A month i USA - where to go and for how long?
Feb 17th, 2014, 11:14 AM
#21
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They are from outside the US so if they rent from an overseas broker like rentalcars.com the one way drop fee is waived on certain popular routes (like LA-SF) and all their insurance will be included.
Feb 17th, 2014, 12:41 PM
#22
Even renting direct from Alamo or Hertz/Dollar or Avis, a foreigner will usually get great rates with no drop fees/ insurances included. Often better rates than through a "middle man"/broker.
And Las Vegas is definitely not a "truly awful place" for foodies...eating great food is mentioned as one of the goals of the trip...which is another good reason to include New Orleans as well.
And Las Vegas is definitely not a "truly awful place" for foodies...eating great food is mentioned as one of the goals of the trip...which is another good reason to include New Orleans as well.
Feb 17th, 2014, 01:46 PM
#23
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Why do some people persist in saying San Diego is so hot in the summer. The average high is in the upper 70's - along the coastal corridor anyway - and very little humidity.
And this is from one who has lived here for 34 years.
And this is from one who has lived here for 34 years.
Feb 17th, 2014, 04:07 PM
#25
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Las Vegas has some places with excellent food - and a lot with awful food. (The idea of a buffet guarantees the food is dreadful - not fresh and god only knows how unclean). The problem is that there is nothing else to do there but lose money.
If the OP has unlimited time and an interest in gambling - then fine. But they are asking about the best of the US in only a month - and LB just doesn't cut it.
If the OP has unlimited time and an interest in gambling - then fine. But they are asking about the best of the US in only a month - and LB just doesn't cut it.
Mar 14th, 2014, 12:35 PM
#26
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Thank you so much for all of your help! I'm sorry about the late reply. Our trip is starting to form, much thanks to you guys
.We will probably start another topic once the itenerary is done!
.We will probably start another topic once the itenerary is done!
Mar 15th, 2014, 03:43 PM
#27
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You will have a fantastic trip no matter what you choose, it is always the unplanned moments that are the treasures.
I would definitely spend a lot of time in the San Francisco area, between the city, Muir Woods, Sausalito, Wine Country, Carmel or Yosemite you would have great weather and beautiful vistas. You should drive the coast and could expand into Big Sur and San Simeon. You could continue on to LA for more good weather and food.
I would fly out to Austin or NoLA and then drive to the other even though this will be HOT! Then fly out to the east coast and hit DC, NY, Boston and Cape Cod, again more beautiful scenery and the history element. I would not include Roswell, Vegas or the Grand Canyon, too hot and/or crowded. I am from Chicago so if you have time, another good food, music, and pretty lakefront. I really don't think there are that many great drives for where you want to go and gas prices and car rentals add up.
I would definitely spend a lot of time in the San Francisco area, between the city, Muir Woods, Sausalito, Wine Country, Carmel or Yosemite you would have great weather and beautiful vistas. You should drive the coast and could expand into Big Sur and San Simeon. You could continue on to LA for more good weather and food.
I would fly out to Austin or NoLA and then drive to the other even though this will be HOT! Then fly out to the east coast and hit DC, NY, Boston and Cape Cod, again more beautiful scenery and the history element. I would not include Roswell, Vegas or the Grand Canyon, too hot and/or crowded. I am from Chicago so if you have time, another good food, music, and pretty lakefront. I really don't think there are that many great drives for where you want to go and gas prices and car rentals add up.
Mar 16th, 2014, 03:46 AM
#29
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I am now remembering the Jacksonville reference from reading this earlier!!
Boston could be an outlier. Vegas surely is for a lot of reasons (heat and tackiness?!!).
San Francisco a must. I think ClarkG.'s idea of driving up the coast from LA is good--it's an experience. If it is possible, Yosemite as a couple of days from SF--it is a wonder of the world.
Austin? Well, it is a young person's town, and also an experience. Fly there. Could drive to NOLA but it isn't areal interesting drive until you get to Louisiana but if the rental rate is good and no drop off, it could give you a taste of some rural areas.
Chicago is a great city. I don't know if you have time to do it.
You could fly to Charleston from NOLA and again, drive up the coast to Jacksonville (if you "must" and can work in the time).
You could drive on to NYC and end your trip there.
I haven't attached times to this--if you "connect these dots" with the travel time between them, maybe it will help to put the cities in focus for times.
NOLA--yes.
Boston could be an outlier. Vegas surely is for a lot of reasons (heat and tackiness?!!).
San Francisco a must. I think ClarkG.'s idea of driving up the coast from LA is good--it's an experience. If it is possible, Yosemite as a couple of days from SF--it is a wonder of the world.
Austin? Well, it is a young person's town, and also an experience. Fly there. Could drive to NOLA but it isn't areal interesting drive until you get to Louisiana but if the rental rate is good and no drop off, it could give you a taste of some rural areas.
Chicago is a great city. I don't know if you have time to do it.
You could fly to Charleston from NOLA and again, drive up the coast to Jacksonville (if you "must" and can work in the time).
You could drive on to NYC and end your trip there.
I haven't attached times to this--if you "connect these dots" with the travel time between them, maybe it will help to put the cities in focus for times.
NOLA--yes.
Mar 16th, 2014, 06:36 AM
#30
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I started to spend my vacations in North America when I was in my early 20s, and have probably done most from short city trips to one-month road trips.
The most important task for a first time visitor is to focus, focus, focus.
It should not matter too much what could be a nice destination (as there are zillions in the US), but what ticks the boxes.
Practically, you have a good advantage when you rent from outside the US. While formerly only one-way rentals between major hubs (within CA or FL or between CA and NV) came without a o/w fee, today you have offers that give you the o/w option for free in a much larger area, e.g. most waive between CO and CA and WA so you get the whole Western US.
If the hot climate in July was an issue for OP, I'd probably stay away from the Southwest - which is a shame, but unless you know that you can operate at 100F it makes not much sense to always think about A/C controlled spaces as refuges.
OPs seem to be younger folks and I was wondering if that is the case I was wondering if they should not take a closer look at the Pacific Northwest (and the climate should be nice than in the SW).
Fly to NYC and do your week there (guess that was one of OP's musts). You have 3 hrs less jet lag than flying to the West Coast.
After your week in NYC fly to, for example Charlotte, pick up rental car, go to Jacksonville NC - and the Outer Banks or the NC coastline in general.
Go back to Charlotte or any airport in the area where you can get a decently priced flight to either SF/Oakland or Seattle. The following only works if you get a rental car with waived o/w fees between WA and CA or v.v.
Fly in to Seattle. Explore Seattle/Vancouver
Drive down via Portland to SF.
You find three "young" vibrant, exciting cities (four if you include Vancouver), great nature from pristine beaches, national parks, redwood forests to volcanoes.
Subjectively I find the NoCal coastline even more spectacular than the classic Hwy 1 leg between SF and LA.
Fly home from SF or Seattle, depending on where you started the trip down or up the NW coast.
I think that NC and the Northwest should be enough to keep one busy for three weeks, especially when taking in mind that you probably want several days in SF and Seattle (and Vancouver) alone.
The most important task for a first time visitor is to focus, focus, focus.
It should not matter too much what could be a nice destination (as there are zillions in the US), but what ticks the boxes.
Practically, you have a good advantage when you rent from outside the US. While formerly only one-way rentals between major hubs (within CA or FL or between CA and NV) came without a o/w fee, today you have offers that give you the o/w option for free in a much larger area, e.g. most waive between CO and CA and WA so you get the whole Western US.
If the hot climate in July was an issue for OP, I'd probably stay away from the Southwest - which is a shame, but unless you know that you can operate at 100F it makes not much sense to always think about A/C controlled spaces as refuges.
OPs seem to be younger folks and I was wondering if that is the case I was wondering if they should not take a closer look at the Pacific Northwest (and the climate should be nice than in the SW).
Fly to NYC and do your week there (guess that was one of OP's musts). You have 3 hrs less jet lag than flying to the West Coast.
After your week in NYC fly to, for example Charlotte, pick up rental car, go to Jacksonville NC - and the Outer Banks or the NC coastline in general.
Go back to Charlotte or any airport in the area where you can get a decently priced flight to either SF/Oakland or Seattle. The following only works if you get a rental car with waived o/w fees between WA and CA or v.v.
Fly in to Seattle. Explore Seattle/Vancouver
Drive down via Portland to SF.
You find three "young" vibrant, exciting cities (four if you include Vancouver), great nature from pristine beaches, national parks, redwood forests to volcanoes.
Subjectively I find the NoCal coastline even more spectacular than the classic Hwy 1 leg between SF and LA.
Fly home from SF or Seattle, depending on where you started the trip down or up the NW coast.
I think that NC and the Northwest should be enough to keep one busy for three weeks, especially when taking in mind that you probably want several days in SF and Seattle (and Vancouver) alone.
Mar 16th, 2014, 09:13 AM
#31
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Re: beaches in LA or San Francisco, definitely LA. I suggest upscale Laguna Beach area, or closer to LA, more 'public' Manhattan Beach.
Roswell, New Mexico-- skip it.
Actually, if I were you two, I'd focus on one coast, East or West.
I prefer West, so that's where I'd go.
There is plenty to do in the Southwest for one month: San Diego, LA, San Francisco, with wineries, beaches, mountains, desert, historic missions, and everything in between.
Vegas, if you must (blech).
Yosemite
Muir Woods
Golden Gate national recreation area
Lake Tahoe
Tucson, Arizona
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Denver, Colorado.
Roswell, New Mexico-- skip it.
Actually, if I were you two, I'd focus on one coast, East or West.
I prefer West, so that's where I'd go.
There is plenty to do in the Southwest for one month: San Diego, LA, San Francisco, with wineries, beaches, mountains, desert, historic missions, and everything in between.
Vegas, if you must (blech).
Yosemite
Muir Woods
Golden Gate national recreation area
Lake Tahoe
Tucson, Arizona
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Denver, Colorado.
Mar 16th, 2014, 11:02 AM
#33
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Fantasi, Cowboy also makes sense, recommending the Northwest, too.
A lot depends on your tolerance for heat. What type of climate do you live in? Maybe you want a change of pace?
BTW, I hope you don't encounter any more rude Fodorites. They are few and far between, actually.
Have fun planning! You have so many options, it can be overwhelming, so ask whatever questions you need to ask.
I love Southwest airlines. They let you change your flights with no penalty fee. I do it a lot. The money stays in your account, you use your confirmation number to retrieve your credits and use them. Very simole. With SW, you would have the flexibility to alter your plan on the ground. Also, they allow two checked bags, plus one carryon and one personal item-- all for free.
A lot depends on your tolerance for heat. What type of climate do you live in? Maybe you want a change of pace?
BTW, I hope you don't encounter any more rude Fodorites. They are few and far between, actually.
Have fun planning! You have so many options, it can be overwhelming, so ask whatever questions you need to ask.
I love Southwest airlines. They let you change your flights with no penalty fee. I do it a lot. The money stays in your account, you use your confirmation number to retrieve your credits and use them. Very simole. With SW, you would have the flexibility to alter your plan on the ground. Also, they allow two checked bags, plus one carryon and one personal item-- all for free.
Mar 17th, 2014, 04:30 AM
#34
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Fly to NYC and do your week there (guess that was one of OP's musts). You have 3 hrs less jet lag than flying to the West Coast.
I am still wondering where they are coming from. I sort of thought Australia or such, but maybe Europe.
If they can fly from coast to coast--and some between--I think a trip that incorporates both coasts is more interesting.
I agree that 5 days in NYC is plenty. Washington DC is so often overlooked as a US destination.
I am still wondering where they are coming from. I sort of thought Australia or such, but maybe Europe.
If they can fly from coast to coast--and some between--I think a trip that incorporates both coasts is more interesting.
I agree that 5 days in NYC is plenty. Washington DC is so often overlooked as a US destination.
Mar 17th, 2014, 11:42 AM
#35
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Why do some people persist in saying San Diego is so hot in the summer. The average high is in the upper 70's - along the coastal corridor anyway - and very little humidity.
Good question - we visited SD in various Augusts and if it hit 85+ the residents considered it a heat wave.
Good question - we visited SD in various Augusts and if it hit 85+ the residents considered it a heat wave.
Mar 17th, 2014, 01:19 PM
#36
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Fantasi, how is your trip planning coming along? We're looking at a trip to Australia and found that it's just about the size of the US! So, I'm very sympathetic to your dilemma.
As a westerner, I'll admit to a bias toward Cowboy's and Tabernash's recommendations. Especially since they recommended the Pacific Northwest, where you'll get both fantastic scenery and food. And I've found the people are especially friendly.
I'm a longtime Denver, CO resident and really like it here, but with your limited time, I'd skip it in favor of going to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santa Fe will be completely different than any other US city. It's a small, but sophisticated town with classic southwestern pueblo architecture, fantastic art, and excellent food. It moves at slower pace than any place else you'll visit and might be a good place to relax for a couple of days. Yes, it's the southwest, which can be especially hot (though arid, so shade works really well), but it's at about 7500 feet elevation so it rarely gets oppressively hot. It's hard to fly there, but you could fly into Albuquerque and drive the 2.5 up to Santa Fe or fly into Denver and drive the 7 hours straight down. I know that sounds awful, but it's a really easy drive on a well maintained highway with very little traffic. If you want to see scenery like that in every Hollywood western you've ever seen, that would be it. You could then fly back out of ABQ.
Having said all that, I like New Orleans. I used to live there, too. It's also completely unlike an other American city-well, at least the French Quarter and the nearby Garden District. Terrific food, a fun party atmosphere, good jazz and blues clubs just north of the Quarter...and amazingly hot and humid in July.
I'd love to find out what you all decide on. Welcome. We hope you have a good time here.
As a westerner, I'll admit to a bias toward Cowboy's and Tabernash's recommendations. Especially since they recommended the Pacific Northwest, where you'll get both fantastic scenery and food. And I've found the people are especially friendly.
I'm a longtime Denver, CO resident and really like it here, but with your limited time, I'd skip it in favor of going to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santa Fe will be completely different than any other US city. It's a small, but sophisticated town with classic southwestern pueblo architecture, fantastic art, and excellent food. It moves at slower pace than any place else you'll visit and might be a good place to relax for a couple of days. Yes, it's the southwest, which can be especially hot (though arid, so shade works really well), but it's at about 7500 feet elevation so it rarely gets oppressively hot. It's hard to fly there, but you could fly into Albuquerque and drive the 2.5 up to Santa Fe or fly into Denver and drive the 7 hours straight down. I know that sounds awful, but it's a really easy drive on a well maintained highway with very little traffic. If you want to see scenery like that in every Hollywood western you've ever seen, that would be it. You could then fly back out of ABQ.
Having said all that, I like New Orleans. I used to live there, too. It's also completely unlike an other American city-well, at least the French Quarter and the nearby Garden District. Terrific food, a fun party atmosphere, good jazz and blues clubs just north of the Quarter...and amazingly hot and humid in July.
I'd love to find out what you all decide on. Welcome. We hope you have a good time here.
Mar 25th, 2014, 08:28 AM
#37
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Wow, I'm overwhelmed by all you help! Thank you so much
I will post our temporary itinerary soon, and we would appreciate some feedback on that as well.
We are from from Norway btw, so the warm weather is highly appreciated
I will post our temporary itinerary soon, and we would appreciate some feedback on that as well.
We are from from Norway btw, so the warm weather is highly appreciated
Mar 25th, 2014, 09:31 AM
#38
Glad to help with the new itinerary when you post.
There is a difference between warm, hot and broiling.
Death Valley in July when the sun is out is usually broiling.
Wear a big floppy hat and carry lots of water if you are going to be away from the air conditioned car for more than 15 minutes.
There is a difference between warm, hot and broiling.
Death Valley in July when the sun is out is usually broiling.
Wear a big floppy hat and carry lots of water if you are going to be away from the air conditioned car for more than 15 minutes.
Mar 25th, 2014, 01:32 PM
#39
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I use carhire3000 when I hire cars in the US, no one way drop off plus all the insurances included. Was great, we got hit in florida once and I made sure I did a police report and everything with the other person's details and the hire company didn't want it or bat an eyelid.
(from the UK)
(from the UK)
Mar 25th, 2014, 04:45 PM
#40
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I'd say skip Chicago and Austin. Austin is cool, but not thaaaat cool. I was in Death Valley and Las Vegas in July and it was hot, to be sure, but it's so dry it doesn't feel terrible. I love the heat anyway. Here are some of my favorite places in the US: San Francisco, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Death Valley, Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, all of the cool parks in Utah (Arches, Bryce, Zion), NYC. If you're into incredible scenery, Utah has a lot of it! And Yellowstone is amazing. New Orleans is hot and muggy in the summer, but I still love it. Sounds like you'll have a fun trip!
Here are some of my favorite places in the US: San Francisco, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Death Valley, Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, all of the cool parks in Utah (Arches, Bryce, Zion), NYC. If you're into incredible scenery, Utah has a lot of it! And Yellowstone is amazing. New Orleans is hot and muggy in the summer, but I still love it. Sounds like you'll have a fun trip!
