Los Angeles, San Diego & Las Vegas Tips...

STSAVER

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

I've never had any trouble whatsoever when driving around San Diego, but I think that SF is the definition of a car hating city !

Cheers MTC.... I was starting to think that the drive to Union Square might be okay... now I am doubting and thinking of just leaving car at the airport as first planned and hitching a ride into town in a taxi.

Baz_2

Seriously, you are going less than a mile off the freeway with only around 2 or 3 junctions to navigate. There will probably be more traffic and more junctions to navigate etc at the airport.

I drove from Fishermans Wharf to Yosemite the first time I ever drove in the states and really it wasn't that bad. AS long as you have prepared yourself and you know the layout and your route its fine. Its not like your freestyle route finding round the place in rush hour or anything.

We also had the worst most scary airport transfer or even of any journey in any vehicle in our lives on the transfer from SFO to our hotel. I think I would have rather drive myself than get in that cab again.

anglo1967

MTC,

I find it sad that you had to make it a bit personal... to be clear,

Americans might drive on the wrong side of the road, but please be aware that about 85% of the world does as well. The sun does set on the British empire now, most of the world does not follow the same patterns of traffic as it does on this sceptered isle! If you take away all the old bastions of the empire, the countries left will drive on our side...

Its also not really much temp change between N/S and S/N, its always cooler when you go to the coast as the winds come off the sea. I have had many drives to SF going S/N and it was just as hot when I arrived!

Baz_2

anglo1967 wrote: »

MTC,

I find it sad that you had to make it a bit personal... to be clear,

Americans might drive on the wrong side of the road, but please be aware that about 85% of the world does as well. The sun does set on the British empire now, most of the world does not follow the same patterns of traffic as it does on this sceptered isle! If you take away all the old bastions of the empire, the countries left will drive on our side...

Slight over reaction I think mate. :rotfl:

All he was saying was that SF is probably one of the worst cities in which to drive compared to others, especially for a foreign driver. He wasn't making any observation about americans on what side of the road they drive.

I'm sure he would say the same about NYC, London, or Paris to be honest.

Strange.

Murphy_The_Cat

anglo1967 wrote: »

MTC,

I find it sad that you had to make it a bit personal... to be clear,

Americans might drive on the wrong side of the road, but please be aware that about 85% of the world does as well. The sun does set on the British empire now, most of the world does not follow the same patterns of traffic as it does on this sceptered isle! If you take away all the old bastions of the empire, the countries left will drive on our side...

Its also not really much temp change between N/S and S/N, its always cooler when you go to the coast as the winds come off the sea. I have had many drives to SF going S/N and it was just as hot when I arrived!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

get away with your 'make it a bit personal' milarkey.

Of course Americans drive on the wrong side of the road - most people drive on the wrong side of the road. Its just the Brits that know whats what ane show the rest of the world where they are going wrong. As well as being on here, I also go on a few forums that are used by Ex-Colonilas (AKA Americans) and its called having banter, enjoying the crack, or taking the p*ss. If we were talking face to race, we'd be able to take in every nuance and you'd see that you're leg is being well and truly pulled.

As for N/S, S/N you tell it as you've found it and I'll do the same. Generally, SFO and the Northern part of California seem to enjoy a cooler and more temperate climate than LAX and Mid/Southern California - there will always be odd excpetions, but that seems to be a fairly easily distinguishable pattern :beer:

Baz wrote:

All he was saying was that SF is probably one of the worst cities in which to drive compared to others, especially for a foreign driver. He wasn't making any observation about americans on what side of the road they drive.

I'm sure he would say the same about NYC, London, or Paris to be honest.

Strange.

Got it in one. Parking in SFO can be very hard to find and ferociously expensive. It simply isn't a car friendly place and taking Public Transport is the way to go. For the record, everywhere else I've been to Stateside is a lot easier to get around in your own car than SFO, imo.

I've not been to London for ages, never been to NYC and France/Paris isn't my thing :beer:

STSAVER

going to do myself a route plan on google later today to get to the Union Square drop off then follow the route and investigate via the street views what it looks like for the drive and might give it a go. You only live once after all.

Then would just be a case of finding our way from the drop off point to the Hotel (TAXIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!). ;-)

Baz_2

STSAVER wrote: »

going to do myself a route plan on google later today to get to the Union Square drop off then follow the route and investigate via the street views what it looks like for the drive and might give it a go. You only live once after all.

Then would just be a case of finding our way from the drop off point to the Hotel (TAXIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!). ;-)

There you go, if you know what lanes you need to be in before you get there it makes it much easier. The freeways are easy.

Which hotel is it? Im sure it will be walking distance if its a Union square hotel.

STSAVER

Baz wrote: »

There you go, if you know what lanes you need to be in before you get there it makes it much easier. The freeways are easy.

Which hotel is it? Im sure it will be walking distance if its a Union square hotel.

Its not actually at Union Square - thats the closest drop off point though I think.

Staying at the InterContinental on Howard Street.

kegan5

I've read through this thread having booked a holiday to LA a week after the OP's trip

I just wondered if anyone with good knowledge of LA could point out areas that should be avoided etc and why ?

It's very hard trying to read through this thread in details giving there's a few disagreements etc.

boombap

Kegan:

The stereotypical 'bad' areas (due to gang violence) are in the south central LA area although I'm not sure which exactly are the worst. Like a lot of bad areas some have been through 'regeneration' projects so might be ok these days.

One problem with LA is that is is extremely spread out - much, much more so than London - 1,668 square miles to be precise! Make a list of what attractions you'd like to see and find accomodation near by. I know it sounds obvious but it'll save you heaps of driving time!