UK - USA Multi City, East Coast - West Coast - Hawaii - UK

Doshwaster

MasterPoo wrote: »

Thank you. Yes flying into Boston from Heathrow then working my way down the map, towards West Coast does make more sense. thanks

Boston is also worth more than one night. You'll be tired after the flight so won't get much done in your first day anyway.

You really don't need a car in the Boston-NYC-Philly-DC corridor so let the train take the strain between the cities.

MasterPoo

John259 wrote: »

You don't need a car in Boston, and in New York City a car is a liability. I-95 between Boston and NYC is busy and not very scenic. There are other slower more pleasant roads, but I'd suggest investigating using the train, the Amtrak Northeast Corridor Route, instead of driving.

The same comment about thinking about using Amtrak, except that I-95 between NYC and Washington DC is even worse.

Have you thought about driving? It's a wonderfully scenic area and you could go via Yosemite National Park, one of the most beautiful places on this planet (IMHO and that of many other people). However, Las Vegas to Yosemite Valley needs two days to drive (it can be done in one very long day, but you ideally need time to stop and see the places of interest along the way, especially on CA120, the Tioga Pass road). Then you need at least one full day in Yosemite. You might not want to allocate that much time, fair enough.

Presumably via CA1, the extremely scenic Pacific Coast Highway? (Inland routes are faster but vastly less scenic). That's a long way to drive on a relatively slow road, where again you really want time for stops. An overnight stop in the Monterey area would be a good idea IMHO but yet again I'm eating up days that you might not wish to lose from other places.

Whatever you decide, you're going to see some wonderful places.

Hi,

I couldn't find CA1 route, I used google and didn't present CA1 as an option? I selected Pacific Coast Highway , going via Monterey, will need to research what other things to do.

MasterPoo

Yes, I will deco NOT be driving Boston - NYC - Philly - Washington route, thank you for your suggestions.

My sons have both said they no longer want to spend more than 2 nights in Orlando, which suits me just fine. So now I have more days to play around with.

blindman

MasterPoo wrote: »

IceQueen - I want to just veg/chillout in Hawaii. Sit by the beach and do loads of water sports and possibly 2 day trips to explore? What would be your suggestion for a good stay without having to lug bags around?

I'm now researching flying from Europe to US, thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks

Recent thread about Hawaii and which Island.

Bus Guide I wrote years ago is still current with links to Amtrak.
Mega bus is comfy-Greyhound can be scary-China Bus can be both!
Amtrak is a lot better than any UK train!

Priceline guide can be useful in Big USA cities

We used VRBO in Maui to get a good condo.

Not sure if you have the time but proper MSE longhaul trip is possible using credit card sign ups.:cool:

Or at least you could use Avios for internal US flights at very little cost.

Similarly hotel reward pionts can be got through credit card sign ups and can be used for one nights in expensive cities.

As has been said, flying from EU to USA can be money saving if going in Business.
Several posts on either Headforpoints or Flyertalk. Airlines not restricted to BA.

Good thread for Southwest (correct) advice. Not a single reference to You tube and writen by people who have actually been there.

richardw

Icequeen99 wrote: »

....Coming back, ensure the flight breaks in London (preferably requires a transfer between heathrow and gatwick so you can just get your bags and leave without going back to Amsterdam. We just saved £4,000 on business class flights to Hawaii doing that. ....

Technically known as fare abuse and if you become a regular fare abuser the airline might seek recompense from you.

John259

MasterPoo wrote: »

Hi,

I couldn't find CA1 route, I used google and didn't present CA1 as an option? I selected Pacific Coast Highway , going via Monterey, will need to research what other things to do.

That's almost certainly ok - it's the coast road. In Google Maps it sometimes helps to tick the "Avoid highways" option and/or drag points from the route it chooses to the route you want.

In Google Maps a state highway is shown by the road number in an oval. Most maps either use an oval or a circle. BTW US Highways and interstates are shown on maps by their number in simplified versions of their national marker shields http://www.gbcnet.com/ushighways/logos/101-shield_med.gif and http://www.aaroads.com/shields/img/CA/CA19790059i1.jpg respectively. On maps, a road number in a rectangle indicates a minor road (county road, farm to market road, forest service road, indian road etc) often unpaved and therefore best ignored by visitors unless you have specific local knowledge. Sorry if you already knew all that.

In Santa Cruz the boardwalk is fun.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz_Boardwalk

Nearby Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is worth a visit if you haven't seen enough tall trees elsewhere (Mariposa Grove in Yosemite, Muir Woods near San Francisco, and for other people but not on your route places such as Redwoods National Park or Sequoia National Park).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cowell_Redwoods_State_Park

There's a famous aquarium in Monterey. I haven't visited it but it nearly always gets very favourable comments.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monterey_Aquarium

Further south there's Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Pfeiffer_Burns_State_Park

Many people have a quick stop at Bixby Creek Bridge:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bixby_Creek_Bridge

franklally

I agree with john - allow time for a leisurely drive along the coastal route as it really is stunning - Monterey is certainly worth a stop for the night (intercontinental on the front is wonderful) - plenty to see and do en route - Carmel etc.

blindman

MasterPoo wrote: »

Hi,

I couldn't find CA1 route, I used google and didn't present CA1 as an option? I selected Pacific Coast Highway , going via Monterey, will need to research what other things to do.

Because it doesn't exist:cool:

Don't think John's ever been there-other than on the Internet-

It's SR1 to be technical or Pacific Coast Highway to those who've actually driven it.

Hearst Castle is worth a stop.

John259

CA1 = California State Highway 1. It's the standard format used for state highways on TripAdvisor.

Murphy_The_Cat

Try and find the time to look at the Elephant Seals on the Rookery, adjacent to the PCH.