A month i USA - where to go and for how long?
Apr 1st, 2014, 10:34 AM
#41
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Ok, so here is our temporary itenerary:
We have choosen to not visit Austin, Roswell and New Orleans.
Our plane arrives on Newark airport June 25th and from there we travel by train to Washington. We will spend the next day in Washington and drive early the morning after down the coast. We plan on staying one night in Ocracoke/Outer Banks and one night in Wilmington. Next stop is Savannah where we spend two days. The morning after we drive to Atlanta and fly off to Vegas and spend two days before driving to San Fransisco. We spend three days in San Fran, then two days in Sonoma. From Sonoma we drive to LA and spend one night along the west coast. After two/three days in Los Angeles we fly to Chicago for two or three days. Fly to New York, train to Boston, spend two days there and then we're off to New York for the remaining time 6-7 days.
We do realize that we have limited time several places, but it doesn't matter to us as long as we get some breathing space here and there. The driving isn't just to get from A to B, but it is a part of our vacation.
Any comments or tips you have to the itenerary would be greatly appreciated.
Also we have some spesific questions:
1. We plan on spending 4th of July in San Fran, do you think that is a good idea?
2. Should we do one nigt in Napa and one in Sonoma or is it best to just relax in one place?
3. On our drive from San Fran to LA, where is the best place to spend a night? By best we mean either beatiful nature, good hotel/B&B, some fun sightseeing, a great restaurant or something like that
Preferably approximately half-way between the two cities.
4. Are there som places along the way we ABSOLUTELY should visist? Either just a quick stop or to spend some more time?
For those wondering: we are 29 years old and come from Norway
We have choosen to not visit Austin, Roswell and New Orleans.
Our plane arrives on Newark airport June 25th and from there we travel by train to Washington. We will spend the next day in Washington and drive early the morning after down the coast. We plan on staying one night in Ocracoke/Outer Banks and one night in Wilmington. Next stop is Savannah where we spend two days. The morning after we drive to Atlanta and fly off to Vegas and spend two days before driving to San Fransisco. We spend three days in San Fran, then two days in Sonoma. From Sonoma we drive to LA and spend one night along the west coast. After two/three days in Los Angeles we fly to Chicago for two or three days. Fly to New York, train to Boston, spend two days there and then we're off to New York for the remaining time 6-7 days.
We do realize that we have limited time several places, but it doesn't matter to us as long as we get some breathing space here and there. The driving isn't just to get from A to B, but it is a part of our vacation.
Any comments or tips you have to the itenerary would be greatly appreciated.
Also we have some spesific questions:
1. We plan on spending 4th of July in San Fran, do you think that is a good idea?
2. Should we do one nigt in Napa and one in Sonoma or is it best to just relax in one place?
3. On our drive from San Fran to LA, where is the best place to spend a night? By best we mean either beatiful nature, good hotel/B&B, some fun sightseeing, a great restaurant or something like that
Preferably approximately half-way between the two cities.4. Are there som places along the way we ABSOLUTELY should visist? Either just a quick stop or to spend some more time?
For those wondering: we are 29 years old and come from Norway
Apr 1st, 2014, 10:51 AM
#42
If you like riding Amtrak trains, you could take the Lake Shore Limited from Chicago to either Boston or New York. The train splits in Albany, NY
As for the California coast you should stay in the Monterey or Big Sur area.
As for the California coast you should stay in the Monterey or Big Sur area.
Apr 1st, 2014, 12:39 PM
#43
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July in SF is not the greatest of weather so just keep that in mind and plan your wardrobe accordingly.SF is NOT TO BE MISSED, however. The other cities will be warm/hot but plan on long pants and jacket for SF. SF is a fabulous walking city (great neighborhood walks - grab a copy of Stairway walks in SF or another SF walking book)but do not plan on seeing any fireworks thru the usual fog. Personally I would park myself in either Sonoma or Napa for 2 nights and enjoy the wine country and fabulous wineries. My preference is Sonoma. Memorable experience 1/2 way from SF to LA, I would choose Cambria and perhaps a tour of Hearst castle. Reservations a must for Hearst Castle and those can be obtained on line. Trip looks awesome. Hope you love everything you experience.
Apr 1st, 2014, 01:14 PM
#44
I don't understand at all the order you have chosen to visit places.
The way you have it now, you start on the East coast, then fly all the way out West, then fly back to the mid-West, then fly to the East coast again.
Why not fly into one then get your flight home-bound from the other. For example, into JFK (New York) and out of LAX or SFO (California). That would save you HUGE amounts of backtracking.
The way you have it now, you start on the East coast, then fly all the way out West, then fly back to the mid-West, then fly to the East coast again.
Why not fly into one then get your flight home-bound from the other. For example, into JFK (New York) and out of LAX or SFO (California). That would save you HUGE amounts of backtracking.
Apr 1st, 2014, 01:24 PM
#45
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I'm glad you've kept Chicago in your itinerary. It is a great city and very compact for sight-seeing.
Transportation in Chicago is great- you won't need a car. There are free walking tours in different neighborhoods.
http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/chica...walking-tours/
But also highly recommend the Chicago Architectural tour by boat, down the Chicago River. And the weather is absolutely gorgeous in July! https://www.architecture.org/rivercruise
It also looks like you might be in Chicago for the annual "Taste of Chicago"!! This is an absolutely great way to get to see/know the city! http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en...f_chicago.html
I know you'll have a great time!!
Re Jacksonville, NC- I lived there for almost three years. You should know that Jacksonville is home to nearly 45,000 (yes, you read that right- 45,000) Marines. Camp LeJeune has about 39,000 and New River Air Station has around 6,000. So, don't think that the US is under some major attack while you're in town. You will see lots of men and women in uniform around town! (Yes, I served in the USMC from 1976-1980.)
Transportation in Chicago is great- you won't need a car. There are free walking tours in different neighborhoods.
http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/chica...walking-tours/
But also highly recommend the Chicago Architectural tour by boat, down the Chicago River. And the weather is absolutely gorgeous in July! https://www.architecture.org/rivercruise
It also looks like you might be in Chicago for the annual "Taste of Chicago"!! This is an absolutely great way to get to see/know the city! http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en...f_chicago.html
I know you'll have a great time!!
Re Jacksonville, NC- I lived there for almost three years. You should know that Jacksonville is home to nearly 45,000 (yes, you read that right- 45,000) Marines. Camp LeJeune has about 39,000 and New River Air Station has around 6,000. So, don't think that the US is under some major attack while you're in town. You will see lots of men and women in uniform around town! (Yes, I served in the USMC from 1976-1980.)
Apr 1st, 2014, 11:07 PM
#46
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Tomfuller: I love to see a country by train, but unfortunatley we don't have the time to take the train from Chicago to NY. Will check out Big Sur and Monterey
Thank you!
Shar: Thank you for your comment about SF. Do you recommend us not to choose SF for 4th of July? How bad is the wheater in July? I'm thinking maybe it will be nice if the wheater isn't as hot as Las Vegas and LA (as many people here have warned me about). But I will definitely bring pants and a jacket Hearst Castle looks amazing! Thank you for all your help, and I know we'll have a great vacation
Suze: I know it looks a bit weird that we fly across the country two times, but there are several reasons. The cheapest tickets we could find were to and from NY. The initial plan was to fly straight to the west coast and take the east coast on the last part of the vacation. But since it would be a very long travel, plus the extra jet lag it seemed like a good idea to start on the east coast. The reason we are spending the last part of the vacation in Boston and NY is because we are meeting up with friends
Sarge56: We almost cut Chicago, but since we both really wanted to visit the city we had to make room for it, even though we only get to spend a short amount of time there.
We read about the military base in Jacksonville, but thank you for the warning Thank you for all your Chicago recommendations!
Thank you!Shar: Thank you for your comment about SF. Do you recommend us not to choose SF for 4th of July? How bad is the wheater in July? I'm thinking maybe it will be nice if the wheater isn't as hot as Las Vegas and LA (as many people here have warned me about). But I will definitely bring pants and a jacket
Hearst Castle looks amazing! Thank you for all your help, and I know we'll have a great vacationSuze: I know it looks a bit weird that we fly across the country two times, but there are several reasons. The cheapest tickets we could find were to and from NY. The initial plan was to fly straight to the west coast and take the east coast on the last part of the vacation. But since it would be a very long travel, plus the extra jet lag it seemed like a good idea to start on the east coast. The reason we are spending the last part of the vacation in Boston and NY is because we are meeting up with friends
Sarge56: We almost cut Chicago, but since we both really wanted to visit the city we had to make room for it, even though we only get to spend a short amount of time there.
We read about the military base in Jacksonville, but thank you for the warning
Thank you for all your Chicago recommendations!
Apr 2nd, 2014, 04:50 AM
#47
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:We plan on staying one night in Ocracoke/Outer Banks and one night in Wilmington. Next stop is Savannah where we spend two days. The morning after we drive to Atlanta and fly off to Vegas and spend two days before driving to San Fransisco.:
I would really suggest just stopping in Charleston for these days. Much more to do and not unsimilar in the experience if you have to choose one--and 2 hours less drive.
Outer Banks to Wilmington is a "hike". Is Jacksonville in this part of your trip?
I guess Vegas is a draw/experience but SF and the wine country are SO beautiful--and "classy". LOL
I would really suggest just stopping in Charleston for these days. Much more to do and not unsimilar in the experience if you have to choose one--and 2 hours less drive.
Outer Banks to Wilmington is a "hike". Is Jacksonville in this part of your trip?
I guess Vegas is a draw/experience but SF and the wine country are SO beautiful--and "classy". LOL
Apr 2nd, 2014, 05:42 AM
#48
If coming from Wilmington be sure to take the Cedar Island ferry to Okracoke to avoid a big backtrack.
The thing I remember seeing in Wilmington is the battleship North Carolina which has teak decks.
The thing I remember seeing in Wilmington is the battleship North Carolina which has teak decks.
Apr 2nd, 2014, 09:12 AM
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I can recommend this place to stay, halfway between San Francisco and LA, in San Simeon very near the Hearst Castle.
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwest...ertyCode=05173
Most rooms have cute little fireplaces, and the property is oceanfront. They light fires on the beach at night, and set out chairs. It's lovely and not very expensive. The restaurant there is good for breakfast.
The Hearst Castle might be a lot of fun for you, as it's full of American memorabilia and pictures of historical figures who visited there. The tour guide will tell stories of the entertaining there, and Hearst's oddities. Very pretty property. Even a few zebras are still there.
Your trip sounds like a lot of moving around. There's plenty to see-- just remember you can't see it all, which I think your itinerary is attempting.
I agree that you find one place in the wine country of Napa or Sonoma. No need to change places to stay.
Can't you fly Chicago to Boston, instead of to NY and training to Boston?
I wouldn't be concerned about weather in SF. It is what it is. And SF is well worth the rain, if you get it. It's been a terribly dry year there, with some rain lately is all. You just never know. You really can't plan around the weather.
Except Vegas will be hot. It almost always is.
I know CA, but not the east coast so much, so can't comment on that.
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwest...ertyCode=05173
Most rooms have cute little fireplaces, and the property is oceanfront. They light fires on the beach at night, and set out chairs. It's lovely and not very expensive. The restaurant there is good for breakfast.
The Hearst Castle might be a lot of fun for you, as it's full of American memorabilia and pictures of historical figures who visited there. The tour guide will tell stories of the entertaining there, and Hearst's oddities. Very pretty property. Even a few zebras are still there.
Your trip sounds like a lot of moving around. There's plenty to see-- just remember you can't see it all, which I think your itinerary is attempting.
I agree that you find one place in the wine country of Napa or Sonoma. No need to change places to stay.
Can't you fly Chicago to Boston, instead of to NY and training to Boston?
I wouldn't be concerned about weather in SF. It is what it is. And SF is well worth the rain, if you get it. It's been a terribly dry year there, with some rain lately is all. You just never know. You really can't plan around the weather.
Except Vegas will be hot. It almost always is.
I know CA, but not the east coast so much, so can't comment on that.
