West Coast USA

northwest1965

In the last 20years it has only closed once mid October, the rest seem to be Nov/Dec.
Anyone used it? I would imagine the scenery to be breathtaking

Vikki_74

Reviews and piccies here:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g61000-d146103-Reviews-Tioga_Pass-Yosemite_National_Park_California.html

Vikki_74

misa.blue wrote: »

Also is good to sign up for Groupon:
http://www.groupon.com/deals/holiday-inn-las-vegas?utm_campaign=holiday-inn-las-vegas&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&c=btn&addx=katka.verde@googlemail.com&utm_content=las-vegas_interleaved_sidebar

Groupon is definately a good idea...we got a sunset boat trip on the SF Bay from there for less than half it would have cost paying full price, also a boat trip in San Diego. You can sign up for daily deals on loads of different cities depending on where exactly you'll be visiting, it's great!

Also for a bit of money saving, Trip Advisor now have hotel special offers listed if you go to say the San Francisco list of hotels. We got a cracking deal off there for a hotel in San Diego which wasn't listed on Travelzoo or anywhere else - worth keeping an eye on.

blindman

northwest1965 wrote: »

In the last 20years it has only closed once mid October, the rest seem to be Nov/Dec.
Anyone used it? I would imagine the scenery to be breathtaking

From my post 22

Photos

We all have different ideas as to what is "perfect". It's up to you to decide what you want LOL

sophieschoice

northwest1965 wrote: »

OK, its me again:). I think we are 'about' there!

Manc to Vegas, arrive afternoon
2 nights Vegas
1 night Grand Canyon
1 night Vegas ( we thought this would break up the next bit)
1 night Death Valley
3 nights Yosemite
3 SF
2 Monterey

How's it looking now?

Personally, having done the trip I'd have one less night in Yosemite and one more in SF. I'd also forgo Death Valley, you can see all you want by driving through it!
We loved SF (not at all keen on Vegas) but the second highlight of the trip was 2 nights in the Napa Valley. Stunningly beautiful.

Kered

misa.blue wrote: »

We got married abroad in the summer and our wallets are still bit thinner since then, therefore we want to save money on hotels, we are going there to see California, not to sit around hotel watching TV:D
What we save will then be used on attractions, Universal Studio, Alcatraz, Grand Canyon trip, Penn & Teller show in Vegas..Just so much to pay for:eek:
My plan also is to book and pay for most of things in next 3 months before we go, so we can spread the cost a bit..Car, hotels..
Is here anybody else who is not in current possession of fat wallet and looking to do this trip on budget but still in hotels not in the tent?:money:

As I mentioned in a previous post, I found it cheaper not to book hotels in advance and I saved a lot of cash by just turning up at a motel and checking in.
I used about 4/5 different chains and they were all of a reasonable standard, certainly good enough for a nights sleep and showering facilities.
I found that I was paying in dollars the same as booking in advance was charging me in pounds so I was saving quite a bit over the 2 weeks.

dojoman

Looks fine to me

jjonesy

I loved Lake Tahoe - I thought it was worth the detour.
Book well ahead for the Alcatraz visit at San Fran
Yosemite was amazing
Vegas great
Wish I was goung back out there this year

northwest1965

blindman wrote: »

From my post 22

Photos

We all have different ideas as to what is "perfect". It's up to you to decide what you want LOL

Oh wow, you and I are singing off the same hymn sheet:)

Murphy_The_Cat

Kered wrote: »

As I mentioned in a previous post, I found it cheaper not to book hotels in advance and I saved a lot of cash by just turning up at a motel and checking in.

this is a really good point and is one that is worth repeating.
Potentially, it is very likely that you can save a lot of money by turning up at the checkin desk of a hotel and getting a room for the night/for several nights - but you always run the risk of finding that there is 'no room at the inn' and then you are going to have to spend additional holiday time finding somewhere suitable to stay.

Alternatively, booking ahead means that you will be maximising your available holiday time, by being able to drive directly to your prebooked (& possibly prepaid) accommodation, checking in and getting on with your holiday.

Especially if you are considering driving long distance in the US, don't under estimate being able to walk straight into your room after a long slog, rather than having to spend your valuable holiday time looking for somewhere to stay.

Both ways have merits, but some people become obsessed with saving a few $$$, rather than making the most of their time in the US.
I realise that my ideas aren't very MSE, but they MAY make your holiday a lot more enjoyable. (speaking as someone who once wasted half a day in Annapolis, Maryland, trying to find somewhere to stay, when everywhere was booked up !)