Self-drive in the USA

stephenadarglas · 6 January 2006 at 5:21PM

Hi all

Has anyone had any experience of travelling Western USA independently? Advice on flights, hotels, itineraries, places to go, travel companies, etc would be most welcome. I have set aside 21 days.

Thanks

Steve

monkeyspanner · 6 January 2006 at 6:17PM

Yes. We spent a month on the west coast a few years back. Could you post up ages of your group, when you want to go and what sort of things you like to do e.g. theme parks, scenery,city tours, skiing, wine. Do you have a budget in mind?

Crispy_Ambulance · 6 January 2006 at 9:39PM

We had our honeymoon driving around California a few years ago. We flew to San Francisco, hired a car through Alamo and drove down the coast to LA. After that we drove across the desert to Las Vegas, then up through Death Vally and central California, north of San Francisco and then back to SF to fly home. We were there for about 2 and half weeks.

We only booked a motel in SF. The rest of the time, we stayed in cheap motels - you could get books of discount vouchers off the street vending machines. We treated ourselves and stayed in Tropicana in Vegas.

Worth visiting are SF, the West Coast, Vegas and go north of SF into the Napa Valley - it is beautiful and we wished we had spent more time there. Don't bother with inland cities eg Modesto, Bakersfield as there is very little there. Wasn't very impressed with LA and wouldn't be in a hurry to return.

We took advantage of jet lag to set off fairly early and stop for huge breakfasts later on at diners, which kept us going most of the day.

I don't know if any of this is helpful - but have a great time.

Cardew · 6 January 2006 at 9:47PM

Crispy_Ambulance wrote:

We had our honeymoon driving around California a few years ago. We flew to San Francisco, hired a car through Alamo and drove down the coast to LA. After that we drove across the desert to Las Vegas, then up through Death Vally and central California, north of San Francisco and then back to SF to fly home. We were there for about 2 and half weeks.

We only booked a motel in SF. The rest of the time, we stayed in cheap motels - you could get books of discount vouchers off the street vending machines. We treated ourselves and stayed in Tropicana in Vegas.

Worth visiting are SF, the West Coast, Vegas and go north of SF into the Napa Valley - it is beautiful and we wished we had spent more time there. Don't bother with inland cities eg Modesto, Bakersfield as there is very little there. Wasn't very impressed with LA and wouldn't be in a hurry to return.

We took advantage of jet lag to set off fairly early and stop for huge breakfasts later on at diners, which kept us going most of the day.

I don't know if any of this is helpful - but have a great time.

Good advice above.

I would not miss Yosemite National Park which is absolutely stunning.

It is really not worth booking accomodation as then you are tied to a schedule. Agree with the start early as well, but stop early as the better motels tend to fill up mid afternoon. Americans often eat Dinner really early - 5pm or so.

stephenadarglas · 9 January 2006 at 9:33PM

Thanks both - much appreciated

Ian_W · 10 January 2006 at 12:23AM

No one mentioned it Stephen, but do Highway One - the old coast highway from San Fran down to LA - if you get the chance. Allow a couple of days for visits to places like Monteray and Carmel [no, didn't see Clint!!], great scenary.

Hotels: in San Fran try around Fisherman's Wharf, the Holiday Inn is mid-priced and convenient. LA, we stayed at another Holiday Inn in Santa Monica, good access into LA but on the beach and good night life. In the cities, the motels in the main were seedyish but in small towns and on the road they were good standard & cheap.

We also really loved San Diego, bit warmer when we were there than either LA or SF, nice few days chilling in the sun around the pool or on a beach after some hard driving but don't miss the zoo even if it's all adults. Excellent - do enjoy.

blindman · 10 January 2006 at 11:34AM

Some good advice so far.

When are you going and who with?

Car Hire:
In CA there is no extra fee for one way drop offs so you can pick up the car in say San Fran (when you're leaving) and drop off in San Diego when you fly home.

Airlines.
Some allow Open Jaw tickets so you can fly into San Fran and then out of San Diego at no extra cost.

Travel Agents:
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Just pick up their brochures for self drives to get ideas on routes and itineraries.
You can do this quite easily and cheaper DIY.

Accomodation:
Depending where you go the earlier advice applies, book it on the hoof.
If you want luxury at a cheap price consider Priceline for major cities, though this does tie you into certain dates\places.

Web Sites:
Search and ask at Fodors Talk Forum
there are others.

Sites:
Spend a day at Hearst Castle San Simeon CA. Tickets can be booked on-line or turn up on the day.
Awesome place.

Do Alcatraz by night, very good, tickets can be booked on-line. If you go in the tourist season they can sell out quickly.

Give us more info and we can itemise better.

stephenadarglas · 11 January 2006 at 10:06PM

I've been advised that Trailfinders is a good company to deal with for flights, hotels, itineraries etc. (for the independent travelers - wife and I) Anyone had dealings with these or likewise companies? They allow you to set your own trip and then give you a price.

blindman · 12 January 2006 at 10:04AM

Trailfinders are good, they do not charge for credit card payments.

It's worth speaking to them and getting an itinerary, but as I said you can these use their ideas to make up a trip of your own at possibly a cheaper price.

Look at this US Byways site for ideas on car trips.
This National Parks site has ideas for car itineraries.
This Southwest site may help too

You still don't say WHEN you're going

stephenadarglas · 12 January 2006 at 6:49PM

I can leave the uk from anywhere between 4th and 18th July for up to 3 weks

stephenadarglas · 12 January 2006 at 6:57PM

Thanks blindman

These are good sites

Self-drive in the USA

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