English family spending July/Aug in US- any suggestions?
Jan 14th, 2001, 01:18 PM
#1
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English family spending July/Aug in US- any suggestions?
My wife and children-boys aged 3/5/7 are planning 8wk holiday in US - Can anyone recommend best mode of transport/"must visit" places/attractions/Lodges. Current (very rough) outline is DisneyLand->San francisco->Yosemite->Arizona->Utah->Idaho->Washington. Should we pre-book everything? Is route sensible? Any suggestions? Should we ask an agent?
Jan 14th, 2001, 02:13 PM
#2
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Sounds great! 8 weeks is a wonderful vacation in the western US. I think you will have enough time for your rough itinerary and I think you have identified some truly unique areas to visit. You will see landscapes like no place else on Earth.
For this region of the US, I would recommend a family vehicle - probable a minivan would be best. You will want to get out to see the beautiful nature that the west affords, and personal vehicle will be best. You might want to even consider renting those mini RVs that I see, although, I think it would make any city visits really difficult.
I don't know how you feel about camping, but the west has some of the most amazing campgrounds. I think your boys would have an amazing experience camping near the Grand canyon, Yosemite, along the Pacific Coast or any of the West's national monuments and parks.
You did not specify when you will be traveling, but if it in the summer I would pre-book as much as possible.
I think a great project for you and your boys would be identifying the places you would like to go together - instead of relying on an agent. So much can be researched on the web and there are great picture books of the west that you could show your boys and ask them which sites they would like to see.
http://www.fodors.com/familytravel/ May be of help as it focuses on family travel.
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...ur_section=ove has information on the Grand canyon which you won't want to miss.
http://www.fodors.com/traveltips/natparks/ this is National Park information, and since Western US travel is nothing without a visit to the Parks, I think you will find this invaluable.
Fodors road guides are a great series that can help you plan routes and destinations. http://www.fodors.com/books. Some recommended titles:
Fodor's Road Guide USA: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, 1st Edition
Fodor's Road Guide USA: Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, 1st Edition
Fodor's Road Guide USA: California, 1st Edition
Fodor's Road Guide USA: Oregon, Washington, 1st Edition
Fodor's Where Should We Take the Kids: California, 3rd Edition
Well, that will get you started. Let me know if I can be of more help.
Sincerely,
A serious fan of the Western US.
For this region of the US, I would recommend a family vehicle - probable a minivan would be best. You will want to get out to see the beautiful nature that the west affords, and personal vehicle will be best. You might want to even consider renting those mini RVs that I see, although, I think it would make any city visits really difficult.
I don't know how you feel about camping, but the west has some of the most amazing campgrounds. I think your boys would have an amazing experience camping near the Grand canyon, Yosemite, along the Pacific Coast or any of the West's national monuments and parks.
You did not specify when you will be traveling, but if it in the summer I would pre-book as much as possible.
I think a great project for you and your boys would be identifying the places you would like to go together - instead of relying on an agent. So much can be researched on the web and there are great picture books of the west that you could show your boys and ask them which sites they would like to see.
http://www.fodors.com/familytravel/ May be of help as it focuses on family travel.
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...ur_section=ove has information on the Grand canyon which you won't want to miss.
http://www.fodors.com/traveltips/natparks/ this is National Park information, and since Western US travel is nothing without a visit to the Parks, I think you will find this invaluable.
Fodors road guides are a great series that can help you plan routes and destinations. http://www.fodors.com/books. Some recommended titles:
Fodor's Road Guide USA: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, 1st Edition
Fodor's Road Guide USA: Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, 1st Edition
Fodor's Road Guide USA: California, 1st Edition
Fodor's Road Guide USA: Oregon, Washington, 1st Edition
Fodor's Where Should We Take the Kids: California, 3rd Edition
Well, that will get you started. Let me know if I can be of more help.
Sincerely,
A serious fan of the Western US.
Jan 16th, 2001, 04:08 PM
#4
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Chris, Disneyland to San Francisco is quite a haul... you've packed a lot of driving time in there. But since you have 8 weeks you have plenty of time to decide which towns in between LA and San Francisco appeal to you. Make sure you are aware of the travel times in between your destinations.
If I was doing the trip you suggest with the 3 children, I would consider hiring a camper/van/caravan for your journey, as Sharon mentioned there are some great camping areas that you could stay at en route, but be aware many of the most popular campsites, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe etc. Book spaces up quite far in advance.
No doubt you will be inundated with suggestions for places to visit. Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada boarder is stunning with lots to do for your children. Also in Arizona, Tombstone (of OK Corral, Wyatt Earp fame) is a great place to visit if anyone in your party is a Western History buff. Besides Disneyland, there is a lot to see in Southern Cal, Universal Studios and Beaches as well, also the neighborhood near Disney is not the most esthetically appealing, you may want to consider staying near the South Bay Beaches and taking day trips. Welcome to So. Cal.
If I was doing the trip you suggest with the 3 children, I would consider hiring a camper/van/caravan for your journey, as Sharon mentioned there are some great camping areas that you could stay at en route, but be aware many of the most popular campsites, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe etc. Book spaces up quite far in advance.
No doubt you will be inundated with suggestions for places to visit. Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada boarder is stunning with lots to do for your children. Also in Arizona, Tombstone (of OK Corral, Wyatt Earp fame) is a great place to visit if anyone in your party is a Western History buff. Besides Disneyland, there is a lot to see in Southern Cal, Universal Studios and Beaches as well, also the neighborhood near Disney is not the most esthetically appealing, you may want to consider staying near the South Bay Beaches and taking day trips. Welcome to So. Cal.
Jan 16th, 2001, 04:56 PM
#5
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Chris, Definitely plan to prebook. That's tourist season and California is a major destination in the U.S. If you land in SF you could drive to Yosemite (reservations should be made immediately--as in NOW!) and then down the coast to LA. and Disneyland, SD etc. Phoenix is fun, but for the kids in the summer it might be really hot. Should you ask an agent? Not necessary unless you've never done much traveling in the past. It's pretty easy with the Internet. I would leave out Washington, Idaho, Utah unless you really love the outdoors and National Parks. You need to give us more info. Clearly, you must rent a car for this vacation and the suggestion of a minivan is good if you feel confident driving one on the "other side." Regards...
Jan 17th, 2001, 06:33 AM
#6
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Chris,
Come on and have a good time! We had someone from England stay with us for a week this past summer. He was amazed at the distance between the cities - and he was just in one region of the country. From what it looks like, you're jumping all over the west coast. I would suggest starting at the south and working north or vice versa. The route you've suggested has you zig zagging all over. Although it's a great way to see the country, and you've plenty of time to do so, you will be back-tracking yourself.
You didn't say when you would be traveling. If it's during June/July/August, advance reservations to some of the more popular areas might be necessary. Someone suggested a minivan. I concur. The space it will provide will be worth it. I don't know about the UK, but count on having to put your 3 yo in a car seat.
I have been seeing advertisements for a new Disney theme park next to DisneyLand. California Adventures, I think. You may want to check it out too. I know Disney World has packages, you may want to see what Disney Land has.
My in-laws live 700 miles away and we visit on a regular basis. Therefore my kids are used to long-hauls in the car. Make sure you take child-friendly breaks. If your kids aren't used to that sort of travel, they'll have so much pent-up energy they'll drive all of you crazy. Good Luck! Have fun!
Come on and have a good time! We had someone from England stay with us for a week this past summer. He was amazed at the distance between the cities - and he was just in one region of the country. From what it looks like, you're jumping all over the west coast. I would suggest starting at the south and working north or vice versa. The route you've suggested has you zig zagging all over. Although it's a great way to see the country, and you've plenty of time to do so, you will be back-tracking yourself.
You didn't say when you would be traveling. If it's during June/July/August, advance reservations to some of the more popular areas might be necessary. Someone suggested a minivan. I concur. The space it will provide will be worth it. I don't know about the UK, but count on having to put your 3 yo in a car seat.
I have been seeing advertisements for a new Disney theme park next to DisneyLand. California Adventures, I think. You may want to check it out too. I know Disney World has packages, you may want to see what Disney Land has.
My in-laws live 700 miles away and we visit on a regular basis. Therefore my kids are used to long-hauls in the car. Make sure you take child-friendly breaks. If your kids aren't used to that sort of travel, they'll have so much pent-up energy they'll drive all of you crazy. Good Luck! Have fun!
Jan 19th, 2001, 09:10 PM
#8
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Since you will be here in July/August, I would recommend against Arizona. It is very HOT in summer & there are plenty of other places with a cooler climate. My German friends thought Texas in April was as hot as Germany in August. You are looking at over 100 degrees fahrenheit.
Jan 19th, 2001, 09:22 PM
#9
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Hi Chris - Remember, in North America, we drive on the right hand side of the road - it can be quite intimidating to drive in big cities or on the interstate when it is not what you are used to - so be sure to allow enough time to get used to it. We travelled NZ driving on the left and found the first week of driving pretty stressful. You have lots of good suggestions for places to visit and I agree with them all. Have fun in the west and if you have time, take a trip to the Alberta Rockies, they are beautiful also and Canada offers a great exchange rate on your currency - hope you trip is wonderful.
