Southwest USA & The West Coast (California, Arizona etc) - General Thread

Crispy_Ambulance

gracie10 wrote: »

We didnt think we would get to go back next year but have managed 15 nights. Just been sorting out our route this afternoon!!

What a fab way to spend an afternoon! Where are you going to go?

gracie10

The plan is redondo beach, big bear lake, palm springs, borrego springs, san diego and long beach. I love the planning stage!

sjw64

Hi All

Just finishing off a trip report for our 3 week fly/drive in California this year (Aug) Will post very soon including all our preparation, routes, tips, etc,etc

We basically flew to San Francisco & spent 5 days exploring before picking up a hire care & heading south on Highway 1 to Santa Barbara after spending time in Monterrey, Carmel, Big Sur, Morro Bay, whale watching (there was a UK TV program recording when we where there). We used Santa Barbara as a base to explore/visit LA then headed over to Vegas for a week. Hoover Dam & Lake Mead etc.

After Vegas we headed thru Death Valley/Furnace Creek and ended up in Yosemite Valley which is a stunningly beautiful place. Back to San Fran then home.

The entire trip was recorded on a dashcam (on hire car) and a GoPro that I have also edited onto x2 YouTube vids (30 min each)

As soon as I can finish the trip report, I'll post it but I'm mega busy at the minute.

gracie10

Has anyone been to universal studios in LA and done the VIP tour? It sounds reasly good but so expensive. Just wondrered if its worth it.

duchy

If you've done Universal in Florida the California park is very cramped by comparison. Different in the way DL is different to WDW not bad different just different. Personally it didn't enthuse me enough to feel a VIP tour would be worth it but it's very subjective.

GlasweJen

Has anyone done a multi-stop trip but without the car? I can't drive and OH won't drive in the states.

Was looking at flying into San Diego and out of either LAX or SFO and travelling by amtrak.

The idea is a few days in San Diego, Yosemite, Los Angeles (Disney essential), San Francisco and Vegas over 14-17 days. We would probably fly to vegas as it seems cheaper than a sleeper cabin on the train. We have done holidays like this before but mostly in Europe/Asia.

Budget is £2500 (wedding gift) to cover the flights and hotels.

Murphy_The_Cat

GlasweJen wrote: »

Has anyone done a multi-stop trip but without the car? I can't drive and OH won't drive in the states.

Was looking at flying into San Diego and out of either LAX or SFO and travelling by amtrak.

The idea is a few days in San Diego, Yosemite, Los Angeles (Disney essential), San Francisco and Vegas over 14-17 days. We would probably fly to vegas as it seems cheaper than a sleeper cabin on the train. We have done holidays like this before but mostly in Europe/Asia.

Budget is £2500 (wedding gift) to cover the flights and hotels.

Have you considered Titan Holidays type escorted tour ? That could be an option that would fit your criteria.

It's a shame that your oh won't drive in the States - I find it much more relaxing and enjoyable than driving in England (away from the cities, the roads are as open as in your neck of the woods, but a lot wider !)

John259

Has your OH actually tried driving in the USA? Don't be scared of the unknown, and don't judge by television programmes and films. The reality is very different.

If you started and ended in Las Vegas, and avoided San Francisco and Los Angeles, then driving would be very easy and enjoyable and give you a much better overall experience.

GlasweJen

I looked at Titan tours but they don't give you much time in Los Angeles so I don't think I could fit in disney (it is essential).

OH has driven less than half a mile on the other side of the road and was crashed into by another british tourist so nothing is going to talk him into driving for this one unfortunately.

Murphy_The_Cat

GlasweJen wrote: »

I looked at Titan tours but they don't give you much time in Los Angeles so I don't think I could fit in disney (it is essential).

OH has driven less than half a mile on the other side of the road and was crashed into by another british tourist so nothing is going to talk him into driving for this one unfortunately.

Budget is £2500 (wedding gift) to cover the flights and hotels.

No worries - if he won't even consider it, (which is a shame for you both) then you really are pushing watre up hill.

Amtrak is very doable for SAN - Los Angales - SFO (Oakland), but by no stretch of the imagination could it be described as a fast service. Comfortable and relaxing, yes.

Away from the city centres you'd be relying on other forms of public transport.

Las Vegas is served by AMTRAK coach services, not train.

Depending on the time of year that your going, your budget for flights and accomodation goes from possible to not a chance. Unless you're talking £2500 each, in which case you'll be OK:beer: