8 nights / Only Oahu or kauai as well?
Feb 22nd, 2008, 05:30 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
8 nights / Only Oahu or kauai as well?
Ok now i've seen photos of Kauai and i would like to visit that island as well.. I know that in ONE trip we can't see everything but please give me your opinions.
We're coming from Athens Greece so it's a long trip there.
Our itinerary so far is:
4 nights in San Francisco. (3 full days)
7 nights in Oahu (7 full days)
3 nights in LA (2,5 days)
But now i want to add Kauai as well!!
So i was thinking:
3 nights San Francisco
5 nights Oahu
3 nights Kauai
3 nights LA (although from Kauai to LA we will have one full day of travelling due to the fact that there are not direct flights)
Get back home completely exhausted from all the air travel!
What would you do? Would you add Kauai as well?
We would love to visit San Francisco and LA better and i know that in 2 days you just get a glimpse.. but i believe that it's not THAT difficult to do another trip to California. On the contrary Hawaii is really far and i'm not sure we will decide to do this trip again in the future, so we would like to make the most of it..
We're coming from Athens Greece so it's a long trip there.
Our itinerary so far is:
4 nights in San Francisco. (3 full days)
7 nights in Oahu (7 full days)
3 nights in LA (2,5 days)
But now i want to add Kauai as well!!
So i was thinking:
3 nights San Francisco
5 nights Oahu
3 nights Kauai
3 nights LA (although from Kauai to LA we will have one full day of travelling due to the fact that there are not direct flights)
Get back home completely exhausted from all the air travel!
What would you do? Would you add Kauai as well?
We would love to visit San Francisco and LA better and i know that in 2 days you just get a glimpse.. but i believe that it's not THAT difficult to do another trip to California. On the contrary Hawaii is really far and i'm not sure we will decide to do this trip again in the future, so we would like to make the most of it..
Feb 22nd, 2008, 07:21 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Suze we wouldn't mind doing that, it's just that we would prefer to split the very long trip from Greece.
I'm afraid that 3,5hr to London, then 11 to San Francisco and then 5 more to Hawaii non stop will be just too much!!
I'm afraid that 3,5hr to London, then 11 to San Francisco and then 5 more to Hawaii non stop will be just too much!!
Feb 22nd, 2008, 07:38 AM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is just my opinion. I would not spend 5 nights in Oahu. It is very commercialized and a very big city. I would much rather spend my time on the less commercial, tropical island of Kauai. Unless you want to go to Pearl Harbor or if there is something else in particular you want to see on Oahu, I would probably skip it all together.
Feb 22nd, 2008, 11:54 AM
#6
SulaHula~ Oahu is NOT a city. It is an entire island. Honolulu and Waikiki may be too commercialized for some people's taste, but it's hardly fair to dismiss all of Oahu because you don't care for Honolulu.
cristine27~ I understand about needing to break up the flying time. How about?
2 San Fran
5 Oahu
5 Kauai
2 LA
cristine27~ I understand about needing to break up the flying time. How about?
2 San Fran
5 Oahu
5 Kauai
2 LA
Feb 22nd, 2008, 12:23 PM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dusty has a few well detailed links of things to do on Oahu and should be popping in shortly.
There is plenty to do on Oahu for 4-5 days however you don't say what time of year because that can effect some parts.
You may find Kauai much more laidback except in some areas traffic can be heavy.
Waimea Canyon and the Napali Coast are just two of the main attractions on Kauai.
I think I would go with what you came up with.
There is plenty to do on Oahu for 4-5 days however you don't say what time of year because that can effect some parts.
You may find Kauai much more laidback except in some areas traffic can be heavy.
Waimea Canyon and the Napali Coast are just two of the main attractions on Kauai.
I think I would go with what you came up with.
Feb 22nd, 2008, 12:37 PM
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had already answered on her other thread. But here it is again.
There are many things to do on Oahu that could keep you busy for seven days or even a month.
But Kauai is nice also.
Lots of info including sites with free brochures:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564
There are many things to do on Oahu that could keep you busy for seven days or even a month.
But Kauai is nice also.
Lots of info including sites with free brochures:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564
Feb 22nd, 2008, 12:51 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, of course I am going to reiterate what Suze said--there is much more to O'ahu than just Honolulu. I very much think O'ahu is worth visiting; the beaches and scenery there are gorgeous. As far as Honolulu, there are historical sites like I'olani palace that are very edifying to visit. Waikiki is a really fun place to be, and also has historic hotels that are lovely to walk through. Even though O'ahu has the greatest population it is still easy to get out into very rural areas.
Kaua'i is stunningly beautiful and like each Hawaiian island it is unique. There is no road on Kaua'i that goes all the way around the island, as Na Pali on the northwest shore interrupts the road. To see the whole perimeter of it requires backtracking and thus more driving than you might think. I think 3 nights in Kaua'i would allow you to see some of the high points, but you will probably wish you had more time there, to relax and enjoy the loveliness. You will use about a half day on your flight from O'ahu to Kaua'i.
Visiting both Kaua'i and O'ahu would give you a good taste of Hawai'i, a good overview.
Any way you divide up the 14 nights, you are covering a lot of miles! If you think you will not ever go back to Hawai'i, I would really consider shortening the time in California and adding days in Hawai'i.
I am going to reiterate what Suze said--there is much more to O'ahu than just Honolulu. I very much think O'ahu is worth visiting; the beaches and scenery there are gorgeous. As far as Honolulu, there are historical sites like I'olani palace that are very edifying to visit. Waikiki is a really fun place to be, and also has historic hotels that are lovely to walk through. Even though O'ahu has the greatest population it is still easy to get out into very rural areas.Kaua'i is stunningly beautiful and like each Hawaiian island it is unique. There is no road on Kaua'i that goes all the way around the island, as Na Pali on the northwest shore interrupts the road. To see the whole perimeter of it requires backtracking and thus more driving than you might think. I think 3 nights in Kaua'i would allow you to see some of the high points, but you will probably wish you had more time there, to relax and enjoy the loveliness. You will use about a half day on your flight from O'ahu to Kaua'i.
Visiting both Kaua'i and O'ahu would give you a good taste of Hawai'i, a good overview.
Any way you divide up the 14 nights, you are covering a lot of miles! If you think you will not ever go back to Hawai'i, I would really consider shortening the time in California and adding days in Hawai'i.
Feb 22nd, 2008, 01:35 PM
#10
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
aloha cristine,
I have to ask... what do you like to do when traveling. Are you go go go, see everything you can type people? or do you like to chill, leisurely explore, get the real feel of a place?
You have chosen my two favorite islands in Hawaii... and must really think about how you want to spend your time. If you want to see it all, by all means do both islands.
If you're at all like me, (chill, explore, slide into island life and the aloha spirit) you may want to do just one island, and enjoy the heck out of it. I personally wouldn't do less than a week on each of these islands... preferrably 3 weeks on one island. Many will disagree w/ me... but to each his own... this is the way I like to enjoy Hawaii... live like I live there.
I'd first decide what all you'd like you're time there to look like, and then make your decision.
BTW, I would disagree 1000% that O'ahu is very commercialized and a very big city... good grief. Has anyone who would say such a thing ever spent more than 2 days there? O'ahu is more lovely every time I visit! I miss it's charm constantly living in the midwest USA.
Kauai, too is home away from home to me... but to race around the island, just to see the sights and then be stripped away won't give you a true lay of the land.
Can you do 7 nights one island and then come back in a few years or so?? That'd be my plan... once you've been to Hawaii, you'll always long to be back.
It's the aloha spirit!
Whatever you decide... enjoy it all!
aloha!!
I have to ask... what do you like to do when traveling. Are you go go go, see everything you can type people? or do you like to chill, leisurely explore, get the real feel of a place?
You have chosen my two favorite islands in Hawaii... and must really think about how you want to spend your time. If you want to see it all, by all means do both islands.
If you're at all like me, (chill, explore, slide into island life and the aloha spirit) you may want to do just one island, and enjoy the heck out of it. I personally wouldn't do less than a week on each of these islands... preferrably 3 weeks on one island. Many will disagree w/ me... but to each his own... this is the way I like to enjoy Hawaii... live like I live there.
I'd first decide what all you'd like you're time there to look like, and then make your decision.
BTW, I would disagree 1000% that O'ahu is very commercialized and a very big city... good grief. Has anyone who would say such a thing ever spent more than 2 days there? O'ahu is more lovely every time I visit! I miss it's charm constantly living in the midwest USA.
Kauai, too is home away from home to me... but to race around the island, just to see the sights and then be stripped away won't give you a true lay of the land.
Can you do 7 nights one island and then come back in a few years or so?? That'd be my plan... once you've been to Hawaii, you'll always long to be back.
It's the aloha spirit!
Whatever you decide... enjoy it all!
aloha!!
Feb 22nd, 2008, 02:10 PM
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
BTW, I would disagree 1000% that O'ahu is very commercialized and a very big city... good grief.
Well, the person who wrote that probably meant to say Waikiki LOL! cristine, oahu is the island, Honolulu is the city, and Waikiki is just a certain part (the touristy, commercial part) of Honolulu. I like Oahu, and like Waikiki (for what it is, and for a few days at a time).
Well, the person who wrote that probably meant to say Waikiki LOL! cristine, oahu is the island, Honolulu is the city, and Waikiki is just a certain part (the touristy, commercial part) of Honolulu. I like Oahu, and like Waikiki (for what it is, and for a few days at a time).
Feb 22nd, 2008, 02:17 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just in case you misplaced your earlier thread:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=35108264
It's correct to say that OAHU is an island, HONOLULU is the metropolitan area. You can get tons of scenery, surf, foliage, etc. in the same day you get fantastic shopping, dining, and nightlife on Oahu. Suze has a nice suggestion.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=35108264
It's correct to say that OAHU is an island, HONOLULU is the metropolitan area. You can get tons of scenery, surf, foliage, etc. in the same day you get fantastic shopping, dining, and nightlife on Oahu. Suze has a nice suggestion.
Feb 23rd, 2008, 09:25 AM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks so much for the replies!
I'm sorry about the double posting in the Hawaii forum as well.. i thought the administrator would delete it before someone could post in it..
Makai the answer to your question is that we too like to chill out in our vacation and when we travel we do not rush into things. We prefer to stroll around and enjoying the scenery, eating & drinking and generally absorb the 'feeling' of the place, instead of going from one place to another and rushing things in order to see everything! So our plan is to rent a car in both islands and visit some 'must see' but generally the idea is to enjoy the scenery and the beaches without feeling pressured..
The more i think about it, the more i'm inklined towards visiting both islands and skiping LA or SFO.
So probably we would do 5 nights Oahu, 5 nights Kauai and 4 nights in LA or San Francisco before going back home.
I see that from Kauai there are cheap direct flights to Oakland which seems close to San Francisco. Is this true? How much time is Oakland International to Union Square? Also is ATA a reliable airline?
Finally in order to experience the diversity in Hawaii, i'm thinking of staying in Waikiki in Oahu for all the buzz and in the North shore of Kauai. Any recomendations for b&b or small hotels in the north shore?
I'm sorry about the double posting in the Hawaii forum as well.. i thought the administrator would delete it before someone could post in it..
Makai the answer to your question is that we too like to chill out in our vacation and when we travel we do not rush into things. We prefer to stroll around and enjoying the scenery, eating & drinking and generally absorb the 'feeling' of the place, instead of going from one place to another and rushing things in order to see everything! So our plan is to rent a car in both islands and visit some 'must see' but generally the idea is to enjoy the scenery and the beaches without feeling pressured..
The more i think about it, the more i'm inklined towards visiting both islands and skiping LA or SFO.
So probably we would do 5 nights Oahu, 5 nights Kauai and 4 nights in LA or San Francisco before going back home.
I see that from Kauai there are cheap direct flights to Oakland which seems close to San Francisco. Is this true? How much time is Oakland International to Union Square? Also is ATA a reliable airline?
Finally in order to experience the diversity in Hawaii, i'm thinking of staying in Waikiki in Oahu for all the buzz and in the North shore of Kauai. Any recomendations for b&b or small hotels in the north shore?
Feb 23rd, 2008, 10:41 AM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I love what Makai said "slide into island life and the aloha spirit". Yep, that is the way to do it!
on the North shore of Kaua'i, check out Hanalei Colony Resort http://www.hcr.com/ We have stayed there a few times (unfortunately it has been several years since our last visit) and we have truly enjoyed it. Location is just a mile or two from the end of the road at Ke'e beach. Here is an aerial view http://www.pacificworlds.com/haena/index.cfm HCR is on the left, right where youcan see the main road curves inland, in the leftmost area of buildings. Ke'e would be just beyond the right edge of the photo. The beach at HCR is pretty but not very swimmable.
Limahuli Garden near Ke'e is great for seeing true native plants and the agriculture methods of the ancient Hawai'ians. It is at the mouth of the valley and you can see the craggy rock formations from a different angle.
on the North shore of Kaua'i, check out Hanalei Colony Resort http://www.hcr.com/ We have stayed there a few times (unfortunately it has been several years since our last visit) and we have truly enjoyed it. Location is just a mile or two from the end of the road at Ke'e beach. Here is an aerial view http://www.pacificworlds.com/haena/index.cfm HCR is on the left, right where youcan see the main road curves inland, in the leftmost area of buildings. Ke'e would be just beyond the right edge of the photo. The beach at HCR is pretty but not very swimmable.
Limahuli Garden near Ke'e is great for seeing true native plants and the agriculture methods of the ancient Hawai'ians. It is at the mouth of the valley and you can see the craggy rock formations from a different angle.
Feb 23rd, 2008, 11:57 AM
#16
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We were in Honolulu for five nights while my husband had a conference, before going to Maui for three nights.
So many people told us we would not like Honolulu, so I wasn't expecting much. While the city is commercialized, get out into the island of Oahu and there is so much more to offer! We loved the North Shore, for example.
I would probably have traded one day on Oahu for another day on Maui, but overall we enjoyed our stay.
So many people told us we would not like Honolulu, so I wasn't expecting much. While the city is commercialized, get out into the island of Oahu and there is so much more to offer! We loved the North Shore, for example.
I would probably have traded one day on Oahu for another day on Maui, but overall we enjoyed our stay.
Feb 23rd, 2008, 04:51 PM
#17
Yes, the Oakland airport is reasonably close to San Francisco.
Or how about just 2 nights SF and LA each direction, then you'd have more time to be able to enjoy both islands.
Another tweak would be to go back to your original idea of just 1 island, then you could stay for 10 days. Or 5 & 5 for 2 islands.
Or how about just 2 nights SF and LA each direction, then you'd have more time to be able to enjoy both islands.
Another tweak would be to go back to your original idea of just 1 island, then you could stay for 10 days. Or 5 & 5 for 2 islands.
Feb 23rd, 2008, 04:53 PM
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
ATA is fine - we flew it last summer from Oakland to Honolulu and back.
Oakland is just on the other side of the bay from San Francisco (the bridge across is conveniently called the "Bay Bridge"). The Oakland airport is less than 20 miles from Union Square. You can take public transportation, but other than BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit, which is the Bay Area's subway-like train system), I'm sorry but I don't know the options. BART is okay, but little inconvenient if you have more than one suitcase - you take a shuttle to the BART station, then the train into San Francisco, then the walk to your hotel would be easy (again, if you only have one suitcase). Of course, there are cabs, and probably shuttles.
Oakland is just on the other side of the bay from San Francisco (the bridge across is conveniently called the "Bay Bridge"). The Oakland airport is less than 20 miles from Union Square. You can take public transportation, but other than BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit, which is the Bay Area's subway-like train system), I'm sorry but I don't know the options. BART is okay, but little inconvenient if you have more than one suitcase - you take a shuttle to the BART station, then the train into San Francisco, then the walk to your hotel would be easy (again, if you only have one suitcase). Of course, there are cabs, and probably shuttles.
Feb 23rd, 2008, 07:57 PM
#19
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
aloha cristine...
Very smart plan to trim off time in LA to add Kauai...
You'll love the islands. I always stay on the north shore in Kauai... for a lovely villa w/ ocean and mountain views, contact Melissa... kauaivilla.com ... say hi from makai1 ! I have a trip report from a few years ago if you're interested in reading...
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34669307
Also, here's the link for one of my fav all time threads about O'ahu...
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34515901
...on O'ahu, we enjoy to stay in Waikiki for about 3 nights, then move up to the north shore for a week or more.
Happy reading... and planning! It's half the fun.
aahhlohhaaa!
Very smart plan to trim off time in LA to add Kauai...
You'll love the islands. I always stay on the north shore in Kauai... for a lovely villa w/ ocean and mountain views, contact Melissa... kauaivilla.com ... say hi from makai1 ! I have a trip report from a few years ago if you're interested in reading...
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34669307
Also, here's the link for one of my fav all time threads about O'ahu...
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34515901
...on O'ahu, we enjoy to stay in Waikiki for about 3 nights, then move up to the north shore for a week or more.
Happy reading... and planning! It's half the fun.
aahhlohhaaa!
Feb 27th, 2008, 07:38 AM
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 489
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all for making things a little bit clearer for us with your responses!!
I think we'll skip LA this time and just focus on Hawaii and San Francisco but i haven't booked the tickets yet... i'm hoping that somehow they'll become cheaper later on which is wishful thinking i guess! ;-)
I think we'll skip LA this time and just focus on Hawaii and San Francisco but i haven't booked the tickets yet... i'm hoping that somehow they'll become cheaper later on which is wishful thinking i guess! ;-)
