Road Trip
Dec 6th, 2015, 10:02 PM
#1
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Road Trip
Hi
We are coming to US for our honeymoon in January 15. We are from Perth Australia.
this is our first visit to US and we really appreciate some tips and advice !
We are planning to fly straight to LA stay in LA for two days and hire a car and drive to San Diego (one night Stay) drive from SD to SF via LV.
We are planing to stay for two days in SF and two days in LV.
From LV we fly to FL for a western Caribbean cruise.
What do you think about the road trip?
Do you think it is doable within 7 days?
Really appreciate your feedback.
Cheers
We are coming to US for our honeymoon in January 15. We are from Perth Australia.
this is our first visit to US and we really appreciate some tips and advice !
We are planning to fly straight to LA stay in LA for two days and hire a car and drive to San Diego (one night Stay) drive from SD to SF via LV.
We are planing to stay for two days in SF and two days in LV.
From LV we fly to FL for a western Caribbean cruise.
What do you think about the road trip?
Do you think it is doable within 7 days?
Really appreciate your feedback.
Cheers
Dec 6th, 2015, 11:37 PM
#2
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Depends on how much you like to drive !!!
SD to SF full 9 hours...boring drive and mainly fast food places to eat..
SF to LV --back down the boring road ( 5 hours)to Bakersfield..another 5 hours to LV..lots desert but very good roads.
You be the judge...
SD to SF full 9 hours...boring drive and mainly fast food places to eat..
SF to LV --back down the boring road ( 5 hours)to Bakersfield..another 5 hours to LV..lots desert but very good roads.
You be the judge...
Dec 7th, 2015, 03:27 AM
#3
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If it were me I would cut LV, do LA to SD by car and then fly to SF to spend some quality time. This is a LOT of driving, much of it in areas with VERY heavy traffic and possibly construction.
I would have a look at viamichelin.com and also google directions to see what they say about driving times and potential road conditions.
The last time we drove from SD to LA we left after dinner to try to avoid the worst traffic - and because of construction it took almost 5 hours. I didn't mind since I slept a good part of the way (it was a commercial driver for 4 of us) - but would not want it to be part of a honeymoon.
I would have a look at viamichelin.com and also google directions to see what they say about driving times and potential road conditions.
The last time we drove from SD to LA we left after dinner to try to avoid the worst traffic - and because of construction it took almost 5 hours. I didn't mind since I slept a good part of the way (it was a commercial driver for 4 of us) - but would not want it to be part of a honeymoon.
Dec 7th, 2015, 06:23 AM
#4
Depending on what you want to see in Los Angeles, you may need a rental car leaving LAX.
Drive from LA to SD and then return the car at LAX.
If you really want to see the coast on the ground, take the shuttle from LAX to Los Angeles Union station and then take the Amtrak Coast Starlight to Emeryville with a connecting bus over to San Francisco. The San Francisco area has a good public transit system (BART). Fly from SFO or Oakland to Las Vegas.
If you don't want to see the coast north of Los Angeles, fly to San Francisco from LAX.
There is also Surfliner train service between Los Angeles and San Diego if you don't want to drive that segment.
Drive from LA to SD and then return the car at LAX.
If you really want to see the coast on the ground, take the shuttle from LAX to Los Angeles Union station and then take the Amtrak Coast Starlight to Emeryville with a connecting bus over to San Francisco. The San Francisco area has a good public transit system (BART). Fly from SFO or Oakland to Las Vegas.
If you don't want to see the coast north of Los Angeles, fly to San Francisco from LAX.
There is also Surfliner train service between Los Angeles and San Diego if you don't want to drive that segment.
Dec 7th, 2015, 06:34 AM
#5
No -- your do not want to use Amtrak . . .
Now back to your question.
No, 7 days is not enough for LA, San Diego, Las Vegas and SF.
SD to SF to LV without any of the scenic bits in between takes about 17 hours if you are very lucky traffic-wise. So drive to SD, spent the night, drive an entire day to get to SF, stay 2 nights, spend and entire driving to LV . . . and will have seen nothing of the coast, or the mountains or anything worthwhile in between. That is taking the fast routes using I-5. Ugly ugly.
I you only have 7 days skip San Diego or SF -- one or the other. The Drive up the CA coast is amazing, but you need 2 to 3 full days depending on where you stop. And SF to LV is one hellacious drive.
Now back to your question.
No, 7 days is not enough for LA, San Diego, Las Vegas and SF.
SD to SF to LV without any of the scenic bits in between takes about 17 hours if you are very lucky traffic-wise. So drive to SD, spent the night, drive an entire day to get to SF, stay 2 nights, spend and entire driving to LV . . . and will have seen nothing of the coast, or the mountains or anything worthwhile in between. That is taking the fast routes using I-5. Ugly ugly.
I you only have 7 days skip San Diego or SF -- one or the other. The Drive up the CA coast is amazing, but you need 2 to 3 full days depending on where you stop. And SF to LV is one hellacious drive.
Dec 7th, 2015, 08:18 AM
#6
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From SF to LV be aware that the drive itself is about 11 hours plus ant stops for fuel/meals - and that is mainly through not very pleasant areas.
The nice way to go is through Yosemite but not possible this time of year since the Tioga pass is closed until spring. And even in good conditions that route is at least 2 days to see anything.
The nice way to go is through Yosemite but not possible this time of year since the Tioga pass is closed until spring. And even in good conditions that route is at least 2 days to see anything.
Dec 7th, 2015, 08:37 AM
#7
Presumably, if your trip is next month, you've bought your flights. So I'm assuming LA and Las Vegas are non-negotiable. Please correct me if I'm wrong because, if true, your options, because of the reasons above, are limited and would not be my first choices.
I believe, if my assumptions are correct, you would best forget San Francisco. A shame but unavoidable, again, for the reasons above. Pick up your car at LAX, use it to see LA, drive to San Diego, return the car, fly to Las Vegas and on to Florida from there.
If your flights aren't set, then the recommendation would be LA or San Diego with a car, fly to SF, no car, fly from SFO to Florida.
I believe, if my assumptions are correct, you would best forget San Francisco. A shame but unavoidable, again, for the reasons above. Pick up your car at LAX, use it to see LA, drive to San Diego, return the car, fly to Las Vegas and on to Florida from there.
If your flights aren't set, then the recommendation would be LA or San Diego with a car, fly to SF, no car, fly from SFO to Florida.
Dec 7th, 2015, 08:41 AM
#8
I assumed your flights were already set -- so that is the big problem. If they aren't -- them MmeP's suggestion is probably best.
Though it can be stormy on the coast (and inland as well) so that can be an issue.
Though it can be stormy on the coast (and inland as well) so that can be an issue.
Dec 7th, 2015, 11:31 AM
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No doable with 7 days, plus it is our winter so gets dark at 5pm or so. Stick to SoCal for this trip, maybe 3 nights LA, drive to San Diego for 2-3 nights then fly to Las Vegas for the rest.
Try rentalcars.com for your rental car, they will include all the insurance you need as a visitor from overseas.
Try rentalcars.com for your rental car, they will include all the insurance you need as a visitor from overseas.
Dec 7th, 2015, 02:46 PM
#11
If you're arriving 15th and leaving 17th, that's really just one day to see Los Angeles. What's your itinerary there, just Hollywood sites & Beverly Hills? Traveling the 17th to San Diego leaves you just an afternoon there. Traveling to Las Vegas on the 18th leaves you just the full day of the 19th there. Then you say you're going to San Francisco via Las Vegas, but next you state that you are ending up in Las Vegas, so I'm confused.
I would say cut San Diego. Drive Los Angeles to San Francisco and drop the car on arrival since you won't need it. Fly San Francisco to Las Vegas. There are $68 flights all day on Jan 20th to Las Vegas. Three and a half day car rental from LAX to San Francisco Union Square is about 250AUD from National/Alamo or Avis.
You also need to have a backup plan since January is expected to be quite rainy in California and there's a chance you won't want to do the drive up to San Francisco.
I would say cut San Diego. Drive Los Angeles to San Francisco and drop the car on arrival since you won't need it. Fly San Francisco to Las Vegas. There are $68 flights all day on Jan 20th to Las Vegas. Three and a half day car rental from LAX to San Francisco Union Square is about 250AUD from National/Alamo or Avis.
You also need to have a backup plan since January is expected to be quite rainy in California and there's a chance you won't want to do the drive up to San Francisco.
Dec 8th, 2015, 06:01 PM
#13
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We still haven't bought the tickets!
So we have options to consider.
What is your recommendation :
1. Drive to san Francisco from LA
Or
2. Drive to LV from LA and fly to san Francisco from LV
The thing is I really like to cover LV in this trip but at the same time I dint want the Overall trip to be hectic and full on
Please help
Cheers
So we have options to consider.
What is your recommendation :
1. Drive to san Francisco from LA
Or
2. Drive to LV from LA and fly to san Francisco from LV
The thing is I really like to cover LV in this trip but at the same time I dint want the Overall trip to be hectic and full on
Please help
Cheers
Dec 9th, 2015, 07:35 AM
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tomfuller's suggestion is BY FAR the best (and one that I think everyone has gently been suggesting all along), for these reasons:
1. You may not have done sufficient homework when scheduling this trip. California is indeed coastal desert, but our microclimates DO incorporate an actual winter. Which, in the northern hemisphere, starts December 22 and continues until March 20. In normal years, winters tend to be cool, occasionally foggy on the coast, and rainy/drizzly. Up and down the state.
2. This winter, California is looking at getting slammed by an unusually strong El Niño weather pattern. This means HEAVY RAIN.
3. The drive up or down CA-1 (a theme that is discussed ad nauseam on this forum-- starting in the spring, new threads will spring up daily like mushrooms after a rain), which on good-weather days is lovely and wildly popular, will become a soggy, occasionally treacherous slog if those rains do happen. Mud- and rockslides can close down the entire roadway, and given that we have not had appreciable sustained rainfall in this state in several years, this year's storms could be very, very, VERY dangerous. The drive can be extended by hours or days if road conditions get bad enough.
4. The drive between LA and Vegas is DULL. Dull dull dull. Unless you get thrilled by the thought of seeing the "world's largest thermometer" (Baker, CA) or a tourist-trap 50s diner with kitsch and good diner food (Peggy Sue's, in Yermo, CA) or the excitement of being able to gamble just 1 km over the CA-NV border (Whiskey Pete's, Primm, NV). And did I mention that the main route, I-15, is undergoing major improvements? My mother- and brother-in-law drove to Vegas a couple of weeks ago; the 4.5 hour drive home took them EIGHT hours. Combination of construction and accidents.
Fly. Fly. FLY. There are multiple airports in the metro LA area serving Las Vegas, including LAX, BUR (Burbank), ONT (Ontario), LGB (Long Beach, probably the most pleasant choice) and SNA (Orange County). From LAS, you can choose OAK or SFO to get to the San Francisco area.
If your heart is set on "doing CA's coastal drive", reschedule. Do it in the summer, like everyone else. The weather will cooperate, and at least you'll have plenty of company. If you stick to coming here in January, I strongly suggest reining in your expectations and expecting a rainy but still fun trip.
1. You may not have done sufficient homework when scheduling this trip. California is indeed coastal desert, but our microclimates DO incorporate an actual winter. Which, in the northern hemisphere, starts December 22 and continues until March 20. In normal years, winters tend to be cool, occasionally foggy on the coast, and rainy/drizzly. Up and down the state.
2. This winter, California is looking at getting slammed by an unusually strong El Niño weather pattern. This means HEAVY RAIN.
3. The drive up or down CA-1 (a theme that is discussed ad nauseam on this forum-- starting in the spring, new threads will spring up daily like mushrooms after a rain), which on good-weather days is lovely and wildly popular, will become a soggy, occasionally treacherous slog if those rains do happen. Mud- and rockslides can close down the entire roadway, and given that we have not had appreciable sustained rainfall in this state in several years, this year's storms could be very, very, VERY dangerous. The drive can be extended by hours or days if road conditions get bad enough.
4. The drive between LA and Vegas is DULL. Dull dull dull. Unless you get thrilled by the thought of seeing the "world's largest thermometer" (Baker, CA) or a tourist-trap 50s diner with kitsch and good diner food (Peggy Sue's, in Yermo, CA) or the excitement of being able to gamble just 1 km over the CA-NV border (Whiskey Pete's, Primm, NV). And did I mention that the main route, I-15, is undergoing major improvements? My mother- and brother-in-law drove to Vegas a couple of weeks ago; the 4.5 hour drive home took them EIGHT hours. Combination of construction and accidents.
Fly. Fly. FLY. There are multiple airports in the metro LA area serving Las Vegas, including LAX, BUR (Burbank), ONT (Ontario), LGB (Long Beach, probably the most pleasant choice) and SNA (Orange County). From LAS, you can choose OAK or SFO to get to the San Francisco area.
If your heart is set on "doing CA's coastal drive", reschedule. Do it in the summer, like everyone else. The weather will cooperate, and at least you'll have plenty of company. If you stick to coming here in January, I strongly suggest reining in your expectations and expecting a rainy but still fun trip.
Dec 9th, 2015, 08:06 AM
#17
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You're right, janis, of course.... But any time between mid-July and mid-October generally promises the best weather and stuff to do. Not many people know that San Francisco is most glorious (warmest and sunniest days) in September after Labor Day (IMHO). That's my favorite time to visit-- well, a bit later in the month, around my wedding anniversary. But still....
Great. Now I'm heartsick that we didn't get up to the City this year at all!! I may be speaking at a conference in April, so maybe a trip is upcoming. Otherwise, we have to get up there this summer...!!
Great. Now I'm heartsick that we didn't get up to the City this year at all!! I may be speaking at a conference in April, so maybe a trip is upcoming. Otherwise, we have to get up there this summer...!!
Dec 9th, 2015, 10:16 AM
#18
The weather is so unpredictable this year that I would avoid any driving plans. The day-of-the-week also comes into play as drives to Las Vegas on Fridays, or on Saturday mornings can be very slow especially if rain or fog kicks in.
However if you want to include "road trip" in your plans, I would fly into SF, stay near Union Square for a couple of nights and reserve a car to pick-up downtown for the drive to Los Angeles. Also book a flight from Los Angeles (use southwest.com) to Las Vegas.
With this plan, if weather does not look co-operative, a few days before you arrive in San Fran you can book a flight from SF (or Oakland airport) to Los Angeles (or Burbank airport if your plans are to stay near Hollywood). The car (don't prepay it) can be cancelled.
However if you want to include "road trip" in your plans, I would fly into SF, stay near Union Square for a couple of nights and reserve a car to pick-up downtown for the drive to Los Angeles. Also book a flight from Los Angeles (use southwest.com) to Las Vegas.
With this plan, if weather does not look co-operative, a few days before you arrive in San Fran you can book a flight from SF (or Oakland airport) to Los Angeles (or Burbank airport if your plans are to stay near Hollywood). The car (don't prepay it) can be cancelled.
Dec 9th, 2015, 10:52 AM
#19
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I agree with janisj and rjw, accept the fact that you only have a week and you need at least 3 days for major cities plus travel time equals visit only 2 cities this trip. Especially if you do not want to be rushed or stressed as you say.
