In chat this morning a fun sounding idea occurred to me: a pre-TAM camping and road trip.
Here in the San Francisco Bay area we are about 600 miles from Vegas or just a hair under. This is also a prime summer destination for vacations what with the ocean and scenery and all. Why not invite folks from out of the area for one to three days of sunny coastal California fun, then road trip down to TAM?
If this piques interest, awesome. If not, no worries. Just want to be sure and ask early enough to 1) find out if there is interest, and 2) make reservations if/where necessary (including airplane tickets).
This would be Monday-Wednesday at most, driving to Vegas Wednesday evening. (Driving in late afternoon/evening avoids the intense heat of the day in the desert and sub-desert parts of California that are in from the coast).
The general idea I have in mind is this:
- Those from out of the area, but wanting to join the revelry fly into one of the Bay area airports served by major airlines. (San Francisco, Oakland, or San Jose)
- I can reserve a site or sites at a state park local to Santa Cruz, CA. Hotels are also available, but will be pricey due to high levels of tourist travel. There is a hostel in Santa Cruz as well. Do not count on being able to stay with local skeptics. Not that we're jerks, but space is severely limited. (and I, at least, would just as soon camp out as well).
The day of arrival and/or the next day (depending on when you arrive) spent seeing the sites around San Francisco or Santa Cruz. Options could include (among others) Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Roaring Camp/Train to the Beach, a hike or hikes in the famous California redwoods, chill on the beach (day), campfire/cookout on the beach (evening).
I live in the area and would be happy to coordinate, dig up info, rates, etc. I am also a docent/ecologist in the area and would be happy to organize a hike--could be fully guided, self-guided, or unguided (except a map).
- The morning after the second day (Wed AM) pack up and head to Monterey. Spend the day in Monterey with the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and other attractions; leave for Vegas in the evening. Dinner could be in Monterey or on the road (In 'n Out, for example).
- California's Central Valley is only 100 or so miles across, but even so is way too hot to enjoy driving across in July. However, an evening journey is quite bearable. Leave Monterey for Vegas around dinner time, pass through the Coast Ranges while it is daylight/twilight, (sunset is late) and cross the Valley in the dark.
- Arrive in Vegas around 1am.
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If a significant enough group is interested, this trip could be done on the cheap (under $100/person--including food, but not alcohol). Even including a visit to the aquarium and the boardwalk, this could be done for under $150.
I did not include costs of any rental cars or gasoline in this estimate, and am assuming camping equipment is owned or borrowed. I have a car, and it really depends on how many would want to do this venture to figure out final costs.
If you are thinking of renting a car at TAM anyway, it shouldn't cost you much more to do it this way (especially if gas is split bt/w riders) than if you rent it at the Vegas airport. If you are concerned with rental costs for 'extra days', airport runs could be made and you can rent before we leave Santa Cruz, or upon arrival in Vegas. If too many people are interested for me to fit in my car (and/or others that become available, then splitting a rental suddenly drops the cost for all involved.
It is just under 600 miles door to door from the campground to TAM. At 75 miles an hour it is just under 8 hours driving (seven from Monterey), and (for my car) 1.3 tanks of gas-- $35 to $40 in gas one way.
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Here are some links to area attractions around Santa Cruz and Monterey.
A google map I made highliting the overall idea of such a trip.
Henry Cowell State Park. Sites are $25/night/site
Beach Boardwalk (Amusement Park) Free admission, pay-per-ride or day pass.
Rates
Roaring Camp Railroad (Train from park to boardwalk and beaches).
Monterey
Cannery Row
Monterey Bay Aquarium
In addition, there are miles of hiking trails in the redwoods and other areas--free!, surfing (many shops rent and/or give lessons), the beaches--free!, beautiful scenic coastal drives--'free'!, whale watching or similar 'bay tours', swimming holes along the river--free!, wildlife spotting in the bay or harbor--free!, people watching and other fun downtown activities, and a myriad of other things to be done.
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At this moment details do not have to be worked out, but if there is interest I would like to get campsite reservations in as soon as possible.
You would be responsible for your own travel from Vegas following TAM. (We could discuss rental returns to the Bay area if the car has to go back to the originating store and you would rather fly out of Vegas).
