road trip, phoenix to monterey, ca | FerrariChat

road trip, phoenix to monterey, ca

Discussion in 'Arizona & New Mexico' started by Edward 96GTS, Apr 6, 2021.

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  1. Edward 96GTS

    Edward 96GTS F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2003
    9,192
    picking up daughter from college and driving from phoenix to monterey. plan on spending 4-5 days on the road.
    what are the must see places, where to stay and eat? some hiking(tho it may be too hot).
    best route back to monterey?
    tia
    ed
     
  2. CSX55

    CSX55 Rookie

    Mar 30, 2021
    36
    Tucson, AZ
    If you want to stay in Phoenix,

    Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain (great photo op at the top)
    Hidden Valley/Mormon Trail on South Mountain (a tad bit more technical)

    Buttttttt, if you're up for some higher elevations and lower temps, I highly recommend heading northward a bit to Sedona and/or Flagstaff.

    Sedona hikes - https://www.themandagies.com/best-hikes-in-sedona-arizona/
    Flagstaff hikes - https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-destinations/best-short-hikes-in-flagstaff-arizona

    The FlagX adventure course and/or ziplines are also quite fun - https://flagstaffextreme.com/
    You could still get to Monterey via Las Vegas with a trip through Death Valley or just take I-15 to Bakersfield if you want a more traffic'd route back home.
     
  3. TTR

    TTR F1 Veteran
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    Mar 29, 2007
    5,141
    Riverside, CA
    Full Name:
    Timo
    Any scenic route that doesn’t include “conveyor belts”, a.k.a. Freeways or Interstates, is always more much interesting, especially if driving something cool/vintage, like a Daytona (hint, hint, unless M-A joins you two).

    No rec’s for scenic hikes or places to see in AZ, but California Sierras, especially off 395 has more than plenty.
    Fossil Falls, Whitney Portal, Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest , Mammoth, June Lake Loop, Mono Lake, Bodie (Ghost Town), along with Death Valley and Yosemite, etc comes to mind.

    Enjoy !
     
  4. Edward 96GTS

    Edward 96GTS F1 Veteran
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    Nov 1, 2003
    9,192
    where is a nice place to stay in tempe/scottsdale? just two nights required to load up the college stuff. moderately priced. last time we were there we stayed at the camelback inn very nice but too nice for just two nights.
    could also use recommendations at sedona, zion and las vegas. these can be nice places with amenities.
    always appreciates restaurant suggestions too.
    tia
     
  5. GNALUZU

    GNALUZU Formula Junior

    Mar 23, 2004
    703
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Full Name:
    Adam
    Enchantment in Sedona is fantastic, plus, it is really close to one of our absolute favorite restaurants up there Dahl & DiLuca (https://www.dahlanddiluca.com/)
     
  6. enio45

    enio45 Formula 3
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    May 16, 2004
    1,533
    Gilbert, AZ
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    Ed
    l'auberge is equal to enchantment - closer to town.....at this time all places of this caliber will be 600 or so a night

    restaurants - may excellent ones in sedona........Mariposa, dahl and diluca.....rene's, hudsons, coffee pot for breakfast - home of the 101 omelets
     
  7. PA32Pilot

    PA32Pilot Formula 3
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    Mar 5, 2020
    1,759
    Glendora, CA
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    Jamie Kirk
    Hike Baldy in Upland on your way back
     
  8. synchro

    synchro F1 Veteran

    Feb 14, 2005
    9,294
    CHNDLR
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    Scott
    Phoenix North on I17 to Montezuma's Castle for a short hike to see cliff dwelling people
    then on to Sedona where the FCA usually stay at La Sedona Real (last visit $179/nt incl breakfast), and I recommend you dine at Elote - one of all Arizona's top 10 Mexican restaurants. Hike Broken Arrow, Soldiers' Pass, Cathedral Rock - in that order.

    Continue to the Grand Canyon, stay at the Rim's Kachina Lodge if you can - most tourists never see Dawn/Dusk at the Grand Canyon and it is well worth the price.
    Hike along the rim or down as far as you want as there is lots to see. Every. where.
    To Depart, drive East towards Cameron and at least stop at Navajo Point (or any of the 9 stops) for more gorgeous scenery
    Stop at HorseShoe Bend, hike the edge to find the perfect Selfie, then continue to Antelope Canyon where you hire an Indian guide to lead you through the famous Slot Canyon. Noon - 4pm have great vertical lighting in the slot canyon, mid-day is best. Stay in Page, AZ

    Head West on 89 and stop at The WhiteHouse Campground to take the 1km flat hike to The Nautilus. This spiral wind carved staircase is an easy hike up a wash to a 50 ft high white sandstone structure where the wind has carved a very cool spiral out of it.
    Stay in Kanab and hike many areas nearby on the Old Western Movie sets (Johnstone, Pariah Canyon, or even Coral Pink Sand Dunes perhaps).

    Continue driving on the Colorado Plateau, with stops at Bryce and Zion depending on your schedule and each have great places to stay with lots of hiking. One lesser State Park that has absolutely fantastic red rock formations is Valley Of Fire just 1.5 hours NW of Vegas. Great photography there.

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  9. Edward 96GTS

    Edward 96GTS F1 Veteran
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    Nov 1, 2003
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    all great suggestions.
    thanks
     
  10. Edward 96GTS

    Edward 96GTS F1 Veteran
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    Nov 1, 2003
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    other than water, sunscreen, hat and cell phone, what is advised to take along on a 1/2 day hike in the dessert?
    snake bite antivenom, mace, bandages, etc?
     
  11. sunghyun7

    sunghyun7 Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2019
    250
    I LOVE the drive through the Tonto national forest. I live in Tucson and with exception of going up and down Mt Lemmon, it's my second favorite drive to do.

    water and big hat. The rattle snakes are out, so know what they sound like and avoid them. they usually aren't a problem as long as you don't poke it with your cell phone haha

    never be afraid to turn back when you feel little off. People who get in trouble are the ones that need to reach the peak. It's not that hot right now but daytime heat can creep up pretty quickly
     
  12. CSX55

    CSX55 Rookie

    Mar 30, 2021
    36
    Tucson, AZ
    Can't emphasize having enough water. Wear a Camelbak or something similar if possible a handheld bottle may not be sufficient.

    You may come across various manner of critters on the trail - snakes, scorpions, perhaps even a wayward coyote or javelina. Main thing is, if you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone but a walking stick might be advisable if you're worried.
     
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  13. synchro

    synchro F1 Veteran

    Feb 14, 2005
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    Scott
    No, and def not mace.
    Some of the most polite hikers we have seen - been offered water bottles, fruit, answers, and nice conversation.

    Your list is great but perhaps add a bandana, sunglasses, and either needle nose pliers or tweezers should you accidently bump a cactus.

    Diamond backs have a very limited striking distance that is about only one-third of their total body length and with their rattle you will not be surprised.
    They have never been an issue hiking here.


    BTW, I have no idea if you're looking for a slow or aggressive hike,
    but one hike I take all visitors on is the short Pinnacle Peak hike, which is also the best marked with post signs for Flora/Fauna/viewpoints. Anyone not from the desert will appreciate the little signs everywhere describing that plant or animal with details. This short meandering hike leads to a nice lookout with stone sighting lines to mountains and sights in the distance. Plan 2 hours max

    Matthias Bartz enjoyed it


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  14. Edward 96GTS

    Edward 96GTS F1 Veteran
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    Nov 1, 2003
    9,192
    best road route from south rim grand canyon to orange county calif?
     

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