Itinerary to America - Guidance Needed
Nov 28th, 2015, 11:24 AM
#41
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Thursdaysd- I love your trip report! You have stellar timing- I'm starting to become really curious about Canada and I was wondering how VIA compared to Amtrak. Now I'm dreaming of my very own single roomette...although the Alaska Marine Highway will probably win out first.
Jamie99- very true. The "cheapest" ART option I could find, though, was 50 dollars for a tent site
Then the other hotels were unavailable or jumped up to the 160 range. I stayed at a hostel 6 miles away for 27 and that gave me a lot more money for food in the parks! It would have been a different story entirely if I had rest of the clan along.
Jamie99- very true. The "cheapest" ART option I could find, though, was 50 dollars for a tent site
Then the other hotels were unavailable or jumped up to the 160 range. I stayed at a hostel 6 miles away for 27 and that gave me a lot more money for food in the parks! It would have been a different story entirely if I had rest of the clan along.
Nov 28th, 2015, 11:46 AM
#42
"I would like to know how to sight see LA without a car"
Obviously it totally depends on what you'd like to see and do in Los Angeles. Option 1 fly into LAX and take Flyaway coach to downtown, or to Santa Monica or Westwood if you wish to be based on the westside. Option 2 fly into Burbank/Hollywood airport, take the city bus 23 minutes down to Hollywood Walk of Fame and base yourself there (or take the Burbank Blue Bus to the metro/subway at North Hollywood and go from there). In Hollywood, visit the tourist center for maps/bus schedules and perhaps get a 48 hour Hop-On-Hop-Off bus ticket for sightseeing. The metro subway will take you to downtown in 20 mins, the city-bus and shuttles will take you to Museums/Farmers Market/Mid-Wilshire and Beverly hills in 15 mins, and there are express bus schedules for Getty Center/ Santa Monica/ Beaches. Also Uber and Lyft. (Uber pool rides are about $5).
Can the city bus transport be slow? Yes, certainly. But if you think first-time-drivers in the Los angeles basin drive and park with great speed and efficiency....you're nuts. They get stopped in traffic jams, too. Telling people that "it took me 75 minutes to get from Hollywood to Santa Monica on the bus" leaves out one important detail... that it probably would have taken you 65 minutes to drive and find parking.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm
Obviously it totally depends on what you'd like to see and do in Los Angeles. Option 1 fly into LAX and take Flyaway coach to downtown, or to Santa Monica or Westwood if you wish to be based on the westside. Option 2 fly into Burbank/Hollywood airport, take the city bus 23 minutes down to Hollywood Walk of Fame and base yourself there (or take the Burbank Blue Bus to the metro/subway at North Hollywood and go from there). In Hollywood, visit the tourist center for maps/bus schedules and perhaps get a 48 hour Hop-On-Hop-Off bus ticket for sightseeing. The metro subway will take you to downtown in 20 mins, the city-bus and shuttles will take you to Museums/Farmers Market/Mid-Wilshire and Beverly hills in 15 mins, and there are express bus schedules for Getty Center/ Santa Monica/ Beaches. Also Uber and Lyft. (Uber pool rides are about $5).
Can the city bus transport be slow? Yes, certainly. But if you think first-time-drivers in the Los angeles basin drive and park with great speed and efficiency....you're nuts. They get stopped in traffic jams, too. Telling people that "it took me 75 minutes to get from Hollywood to Santa Monica on the bus" leaves out one important detail... that it probably would have taken you 65 minutes to drive and find parking.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm
Nov 28th, 2015, 12:21 PM
#43
@marvelmouse - you're welcome. If you're really trying to save money Via Rail also has some "open" bunks - called sections - pictures on the seat61.com site. Also, if you book early for spring travel you may get a good deal - I think my tickets were half off.
@clarkgriswold - thanks. Although I have no interst in shopping or anything to do with movies, the Griffith Observatory sounds interesting.
@clarkgriswold - thanks. Although I have no interst in shopping or anything to do with movies, the Griffith Observatory sounds interesting.
Nov 28th, 2015, 08:53 PM
#44
Griffith Observatory
Ferndell walk/Griffith Park
Los Angeles Zoo/ Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum
The Getty Center/The Getty Villa
The Science Center/The Natural History Museum
LACMA/Page Museum/La Brea Tar Pits/Farmers Market
Petersen Automotive Museum
Moca/ Angel's Flight/ Grand Central Market/Disney Hall and The Grammy Museum (Frank Sinatra Exhibition)
The Hollywood Bowl (not in winter or early spring)
Malibu/Santa Monica Pier/ Venice Boardwalk
Huntington Gardens/Museum/Old Town Pasadena
....once we know time of year/interests/where you're staying we can help with the transport/itinerary.
Ferndell walk/Griffith Park
Los Angeles Zoo/ Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum
The Getty Center/The Getty Villa
The Science Center/The Natural History Museum
LACMA/Page Museum/La Brea Tar Pits/Farmers Market
Petersen Automotive Museum
Moca/ Angel's Flight/ Grand Central Market/Disney Hall and The Grammy Museum (Frank Sinatra Exhibition)
The Hollywood Bowl (not in winter or early spring)
Malibu/Santa Monica Pier/ Venice Boardwalk
Huntington Gardens/Museum/Old Town Pasadena
....once we know time of year/interests/where you're staying we can help with the transport/itinerary.
Nov 29th, 2015, 11:29 AM
#45
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marvelousmouse, by ART I meant the Anaheim Rapid Transit shuttle, which is $5pp for the day and goes between many hotels and motels, Disneyland, convention center, Anaheim GardenWalk and other places.
Many people use it who have tired kids or are staying in a motel farther walking distance from the Disneyland entrance.
Many people use it who have tired kids or are staying in a motel farther walking distance from the Disneyland entrance.
Nov 30th, 2015, 07:14 AM
#46
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I haven't read all the replies here but one thought is can you buy an Amtrak pass? I know they used to have one you could buy outside the US? Also for routes/discussion of amtrak you may be able to find a specialty forum. I believe there's a board on Amtrak over at flyer talk.com or try the maninseat61 who also posts here sometimes.
http://www.seat61.com
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amtra...t-rewards-399/
I'm sure there are lots of other forums too.
A friend of ours( who doesn't drive) recently came to the US and loved his trips from NY to Chicago and Chicago to SF on Amtrak.
http://www.seat61.com
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amtra...t-rewards-399/
I'm sure there are lots of other forums too.
A friend of ours( who doesn't drive) recently came to the US and loved his trips from NY to Chicago and Chicago to SF on Amtrak.
