I am planning a trip to California, Arizona and Utah for next May with 3 other friends. Two of us can have 4 weeks, the other only 3 weeks for the whole trip (they’ll miss the first week of the trip).
Our intention is to visit Los Angeles, go by the coast to San Francisco, then head to Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Kings Canyon and then go to Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and maybe other parks in Northern Arizona and South Utah (Zion, Lake Powell).
If I had more time I would continue to Page, Lake Powell, Arches NP, Moab, Aspen and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, but I think it won’t fit in this trip.
I will sketch an itinerary that hope you can comment as to where to spend less or more time than in this first draft, or places you’d add or eliminate from this itinerary. Please also comment on how is the weather in May in these zones (day and night temperatures, to see if we can camp in some of the national Parks) , and also suggest on where to lodge (if there’s some particularly nice place to stay, or an exceptional site to camp).
I also read on the internet that you have to beware of bears, rattlesnakes, and scorpions in the Parks. But since reservations for camping have to made so in advance, seems like nobody worries about it. What do you think of that ? There’s even some pepper spray for bears ! I’ve never seen any in the wild, only in zoos.

May 1 – May 3 – Los Angeles – 3 days

Arrival, meet some friends, visit DisneyLand, Universal Studios Hollywood (?) , Santa Monica, Beverly Hills (Rodeo Drive), BelAir

May 4 – May 5 – Route 1 Scenic Drive – 2 days

Stopping in Santa Barbara, Morro Bay, San Simeon (Hearst Castle night tour), Big Sur, Pebble Beach (17-Mile Drive) and Monterey (visit to the Aquarium, Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row). I’ve been told the views are better going North to South, since you’re on the coast side of the road, but I hope there are some places to park by the road and do some trekking by the coast.
I would also like to stop by one or two of the Missions in that area (maybe San Carlos Borromeo near Carmel, Santa Barbara, or San Luis Obispo).
Where would you spend the nights in this area?

May 6 – May 9 – San Francisco – 4 days

Everybody says it’s a beautiful city, but don’t know exactly what to do. Walk the city, cross the Golden Gate (maybe in a byke), Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, Pier 39, take a ride in the tramways (cable cars).
Possibly have a day trip to Palo Alto, Stanford, Silicon Valley. Do some shopping also.

May 10 – Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties – 1 day

Leave SF in the morning. See the vineyards, the redwoods, Point Reyes National Seashore, the Old Faithful geyser. Don’t know where to spend that night.

May 11 – May 13 – Lake Tahoe – 3 days

Pass by Truckee, some small cities in the Gold County (ghost towns ?), probably ride some chair lift to a ski resort to see the lake from above (Heavenly), maybe ski, or go to the beaches on the lake (depends on the weather). Please tell what are the suggested activities in May.

May 14 – May 16 – Yosemite – 3 days

Please provide info on where to lodge (into or out of the Park, camping or in cabins).

May 17 – Sequoia / Kings Canyon National Park – 1 day

See the sequoias, do some hiking. Is it worth, or I would’ve already seen equally impressing sequoias in Yosemite?

May 18 – Death Valley – 1 day

On route to Las Vegas, stop a Devil’s View. Is it a safe route ? I would pass during the day, arriving Las Vegas at night.

May 19 – May 20 – Las Vegas – 2 days

See the city for first time.

May 21 – Zion National Park – 1 day

May 22 – May 23 – Grand Canyon – 2 days

I would do only the South Rim, still haven’t decided if to hike to the bottom of the Canyon. Possibly would splurge in a plane or helicopter tour.

May 24 – Monument Valley and Antelope Slot Canyon – 1 day

Where is Antelope Slot Canyon ? I’ve seen photos of it and want to go there.

May 25 – Route through Flagstaff, Sedona, Havasu, Palm Springs to Los Angeles

I’ll just pass through Joshua Tree National Park

May 26 – Los Angeles

Take plane back home

I’ll wait for your comments on this itinerary or any part of it.
Thanks,
Enrique