SAB

The flight from SFO to LAX may only take 1hour and 20 mins, but that doesn't take into account getting to SFO and the time for check in and security, not does it include the time getting from LAX to Pasadena. So it is going to take you something like 4 hours, assuming that the flight leaves on time and LA traffic cooperates.

Barblab

In my opinion your plan is crazy for two adults, insane with a 3 year old. At least cut out Sea World. If this is your only reason for going to San Diego as others have said while it may look like a 2 hour drive on the map, the traffic could, and probably will make it much longer. (You truely cannot imagine the traffic in LA until you experience it.)There are other Sea Worlds other places, hit one of them on another vacation. It will also allow your 3 year old to be fresh for Disney. Nothing worse than a tired kid at the begining of a long day at Disney. Re Vegas, could you hit it on your last day / night and fly home from there?

Re spliting your trip I would make it into 2 trips, SF and LA; and SD and LV. Doesn't really matter if they are years apart.

At any rate rest up - you'll need it!

swaymock

I understand there is only one small difference between your flights and your family's flights. I stand by my earlier response. You can't book two different itineraries AT THE SAME TIME. Try it.

bond007

Barblab :I agree,Sea world is the only point for us in SDiego. I think I can drop it from my list.
LAter, anyway, my family can visit (as they are planning to stay longer there).Thanks for the suggestion.

swaymock: Whether, calling the airlines booking agent will help me to book this same time? I am just worrying that, by booking twice online, should not create any problem.

swaymock

Honestly, bond, if I were doing what you are doing - I would call the airlines to make the reservation. If you book separately from your family online (which is what you will have to do), it could be difficult to get seated together.

I think for your peace of mind, it would be good to have a warm body (agent) booking the flights for you.

The agent can book whatever you like --- the websites are only set up to book one identical itinerary at a time (I mean you can book two people with the same itin, but not two different itins).

trippinkpj

I would spend more time in SF than LA.

BarbAnn

If you do visit San Francisco, try to fly into Burbank rather than LAX. Much smaller airport, and it is closer to Pasadena.

Can you fly to Las Vegas? The drive through the desert is HOT (especially in the late afternoon) and boring.

I have lived in California all my life (well over 50 years) and I am not sure how much of the "beauty of CA" you will be seeing on the freeways.

Welcome to California.

bond007

swaymock : I agree. Do you feel the booking agents can do this. I will try my best to book this way. I hope

Thanks BarbAnn -: But flying to LV will affect my budget very badly (just checked its,~165-175 per person . So looks that, have to drive.
As you been there, kindly suggest, which airport will be suitable for me (from buffalo)- I am planning to take any economical transport to hotel (aug31 night) and take 5hr SF tour (sept1) and by night, back to airport to Pasedena. If possible, kindly suggest suitable hotel also. Plannint this tour to take :http://www.sanfranshuttletours.com/?...FRUHWAod4TDB7Q.

cabovacation

I think driving to Las Vegas is not a great idea - although bear in mind that ALL air travel requires a couple of hours of time at the airport prior to departure.

I would skip Las Vegas. You have NO IDEA of the HEAT. What will a 3 year old do? Personally, I think the tv shows that show Vegas pretty much cover it. Being there in person isn't much different, except for the heat. I would never take a child. You can't go into the casinos, can you? So all you are doing is seeing these weird fake places in the flesh.

Don't get me wrong - it is kind of impressive - but go see Ocean's Thirteen or something and save it for another trip - maybe when you go to the Grand Canyon. (Or is that part of this trip?

cabovacation

I keep forgetting to say that I am from Buffalo, too. You will love CA. Have a great time! I'll probably be visiting western NY while you are here.

bond007

cabovacation - Thanks for the warning. As of now, I have not thought of Grand canyon...from HEAT point of view (as well Hoover dam)
Do you mean, even in late even, or night, will it be WARM there?

Btw, have you been to erie beach, thats good spot for your trip.

easytraveler

You COULD fit in San Francisco and Las Vegas and LA and San Diego in 9 days,

provided:

You fly into San Francisco from Buffalo, do a one day thing in SF,

FLY to Las Vegas from SF, do a one day thing in LV,

then FLY to LA from Las Vegas and get a car for the remainder of your stay in Southern California.

Try Southwest Airlines. They have some good fares, especially with 14-day pre purchase.

You might also try sidestep.com and input your dates and cities of travel and see if there are good deals from other airlines.

Good luck! Welcome to California! (I understand - been to Buffalo and understand why you would want to see a lot of California! )

bond007

Thanks a lot easytraveler. I appreciate.
Let me go through your plan and as well COST. (that is also one more constraint).
As said, this is my tentative plan and was looking for expert advises from Fodorites, and got that, as always.
Thank you all. I have to do some homework now on plan-revision2

BarbAnn

In San Fransico, I have stayed at the Chelsea Motor Inn (www.chelseamotorinn.com) twice. It is basic, but in a safe location. Their sister properties are good too.

If at all possible, take the City and Muir Woods tour. You would see The City, coastal redwoods and the northern California coast. The coastline of northern California is absolutely beautiful.

Barbara

Very good suggestion from easytraveler.

paula1470

Good hotel suggestion from BarbAnn. I was going to suugest Columbus Motor Inn which is a sister property to Chelsea Motor Inn.

To answer your question about Las Vegas heat. Yes, it is still warm at night. Although it may cool down some at night that is usually around 3am. If you are walking around between sundown and midnight, the temperatures could still be in the 90's.

Easytraveler has a good plan. Right now Southwest Airlines has roundtrip for your dates at $118 (that includes fees and taxes). That is departing from Burbank Airport. Keep in mind that a tank of gas here in So. Ca is around $50 or more depending on the size of your gas tank. So it will cost you a minimum of $100 to drive your car and that is a low estimate.

I also just did a quick check on using Expedia. You can fly from Buf to SFO and then from LAX to BUF for $258.00 on Delta and for $273 on American. If you use Southwest to fly from San Francisco to Burbank at $49 one way that will put your flight total to a little over $300. With that savings you could afford to fly to Las Vegas.

Personally I would follow the advice of others and skip Las Vegas. You will have your 3 year old that you can't take into casinos, it will be hot and pretty miserable. You will be taking away 2 days that you can see California.

Just to put another wrench in your plans, have you thought about driving from SF to LA. If you really want to see the beauty of California, driving the coast is the way to see it. As others have said, all you will be doing particularly in So. CA is spending time on the freeways and fighting crowds at Disneyland. You could spend 2 days in San Francisco, maybe one day in Monterrey (your child would like the Aquarium, one day in Santa Barbara and the rest of the time in LA. This would give you plenty of time to see Universal Studio and Disneyland and the beach. Just a thought. The central coast of California is one of the prettiest spots in the state.

paula1470

To clarify-the $118 RT from Burbank was to Las Vegas and back. Sorry for the confusion.

bond007

Thanks a lot paula1470. You gave me a very good thought.It is scaring me that, even after sunset, its 90F there . Just a thought, is it a wise decision to travel there in Oct end/early nov??
Reg : 258 RT from buf to SFo, its the same flight, I am thinking to take.And I am getting $70 from SFO to LAX., but $49 from SFO to Burbank seems better deal.As said above, planning to take a 5hr tour of SF and leave to Pasedena.
advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance

canterbury

I ditto what Paula says (me, a 20+ year resident of So Cal).

I know many people want to see the glitzy stuff that CA has to offer, but there is some real natural beauty, too.

Just taking the time to drive down Pacific Coast Highway and look at the water (you will go past many celebrities' homes although you wouldn't know it). Take a full day at the beach. Your 3-year-old will love it. When my girls were little we used to go to the Tide Pools in Newport Beach. It's a more kid friendly area where they can play in shallow water and see some sea life and watch the tide come splashing over the rocks.

As far as Northern CA - what about seeing the Redwoods? And San Francisco alone is a wonderland.

Personally, I'd skip Sea World and Las Vegas. Disneyland, I understand the lure (although I am totally Disney'd out!).

Try to scale back. I know it's hard, but really try to resist doing too much and not remembering anything.

cabovacation

Thanks for the Erie Beach tip!