tracys2cents

Not quite sure what's "bizarre" about staying in Burbank for someone arriving on Amtrak, wanting to visit a movie studio and the Autry Museum, who was considering instead staying in Pasadena. Pasadena has no Amtrak station, is not close to the Autry and is not close to a movie studio. Burbank also has an airport that's much easier to deal with than LAX for a flight to Las Vegas. She's also express concern about safety and for a first-time-tourist, Burbank has a safer "feel" than downtown L.A, not to mention it is also more convenient for 3/4 of her itinerary.

So, while you might try to come up with a better idea, my advice is far from "bizarre". Far more "bizarre" is telling someone who doesn't want to drive in the city to come by car and stay in Santa Monica, which is no way near 3/4 of her itinerary.

crosscheck

sorry, typo: You will be sorry and limited in your activities if you don't have a car. Our public transportation is beyond awful. I just came back to Malibu where I met a friend for coffee. On the way there, I saw a woman waiting for a bus in front of the Getty Villa - She was still there 40 minutes later on my way back.

crosscheck

tracy, I wasn't referring to your advice as bizarre, although I would never recommend that anyone stay in smoggy Burbank during the heat of the summer. I do think that dropping off a car in SB and then trying to navigating LA as a tourist by amtrak/hop on buses and Starline is bizarre.

crosscheck

that would be navigate - sorry about typos - my ipad is acting up.

Patty

It's not that they're unsafe (well, downtown does have some sketchy areas but you don't have to stay there). It's just that they're far away from the ocean which you expressed an interest in but then everything is far from everything in LA and public transport sucks so we drive everywhere. I don't really have a good solution for you.

joesorce

Lyn please start a new thread entitled "2nd draft" or something. Too much conflicting advice on this thread to sift through. You must be thoroughly confused. Please list your updated itinerary/plans/motels booked and then maybe we can help you adjust things from there.

First of all, you'll want to cancel your CarHire3000 reservation since it does not include the liability insurance that you'll need, and since it is probably for pickup San Fran airport and return SB airport which is also not at all convenient.

Why do you want a car for your 4 nights in San Francisco, are you venturing out of the city? Parking in San Fran is very expensive and there is good easy transpo into the city from SFO. Also many in-town car rental shoppes with good prices for Brits who wish to drop off in other cities.

Please start from scratch, and maybe one thread for just the San Francisco and coast trip, then a 2nd thread asking for Los Angeles ideas and tips, and tips for getting to and staying in Vegas. Cheers!

lynntigon

Ok - 2 new threads

San Francisco - Santa Barbara Hints and Tips please

LA area for 2-3 nights and onward to LV for 2-3 nights including GC tour

easytraveler

Well, I'm one who has invested too much time trying to follow what the OP wants and the subsequent different viewpoints, so here's my final two cents on this thread:

You do NOT need a car in San Francisco

You DO need a car in Los Angeles

If you're absolutely adamant about not wanting a car in LA, then readjust your plans accordingly, because you'll get to see only about 1/3 of what you could see if you had a car - maybe even less. crosscheck's story about the woman waiting for a bus is unfortunately the reality of public transportation in Los Angeles, so be prepared to be standing around waiting and waiting and waiting - or else walking and walking and walking. Public transportation is NOT at all like that in Europe.

Again, you are creating problems for yourself by staying way inland like in Pasadena or Burbank. You need to be close to the things that most people go to LA to see and, except for the Norton Simon Museum, there is nothing in Pasadena and especially not in Burbank that is for the general tourist.

If you locate yourself away from the usual attractions AND not have a car, then you just wasting bundles and bundles of time - commuting to and from your hotel to an attraction or waiting for the next bus. You really need to consider these factors in your planning.

janisj

I'm sorry -- but dropping the car in Santa Barbara and taking the train is an awful idea. Los Angeles can be done w/o a car. And root canals can be done w/o anesthetic. Doesn't mean it is a good idea.

Messing about w/ the train and the (much) less than adequate public transport in the LA basin simply needlessly complicates your days in SoCal.

Plus it will force you to stay in places that would be fine for a business trip -- but NOT for a dream holiday in California.

Look --I just got back from driving 2100 miles in the UK and lived to tell the tale. You can drive here.

Now I'll go hunt for your other threads . . .

sf7307

>>

You forgot the Huntington Library and Gardens (which I would definitely want to see, but I agree Pasadena is not where the OP should stay unless that's ALL she's going to see)

lynntigon

Hi everyone - I have posted a trip report for the PCH part of my American adventure, as some of you will have already found. x

cmstraf

An excellent overnight stop is the Best Western Plus Hotel Monterey in neighboring Seaside. It is right on the ocean, has great views, is a 10 minute drive fromn Point Lobos (a must stop) and another from the Monterey Acquarium. I second (or third) the Huntington Gardens--they are gorgeous and serve a high tea.

janisj

cmstraf: Note the post above yours . . . the OP has done the drive and has posted a trip report . . .

mlgb

For all those who said it would be as painful as a root canal

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...hout-a-car.cfm