USA for three weeks

[marcopol]

Heading over to the south west USA for three weeks in April. Unfortunately I will be on 4 wheels. Landing in LA but I hate big cities and intend to tour around California, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.  Looking for spectacular roads or vistas and in particular small towns to stay in with at least a bar and a restaurant. Any of our USA riders have any suggestions.

[Grabcon]

Here are some thoughts I have. But you must first realize that there are some areas in the high country of California that still may be closed due to snow. Kings canyon area and Sequoia NP. Death valley is a great place but will be getting hot. In Arizona Salt river Canyon and HWY 191 (Coronado Trail). In Utah anywhere around Zion and Bryce Canyon NP. HWY 12 near Grand Staircase-Escalante. Still may be snow here too. There is a pocket of good roads in New Mexico to the east of Taos. From Red River to the north down to Mora on the south and Ocate on the easterly side.

I don't make to California much so maybe others can chime in.

[andyrob]

http://www.pappyandharriets.com/ in Pioneertown, Ca. Out in the desert but only maybe a couple of hours east of LA near Joshua Tree National Park. Its a gem.
Host some big bands and you can stay in the old terraced huts. Book early as there are only about eight. There is an old film set you can walk about in too.

Route 10, Oatman, Arizona. A fantstic road in and out. Old pit donkeys wander the streets and shops.

Route12 south Utah as mentioned is a topper for miles and miles. TBH Utah is one of the most spectacular places I have been to. Buy your National Park pass before you go as its a lot cheaper if you are visting multiple parks.

Lee Vining, Ca. on the east side of Yosemite is small and fine but most importantly gets you next to Mono Lake and its salt structures (famous Pink  Floyd photo from there) and an early start to head over the Tioga Pass 10,000ft and the park is pretty empty.
Stayed here a couple of times: https://lakeviewlodgeyosemite.com/ The 2nd time was after a 700+ drive from North Rim Grand Canyon (huts are lovely, sunsets & star gazing and the Canyon itself are tremendous) but the driving is easy over there and out in the sticks, little traffic.

3 weeks is a excellent amount of time so you will see plenty. Stay off the motorways after you leave LA. Don't miss State parks as can be just as impressive as the well known National Parks.

If we had any money we be over there every year. Started planning for 2021.

[marcopol]

Thanks everyone. Keep them coming. Would you hire a convertible, a SUV or go for a RV ?

[Grabcon]

Originally Posted by marcopol

Would you hire a convertible, a SUV or go for a RV ?

Yes to all. It really depends on what you want to do and budget.

Since I do a lot of RVing the only way that it makes sense is if you do all of your eating and camping out of the RV. There will be some areas that might be restricted to RV travel as well. Parking these boats will require the 6 P's (Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance) as some areas get kind of tight.

If you are taking the time to plan I would say and SUV, but many rental companies limit SUV's to pavement.

The convertible and SUV will require the obvious sleeping accommodations and restaurants, unless you plan on camping. If that is the case take the SUV.

[andyrob]

Originally Posted by marcopol

Thanks everyone. Keep them coming. Would you hire a convertible, a SUV or go for a RV ?

Twice hired a convertible Mustang. Loved it. 
So all our cousins know your European. 

If you cant do it on a bike, top down motor is the next best thing for the massive views. And it keeps her suitcase smaller (the boots are not that big with the hood down)

1st time driving one we occassionally got flashed or waved at, out in the sticks by other drivers until we realised it was not speed traps ahead but other Mustang drivers (in the proper ones right enough,V8's of all decades *dribble*) How nice.

Its still good enough for some gentle off-road/unpaved if you are careful - ie Valley Of the Gods/ Moki Dugway (a more interesting way to get to Monument Valley) was fun and nobody there.

We have hired as soon as possible to get a decent rate from any of the big car hire firms. Its a generic "convertible" hire though. We have had to wait at the airport before for the last Mustang to get valeted. The next couple got a MX-5... we would have had to get one each!