Land at SFO or OAK and transfer to your hotel; allow time for traffic and check-in. Use this afternoon to settle and get your bearings — keep bags light for evening plans.
Easy waterside walk to stretch legs, sample local artisan food and coffee; great spot to see the Bay Bridge lights at dusk. Ferry Building stalls usually open until early evening (hours vary by vendor).
Scoma's offers classic San Francisco seafood with harbour views; Tadich is the city's historic seafood house—both open for dinner (check reservations). A satisfying first-night local meal.
If there is a Golden State Warriors home game, plan for an 7:00–7:30pm tip-off and arrive early; check the NBA schedule and book tickets in advance. If no game, consider a night-time stroll or a rooftop bar on the Embarcadero.
Catch the ferry from Pier 33 for the Alcatraz tour — the full visit (boat + island audio tour) takes ~2.5–3 hours and sells out, so reserve early; typical departures start early morning and run throughout the day.
Walk or bike part of the Golden Gate Bridge and explore Crissy Field for excellent views and photo opportunities; the bridge is open 24/7, but wind and fog can affect visibility.
Both restaurants are SF favourites for a quality evening meal — Nopa offers Californian cuisine and Zuni is famed for its roast chicken and wood-fired oven dishes.
Choose the de Young museum or the California Academy of Sciences (both have seasonal hours, typically 9:30am/10am openings); both are excellent and good for an indoor few hours if the weather is cool.
For a classic feast the House of Prime Rib is memorable; alternatively sample authentic small-plate Cantonese or dim sum in Chinatown (many restaurants open late).
Scenic coastal driving with stops possible at Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz; expect 2–3 hours of driving time to Monterey without long stops. Check for road closures in Big Sur (seasonal).
Short scenic detour through 17-Mile Drive (toll applies) then continue hugging the coast through Big Sur; allow plenty of time for viewpoints and short walks. Big Sur facilities can close early in bad weather.
See the General Sherman Tree (largest by volume) and, weather permitting, climb Moro Rock for views. Some trails may be icy in November — bring warm clothing and traction if needed.
Confirm helicopter booking, pickup times and arrival logistics — many heli operators depart early; allow time to print vouchers and pack an overnight bag if needed.
Morning helicopter tours typically depart 8–10am and include Hoover Dam flyover and Grand Canyon landing or rim flight; confirm operator and exact departure; expect 3–4 hours total.
Continue the Route 66 route then north towards Page (approx 3–4 hours from Kingman area); arrive in Page and check into accommodation for the next two nights for Antelope/Horseshoe/Monument Valley access.
Navajo-led guided tours have restricted group sizes and set departure times (usually morning to capture light in Upper); book in advance. Tours typically last 1–1.5 hours plus check-in time.
Short hike (~20–30 minutes each way from the car park) to the viewpoint for iconic river-carved bend photos; bring water and a packed lunch or grab a sandwich in town.
Drive east ~2 hours to Monument Valley; arrive in the late afternoon to catch the soft light for photos and consider an evening Navajo-guided drive or sunset viewpoint.
Head to Moab for the night, taking scenic detours like Potash Road along the Colorado River (check road status and daylight hours). Allow a longer drive time due to stops.
Drive Potash Road (UT-279) for dramatic river views and petroglyphs; continue to Dead Horse Point State Park for sweeping canyon vistas — check park hours (often 7am–sunset).
Casual lunch in Moab to refuel before a long drive north; brewery offers good food and local beer if you’re not driving to the next overnight immediately.
This is a long multi-state drive (expect 8–10 hours depending on exact overnight stops). Break the journey with an overnight (e.g., Rock Springs, WY or Pinedale) depending on daylight and driving comfort.
Fuel up before entering the park; plan for a full day of geysers, hot springs and wildlife — some roads and facilities may be closed in November, so check NPS alerts.
Visit the park highlights; if roads are open, you can drive the loop, otherwise consider a guided winter/shoulder-season tour from a gateway town. Wildlife viewing is best early or late in the day.
Early departure for the long drive east toward Rapid City / Custer (gateway to Mount Rushmore); this will be a full driving day (~8–10 hours depending on stops).
Start early for a day exploring the Black Hills scenic byways like Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway (seasonal closures possible in November; check park service alerts).
One-way scenic drives with tunnels and rock spires — these roads are spectacular but narrow and may have seasonal restrictions; drive slowly and enjoy the viewpoints.
Visit the famous presidential carvings — the site is typically open year-round, but hours for services and visitor facilities vary in shoulder seasons. Late afternoon light is good for photos.
Boat excursions operate seasonally and may be closed by November depending on weather; if closed, walk the riverside paths and visit observation decks. Check operator dates/hours before you go.
If seasonal attractions are operating, the Journey Behind the Falls gives a unique vantage; alternatively Skylon Tower offers panoramic views and dining options.
Early departure recommended — drive time to New York City is roughly 6.5–8 hours depending on traffic and route; plan for tolls and urban driving approaching NYC.
Celebrate the end of the coast-to-coast drive with a New York dining experience — options range from neighbourhood gems to Michelin-starred restaurants depending on taste and budget.
Choose a harbour trip to Statue/Ellis (book tickets; ferries run most of the day) or a walking itinerary along the High Line and through Greenwich Village for neighbourhood flavour.