ahughes85

Hello all,

My name is amy and in 2 days time I am travelling to La for a two week Road trip Solo!! I'm starting to.get a bit nervous and anxious so was looking for a few tips on how to combat feeling alone if it.occurs and just how to make the most of my trip. I have never done this before.

Rich

Sounds like fun . . where do you plan on stopping?

nytraveler

Not sure where you are staying - but if the hotel has a lounge (not bar although that's OK too, but entry lounge) andor breakfast room that's a good place to get in casual conversation with people - that you might want to do an activity or a meal with.

For dining you may want to go to a place that serves meals at the bar as well as at a table - another good way to get in conversation with locals oro ther travelers.

Most of my solo travel has been staying in one city for several days (often attached to business trips) so this works well to meet other business travelers to have dinner with. I usually stick with other single women or a couple since single men can often misunderstand simple friendliness.

Another thing is to have a bunch of books - esp guidebooks on your kindle so you have something to occupy your relaxation time - on beach or wherever.

stumpworks73

Have a book or your tablet with you when dining to be occupied and not concerned about being solo.

I see many solo female business travelers bring carry out to the room to avoid the lone diner routine.

LA is as diverse a community as anywhere. You will not be conspicuous, be confident.

Some of my LA favorites are the Farmer's Market, the hike to the Hollywood Sign, lunch at the Getty, Manhattan and Redondo Beach, and driving Mullholand Drive at night.

november_moon

I travel alone for work on a regular basis and occasionally just for fun. It takes a little getting used to, but traveling alone can be great.

I used to worry about eating alone in restaurants - I felt really conspicuous, and I'd get take out and eat in my hotel room, but then I decided that was bunk - I wasn't going to miss out on great meals just because I was by myself. Sometimes I eat at the bar, sometimes at a table - just depends on my mood. I eat at outdoor restaurants a lot because the people-watching is fun.

I like to take bike tours and walking tours, maybe a guided tour of a museum or something - helps add some social interaction to a solo trip - and sometimes you find people to go have lunch with or a drink after that way.

I'll do other things to pamper myself - go to a spa where you can soak in hot baths for a while and relax in their garden with a book and a cup of tea, or stay at a hotel with a nice pool and spend time relaxing on a lounger - so luxurious to not have to be on anyone elses time table. I travel a lot with my husband, and he is not big on spas or hanging out by the pool, so I take advantage of doing things that I like that he might not really want to do.

As for how to combat feeling alone - just remember, there is a difference between being alone and being lonely. You don't need to combat the feeling of being alone because you ARE alone - that's a fact, and being alone is not a bad thing. Just look at it as taking time to spend time with yourself.

kja

Some of us are committed to solo travel! I find it an absolute self-indulgence, as I can do whatever I want, whenever I want.

Here's a thread with many of our trip reports:
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...collection.cfm

Enjoy!

janisj

I'm sitting at a restaurant in Kyoto this very minute. Not only did I travel solo, I speak two words of Japanese.

Do you mean LA as in Los Angeles, or LA as in Louisiana?

Not that it makes a huge difference, but if you are driving up the coast from LA California there are so many interesting places to stop you will be busy and won't really have time to feel lonely. Most places are solo friendly, family friendly, any permutation friendly.

Having a book or e-reader is good just in case you don't find someone to chat with over dinner.

ahughes85

Awww thank you all its been so nice just to ready other people's view and opinions as this has made me feel so much better already.

I have two books ready to take with me and I know the activities I would like to do at each location and have even book a tour or two already.

I am only in Los Angeles 2 nights and then hit to Road going to santa Barbara, monterey, San Francisco, yosemite, and Vegas before heading back to La to fly out.

The main reason I'm wanting to do it as a) this route has always been a dream of mine to do but
B) to do something for myself and be able to be alone and be ok with my own company. I have just come out of a very high tempo job and before I start my new one I though why the heck not!!!!!

Ackislander

Congratulations! Understanding yourself better is the best reason to travel alone!

I can't tell how old you are or whether you are a North American. I might have some more specific advice if I knew this. Budget, too.

But generally, I think it is a great idea!

ahughes85

I am 30 years old and I'm from England. Not really on a budget x

Rich

The ride between LA and San Francisco is a great one! . . If you are into American "Castles", the Hurst "Castle" is just off Hiway 1. I was a little underwhelmed, but wifelet loved it.

Takes a couple of yours to do one tour. We spent the nite in Carmel, a quant town near Pebble Beach and a nice place to stay.

Try to be in Vegas during a weekday . .rooms are way less expensive than on the weekends. Most of the high dollar places will have a great room for about $100 ion a weekday.

Rich

If you have not seen the Grand Canyon, it is well worth the time it would take to get there!

janisj

Two quick questions - do you have a room booked in Yosemite? And the drive from Yosemite to Las Vegas is very long and very boring - do you plan on stopping somewhere en route?

november_moon

The CA coast is a great road trip, and traveling it by yourself will be terrific.

If you want some help fine-tuning the itinerary or some advice about restaurants, etc. just let us know

jamie99

Highway 1 is a terrific trip, athough I would probably try to get further north from LA than Santa Barbara your first night. SB is only 2-3 hours north of LA depending on traffic and day of the week (there are sometimes 2 night minimums on weekends especially during summer). Maybe Pismo Beach or Morro Bay.
Hearst Castle is very nice, but the tours take 2 hours now plus time to drive to the Visitors Center and check in, depends on your schedule.
Do you have reservations for Yosemite, it books up to a year in advance.
Have a great trip.

ahughes85

So trying to answer lots of questions...

I have yosemite booked already yes got an ok deal and only booked this entire trip this week!!! I am.also going to Vegas mid week so yes got a bargin. Also I have dedicated a full day to do the drive to Vegas planning on stopping for lunch and drinks etc on route.

I might change the santa Barbara day then if people think there are better places a little further up.

So far I have booked and alcatraz tour for San Francisco,
Plan on doing the aquarium and bike riding in monterey.
A show for sure in Vegas
And was tempted to book lakers tickets for Sunday night but unsure about going to that alone.

Any restaurant recommendations highly welcome!!!

janisj

OK - good choice on the Vegas drive. That is what I would too. But it is very long and mostly butt ugly, so take your time and stop every 2 or 3 hours just to refresh walk around a few minutes. When I have a co driver it is easier, but when doing that drive solo I plan on taking the ENTIRE day.

Where are you booked at Yosemite? Some properties that call themselves 'near the park' are an hour to 2 hours from Yosemite Valley. I would only book IN Yosemite Valley or in one of the 2 places in El Portal. Everywhere else is too far.

janisj

Oops - meant to add, only enter Yosemite on hwy 140 via Merced. There are two other routes, but 140 is by far the safest route if there is a chance of snow. It follows the Merced River and is at a lower elevation than the others. If there is snow you can't put chains on a rental car, but it is almost always possible to get as far as El Portal w/o chains. Then if the park is screening for chains, you can park in el portal and that the YARTS Bus into the Valley.

ahughes85

I have booked into El portal as noticed that most are a hour drive away. I haven't booked onto a walk yet as was unsure as to the weather so just gonna try go by ear and look while I'm over there.

janisj

That's terrific. El Portal is the absolute best location if one is not in the valley proper.


Have a great trip.