find1more

I am trying to plan a short 4-5 day vacation. I am a man from Tennessee and would like to fly to the west coast or up north. I like to see interesting sites and cities. I like museums and interesting architecture of any kind. Any cities you would recommend? I also like to meet people at different gatherings or group functions. Are LA, San Francisco or Seatle are they good cities? Also do you have any advice on what I can do on a Solo Vacation. I have no idea how to spend my time?

kja

Personally, I'm not a great fan of LA, but I love San Francisco and Seattle! Either should make a good destination for a 4 or 5 day visit. Get a guide book or two, see what interests you, and savor the chance to travel solo -- you get to do exactly what you want to do when you want to do it.

janisj

When? That could make a difference. But in general - Either SF or Seattle would be my choice.

thursdaysd

Welcome to fodors. You'll get more replies if you re-post on the United States board.

Once again I agree with kja (lol) in not caring much for LA but really liking SF and Seattle. I travel solo, and had no trouble finding plenty to do. For SF, on the US board, I recommend posts by Stu Dudley, especially:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

For my solo trip (by rail) including SF and Seattle, start here (links at the top):

http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/...san-francisco/

blackthorn2

Enjoy yourself - solo vacation it is a great chance to do exactly what you want (and when you want If I were you I would choose San Francisco

suze

I would pick #1 San Francisco or #2 Seattle. These are "better" unless you plan to rent a car because they are much more centralized. Los Angeles is huge and very spread out so less conducive to what you want to do.

suze

ps- Actually I *love* Los Angeles best of the three (was born there) but you really need a rental car to make it work.

mlgb

For architecture and museums I really prefer Boston, Chicago or New York.

Los Angeles does have some good less-popular museums (eg Japanese American, Nethercutt, Skirball Center, Autry, Norton Simon in Pasadena) as well as the famous ones such as the Getty.

I wrote these two EveryTrail guides on Downtown Los Angeles but this is just scratching the surface, for example it doesn't cover any of the historic theaters, the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, Pasadena's Gamble House, etc.

Also check out the Conservancy's website for special tours and events
https://www.laconservancy.org/

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/down...re-and-culture
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/down...-union-station

I think if you focus on downtown, Hollywood and Pasadena you can do fine without a car. The Metro rapid transit system connects those places and you can also reach Wilshire Blvd as far as Western and from there pick up the Wilshire bus.

While it is possible to reach the Getty by public tranportation, it's easier with a car.