California Trip ideas please

misa.blue wrote: »

HI guys, do you know how is it with Easter in USA?I just google it and it doesn't seem to be their bank holidays? Was think of going then to save holidays from work..

Hi
We've been several times, to various states, over Easter. In our experience the Friday, Saturday and Monday are normal days nothing should be affected. On Easter Sunday anything tourist orientated runs as usual, but we've found found that some shops & public transport (anything not aimed at tourists/visitors) are closed or operate on a reduced schedule.

misa.blue
Are you back from your trip? How did it go?
Were you happy with everything you booked?

johnwey wrote: »

i would do the reverse as you would want to drive from san fran towards LA as the pacific highway coat road will be on " your side of the road " better views when driving . if you go the other way you have another lane with cars in to spoil your views when driving

I know what I am talking about , I have done it

So has misa.blue, by now - she was going in April!
(and although I agree, having also done it myself, this advice has been given several times already )

Hello my great advisors!!!
I'm back from amazing 17 days holiday:) Had absolutely brilliant time and enjoyed every minute!
I will write about our hols from start. Went just with my husband.
After hours and hours of research we got flights and hotels booked up over 3 month period.
Bought flights on Christmas, there was sale on Iberia, direct London to LA, return from Vegas via Chicago £470 per person.

Flew from London direct to Los Angeles on Thu 21 April with BA, economy class. Really cannot fault BA and our flight at all, all was perfect, so effortless. Settled in our seats ready for 11 hour flight. Checked out our in flight entertainment (which is free) and were impressed by movies offered, so I spent about 9 hrs watching movies. Got very nice lunch, there was plenty of complimentary drinks, also there were snack available in kitchen during the flight, really great.
Landed in LA at 3PM, queued for 2hrs to pass immigration, which we passed without a problem. Got our cases and there was another huge queue as they were again checking your passport before leaving the airport, did not understand point of that at all..

Found bus stop for Dollar rent a car and bus was already there waiting, took us to Dollar branch. Book our hire car through usrentacar.com, Uk broker, had all inclusive deal, add driver, full tank prepaid on our Ford Escape for 8 days (£204)

See photo of our car at Highway 1 San Simeon.
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Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I was very worried we might get coned by their up sell techniques..But made it clear that we had everything prepaid and did not want any extras when they asked me to sign on electric screen. The sales lady said, of guys but you cannot drive without Road Safe insurance, it would cost you $800 for tow truck if you get flat tyre...
We said we take that risk, so she went back to booking and removed the Road Safe which she previously added without mentioning and word to us!
Were given row number and told to pick any car in that row. Ford Escape which we wanted was there, so we took it. As I'm from Czech republic, I'm used to driving on the other side of the road, so we agreed with my British hubby, that it will be easier for me to drive in US. After few jumps and skips I got used to automatic car, we switched on Sat nav we borrowed(lend? never know which one to use) from friend in UK and off we went towards our California adventure!:)

This is our itinerary:
2 nights Los Angeles
2 San Diego
1 Laguna Beach
1 Santa Barbara
1 Pismo Beach
1 Carmel Mission Ranch
4 San Francisco
Southwest flight to Los Angeles (£55 incl suitcases)
4 Las Vegas

From Dollar depot at LAX we drove to the hotel which was right behind Guarman's Theater at Hollywood Boulevard, took it via Rodeo Drive. Checked in the Hollywood Liberty Hotel(free parking £62 per night, free breakfast), by that time it was 8PM LA and 4AM British time. We decided to have stroll at Hollywood boulevard, went to see Chinese theater, saw some stars at the Walk of fame. Were too tired for proper dinner, so bought hot dogs on the street and went to bed.

Next morning we were fresh and ready for exciting day at Universal Studios, had breakfast at hotel and walked to Hollywood Highlands subway station which was about 4 minutes from hotel. Universal was just one stop from there, $1.50 per one way ticket per person.
As proper moneysaving person, I found Arrowhead mineral water promotion running to get discounted tickets at Universal, however this cannot be bought online if your credit card does not have US adrress. We picked up small bottle of Arrowhead water in our hotel vending machine (saw them in every convenience store too), there was no special marking about the promotion at all anywhere on the bottle.
Had nothing to lose so took bottle to ticket booth at Universal and lady there just asked us to peel the sticker of the bottle and gave us discount for both of us. This saved us $30 ($15 each), price of 1 day admission is $74 we paid $59. Better in my pocket :rotfl:

Had absolutely amazing day at Universal studios, both agreed with husband, that it was best experience during our holiday, arrived there at 10AM and left 8PM, they extended opening hours by 1 hour as it was lovely busy day.

Here is picture from film set of one of my favourite TV series :-) Desperate Housewives!

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