California fly drive advice

Miles16v

Has anyone ever been to Ventura? I just remembered I've got some hotel points that I can use against this place:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g60769-d596116-Reviews-Holiday_Inn_Express_Hotel_Suites_Ventura_Harbor-Ventura_California.html

Making it $60 a night.

Just wondering if Monterey to Ventura in one day might be too much, pushing whats meant to be a pleasurable drive? Its around 250 miles on highway 1.

malid

shinyahashimoto wrote: »

I will be based in LA for 6 nights, however plan on visiting San Diego, and financies permitting staying a night there. We will be spending the day at Balboa Park/Zoo, just wondering what is the best area to stay for the night or any recommended hotels? Thinking it would be good to leave the car parked and go out for a drink/meal somewhere. The next day we plan on maybe visiting the beach before we head back up to LA. For the hotel, don't want to spend too much. Any help much appreciated.

San Diego is not cheap but lovely. We stayed at Humphreys Half Moon Inn and Suites for 4 nights a few years ago. I would recommend but not sure about distances. If I remember correctly, a couple of eating places within walking distance.

We have visited the west coast 8 times and love it. We always drive when we're there. I know that some people may find driving time consuming and boring but it's great to soak up the atmosphere and experience in 'off the beaten track' places you would never see otherwise. Besides, there is a lot of hanging around in airports.

We have always hired the biggest car possible - people carrier even for three of us last time. Convertible sounds great but we wouldn't have coped with aircon in the desert heat July/August.

Miles16v

I've had a few pm questions, so thought I'd post up the final spend. Thanks for all the help.

Lets hope BA dont strike and that she likes the surprise!

Flights 870 BA Direct
Car 381 Sebring Covertible - www.usrentacar.co.uk
San Fran Hotel 3 nights 208 Hyatt Regency (4 star) - Priceline
Monterey 1 nights 56 Monterey Super 8 (2 star) - Expedia
Atascadero 1 night 0 Holiday Inn Express (3 star) - free wit hotel club reward points
Santa Barbara 1 night 77 Holiday Inn Santa Barbara Goleta (3 star) - Priceline
Los Angeles Hotel 3 nights 156 Courtyard By Marriott Marina Del Rey (3 star) - Priceline
Palm Springs Hotel 3 nighs 135 The Westin Mission Hills Villas (4 star)- Priceline
Las Vegas Hotel 3 nights 193 MGM Grand (Suite in 4 star)- Direct with hotel
Total 2266
Cash 1500 $2650 spending money
Insurance 32
Train 146 First class out, standard back
Airport hotel 12 Travelodge Heathrow Terminal 5
Grand Total 3956

Murphy_The_Cat

Miles16v wrote: »

Cash 1500 $2650 spending money

Only my opinion, but you'll need quite a bit more spending money than that - always assuming that you intend to live a little and that you're not going to eat at McDs every day (or have Subway $5 foot long subs all the time .;))

BTW, be very, very careful driving around in a convertible in June. Use lots and lots and lots of sunscreen and keep the roof up for some days :beer:

Miles16v

If I go over I'll use a card. Dont really want to take more cash than that with me.

Thanks for the advice.

old_motters

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

Only my opinion, but you'll need quite a bit more spending money than that - always assuming that you intend to live a little and that you're not going to eat at McDs every day (or have Subway $5 foot long subs all the time .;))

BTW, be very, very careful driving around in a convertible in June. Use lots and lots and lots of sunscreen and keep the roof up for some days :beer:

I disagree. $100 a day is enough to holiday tolerably in the US, the OP has $176 which is plenty.

Mr_Lahey

old_motters wrote: »

I disagree. $100 a day is enough to holiday tolerably in the US, the OP has $176 which is plenty.

You can do it for $50 per day for a family of 3 quite easily.

Murphy_The_Cat

old_motters wrote: »

I disagree. $100 a day is enough to holiday tolerably in the US, the OP has $176 which is plenty.

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

You can do it for $50 per day for a family of 3 quite easily.

Disagree all you like Old Fruit(s)
Bear in mind that you're going to eat (at least one 'decent ' meal per day), your going to do 'stuff' and that the fuel for the car will need paying for, you'll very quickly burn through $100 per day.

Miles, regarding taking a Credit Card, take 2. One if (when) you need access to additional funds and the second one as a backup. :beer:

old_motters

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

Disagree all you like Old Fruit(s)
Bear in mind that you're going to eat (at least one 'decent ' meal per day), your going to do 'stuff' and that the fuel for the car will need paying for, you'll very quickly burn through $100 per day.

Miles, regarding taking a Credit Card, take 2. One if (when) you need access to additional funds and the second one as a backup. :beer:

W/ever old bean, I said $100 per day would be tolerable. $176 per day is ample.

Still good point about the credit card, I also make sure the missus has one in case there's a problem with mine. Might well try the fairfx card next time.

Murphy_The_Cat

old_motters wrote: »

W/ever old bean, I said $100 per day would be tolerable. $176 per day is ample.
.

whoops, I saw 1500 and thought $1500.:o

I was working on the high side as I've just come back, and we spent way, way over what we thought that we would.
@ $1.50 / £1 your money just doesn't go anywhere near as far in the US as in the 'good old days'.
If someone is going to the US and they are working on a tight budget, they may well get a very nasty shock about 2/3rds of the way through their holiday.