Getting around in California [closed]

The only answer to this is: it depends. It depends on so many factors, so I will point out the pros and cons I used for my trip to California.

Keep in mind that California is huge. You're talking about distances that are over a day's trip apart from each other. Perhaps you should take more time for your trip or visit less locations? Each of those locations alone have more than enough to see for 10 days.

Yosemite is (nearly) inaccessible by public transportation. You will need your own transport (or pay for a very expensive taxi) to get there. On top of that Yosemite is huge. I mean, really huge. You may want to explore certain parts on foot or by renting a bike or boat, but the problem is getting there. A rental car seems to be the best idea here. Keep in mind: make sure your rental car is allowed on dirt roads and keep the weather in mind.

On the road between Los Angeles and San Fransisco it depends on what you like. There is a train connection to San Jose and a megabus to San Francisco. Of course, you'll have to stick to the schedule those go on, while driving you'll have much more freedom.

I do not have experience nor have I done research on traveling from California to Las Vegas, but google maps shows the drive from Los Angeles is relatively short, under four hours. There is also a bus going there, which takes around 5 hours. Both would most likely be quicker or about equal time to flying if you count getting to the airport, unless you get stuck in traffic, which is quite likely at certain times.

In general, it all comes down to this:

Which locations do you really want to see (the cities/park or the route there)? And how can you visit these locations you want to see while avoiding driving when you are tired?

With 8 people, I would recommend renting two cars, presuming you have two eligible drivers in the group.

This will give you a lot of flexibility, comfort and storage.

This only "weather" you may experience is light rain in the Bay Area an probably snow in and around Yosemite.

Everywhere you mention is easily, and best, accessible by car.

You'll definitely want to rent a car. I'm from California, we all know public transit in California is a joke. There are trains and buses to take you to major metro areas and they are pretty cheap, but they are very very slow. I once took a Greyhound bus from LA to Salinas (~6 hour drive) and it took over 11 hours. So here's how I see this working for you:

If you're flying in to San Jose, I would recommend spending 1-3 days seeing San Jose, San Francisco, and anything else in the Bay Area that interests you. Driving/parking in SF is a hassle, so you may want to drive to a BART station in East Bay and take the rail into SF.

Yosemite is not too far from the Bay, but as Belle points out, it is very large. You'll want to go see the Yosemite valley (Halfdome, El Capitan, etc), but the whole park is worth a drive, so you'll want want to have a car to see as much as you can. In February it may be a little chilly for camping, but people do camp there all winter (see here).

I would do Vegas next, as it's a shorter drive than all the way to Los Angeles. Like I said: I'm a Californian, so I'm a little biased, but don't see spending too much time in Vegas. But it's south of Yosemite, and only about 4-5 hours from LA, so it's not too far out of your way.

From Vegas, the drive south to Los Angeles will require most of a day. Driving in the desert is pretty quick: things are flat and straight, and there will be very little traffic until you reach the outskirts of LA.

Once you're in Los Angeles, the only option is a rental car. The city of LA and its suburbs are very spread out, so walking is not an option and taxis will add up fast.

Then (and this is my favorite part) take a day to drive the Pacific Coast Highway back north to the Bay, where you can fly home. This is the most scenic drive in California, and one of the most iconic postcard-picture spots in the entire US. You may have to cut this drive out and fly out of LA, but I absolutely adore and highly recommend Big Sur and the drive up the central coast.

In my mind the best way to see what you want in ten days is:

1. Fly in to San Jose
2. Check out San Jose
3. Check out San Fransisco (~1 hour drive)
4. Drive out to Yosemite (~4 hour drive)
5. Check out Yosemite.
6. Drive south to Vegas. (~6 hours)
7. Check out Vegas
8. Drive west to LA
9. Check out LA
10. Check out LA and Big Sur, drive north to San Jose to fly home. (~7 hours driving)

My need to move some of the driving days around, depending on what you really want to see.

EDIT: Googling revealed this, which outlines the basic trip you want (just skip the Grand Canyon).