Our California Fly Drive

Vikki_74

I'll second the recommendation for Warner Brothers, we really enjoyed it.

I would however urge you to think again about whether to spend a day of what is really quite a short trip at Six Flags. I LOVE rollercoasters and when we did a similar trip to you last September I deliberately moved everything around so we could be up that way at a weekend to visit, but it was so disappointing. Yes, some of the rides are good, I won't dispute that, but the whole place is very run down and I really found it quite depressing...this isn't helped by the fact that you have to enter through metal detectors (I believe they've had some gang-related troubles there in the past) and a lot of the 'local' visitors were, well, let's say a little rough around the edges!

Please do have a proper read up the place before you decide to take an entire day out of your trip to visit - at the end of the day it's up to you but personally I can think of about 1000 different places in California where the time would be better spent, especially as you're also looking to spend some time at Universal, Sea World etc.

jackieblack

stphnstevey wrote: »

We've found an extra day and not sure wether to use it in Yosemite or San Franscisco - any opinions?

Personally, we'd spend any extra time in Yosemite, we liked San Francisco well enough but we are not really city people.
Or maybe an extra day in San Diego, just to chill, maybe surfing/kayaking. La Jolla is beautiful.

stphnstevey

Thanks for all that

Now looking for a place to stay between San Fran and LA - somewhere in the Santa Maria region

Currently looking at Morro Bay and Pismo Beach but any other ideas welcome

Thanks!

Murphy_The_Cat

stphnstevey wrote: »

Thanks for all that

Now looking for a place to stay between San Fran and LA - somewhere in the Santa Maria region

Currently looking at Morro Bay and Pismo Beach but any other ideas welcome

Thanks!

San Luis Opisbo (referred to by everyone as SLO) is one of my favourite places - I can't put my finger on just why, the place just simply IS.

Nobjocki

stphnstevey wrote: »

Hi

Going on a fly drive around California end of August this year, the following is our itinary that we have constructed.

If anyone has any ideas or comments on accomodation, places to visit/must see's, car hire etc etc - please feel free to comment (helpful constructive comments only please)

So far I have only booked the flights, Grand Canyon and Yosemite accomodation - any comments form people who have stayed in the same accomodation much appreciated

Just starting to flesh it out for the moment, so ideas welcome

Thanks


ITINARY

Sat – Depart Heathrow afternoon
Sat – Arrive Las Vegas evening


13 days in total

Sun GRAND CANYON
Start: Las Vegas
Finish: Grand Canyon Village
Hrs driving: 6hrs 300m

Explore LV 8am-12pm (4hrs)
Leave LV 12pm, arrive GC 6pm
Explore GC 7pm-9pm (2hrs)

Maswik Lodge



Mon LAS VEGAS
Start: Grand Canyon Village
Finish: Las Vegas
Hrs driving: 6hrs 300m

Explore GC 8am-2pm (6hrs)
Leave GC 2pm, arrive LV 8pm



Tues DEATH VALLEY
Start: Las Vegas - Death Valley
Finish: Lone Pine
Hrs driving: 4hrs 30m 250m (6hrs if goto Death Valley Nat Park)

Explore LV 8am-12pm (4hrs)
Leave LV 12pm, arrive DV 2pm
Explore DV 2pm-6pm (4hrs)
Leave DV 6pm, arrive LP 8pm



Wed YOSEMITE
Start: Lone Pine
Finish: Yosemite
Hrs driving: 4hrs 200m

Housekeeping Camp



Thurs YOSEMITE
Start: Yosemite
Finish: Yosemite
Hrs driving: 0hrs 0m

Housekeeping Camp



Fri YOSEMITE
Start: Yosemite
Finish: Yosemite
Hrs driving: 0hrs 0m



Sat SAN FRANSCISCO
Start:Yosemite
Finish: San Franscisco
Hrs driving: 4hrs 200m



Sun SAN FRANSCISCO
Start: San Franscisco
Finish: San Franscisco
Hrs driving: 0hrs 0m



Mon SANTA MARIA
Start: San Franscisco
Finish: Santa Maria
Hrs driving: 4.5hrs 250m



Tues LOS ANGELES
Start: Santa Maria
Finish: Los Angeles
Hrs driving: 3hrs 170m



Wed LOS ANGELES
Start: Los Angeles
Finish: Los Angeles
Hrs driving: 0hrs 0m


Thurs SAN DIEGO
Start: Los Angeles
Finish: San Diego
Hrs driving: 2hrs 121m


Fri SAN DIEGO
Start: San Diego
Finish: San Diego
Hrs driving: 0hrs 0m


Sat – Depart San Diego evening
Sun – Arrive Heathrow afternoon

So let me get this straight - you're going for 13 days and allowing just one day for LA, one day for SF and two late evenings in Las Vegas one of which is after a transatlantic flight ?

And for at least five of the other days you're going to be driving for between four and six hours ( providing there are no hold-ups. ).

My advice is too many locations and too much time spent in places where not a lot happens.

Each to their own but I'd lose Yosemite unless you like looking at trees and Death Valley unless you like looking at nothing.The Grand Canyon is all the scenery you'll need - try to make sure you're there late afternoon and evening as the sun goes down.Fantastic.

You also need to re-evaluate your driving times. LA to San Diego in TWO HOURS !

Just my two cents worth.

Gloomendoom

stphnstevey wrote: »

Thanks for all that

Now looking for a place to stay between San Fran and LA - somewhere in the Santa Maria region

Currently looking at Morro Bay and Pismo Beach but any other ideas welcome

Thanks!

San Luis Obispo?

Murphy_The_Cat

Gloomendoom wrote: »

San Luis Obispo?

Its like Deja Vu, all over again

Gloomendoom

You're not wrong.

Perhaps there should be a special "Critique my California fly/drive itinerary" forum.

stphnstevey

Its all really helpful

Moved onto looking in LA - are there any good areas to be to be close to attractions or at least to the Metro?

jackieblack

Nobjocki wrote: »

LA to San Diego in TWO HOURS !

Obviously it depends on traffic, and from where in LA you are starting, but it only took us 2hrs 10 mins from SD to LAX