USA road trip

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Sebastian

New member
Hi!

At the end of september I will be on a road trip through western USA.

Our tour will be lke that:

Phoenix-Flagstaff-Grand Canyon-Antelope Canyon-Zion Ntl Park-Las Vegas-Death Valley-Yosemite Park-San Francisco-Santa Barbara-LA-Joshua Tree Park-Phoenix

It will be not an "all-herp" trip but if someone knows some cool places where I can find geckos and other lizards and reptiles I would appreciate any help.

Best,

Sebastian

P.S. I´m looking for a good field guide of the herpetofauna of that region.
 
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DJreptile

New member
When you're in San Francisco go across the bay to Berkeley and check out EBV O N L I N E. They're the oldest and one of, if not the, largest reptile shops still operating in the U.S.

For the best view of San Francisco take the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island. Night or day it's the best view you'll find of San Francisco.

When you go from San Francisco to Santa Barbara give yourself a couple of days and take highway 1 down the coast. It's an amazingly beautiful drive. You can stop in Santa Cruz if you like to surf, Morro Bay for sea kayaking, Monterey for the aquarium, Big Sur for gorgeous redwoods, coastline, and sea otters, you may even see some elephant seals hauled out on the beach as you drive.

Yosemite is beautiful, but consider avoiding it. The crowds get truly insane at times. I lived in the San Francisco Bay for 19 years and traveled from Seattle to Baja extensively, I left last July, so I can probably tell you all sorts of other fun things to do. Just let me know what else you're interested in. If you like wine you may want to consider doing a winery tour while you're in San Francisco.
 
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Sebastian

New member
Thank you for the information :)

I planned like 2 or 3 days for Highway 1 from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.
Hopefully Yosemite will not be crowded. Last time I was travelling in that area I already missed it, so this time it is a "must go" ;)

Thanks,

Sebastian
 
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DJreptile

New member
You're welcome,

Highway 1 is definitely worth it. If you are at all interested in marine life I'd say make the Monterrey Bay Aquarium a priority, it's one of a kind. I understand with Yosemite, you should definitely go once but man, the crowds. Try to check out Tuolomne Meadows while you're there, it's one of my favorite places in the park. Hope you have a good time!
 
Calfirecap

Calfirecap

New member
Sebastian,

The best single reference for where you are going is the Peterson Field Guide Western Reptiles and Amphibians (3rd Edition) by Robert C. Stebbins.

When you are in the San Francisco Bay area feel free to look me up, if I'm around (Sept. is a busy time of year for me) I can take you out field herping or at least send you in the right direction. There are no native geckos in my area, but there are plenty of salamanders and other herps. PM me for details.

Lawrence
 
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Sebastian

New member
Hey Lawrence,

thanks for your book advice and your offer. I´ll contact you before the bgein of my travel.

Best,

Sebastian
 
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ManitobaHerp

New member
Try southeast Arizona

If you get the chance/time try some of the foothill roads around the sky island in the south east. I have had good luck finding Coleonyx on the Portal Rd. at the Chiricahua mountains also near there New Mexico Hwy #9 is good for geckos. Also these areas are good for finding tons of others Herps.

Good luck the south west is an amazing place in this world.

nick
 
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