USA Map Coast to Coast Route 21 Days
21 Day Coast to Coast Adventure – Country & Western, Jazz and the Blues plus Cowboys and Indians, Gambling and Ghost towns. Ufo’s, a Bat Cave and a really big apple!
1st day:
Arrive and pick up rental car in San Francisco. Sightseeing and shopping in San Francisco.
Highlights
- Golden Gate
- Haight-Ashbury
- Chinatown
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Alcatraz Prison (Order Boat Tickets in Advance)
In the afternoon we travel towards our next destination stopping along the way to purchase camping supplies.
Driving Directions
- SFO Airport to Golden Gate
- Golden Gate to Haight-Ashbury
- Haight-Ashbury to Fisherman’s Wharf (Chinatown and boats to Alcatraz are with in walking distance)
- Fisherman’s Wharf to Yosemite National Park
Camp either in Yosemite valley or Yosemite Lakes RV Park or Yosemite Pines RV Park at Groveland
Yosemite Road Conditions
Important to check here during spring and fall to make sure Highway 120 (Tioga pass) is open.
Save Money
Get this pass when first go to enter Yosemite National Park.
America the Beautiful - 2008 Annual Pass - Cost $80.
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
This pass is available to the general public and provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of sale.
The pass admits the pass holder/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. (children under 16 are admitted free) The pass can be obtained in person at the park, by calling 1-888-ASK USGS, Ext. 1, or via the Internet at http://store.usgs.gov/pass.
2nd day:
We reach world-famous Yosemite National Park, known for its colossal granite cliffs and amazing waterfalls. If you wish to camp in the park make reservations as early as possible. (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camping.htm)
Highlights
- Glacier Point (Directions)
- Bridalveil Falls
- Yosemite Valley
First visit Glacier Point, an overlook with a commanding view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and the High Sierra is located 30 miles (one hour) from Yosemite Valley. The road ends at Glacier Point and it is a short walk to the viewpoint. On the way back to Yosemite Valley stop at Bridalveil Falls.
Camp either in Yosemite valley or Yosemite Lakes RV Park or Yosemite Pines RV Park at Groveland
3rd day:
Stop at Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite (2 to 3 mile hike). After Leaving Yosemite visit Mono Lake, then we drive along the High Sierra Nevada and Inyo National Forest stoping at Bishop to camp for the night.
Highlights
- Tuolumne Grove
- Mono Lake
- Tioga Pass
Driving Directions
- Yosemite to Mono Lake (Long Mountain Drive)
- Mono Lake to Bishop (Recomended campground - Brown’s Town)
4th day:
Another adventure awaits us. We drive through famous Death Valley (at the hottest time of the year the temperature rises up to 56°C) and reach Las Vegas – the gambling and show paradise.
Highlights
- Las Vegas Strip
- Freemont Street (Down Town)
- Death Valley
- Zabriski Point Death Valley
Search for Las Vegas Hotels
Search for Las Vegas Show Tickets
Driving Directions
Bishop to Death Valley to Las Vegas
5th/6th day:
Out of the burning heat of the desert with a quick stop on Route 66 and into the refreshing coolness of the mountains! The most important natural tourist attraction in Arizona, the Grand Canyon (350 km long, 6 – 30 km wide, 1600 m deep), is waiting to be discovered.
Highlights
- Snow Cap Inn (on Route 66 Seligman AZ)
- Sunset South Rim Grand Canyon
- Helicopter Tour over Grand Canyon
Driving Directions
Camping
Mather Campground (Year round). Located in Grand Canyon Village, Reservations can be made at reservations. nps.gov or by calling 1 800 365-2267, outside the U.S. call +1 301 722-1257.
7th day:
After a ride through fascinating desert regions, we reach Monument Valley, which is part of the largest Indian Reservation in the USA. More than 200,000 Indians of the Navajo Tribe live here.
Highlights
- Eat a Navajo Taco and buy silver (turn off to Monument Valley)
- Monument Valley
- Horseback ride and spend the night with Navajo
If not overnighting with the Navajo camp either at Mitten View campground at Monument Valley or Goosenecks State Park
Driving Directions
Grand Canyon to Monument Valley
8th day:
We drive through Mexican Hat where nature has transformed a monolith into a gigantic Sombrero and stop at Goosenecks State Park. On our way to Mesa Verde National Park, where we explore the largest and best preserved cliff dwellings of the Anasazi-Indians, we drive along the San Juan River.
Highlights
- Goosenecks State Park
- Mexican Hat
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Cliff Place
Driving Directions
Monument Valley to Goosenecks State Park
Monument Valley to Mesa Verde National Park
Camp either in Mesa Verde National Park or in Cortez.
9th day:
Through the Southern Ute-Indian Reservation we reach Aztec Ruins National Monument, which is famous for its sandstone pueblo. It was built approximately 1100 years before Christ and contains almost 500 rooms. We then go on to Santa Fé, the capital of New Mexico. This is a long Driving Day.
Highlights
- Aztec Ruins
- Santa Fe Central Square
- Shopping
Driving Directions
Mesa Verde to Aztec Ruins to Santa Fe
Camping
There are several commercial campgrounds in town (Los Campos de Santa Fe RV Resort , Rancheros de Santa Fe, Santa Fe KOA, Santa Fe Skies RV Park), but the camping is much more rewarding along the road to the Santa Fe Ski Basin.
10th day:
Southbound through the desert following the Pecos River we first stop at Roswell and visit the UFO museum. Now we continue on to Carlsbad Caverns. One of the largest caverns in the world, still only partially explored. At sunset, thousands of bats swarm out of the caverns – an overwhelming sight.
Highlights
- Roswell
- Caves
- Bats at Sunset
Driving Directions
Camping
White City (or Whites or White’s) just before the park entrance is convenient for the location.
11th day:
Across the width of Texas we drive on to San Antonio, the Mexico of the USA and home of the Alamo, an original reconstructed Spanish-Mexican fort from the 18th century. Attractions: The Riverwalk and San Antonio by night.
Highlights
- Alamo
- Riverwalk
- San Antonio Missions National Park
Driving Directions
Carlsburg Caverns to San Antonio (very long driving day)
Camping
San Antonio KOA 602 Gembler Road, ☎ +1210 224 9296 (fax: +1 210 224 8104).
Note
As you enter the Gulf of Mexico area you need to be aware of Hurricanes from June to November. Check here and here for weather conditions.
12th day:
On trucker route highway 10 we make our way to Houston, the largest city in Texas and home of the NASA Space Center. We move on to camp along the Gulf of Mexico at Galveston Island.
Highlights
- Nasa Space Center
- Gulf of Mexico Beach
- Seagulls at campground
Driving Directions
San Antonio to NASA Space Center to Galveston Island
Camping
Galveston Island State Park, 14901 FM 3005 (Take Seawall west down the island, it’s on the left (gulf) side.), ☎ 409-737-1222.
13th/14th day:
Today we leave the largest state in the continental United States “Texas”, and enter Louisiana to reach New Orleans – Heart of the South (Attractions: French Quarter, Bourbon Street with its Jazz clubs).
Highlights
- Bourbon Street
- French Quarter
- Jazz
- Food
Search for New Orleans Hotels Here and Here .
Driving Directions
Galveston Island to French Quarter New Orleans
15th day:
We drive across the State of Mississippi heading for Memphis also called “Home of the Blues” (Attractions: Beale Street – clubs where traditional blues is played, Graceland – Elvis Presley’s home and his tomb).
Highlights
- Graceland
- Beale Street
- Blues
- BBQ
Driving Directions
French Quarter New Orleans to Graceland Memphis
Camping
Memphis-Graceland RV Park and Campground. 3691 Elvis Presley Blvd 1 866 571 9236 or +1 901 396 7125
16th day:
Today we will reach Nashville, city of country music. (Attractions: Country Music Hall of Fame – Elvis’ golden Cadillac, Music Row Area – where more than 50 record studios and approximately 200 music-publishing houses are located, Grand Ole Opry and Opryland). Be sure to go downtown at night to see live music.
Highlights
- Grand Ole Opry
- Country Music Hall of Fame
- Country Music
- Tootsies Orchid Lounge
Driving Directions
Camping
Nashville KOA 2626 Music Valley Drive +1 615 889 0286
17th day:
We cross the Appalachian Mountains (also called the “Blue Ridge Mountains”) and reach Fayetteville West Virgina and the New River Gorge home of the best whitewater rafting on the East Coast. This afternoon we arrange our whitewater trip for the following morning before we leave for Washington D.C. and enjoy our mountain settings.
Highlights
- Whitewater Rafting
- New River Gorge Bridge
- Hiking
Driving Directions
Camping
RifRafters Campground Rt. 19 Laurel Creek Rd. +1 304 574 1065
18th/19th day:
From Fayetteville we drive thru the mountains and reach Washington D.C., the capital of the USA. Sightseeing in this skyscraperless city is easily done by foot. Don’t miss: The White House, Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, National Air and Space Museum as well as many other museums of interest. In the evening we stroll through Georgetown, the center of nightlife.
Highlights
- White House
- Lincoln Memorial
- National Air and Space Museum
Driving Directions
Camping
Cherry Hill Park. 9800 Cherry Hill RD. College Park MD 1 800 801 6449 or +1 301 937 7116
or search for Washington DC Hotels
20th day:
A drive along the Delaware River leads us to Philadelphia (founded in 1640). Stopping at Independence Hall the Liberty Bell hangs here, and it was here in 1776 that Thomas Jefferson proclaimed the Declaration of Independence. We then head for Manhattan, New York City. “The Big Apple” offers countless attractions, such as Broadway, Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, China Town, Greenwich Village, Discos, the Statue of Liberty and much more.
Highlights
- Independence Hall
- Times Square
- Broadway Show
- Statue of Liberty
Driving Directions
Washington DC to Independence Hall to Times Square
Sleep
Search for New York City Hotels
Search for Broadway Theater Tickets
21st day:
A last opportunity for city sightseeing and shopping in New York.
(See Trip Notes for more information)