londonfamily

My wife and I, along with our two daughters (9 and 5) are planning to explore SF and surroundings over 18 days in October. We've never been to California and want to use this time to take in as much as we possibly can! We land in SF on 18th October and then fly back on the 4th of November. We're hoping to hire a car and cover off (in a sort of a loop):

- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- Las Vegas
- Grand Canyon (stay overnight)
- Yosemite

Is this possible or are we biting off too much? Can anyone suggest possible itineraries with places to stay? There are so many tempting places and sights and we're confusing ourselves everytime we start to plan things out!

Many thanks

Tomsd

I think it is certainly doable - with some road warrior attitude - and there other posts in here under California and Arizona, and will respond more - but have to get to a fishing show.

Guess the main Q is how well do the girls travel in a car?

londonfamily

Thanks! Look forward to getting more info from - the girls are relatively good in cars...we've done 7 - 8 hours at a stretch a couple of times with only minor complaints!

montereybob

Looks like a fun itinerary. If you run short on time during your trip, you could eliminate San Diego, which is outside of the loop. If you want to spend a night in Yosemite, make reservations right away. They book up months in advance. The beautiful coastal drive from Santa Barbara to Monterey should be in your loop. Have fun.

montereybob

Assuming you haven't taken the girls to Disney World, will you be taking them to Disneyland?

londonfamily

Hi Montereybob, thanks! We're hoping we'll cram loads of fun in, but are planning to resist the call of Disney this time round...we'd much rather explore the area this time round and maybe come back for Disney. While we're in LA we'll try and do the Universal Studio tour. San Diego seemed relatively close to LA which is why we thought we might be able to squeeze it in, but I do see your point- we'll keep it as an optional extra.

happytrailstoyou

Starting in San Francisco, I would visit Yosemite and drive Highway 1 on my way to Los Angeles.

We found that the time we booked a room on the rim of Grand Canyon was the visit there we enjoyed most because we had quiet times in the mornings and evenings before day visitors arrived and after they left.

It would be good if you could get a good deal on your air fare and car rental arriving in San Francisco and departing from Las Vegas.

HTTY

tomfuller

The cheapest rental car on your loop would be at Las Vegas. It may even be cheaper to fly there as well.
The first stop after landing in LV would be Grand Canyon South Rim. You want to get there before it snows.
From the Grand Canyon choose which point on your loop you want to go to next. At the end of your 17-18 days return to LV for the end of your trip returning the car and flying home.

tracys2cents

It's been often-discussed here on the forum. If you do a forum search (see above) for CALIFORNIA COASTAL, it will bring up loads of previous discussions and ideas.

jamie99

Sounds like a nice trip. Try carhire3000 for your car rental, they will include all your insurance and are often able to get oneway dropoff fees waived.

3 days in SF
Yosemite (book now if you can get lodging)
Monterey 1 night
Cambria or Pismo Beach 1 night
Santa Barbara 1 night
LA (girls might be a little young for Universal, it is more appealing to teens, maybe look into Knotts Berry Farm in Orange County if skipping Disney this trip)
Then use whatever time you have leftover for Vegas and Grand Canyon with San Diego if you have time.

londonfamily

Thanks everyone for your tips! We'll search through this forum as well for more ideas, just as advised!

Tomsd

Whew - busy day yesterday. First has to go to a fishing show, then go on a "rose tour" of 3 beautiful homes here in north SD - and then dinner with two of my wife's college (UC Santa Barbara) roomies and their families - including two young, very lively grandkids.

Anywho - San Diego is a mere two hours from LA and makes - IMO - a much better base to enjoy your time in Souther Cal (not nearly as congested - large as LA) - and you can easily do day trips to LA - or stop there for a day while on your way to SD.

I like what TomF suggests if you can do it, which I think is the best use of your time. Fly into Las Vegas - rent a car there for a few days - and visit the GC (5 hour drive or so from Vegas) - while the weather is good - and then drive back to Vegas - see the sights there for a day or two - and then fly to SF.

After spending a couple/few days in "Baghdad by the Bay" - as legendary columnist Herb Caen used to call SF - head south - going to Yosemite - and then take the "back" way over to Carmel/Monterrey (avoiding Bay Area traffic) - and down the Coast. (BTW - get a good map of the Western US - as distanes out here are considerable.)

After you have kicked back at the end in San Diego - you can zip over to Vegas in 5 hours and fly back home from there, or even fly back from here in SD or in LA. Check the "open jaw" ticket prices.


The only drawback could be the rental car drop off charge if you rent a car in SF and turn it in in say SD or LA or Vegas - so check out those charges and plan accordingly.


Or - local "commuter" airlines are not that expensive for a short leg here in the States - such as Southwest - (www.southwestair.com - you don't find them on most travel websites) - which was the original "Ryan Air".

Also check out Jet Blue for domestic flights: http://www.jetblue.com/?source=gsnc_...nt=none&sc=PPC , etc.

Hope you have a blast in the States - as I/we always love our time visiting the UK.

londonfamily

Hi Tomsd, many thanks for taking the time after what sounds like a great day out yesterday! Those airline links are great - good value flights that potentially save loads of time... we'll watch out for the rental charges as you suggest.

We're all very excited about this trip and will definitely have a blast in your lovely state...

Thanks again

tracys2cents

Brits don't pay "one way car rental" fees from Alamo, National or Hertz. Try booking at hertz.co.uk

sf7307

Or the one Janis suggested -carhire3000

lovestohike

Just realize that Tioga Pass may be closed in November so you might not be able to get across from Yosemite to Las Vegas/Grand Canyon. What route were you planning to take? This past year we had a light snow year so the pass did stay open a bit longer; the year before it did not So its too hard right now to tell you if it will be open or not.

For LA, decide what you want to do. The place is huge (40 miles or so) and it depends what theme parks you want to go see. If you do do Disneyland/California Adventure/Knotts and so forth it could easily take 4 to 5 days of your vacation. So important to decide what you want to do while in the LA area - if just to see Hollywood and the beaches, it can take as short as 3 days or so.

To see San Diego 3 days or so is good to spend there. Some of the highlights are the zoo, Seaworld, the beaches, Midway tour, Gaslamp area, and Old town.

For San Francisco weather might already be rainy (so be sure to pack the umbrella for the trip - further south not much rain till later in the year.). For San Francisco people stay in Embacadero, Union Square or Fisherman Square areas. Fisherman Square is more touristy than locals - but it close to the water. Union Square is closer to shopping - such as Macy's etc; it is also closer to a wider variety of restaurants. Embarcadero has the Hyatt Regency and it has some rooms with balconies with nice views of the water. It is walking distance to the Ferry Building (ferries, restaurants, food places and so forth.). Given the high price of parking, etc. many people forego getting their car until they leave San Francisco and rely on public transportation while in San Francisco. If you are interested in going to see Alcatraz, it is good to book that six weeks in advance due to its popularity it can sell out.

For places to stay, it is useful to know your nightly price rate.
Not knowing that and assuming you can stay in mid range hotels
Omni in Gaslamp District in San Diego
For LA, if you decide to go to Disneyland, also spend some nights in Anaheim. The Marriott Main Gate Residence Inn has a great hot breakfast in the morning, 24 hour swimming pool and close to the parks. Unless you want to stay on the beach, I would recommend Hollywood area for the LA stay. It is close enough to walk to many tourist locations as well as central enough to drive easily to others. Good places to stay in that area for hotels is the Westin (just changed its name from the Renaissance Hotel) which is right by Hollywood Highland area. For suite type hotels the Magic Castle Hotel and Celebrity Suites (not as nice as magic castle) are respected. Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood is also enjoyed by many. For Yosemite best to stay in the park so check the national park web site - the in park lodging is limited. I would probably check to see if the Lodge by the Falls has room and if so book there (Ahwahnee Hotel is the nicest but very expensive; the lodge will have indoor bathrooms as well heating which can be important given when you are traveling.). For Las Vegas, let us know if you prefer to stay on the Strip (Belagio, Wynn, etc. are nice to stay at) or an off strip hotel close by with excellent facilities for children (movies, swimming, Red Rock Canyon, child sitting services) at Red Rock Canyon Casino. It is an excellent hotel for the family - with family friendly prices for food as well (and their buffet is awesome for the family - many locals eat there.). For Grand Canyon check the road as snow may or may not be a factor (most likely too early). What part of the Grand Canyon are you planning to see (North or South?) If south book in park lodging for your stay.

londonfamily

Hi lovestohike, many many thanks for the detailed ideas! We're going to the go to Grand Canyon (South Rim) from Vegas and will stay overnight before returning to Vegas.

All this feedback is really much appreciated! The tips we have received here are really helping us get closure on our plans, and we'll be sure to post a trip report when we get back.

5alive

I know Hollywood is nicer than it was but if I had a choice, I'd stay near a beach in Los Angeles. Venice, Santa Monica, Rendondo and especially with kids. There are several good properties across the street from the Mouse. We stay in the Howard Johnson and it is very basic but clean and decent.

In San Francisco, it is called Fisherman's Wharf not Square--just a point of order. I like Union Square. It can be a bit pricey; there are some less hotels in the area if you look. Steer clear of the Tenderloin area.

I'm not a fan of Las Vegas especially for children. I went with a friend with a young child and it drove me batty. Even just getting to our room was a challenge. It was such a long way from front door of the hotel to the bank of room elevators. No stopping along the way allowed because the kid couldn't be near the gambling. The advertisements are something else too. However, Las Vegas is a good jumping off place to the South Rim, and flights I've priced to Las Vegas tend to be very reasonable.

Tomsd

There are some kid things to do in Vegas - but it's a shame they no longer? have the free Lions exhibit at MGM Grand.

You can visit the "secret" gardens behind the Mirage, (does cost)- get out to the neat visitor center and drive Red Rock Canyon (about 20 minutes from Vegas) - go to the M & M store by the big Coke Botrle (south end of the Strip by MGM) - for unique M & M's, take the great roller coaster ride at NY NY - and they have arcades/games there - as well as at the other resorts - such as Circus Circus, where there are free acrobat shows (look at the schedule) - check out the huge laster light show downtown at the Fremont St. Experience, or the Acuarium at Mandlay Bay - whatnot - but yes, they will be "exposed" to/seeing some "skin". around town

tomfuller

Just because you land in and rent your car from Las Vegas does not mean you have to stay in the city.
If you are going to Hoover Dam and the South Rim, rent your car and head to either Henderson or the Hacienda out near Hoover Dam.
There is a zip line under the light show in the Fremont Street Experience.
Also on Fremont Street is the Golden Nugget with the world's largest gold nugget on public display. They also have a great buffet upstairs (cheaper before 3PM). If you go for the buffet, get a table near the window for a view of the pool which has a water slide that goes through a shark tank.