we are an australian family with 3 boys 15,13,11 going to calif. for about 3-4 weeks end sept. have booked in LA then will be
hiring a car and driving
for 2weeks then flying out of SF.
haven't worked out exact trip yet
san diego, las vegas, monument valley yosemite etc
but curious about motel 6 chain, is it ok?? should we book hotel vouchers here or try our luck when we arrive??
also what is the price of petrol sorry gas in california??

thanks

Responding, in no particular order, to your inquiries:
1. The price of petrol is around $2 a gallon (i.e, approximately 4 litres), give or take 10 cents.
2. Motel 6 is on the low end of chain motels. That is not to say that they are all necessarily bad, but based on reports I've read, the quality is uneven.
3. I would suggest you start working on a specific itinerary now. You'll already have difficulty finding rooms in Yosemite (phone number: 559-252-4848; fax: 559-456--0542). For more info on Yosemite lodging, check out this website: www.yosemitepark.com/lodging/restips.html. As for Monument Valley, the place to stay is Goulding's Lodge (phone: 435-727-3231; fax 435-727-3344). It also fills up fast.
4. As for getting hotel vouchers before you leave, naturally, that would depend on the type(s) of deal(s) you get! I would definitely book Yosemite and Monument Valley before you leave home.

To add to Howard's above post--consider taking the kids to Monterey to the Aquarium and kayaking in the bay with the sea otters, and before/after Yosemite look into the Gold Country just north of the valley. Motel 6's here in California tend to be aceeptable, but you might want to bump up to something like a Holiday Inn where you can have a pool for the kids. Can you get reciprocity with our AAA? Do try to book now for Yosemite and do a search on this site to find out about all the housing possibilities. Also on the Gold Country. I've heard (but don't have firsthand info) that anything booked with vouchers from Australia ends up costing more--better to get on the Internet and do it yourself.

AAA=American Automobile Assoc., which offers discounts to members at lots of hotels/motels/attractions. Usually about 10% discount.

Doing the same trip but without kids mind you; from advice here and by doing a lot of homework I'm doing this:
LA - fly in; rent car (not staying)
Santa Barbara - visit mission
San Simeon for Hearst Castle tour
Big Sur - hiking & exploring
Monterey & Carmel - visit aquarium, sightsee etc.
Explore Big Basin park
San Fran for 4 days then fly home

I'm sure the Californians and those who have done the same route will have more advice to offer as well!

Marlena