California/Arizona Flydrive with young child

sianf_2

Hi,

My husband and I want to book a 3 week holiday for the end of May - mid June this year and I would love to explore the California/Arizona. The main points I'd like to see are Grand Canyon, Vegas, San Diego, Disneyland and Yosamite. My questions are, am I mad to attempt this with a 3 year old? And any routre, travel or general money saving tips? Would an RV be a good option, but they look pricey and I am a bit worried about security.

Thanks in advance.

malid

Hi Sianf,

GO FOR IT :j

My family and I started holidaying in California/Arizona in 1990. On our first trip we had a 6 year old and a 16 month old. We went for 4 weeks with only flights and a car booked (we tend to book motels/hotels in advance now given the facilities with the internet). We went from LA to Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, San Francisco, down the coast through to San Diego and back to LA. FANTASTIC and the boys were fine. Four years later, we did a similar trip leaving out the GC but on this occasion had a 9, 3 and 1 year old! Over the last 19 years, we have been to the west coast 7 times and will be going back again in August.

As far as the RV question is concerned, we ruled this out from the start. I wasn’t sure about staying on sites and preferred to be in an area where there were things to do – even if it was shopping/eating. We also thought it was easier to get to do the things we wanted with a car. After the first year, we have always gone for a minivan, even when there have only been three of us. It gives you plenty of space especially if doing long journeys.

Hope this helps. As far as I am concerned, west coast was the best for us with the children. :j

sturll

Absolutely. My kids have been travelling the US since they were babies.
Loved it every time. Plenty for them to do and see.

sianf_2

Fantastic, that has given me the confidence to actually book the flights! Any recommendations for cheap hotels, or car hire?

Thanks

sturll

sianf wrote: »

Fantastic, that has given me the confidence to actually book the flights! Any recommendations for cheap hotels, or car hire?

Thanks

If it is your first time driving in the US i would simply pay as you go. Driving in the US is a lot different to here, by that i mean once on the open road you can quite easily sit at 100mph for 4 or 5 in hours on cruise control and really make some ground. Its not difficult to do 500 - 600 miles in one day. Particularly if you don;t know the area by pre booking hotels you might find you have to forfeit things to make up time - or may end up dragging things out to fill time.

If you do payg be aware that mostly the standard of hotels in the US is far below that of UK hotels. If you imagine a premier inn here is graded 5 out of 10 then most hotels like Super 8, Motel 6 etc would be maybe a 2. The problem lies in the fact that most things in the US are franchised so you could stay in a really !!!!!! Motel 6 wheras the following night it could be half decent. Avg price for a budget hotel onm the road will be between $40 - $60 (location dependant) Its quite common to get this reduced - i doubt ive ever paid the initial asking price on a walk up rate. Especially if you turn up after 8pm.

Generally though i tend to stick to Hamptons, Marriot, Garden Inn - 99% of the time they are to a good standard and if your budget allows are really good. Expect to pay $80 - $120 again bartering is worthwhile. Hamptons also offers a good night or money back guarentee which i have used since i saw a cockroach and got a full refund.

If you end up in Vegas make sure you arrive Monday and be gone Friday morning, for example the rate Fri/Sat night may be $200pn, Mon - Fri $60. Even cheaper is if you stay up at Freemont st where the rates are generally around the $25pn.

In terms of car hire look to Dollar or Alamo. Both is booked in the UK come with full insurance. Try Carhire3000 or usrentacar.

There really is a great deal to write (i could write a book on it!) But if you need any further help simple ask

blindman

sianf wrote: »

Fantastic, that has given me the confidence to actually book the flights! Any recommendations for cheap hotels, or car hire?

Thanks

You may only get accommodation outside of Yosemite at this late date.
Not a problem as such but it adds to the time to get there\back if you are outside the park and there's an entrance fee that you'd have to pay every time you went in.

Several threads on here about this kind of trip BTW