels:
Spoke to friendly & knowledgeable employee Nisha
https://abdholidays.com/yatra-by-road
Website: Deluxe 34k, Luxury 65k from Dehradun
Phone: Rs.27.5k standard
Official quote:
Innova Crysta: Rs.43.5k Luxury, Rs.49k Premium
Tempo: Rs.48k, Rs.54k
Destination Luxury Hotels Premium Hotels Nights Plan
Barkot Adhvanta Cottage/Similar Rigveda Resort/Similar 02 MAPI
Uttarkashi Bhagirathi Residency/Similar Akash Ganga/Similar 02 MAPI
Phata Shiva’s Trident/Similar Buransh Heli Resort/Similar 02 MAPI
Kedarnath Guest House Guest House 01 EPAI
Badrinath Panchvati Inn/Similar Yoga Executive/Similar 01 MAPI
Rudraprayag Hotel Mandakini/Similar Pride Resort/Similar 01 MAPI
CharDhamTour:
https://www.chardhamtour.in/
Spoke to Mr.Laxmi Prasad who linked us with an employee with a different number
Deluxe Innova Crysta: Rs. 46.5k
Tempo Deluxe Rs.53.5k, Luxury: Rs.64.5k, Premium: Rs.80.5k
City Deluxe Hotel/ similar Luxury Hotel/
similar
Premium Hotel/
similar
Nights
Barkot Yamunotri paradise Monkey tail (Camp) Monkey tail
(Cottages)
2
Uttarkashi Gangotri Paradise Shivlinga Shivlinga Premium 2
Sitapur Nanda resort Hotel Kailash
Residency
La Fiyoli 2
Kedarnath Aligarh bawan/Bikaner House/Behl Ashram/Muzzafar Nagar Bhawan/Jaipur
House/Jalaram (basic accommodation on sharing basis)
1
Badrinath Hotel Urvashi New Yoga Lords/ Amritara/
Sarovar
1
Pipalkoti Hotel Harela Inn Samrat Resort
(Rudraprayag)
Monal Resort
(Rudraprayag)
1
ThreeSixtyHolidays
https://threesixtyholidays.com/Chardham
Tempo
Option 1: Rs.83.5k, Option 2: Rs.65.9k
Haridwar (01N) MJ Sarovar Portico / Godwin, Renest / Regenta Orkos
Barkot (02N) The Monkey Tail / Yamuna Valley Cottage / Similar, Veda Cottage / Yaantra Resort / Similar
Uttarkashi (02N) Shivlinga / Rajaji Hotel, Hill River View / Yaantra Retreat / Similar
Guptkashi (02N) Shivalik Valley Resort / Char Machan / Similar, La Fiyoli / Kedar River Retreat /Kashi Retreat
Kedarnath (01N) Standard Lodge / Dharamshala, Standard Lodge / Dharamshala
Badrinath (01N) Amritara The Avadh / Sarovar Portico / Yoga Premium, Yoga Executive / Magalam / Similar
Rishikesh (01N) Monal Resort (Premium) / Kastoori Inn (Luxury), Monal Resort (Dlx) / Kastoori Inn (Standard)
Rudraprayag (01N) Modi Yoga Retreat / Divine Resort / Ganga Kinare, Divine Lakshmi Ganga / Great Ganga / Simila
Mahendra Destinations
https://www.mahendradestinations.com/gangotri-yamunotri/chardham-yatra-badrinath-kedarnath-gangotri-yamunotri/
Rs.49.5k for Deluxe with Tempo, Rs.51k for Deluxe with Innova Crysta, Rs.43k for Regular with Innova Crysta
Place nights, Deluxe, Regular
Rishikesh 1: Hotel Bliss Ganga / Similar, Hotel Neeraj
Barkot 2: Rigveda Cottage / Similar, Camp Veda/ Similar
Uttarkashi 2: Yaantra Retreat / Similar, Mahima Resort
Sersi/Guptkashi 2: Omkar Comfort / Nirvana Cottage, Omkar Comfort
Kedarnath 1: New Himachal Guest House, New Himachal Guest House
Badrinath 1: Hotel Snow Crest / Similar, Hotel Dwarikesh / Similar
Srinagar 1: Riverside Resort / Similar, Chahat Resort / Similar
Haridwar 1: Hotel Fern Residency / Similar, Hotel SRS Lakshya / Similar
Other recommendations from friends:
Panicker travels
Southern travels (served South Indian food)
Types of vehicles
Innova: 6–7 passengers
Innova Crysta: 6–7 passengers
Bolero: 7–8 passengers
Tempo Traveller: 9–17 passengers (model: 9, 12, 14, 17 + driver)
Leave Sun June 1 night
Arrive Tue June 3 morning, reach Chennai home before noon
Wed, June 4 & Thu June 5: Anbil.
Sat, June 7-Thu June 19: 13 days Chardham Yatra
June 7, 2025: Dehradun airport, Haridwar/Rishikesh
June 8, 2025: Barkot
June 9, 2025: Yamunotri (Doli, horse), Barkot
June 10, 2025: Uttarkashi
June 11, 2025: Gangotri, Uttarkashi
June 12, 2025: Guptkashi
June 13, 2025: Kedarnath (Doli, horse)
June 14, 2025: Guptkashi
June 15, 2025: Yogadhyan Badri, Narsingh Badri, Badrinath
June 16, 2025: Badrinath, Mana Village, Vriddha Badri, Adi Badri, Rudraprayag
June 17, 2025: Drive back to Haridwar/Rishikesh
June 18, 2025: Haridwar/Rishikesh
June 19, 2025: Dehradun airport
Wed, June 25: 3 ppl fly to Hyderabad
Fri, July 4: Night train from Chennai to Hyderabad
Sat, July 5: Ramanujar 108 DivyaDesam visit
Sun, July 6, Mon July 7: Function
Tue, July 8: 2 ppl Fly to Chennai
Tue, July 8-Wed July 9: Mantralayam & Nava Brindavanam
Thu July 10: Fly to Chennai
Thu, July 17: 3 ppl fly to Chennai
Fri, July 18: Night train to Bengaluru
Sun, July 20: Night train to Chennai
Thu, July 24: Morning flight back
Thu, July 24: Arrive back
Leave Sun June 1 night
Arrive Tue June 3 morning, reach Chennai home before noon
Thu June 5: Train to Trichy
Fri, June 6: Anbil.
Sat, June 7: Train to Bengaluru
June 7-10: Bengaluru
June 10, 2025: Mysuru train
June 11, 2025: Mysuru
June 12, 2025: See Belur temples. Stay in Chikmaguluru
June 13, 2025: Chikmaguluru
June 14, 2025: Horanadu, Sringeri. Stay in Sringeri.
June 15, 2025: Dharmasthala
June 16, 2025: Kukke Subramanya, Nagarhole. Stay in Nagarhole.
June 17, 2025: Nagarhole safari. Drive to Mysuru. Stay in Mysuru.
June 18, 2025: Mysuru to Chennai
Wed, June 25: 3 ppl fly to Hyderabad
Fri, July 4: Night train from Chennai to Hyderabad
Sat, July 5: Ramanujar 108 DivyaDesam visit
Sun, July 6, Mon July 7: Function
Tue, July 8: 2 ppl Fly to Chennai
Thu, July 17: 3 ppl fly to Chennai
Fri, July 18: Night train to Bengaluru
Sun, July 20: Night train to Chennai
Thu, July 24: Morning flight back
Thu, July 24: Arrive back
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Las Vegas 2 day trip
Saturday, December 07, 2024
Photographer friend's list of touristy places
- Iceland
- New Zealand
- Banff
- Norway
- SouthWest USA
- Alaska
- Everest Base Camp
- Kilimanjaro, at the summit.
- Beach places
- Hawaii (Big Island, Maui)
- Costa Rica
- Cancun
- Belize
- Touristy places
- Angkor Wat
- Machu Pichu
Wednesday, December 04, 2024
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Snow chain tire sizes for vehicles
2013 Toyota Sienna LE
235/60 R17
17’’ wheels
X-Large size snow socks
2024 Tesla Model 3
235/45R18
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Winter 2024 bus tours from Bay Area
1. Grand Canyon, Teton, Yellowstone, Canyonlands, Arches, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley from Los Angeles.
2. Antelope, Teton, Yellowstone, Mt.Rushmore from LA:
3. Yosemite, Yellowstone, Teton, Mt.Rushmore, Antelope.
4. Yosemite, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Los Angeles (theme parks) 10 days. Ends in LA.
5. Yosemite, Los Angeles (theme parks), Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon, Lake Powell. Ends in LA. 9 days.
6. Yosemite, Los Angeles (theme parks or Joshua tree), Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon, Lake Powell. 9 days.
7. Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Monument Valley, Capitol Reef, Las Vegas, Canyonlands, Arches
8. Yosemite, Los Angeles (theme parks), Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon, Lake Powell. Ends in LA. 8 days.
9. Yosemite, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon, Lake Powell. Ends in LA. 7 days.
12. Yosemite, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon. Ends in LA. 6 days.
Wednesday, October 09, 2024
Winter 2024 Road trip from Bay Area
1. Yosemite, Grand Canyon, LV, LA
Fri, Dec 20: Drive to Merced
Sat, Dec 21: Yosemite
Sun, Dec 22: LA
Mon, Dec 23: LA
Tue, Dec 24: Drive to LV. Mojave National Preserve en-route.
Wed, Dec 25: LV
Thu, Dec 26: Drive to Grand Canyon
Fri, Dec 27: Grand Canyon
Sat, Dec 28: LV
Sun, Dec 29: Back
2. Death Valley, Grand Canyon, LV
1. Day 1 Drive to Death Valley NP; Stay (night 1) (6.5 hrs drive)
2. Night 1: Stay at DV Park
3. Day 2 look around DV and 2 hour drive to LV; stay (night 2) (2 Hour drive)
4. Night 2 Check in at LV
5. Day3 Las Vegas stay (night 3) (local drives if any)
6. Night 3 Stay at LV
7. Day 4 : Drive to Page (night 4) (4.5 hr drive)
8. Night 4: Stay at Page, Az.
9. Day 5 : GC (night 5) (local drives)
10. Night 5: Stay at Page, Az.
11. Day 6 : Drive to Kingman via Flagstaff, all view points on the way (night 6) (4.5 hr drive)
12. Night 6: Kingman, Az (for sleep break)
13. Day 7 : Drive back home (9 hours)
3. Yosemite, LA, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, LV
Fri, Dec 20: Drive to Merced
Sat, Dec 21: Yosemite, back to Merced
Sun, Dec 22: Drive to Death Valley.
Mon, Dec 23: Death Valley
Tue, Dec 24: Drive to LV. Mojave National Preserve & possibly Castle Mountains en-route.
Wed, Dec 25: LV
Thu, Dec 26: LV
Fri, Dec 27: Hoover Dam. Drive to Grand Canyon. Stay near depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff or Page.
Sat, Dec 28: Grand Canyon
Sun, Dec 29: Drive to LA
Mon, Dec 30: LA
Tue, Dec 31: LA
Wed, Jan 1: Drive back home
4. Death Valley, Grand Canyon, warmer South Arizona
Sat, Dec 21: Drive to Death Valley
Sun, Dec 22: Death Valley.
Mon, Dec 23: Death Valley. Drive to Las Vegas in night.
Tue, Dec 24: Las Vegas
Wed, Dec 25: Las Vegas
Thu, Dec 26: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff.
Fri, Dec 27: Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend.
Sat, Dec 28: Sunset Crater volcano, Wupatki National Monument
Sun, Dec 29: Sedona, Red Rock state park, Slide Rock state park, Tonto natural bridge state park
Mon, Dec 30: Lost Dutchman state park, Picaho Peak state park, Saguaro national park
Tue, Dec 31: Kartcher Caverns state park, Catalina state park, start driving back
Wed, Jan 1: Joshua Tree national park, Drive back home
5. Death Valley, Grand Canyon, colder South Utah
Sat, Dec 21: Drive to Death Valley
Sun, Dec 22: Death Valley.
Mon, Dec 23: Death Valley. Drive to Las Vegas in night.
Tue, Dec 24: Las Vegas
Wed, Dec 25: Las Vegas
Thu, Dec 26: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff.
Fri, Dec 27: Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay at Page
Sat, Dec 28: Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Glen Canyon
Sun, Dec 29: Grand Staircase Escalante, White Pocket, Coral Pink Sand dunes, Spooky Slot canyon, Peekaboo Red Canyon Slot (technically challenging)
Mon, Dec 30: Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin
Tue, Dec 31: Cedar Breaks, Zion, stay in LV
Wed, Jan 1: Drive back home
6a. Grand Canyon, colder South Utah
Sat, Dec 21: Drive to Las Vegas
Sun, Dec 22: Las Vegas.
Mon, Dec 23: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24: Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay at Page
Wed, Dec 25: Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Glen Canyon
Thu, Dec 26: Natural Bridges, Canyonlands
Fri, Dec 27: Dead Horse Point, Arches
Sat, Dec 28: Goblin Valley, Capitol Reef
Sun, Dec 29: Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin
Mon, Dec 30: Cedar Breaks, Zion, stay in LV
Tue, Dec 31: LV
Wed, Jan 1: Drive back home
6b. Grand Canyon, colder South Utah
Sat, Dec 21: Drive to California City
Sun, Dec 22: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff.
Mon, Dec 23: Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay at Page
Tue, Dec 24: Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Glen Canyon
Wed, Dec 25: Monument Valley, Natural Bridges, Canyonlands
Thu, Dec 26: Dead Horse Point, Arches
Fri, Dec 27: Goblin Valley, Capitol Reef
Sat, Dec 28: Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin
Sun, Dec 29: Cedar Breaks, Zion, stay in LV.
Mon, Dec 30: LV
Tue, Dec 31: LV
Wed, Jan 1: Drive back home
7. Grand Canyon, colder South Utah, more time
Sat, Dec 21: Drive to California City
Sun, Dec 22: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff.
Mon, Dec 23: Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay at Page
Tue, Dec 24: Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Glen Canyon, Zebra Slot Canyon, Tunnel Slot Canyon (can skip)
Wed, Dec 25: Monument Valley, Goosenecks State Park, Bear Ears National Monument, Valley of the Gods, Natural Bridges
Thu, Dec 26: Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point
Fri, Dec 27: Arches
Sat, Dec 28: Goblin Valley, Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon, Capitol Reef
Sun, Dec 29: Capitol Reef
Mon, Dec 30: Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin
Tue, Dec 31: Cedar Breaks, Zion
Wed, Jan 1: Great Basin
Thu, Jan 2: Las Vegas
Fri, Jan 3: Las Vegas
Sat, Jan 4: Death Valley
Sun, Jan 5: Back home
8. Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, surrounding
Sat, Dec 21: Drive to California City
Sun, Dec 22: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams or Flagstaff.
Mon, Dec 23: Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend.
Tue, Dec 24: Bryce Canyon
Wed, Dec 25: Kodachrome Basin
Thu, Dec 26: Cedar Breaks
Fri, Dec 27: Zion
Sat, Dec 28: Great Basin
Sun, Dec 29: Las Vegas
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Death Valley
Thu, Jan 2: Death Valley
Fri, Jan 3: Joshua tree
Sat, Jan 4: LA or Big Sur
Sun, Jan 5: Back home
9. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, colder South Utah, more time
Sat, Dec 21
Golden Gate Bridge
Sun, Dec 22
Drive to California City
Mon, Dec 23
Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon Junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24
Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay at Page.
Wed, Dec 25
Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Glen Canyon, Zebra Slot Canyon, Tunnel Slot Canyon (can skip).
Thu, Dec 26
Monument Valley, Goosenecks State Park, Bear Ears National Monument, Valley of the Gods, Natural Bridges.
Fri, Dec 27
Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point.
Sat, Dec 28
Arches.
Sun, Dec 29
Goblin Valley, Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon, Capitol Reef.
Mon, Dec 30
Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin.
Tue, Dec 31
Cedar Breaks, Zion.
Wed, Jan 1
Great Basin.
Thu, Jan 2
Las Vegas
Fri, Jan 3
Las Vegas.
Sat, Jan 4
Back Home
10. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, surrounding
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge
Sun, Dec 22: Drive to California City
Mon, Dec 23: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Wed, Dec 25: Bryce Canyon
Thu, Dec 26: Kodachrome Basin
Fri, Dec 27: Cedar Breaks
Sat, Dec 28: Zion
Sun, Dec 29: Great Basin
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Death Valley
Fri, Jan 3: Big Sur
Sat, Jan 4: Back home
11. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, surrounding
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Drive to California City
Mon, Dec 23: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Wed, Dec 25: Page. Antelope Canyon.
Thu, Dec 26: Kodachrome Basin
Fri, Dec 27: Bryce
Sat, Dec 28: Cedar Breaks
Sun, Dec 29: Zion
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Death Valley
Fri, Jan 3: Big Sur
Sat, Jan 4: Back home
12. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, surrounding
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Drive to California City
Mon, Dec 23: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Wed, Dec 25: Page. Antelope Canyon.
Thu, Dec 26: Kodachrome Basin
Fri, Dec 27: Bryce
Sat, Dec 28: Cedar Breaks, Zion
Sun, Dec 29: Las Vegas
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Death Valley
Wed, Jan 1: Channel Islands
Thu, Jan 2: Big Sur, back home
13. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, colder South Utah, aggressive
Sat, Dec 21
Golden Gate Bridge
Sun, Dec 22
Drive to California City
Mon, Dec 23
Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon Junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24
Grand Canyon South Rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay at Page.
Wed, Dec 25
Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Glen Canyon, Zebra Slot Canyon, Tunnel Slot Canyon (can skip).
Thu, Dec 26
Monument Valley, Goosenecks State Park, Bear Ears National Monument, Valley of the Gods, Natural Bridges.
Fri, Dec 27
Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point.
Sat, Dec 28
Arches.
Sun, Dec 29
Goblin Valley, Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon, Capitol Reef.
Mon, Dec 30
Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin.
Tue, Dec 31
Cedar Breaks, Zion. Drive to Vegas.
Wed, Jan 1
Las Vegas.
Thu, Jan 2
Las Vegas
Fri, Jan 3
Back Home
14. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, southern Utah, relaxed
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Drive to California City
Mon, Dec 23: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Tue, Dec 24: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Wed, Dec 25: Page. Antelope Canyon.
Thu, Dec 26: Kodachrome Basin
Fri, Dec 27: Bryce
Sat, Dec 28: Cedar Breaks
Sun, Dec 29: Zion
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Drive back home
15. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Southern Utah
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Drive dear Death Valley
Mon, Dec 23: Death Valley
Tue, Dec 24: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Wed, Dec 25: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Thu, Dec 26: Page. Antelope Canyon.
Fri, Dec 27: Kodachrome Basin
Sat, Dec 28: Bryce
Sun, Dec 29: Cedar Breaks, Zion
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Drive back home
16. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Southern Utah
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Big Sur
Mon, Dec 23: Channel Islands
Tue, Dec 24: Death Valley
Wed, Dec 25: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Thu, Dec 26: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Fri, Dec 27: Page. Antelope Canyon.
Sat, Dec 28: Kodachrome Basin, Bryce
Sun, Dec 29: Cedar Breaks, Zion
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Drive back home
17. San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Southern Arizona
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Big Sur
Mon, Dec 23: Channel Islands
Tue, Dec 24: Death Valley
Wed, Dec 25: Hoover dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon West. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Thu, Dec 26: Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend.
Fri, Dec 27: Sunset Crater volcano, Wupatki National Monument
Sat, Dec 28: Sedona
Sun, Dec 29: Saguaro national park
Mon, Dec 30: Las Vegas
Tue, Dec 31: Las Vegas
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Drive back home
Sun, Dec 29:
Mon, Dec 30: Tue, Dec 31: Kartcher Caverns state park, Catalina state park, start driving back
18. San Francisco, Big Sur, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Big Sur. Stay in Big Sur.
Mon, Dec 23: Start driving to Death Valley. Stay en-route in California City.
Tue, Dec 24: Drive to Death Valley. Stay.
Wed, Dec 25: Death Valley. If we are near North Death Valley, stay night in Las Vegas, else stay in same place as earlier. Apply for Wave daily lottery 3 days prior.
Thu, Dec 26: Hoover dam, Lake Mead. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Fri, Dec 27: Drive to Grand Canyon South rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay in Page.
Sat, Dec 28: Wave (lottery permit) or Lake Powell. Drive to Bryce City.
Sun, Dec 29: Bryce Canyon. Stay near Bryce.
Mon, Dec 30: Cedar Breaks or Kodachrome. Stay near Bryce.
Tue, Dec 31: Drive to Zion. Drive to Las Vegas in the night.
Wed, Jan 1: Las Vegas
Thu, Jan 2: Drive home
19. San Francisco, Big Sur, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Big Sur. Stay in Big Sur.
Mon, Dec 23: Start driving to Death Valley. Stay en-route, close to Death Valley's entrance.
Tue, Dec 24: Drive to Death Valley. Drive to Las Vegas in the night.
Wed, Dec 25: Las Vegas. Stay in Las Vegas. Apply for Wave lottery permit.
Thu, Dec 26: Hoover dam, Lake Mead. Stay near Grand Canyon depending on availability, at Grand Canyon junction, Williams, or Flagstaff.
Fri, Dec 27: Drive to Grand Canyon South rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay in Page.
Sat, Dec 28: Wave (lottery permit) or Lake Powell. Drive to Bryce City.
Sun, Dec 29: Bryce Canyon. Stay near Bryce.
Mon, Dec 30: Cedar Breaks or Kodachrome. Stay near Bryce.
Tue, Dec 31: Great Basin. Stay near Great Basin.
Wed, Jan 1: Drive to Reno. Stay
Thu, Jan 2: Drive home
20. San Francisco, Big Sur, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley
Sat, Dec 21: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Sun, Dec 22: Big Sur.
Mon, Dec 23: Start driving to Death Valley. Stay en-route in Ridgecrest.
Tue, Dec 24: Drive to Death Valley. Drive to Las Vegas in the night. Stay.
Wed, Dec 25: Las Vegas.
Thu, Dec 26: Las Vegas.
Fri, Dec 27: Hoover dam, Lake Mead. Stay near Grand Canyon.
Sat, Dec 28: Drive to Grand Canyon South rim. Horseshoe Bend. Stay in Page.
Sun, Dec 29: Wave (lottery permit) or Lake Powell. Stay in Page.
Mon, Dec 30: Glen Canyon or Rainbow bridge. Drive to Bryce. Stay near Bryce.
Wed, Jan 1: Start driving home. Stay en-route.
Thu, Jan 2: Drive home. Reach night.
Detours near Las Vegas:
Valley of Fire state park, Red Rock Canyon state park, Tule Springs fossil beds, Kershaw-Ryan state park-Canyon Overlook Loop, Caliente ghost town, Cathedral Gorge State Park with Moon Caves-Cathedral Caves-Miller Point Trail
Detours near Page:
Buckskin gulch slot canyon (prefer AWD), White Pocket (4WD needed). Consider 4WD tours such as Coral Cliff tours, Alstrom Point (needs AWD near the end).
Lone Rock Beach, Lake Powell.