California fly drive advice

alictait

If you're traveling up the California coastline I would recommend Cambria.

We stayed there in April and it's one of the most beautiful places i've been.

We did 11 nights in Vegas (third time there - still not seen everything!), 2 nights in LA (did nothing for me), 1 night in Cambria (wish it had been much more), 1 night in Monterey (lovely) and then 6 nights in San Francisco (lovely place but wouldn't go back).

Just be careful with the driving, we did so much I think it kind of ruined SF as we are so tired by the time we got there I don't think we were in the right frame of mind.

Miles16v

Should I genuinely be worried about booking with BA?

Its £110 more expensive to fly with virgin, also direct. Or the same price on flights with connections that add 5 hours to each way.

If I book, and BA annouce a strike, is it a simple case of getting my money back, and having to book whatever flight might be left with another airline? Which will no doubt be expensive and hard to get?

alictait wrote: »

If you're traveling up the California coastline I would recommend Cambria.

We stayed there in April and it's one of the most beautiful places i've been.

We did 11 nights in Vegas (third time there - still not seen everything!), 2 nights in LA (did nothing for me), 1 night in Cambria (wish it had been much more), 1 night in Monterey (lovely) and then 6 nights in San Francisco (lovely place but wouldn't go back).

Just be careful with the driving, we did so much I think it kind of ruined SF as we are so tired by the time we got there I don't think we were in the right frame of mind.

Thanks for your reply. How many miles did you drive?

WolfSong2000

I've traveled around the areas you're talking about before, and personally I'd say give LA a miss...I didn't sepdn very long there at all, but think the place is overrated. Stayed for a month in San Diego, and have no desire to go back...San Fran is lovely - I walked the whole time I was there, which was a killer, but sure got me fit. lol. Lots to see/do, highly recommend a few days there...Yosemite was also lovely. I did a day trip from San Fran and really enjoyed myself. Beautiful place.

Visited Las vegas on a seperate trip for just under a week...there's enough stuff there to keep someone entertained for a day or two, but not much longer than that! Still, it's worth a visit .

Miles16v

I've got a cousin in LA so will be able to get a decent tour of the place!

Would this route be better......

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=san+francisco&daddr=los+angeles+to:San+Diego,+CA,+USA+to:Las+Vegas,+NV,+USA&geocode=FVJmQAIdKAe0-CkhAGkAbZqFgDH_rXbwZxNQSg%3BFYqYBwIdm77z-CkT2ifcXcfCgDH0CEYlb98v4g%3B%3B&hl=en&mra=ls&dirflg=h&sll=33.495598,-118.817139&sspn=4.076306,8.393555&ie=UTF8&ll=35.245619,-118.630371&spn=7.981293,16.787109&t=h&z=6

As you can tell, choices aren't my strong point!

truman_sparks

I like that route but you MUST go visa the coast through montery and cambria on the coast road not down the 101 or route 5. try a stop on route cos it will take 8hrs ish.

ts

xxxgemxxx

Hi Miles

Just thought I would share with you as I have just started to plan a very similar trip for me and a friend

I found very good flights with Air New Zealand to Los Angeles as they have a sale on, for 2 of us in September, flying mid-week was about £750
We have also booked a car with usrentacar.com for 2 weeks, 2 drivers £250

I did alot of forum reading before booking those but from what I can tell that is a really competitive price and after alot of searching couldnt be beaten.

We are planning LA, San Diego, Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Yosemite Park, San Fran and back to LA.

Obv it is alot of travelling like you are doing but I think it will be very much worth it, also as we will be in Vegas mid-week it is alot cheaper and I will also be having my birthday there

Although yes it could be a very expensive trip, but if you plan it right it can be very affordable and doesnt have to be that once in a lifetime, you could go back and tailor the trip another time for things you missed.

Hope this helps
xgemx

old_motters

I agree with others that you're trying to pack too much in. You will need at least a couple of days to feel human again after the long flight. I would also look to cut the number of locations to maximum of 3.

San Diego and Las Vegas are must see cities IMO.

pebblespop

i did something similar in july (last year - lol!!). we flew to LA for 4 nights, drove to SF (took us 8 hours and i hated it DH loved it though) spent 2 nights in sf and flew to vegas for 5 nights (took 1.5 hours and cost about £70 each).

we didn't need the car in SF so wasted two days hire and spent a fortune on valet parking. next time i would drop the car off in SF at the hire company after driving over golden gate bridge and pick it up when you are ready to leave saving you parking and hire fees.

we then flew to mexico for a week with continental (about 5 hours with an indirect flight about £200 each) and flew back home via new york.

i booked the flight with virgin LHR-LAX and changed the return leg from LAX to NYC they charged me about £100 for this change.

don't forget to add in the cost of valet parking at the hotels - it is expensive. free in vegas though i believe.

ps. we took about £100 each per day spending money and had a great time on this.

mogadon

If you are after an open jaw ticket, it might be easier to change the route so you start or finish in Las Vegas, as most of the big UK carriers have direct flights there, rather than trying to fly back from San Diego.

Also, not quite what you were asking, but be careful what you put in the boot when you are driving long distance through the desert. Anything pressurised is liable to explode in the heat, and an exploding coke can or aerosol can punch a hole straight through the boot lid. Keep anything like that in the main car with you.

Miles16v

Thanks for all the help and advice, its led me to book flights!

Into San Fran and out of Vegas 15 nights later. The other flights I was looking at shot up in price, so I thought it was time to get some booked!

I'll now have lots of questions as I fine tune the itinary!

So, roughly how much does it cost to park? It seems like I wont need a car in San Francisco, so how far is it from the airport into the town?

What about Vegas? Will a car be worth while there, and how easy is it to get from the strip to the airport?

I thought I'd book decent hotels in San Fran, LA and Vegas. This will allow us a flexible journey from San Fran to LA and LA > San Diego > Vegas. But how available and cheap are acceptable quality motels / hotels?

I'll book the Alcatraz trip up front, but are their any other trips worth doing that I'll need to book ahead? What about Helicopter to the Grand Canyon? What's the score with day tripping into Mexico from San Diego, can you do it in your hire car, or would it need to be an organised trip?