f_sevillana

We're planning a trip this winter (Dec 26-Jan6)to California. Actually our itinerary is kind of like this: Los Angeles-Las Vegas-San Fransisco-LA. We were wondering if it's absolutely necessary to rent a car since we've noticed that, while in the cities, we won't give it much use. But still, how could we go from one place to another? It's far and the weather might not help us much since we've never made such long road trips, (I'm from Puerto Rico whci is 100 mi x 35mi). Bottomline... is there a train or a bus or some way of public transportation we could use instead of a car? Help!!!

Michael

I would look for cheap plane tickets. Within SF you do not need a car, but you might need one in LA. I would do the drive between SF and LA, but many would find the road too difficult for those not used to twisting roads, particularly in the rainy season. On the other hand, driving between SF and LA would give you the opportunity to see Monterey, the Big Sur coast, the elephant seals near Hearst Castle, Hearst Castle itself and then Santa Barbara.

Alisa

Either fly or rent a car. You will be absolutely miserable taking trains or the bus.

You will need a car in LA if you want to see the city.

If you drive, think 3-4 hours from LA to Las Vegas. If you take the fast road to San Francisco from LA, it will be a boring 7 hours. If you take the glorious coastal highway it will take 8-9 hours. Traffic may be an additional consideration.

Check out Southwest Airlines which usually has the cheapest flights from LA to San Francisco and Las Vegas. It may end up being cheaper than renting a car for 10 days.

mclaurie

How long is your trip? How many days in LA at beginning? At end? You NEED a car in LA but can manage without one in the other locations. I'd rent a car for at least the longer of your 2 stays in LA & also possibly for the drive from SF to LA if you have time. Otherwise I'd fly. Jet Blue (jetblue.com) flies between Long Beach (a suburb of LA) & Las Vegas & between Oakland (suburb of SF) & Long Beach. They don't go between Las Vegas & Oakland though.

f_sevillana

Thank you so much for your help! What I was more worried about was the driving through bad weather because we're not used to that. I guess I'll compare the difference between renting a car or flying. Thoguh I don't mind driving from LA to SF, I'd like to see the Hearst Castle. What we wanted to avoid the most was paying an awful lot of parking in LV because we probably won't use it at all. Do any of you know how much does it cost, say for 3 full days?

joesorce

Why go back to LA. Flying out of San Fran or Vegas will still qualify for the lowest fare round trip.

I would fly into San Francisco on the 26th, rent a car on the day that you leave (29th?), drive down to LA,take in the Rose Parade, drive to Las Vegas when the room rates go back down (really high on Dec 31), and drop the car in Vegas where you won't need it for your last few days.

f_sevillana

I tried getting a good deal flying back home from SF(I'm from Puerto Rico), but see, the thing is we're spending Christmas at NYC and then flying to CA. The total we paid for both ropundtrip tickets (SJ-NY/NY-LAX) was about $600, and any other way was much more expensive so we went with that deal.
Ranello: thank on the weather forecast because I'm absolutely freaked of chilli weather.