Touring holiday to Nevada, California & Arizona

GIRLPOWER_2

Welcome back.

I would love to hear all about it please.

Anything you would have done different?

Nikki x

MOLLYBRUSH

Congratulations on your 1,000 th post! Been awake since 2 am, starting to feel a bit sleepy now. Unpacked and tidied, put the washing in.

Anything I would have done different - think would probably have flown more to save a bit of time, although you do get to meet people and make friends on the train/coach/public transport system. Would have been happy to drive in Annaheim too, but glad I didn't get a car when I came into LAX initially.

Wished we had more time in San Francisco - well wished we had more time period - 3 weeks just wasn't enough. I did seem to be forever packing and unpacking so I think maybe less locations next time but it was good to see all these places even if it was only for a short time.

Murphy_The_Cat

malid wrote: »

I will be interested inwhat MTC has to say on this one. In my experience, if you only want it to phone home to the UK, get a phonecard instead as it is heaps cheaper (you can use hotel phones or phone booths with this). www.phonecards.com is the best IMO. Get the Stars and Stripes option - I think $20 is the cheapest. They send you a PIN no and instructions by email.

We took our lap top last year and were so glad as there was Wifi in most of teh hotels we stayed in. Great for checking out stuff and occasionally rearranging hotel dates etc.

Nothing exciting to add really. In the past, I've always lewft my mobile phones at home, but this time, with being away for so long, I got a US Sim from one of the sites that MSE recommends and used that.

Murphy_The_Cat

STSAVER wrote: »

MTK - if you could offer some thoughts and words of advice for me it would be much appreciated.
No worries, sorry that its taken me so long

I've been posting on this thread about a similar holiday (well honeymoon) that I am planning for in August.

We're flying into Las Vegas then back from San Francisco 14 days later.

The idea at the moment is to spend 3/4 nights in LV, then grab a cheap flight over to San Diego before hiring a car from there to do the West Coast Drive up to San Fran.That sounds like a great plan Southwest offer some very good flight deals.

I've been reading a lot about the different places up the coast, so was already thinking that stops in Santa Barbara, Monterey, etc were a must.

If you were driving from San Diego to San Fran how long would you say is essential (at the moment planning on probably 2 nights in San Diego so leaving around 8 days/nights left and probably wanting two nights in San Fran so would 6 days for the drive up be enough time or not to fit things in?
Definitely, but you may find that you would have preferred an extra night here or there, once you have stayed in some of the places. Its really, really hard to to put ,my finger on why I like SLO and Santa Barabar so much, I think that its because I feel that I fit in there so well. But make sure that your in SLO for the Thursday night Farmers market & if time is tight, just visit Monteray for the aquirium and Sea Otter spotting. As a rough giuide, SLO to Montery is about 3 hours and Monterey to SFO is about 2 and a half hours.

hope that I've helped.

Murphy_The_Cat

GIRLPOWER wrote: »

Thanks for the info so far.

When your time allows I will look forward to reading more.

I am really interested to know how the children managed with the trip and if you would recommend it as I have a 6 and 7 year old who I would be taking.

Thanks

Nikki

If you had a week of your life spare, I'd fill you in on all the really, really good things that we ALL enjoyed :beer:
As for taking a 6&7 year old, absolutely, YES. But possibly invest in a portable DVD player for the flight (oddly enough, we never used it at all in the car, in over 3000 miles) and consider booking some accomodation that has a seperate sleeping area/lounge area, or accomodation with two bedrooms, at least for part of the trip. Otherwise, when the children go to bed, the day is over for you.
Except for Las Vegas, the entire trip was so child friendly, you'd never believe.

Murphy_The_Cat

GIRLPOWER wrote: »

Welcome back.

I would love to hear all about it please.

Anything you would have done different?

Nikki x

Yep.

Part of the holiday was built around visiting my In Laws in Phoenix. For several reasons, this didn't work out to well and with the benefit of hindsight, I'd have ditched Phoenix from the trip, taken an extra day in the Sedona area, an extra day in Tucson and an extra day in Monterey, other than that, the entire holiday was a blast.
One thing that would be fairly borderline for most people would be the drive from Tucson to San Diego (various reasons meant that we had to drive via Phoenix and add another 125 miles to the trip) - its about 425 miles through some pretty boring and uninspiring countryside/desert. Flying could have been quicker, but with dropping off the car, checking in, flight time, collecting baggage, transfer to car hire, collecting car and then getting on our way again, we chose to drive it. However, for a couple travelling with little luggage, I suspect that the flight (if the price was right) could be a better option. At least the loooooonnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggg car trip let Mrs Cat and the Kittens catch up on some sleep :beer:

ESTEE_3

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

hope that I've helped.

I did post a specific thread about my latest plans, but no responses to it.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=980889&highlight=honeymoon

Anyway, I'll put it in here if that's okay with you and keep this thread going with updates and reports before and after like yourself as its a great help being able to read other people's experiences.



I know that there have been various posts on here about Road Trips to the States etc, but thought I would post my own current plans and developments for a honeymoon trip in August and get some input from some of the vast experience that is on this forum as well as keep you all informed of what I've gone for etc. Here it go's with the plan at present as it stands.

August 10th - Flight from Heathrow to Las Vegas (via Detroit) with NWA Airlines.

Aug 10th - 14th (4 Nights) in Las Vegas - No accomodation booked at present as keeping an eye on all of the various promotions at the moment (trying to decide whether to go with something like the Luxor/MGM to keep funds for when there). Current plans for whilst there are to do a Helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon preferably being taken down onto the floor of the West side of the Canyon, along with visits to various casino's, Fremont Street and a trip up the Stratosphere since my "wife to be" loves the adrenaline rides and wants to check these out (not sure whether they will be for me mind at that height!).

August 14th - Flight from Vegas to San Diego - Flights not booked at present, but Southwest Airlines currently have flights for two for a total of $148 one way.

August 14th - 17th (3 nights) in San Diego - Booked to stay at the Holiday Express on the Bay http://www.hisandiegoonthebay.com/ as have used Priority Club points for a free stay.
Think the "wife to be" is adamant that she wants to do the SeaWorld park, but primarily the plan will just be to explore the city, seeing the Bay, Balboa Park, La Jolla and of course the Gaslamp area (which is primarily why booked the hotel as close to that area).

During the stay in San Diego we will be hiring a car to use whilst there, and also to then continue on the rest of the Trip up the West Coast to end in San Francisco.

August 17th - 19th - At present these 3 nights are open as nothing confirmed other than we're needing to start heading North towards Monterey.

Looking around the internet at the moment there's deals at the likes of
Newport Beach - http://hotels.travelzoo.com/california-hotels/424282
Palm Springs - http://hotels.travelzoo.com/california-hotels/424238 which could be an idea for a night.

Think the "wife to be" would quite like to do a day in a park such as Knotts Berry Park or Six Flags Magic Mountain/Hurricane Harbour so might have to fit a visit in to one of those.
Still got enough points to use for another night in a Holiday Inn/Crowne Plaza hotel somewhere along the route so could stop off in somewhere such as Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo prior to hitting the coast road up to Monterey.


August 20th (1 night) in Monterey - Booked to stay in the new InterContinental Hotel "The Clement" Monterey http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g32737-d1027524-Reviews-InterContinental_The_Clement_Monterey-Monterey_Monterey_Peninsula_California.html which is another free night covered by Priority Club points.

August 21st - 24th (3 nights) in San Francisco - Currently booked to stay one night at The Prescott http://www.prescotthotel.com/ since I grabbed a Travelzoo offer for $110 a night room, then the final two nights will be at the InterContinental San Francisco http://www.intercontinentalsanfrancisco.com/welcome.php one night of which will be covered by a Priority Club Free night Voucher for Ambassador status (paid to upgrade to Ambassador membership as worked out cheaper than one night in the hotel anyway).

August 24th - Its all over and fly back to Gatwick via Detroit.


Hope that wasn't too much detail for you all.

Please throw down any ideas or thoughts for me as I will take them all on board i.e. hotel in Vegas (I am following the Vegas thread already), Grand Canyon, San Diego things to do, ideas for the 3 nights spare at the moment etc etc.

I'll hopefully get this going and also post details of how its going (if I can get time to fit an internet cafe whilst there) or has gone when I come back.

Murphy_The_Cat

Hi Estee
I've had quite a long time 'offline' which is why I've not updated the thread earlier - but I'kk post back on here again tonight when I've got a bit more time
FWIW, the hotel that you've chosen in Monterey is simply stunning, and absolutely smack in the middle of where you need to be.

ESTEE_3

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

Hi Estee
I've had quite a long time 'offline' which is why I've not updated the thread earlier - but I'kk post back on here again tonight when I've got a bit more time
FWIW, the hotel that you've chosen in Monterey is simply stunning, and absolutely smack in the middle of where you need to be.

Cheers Murphy.

Few words of wisdom would help to fill in the gaps in the itinery at the moment.

I've ended up being quite lucky to a degree with the Priority Club points which I have earned through work putting me in a hotel a few nights a week for the best part of five months so managed to cover 5 nights hotels for free.


NB - Just reserved 4 nights in the MGM Grand. Bungalow King Suite for $431.64 including taxes so the Vegas nights are covered now, but will still keep an eye out of further bargains to be had.

Murphy_The_Cat

Hi Estee

here's looking at yer !!

Given that I don't know your age, likes/dislikes, budget or 'must do's' I'm going to make the best job that I can for you :beer:

ESTEE wrote: »

I did post a specific thread about my latest plans, but no responses to it.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=980889&highlight=honeymoon

Anyway, I'll put it in here if that's okay with you and keep this thread going with updates and reports before and after like yourself as its a great help being able to read other people's experiences.
Fire away ESTEE, the more contributions on the thread, the better, IMO

I know that there have been various posts on here about Road Trips to the States etc, but thought I would post my own current plans and developments for a honeymoon trip in August and get some input from some of the vast experience that is on this forum as well as keep you all informed of what I've gone for etc. Here it go's with the plan at present as it stands.

August 10th - Flight from Heathrow to Las Vegas (via Detroit) with NWA Airlines.
Firstoff, enrol in the NWA frequent flyer programme, its called World Perks and you'll currently get 6000 free miles for signing up before 15th July.
Then, check all the flights from Detroit to Las Vegas (maybe with a connection) that you can suggest to NWA CS if your UK -Detroit flight is delayed and it mucks up your onward suggestion.
getting from the airport to the hotel - rather than taking the minivan transfer, consider a Limousine !!

Aug 10th - 14th (4 Nights) in Las Vegas - No accomodation booked at present as keeping an eye on all of the various promotions at the moment (trying to decide whether to go with something like the Luxor/MGM to keep funds for when there). Current plans for whilst there are to do a Helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon preferably being taken down onto the floor of the West side of the Canyon, along with visits to various casino's, Fremont Street and a trip up the Stratosphere since my "wife to be" loves the adrenaline rides and wants to check these out (not sure whether they will be for me mind at that height!).
Bearing in mind that in August it will be roasting in Las Vegas, the Luxor is quite a long way down the Strip BUT there is a totally airconditioned indoor walkway that links the Mandalay Bay with Luxor with Excalibur Hotel. So you could 'do' three casinos without ever going outdoors ! Or, book into the Excalibur (probably the cheapest hotel) and spend your time in the Mandalay Bay (one of the swankiest !) :beer:. As for the helicoptor trip to the GC (including a setdown) Yes, Yes, Yes & Yes. Just bear in mind that its not a cheap trip.

August 14th - Flight from Vegas to San Diego - Flights not booked at present, but Southwest Airlines currently have flights for two for a total of $148 one way. Book it, thats a cracking deal, plus Southwest don't (currently) charge for luggage.

August 14th - 17th (3 nights) in San Diego - Booked to stay at the Holiday Express on the Bay http://www.hisandiegoonthebay.com/ as have used Priority Club points for a free stay.
Think the "wife to be" is adamant that she wants to do the SeaWorld park, but primarily the plan will just be to explore the city, seeing the Bay, Balboa Park, La Jolla and of course the Gaslamp area (which is primarily why booked the hotel as close to that area).

During the stay in San Diego we will be hiring a car to use whilst there, and also to then continue on the rest of the Trip up the West Coast to end in San Francisco.

San Diego is a great city EVERYONE seems to enjoy it. I really enjoyed the tour of USS Midway, we all enjoyed the harbour cruise and Mrs Cat really enjoyed going down to Tijuana border (15 mins away) to do some Outlet Mall shopping ! Some other nice places to visit in SD are Seaport Village & Old Town. In short San Diego is a grand place to go.

August 17th - 19th - At present these 3 nights are open as nothing confirmed other than we're needing to start heading North towards Monterey.

Looking around the internet at the moment there's deals at the likes of
Newport Beach - http://hotels.travelzoo.com/california-hotels/424282
Palm Springs - http://hotels.travelzoo.com/california-hotels/424238 which could be an idea for a night.
Palm Desert will be absolutely baking hot in August (it peaked at 114 deg in May when we were there) and TBH, we preferred Palm Desert which is only a few miles away. The downtown in Palm Desert was very, very upmarket and it was nice to see how t'other half live. If you do go there, you could visit Knotts Soak City for a cooldown, or try the Palm Springs ariel tramway.
If you do visit Palm Springs/Palm Desert, be sure to take the route via Temecula and over the mountains to Palm Desert - its one of the most scenic drives in California and the final 20 miles are simply specatualr.
Think the "wife to be" would quite like to do a day in a park such as Knotts Berry Park or Six Flags Magic Mountain/Hurricane Harbour so might have to fit a visit in to one of those.
As you drive on I10 across to LA , you'll pass the Cabazon Outlet Mall. & Premier Outlet Mall. I would suggest staying here for a while and filling a spare piece of luggage. Absolutely top of the line branded goods at very silly prices.


Still got enough points to use for another night in a Holiday Inn/Crowne Plaza hotel somewhere along the route so could stop off in somewhere such as Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo prior to hitting the coast road up to Monterey.
Thursday night is THE night to stay in SLO, so maybe Santa Barbara would be a good choice. Besides which, you'll have driven 220 miles or so already today, including a goodly sized wedge as you drive past (& avoid) the smog ridden sprawl that is LA.


August 20th (1 night) in Monterey - Booked to stay in the new InterContinental Hotel "The Clement" Monterey which is another free night covered by Priority Club points.
Lovely, lovely hotel and really centrally located. The aquirium is a great place to spend a goodly amount of hours (its not cheap though) and you can go on whale spotting trips from Fishermans Wharf, or Sea Otter spotting trips on a harbour tour. Monterey is a nice, nice place.

August 21st - 24th (3 nights) in San Francisco - Currently booked to stay one night at The Prescott http://www.prescotthotel.com/ since I grabbed a Travelzoo offer for $110 a night room, then the final two nights will be at the InterContinental San Francisco http://www.intercontinentalsanfrancisco.com/welcome.php one night of which will be covered by a Priority Club Free night Voucher for Ambassador status (paid to upgrade to Ambassador membership as worked out cheaper than one night in the hotel anyway).
San Fran isn't my favourite place, so I'll let other people talk it up for you. Besides from visting the Golden Gate Bridge, we considered Alcatraz at night a 'must do' - if you do as well, you'll need to book in advance.

August 24th - Its all over and fly back to Gatwick via Detroit.


Hope that wasn't too much detail for you all.
Not at all, it was grand

Please throw down any ideas or thoughts for me as I will take them all on board i.e. hotel in Vegas (I am following the Vegas thread already), Grand Canyon, San Diego things to do, ideas for the 3 nights spare at the moment etc etc.
Yep, hire a luxury class car. it'll cost you a few $$$'s more, but the comfort that you'll enjoy is worth every cent. Also, make sure you get a car with no one way hire charges.

I'll hopefully get this going and also post details of how its going (if I can get time to fit an internet cafe whilst there) or has gone when I come back.

One idea that has just come to mind is taking a laptop with you. That way you can do your own research 'whilst your there' and not waste any time on driving to somewhere to find that its closed on that day. Plus, you can update your route 'on the fly' and save on getting a Sat Nav for your car.