kdemunk

Hi I am new to forums so please excuse me if I do something wrong!!
My husband and 4 yold and I are planning a trip to the west coast usa in june 2010 starting LA. We are thinking of a couple of nights in west Hollywood, then a bus to Anaheim for a few nights at the Quality Inn and Suites then hiring a car or RV to go to San Diego, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, San Fran then back down to LA via the coast. Total time 17 nights...sooo being pretty ignorant to all of this despite a trip to some of these places in 1991, I would like some advise please firstly with chossing Rv or hire care and hotels. Not sure if the RV option will be very expensive and what places to stay with it, or if better to hire a car and stay in hotels. Any reviews, advise re hotels, sights, RV hints anything at all please would be invaluable to this Aussie family. We would prefer budget accom but not horror!! Thanks to all

Echnaton

We once did a similar trip with our then 2-year-old twin boys in a hired RV. Would never do that again. For the same price, you can hire a luxury sedan and stay at five-star hotels. And you are in a tin can.

The positive aspect: With an RV, you come very close to nature. The kid can go out and wander around the campsite - which may be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on the risks and dangers which are at your campsite.

utahtea

We love the RV life and have had a motorhome for the last 16 years but renting an RV can be pretty expensive. You can plan on getting between 8 to 10 miles per gallon depending on the size of the RV. Some RV rental places only give you so many miles or they charge by the mile and you're looking at 2,000 miles round trip.

San Deigo campgrounds near the Zoo are expensive. Las Vegas don't stay at the KOA..it's a parking lot, Grand Canyon if you want full hook ups then you will want to stay at the Trailer Village at the South Rim and the sites are right on top of each other. Mather campground is in a forest setting but no hookups (water, sewer and electrical), but most RV's are good for dry camping a couple of days. We've gone 5 days no problem. There are no full hook up campsites in Yosemite and if you go, please try to stay in Yosemite Valley so you can just leave the RV in the campsite and ride the free shuttles. I don't know where in San Francisco you can camp or park an RV. There are plenty of places along the coast but during the summer you will need to make reservations well in advance. This goes for Grand Canyon and Yosemite too.

BTW, go to the Grand Canyon before Las Vegas to save a lot of back tracking and miles.

Let me know if you have any other RV questions.

Utahtea

janisj

The petrol will be very expensive. The RV rental will be very expensive. And I assume you plan on driving hwy 1 between San Francisco and LA - it is not a good road for and RV. Very windy. Some of the mountain roads on your route will be as bad or even worse.

If you already owned an RV that would be one thing. But you can rent a car and stay in places at least as nice as the Anaheim Quality Inn for less than what a RV would cost.

BTW - I'd rent a car from the beginning -- not just after staying in Anaheim. LA and Orange counties are much MUCH easier to tour by car.

I do have a concern that while 17 nights sounds like a lot - it won't be for that itinerary.

LA (2 nts) > Anaheim (2) > SD (2) > Vegas (2) > the Grand Canyon (1) > Yosemite (2 - and you'd really need another night enroute unless you change the order of things) > SF (3 minimum) > Hwy 1 (2) > LA is about the best you could manage. And that would be rushing. You certainly couldn't do it in a slower motorhome.

utahtea

I agree with janisj about a lot of area to cover if those 17 nights include the couple nights in West Hollywood and Anaheim.

Utahtea

janisj

oops - meant 'very winding' -- although it could be windy too

RedRock

Have you ever driven an RV or a vehicle of that size.

If not I would not want to get my first experience in LA area traffic.

kdemunk

ok everyone. Thankyou so much for your replies!! Very helpful for the ignorant!! We have now decided not to hire an RV, just a car and stay in hotels. Soooo can I please ask your experiences especially with accommodation recommendations and route. It's very daunting to choose from so many hotels. Budget end please. Any recommended sights also would be invaluable. Thank you all so much.

janisj

please clarify - does the 17 nights include your time in LA and Anaheim - or is that how much time you have starting in San Diego?

Makes a huge difference . . . .

kdemunk

oops actually it is 16 nights!! including time in LA and Anaheim...fly out at 2310 on day 17 (was counting the day we "lose" on our return flight

janisj

OK - 16 nights isn't really long enough for that much travel unless you just want very long drives.

It would be an adequate amount of time if you drop Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon - or San Diego.

One possibility:
LA 3 nights
Anaheim 2 nights
San Diego 3 nights
Yosemite 2 nights (but 3 would be better since it is a looooong drive from SD)
SF 3 or 4 nights
2 nights along the coast

If you have to include LV/the Grand Canyon - then other things have to give.

kdemunk

hmm ok janisj. I appreciate your comments. Yes I can see that it is being a little unrealistic. Really want to do Vegas and Grand Canyon as they are 2 of the places I have not yet visited. Perhaps if we drop San Fran?? Is that conceivable??
Because we have a 4 yold really want to do Disneyland but wonder how long to spend there given her height restrictions...I LOVED it on my last trip.
Thanks.. Kerrie