California suggestions

Lidjces on 26/02/2017 - 14:58

We have an upcoming trip in about 3 weeks time, and i'm wanting to figure out where to spread out our 6 weeks across California. The first portion is booked, roughly 11 nights up north in Canada, 4 nights in Vegas, and then a stay in LA where our sister (my in-law) will depart early. We have a 20 month old child, and i can see now that he is starting to become more restless, so that may rule out certain events, at least after she departs us.

Depending on the length of stay in LA, (approx 10 days, may extend this section) - we will still have approximately 15 nights remaining.

I guess i'll number my questions to help with formatting:

  1. For LA, how do I need to account for traffic? I'm planning on booking an airbnb residence for the full 10 nights+, perhaps in the outer suburbs, no idea where yet but this is the next stay I need to book.

  2. I was considering returning to vegas for a rock festival http://lasrageous.com/, but on the flip side it's somewhat expensive and I'm not sure we can pull off experiencing even part of it, with an infant. We've already booked 4 nights in vegas earlier, do you think that's enough time to experience vegas and we won't be gaining a lot by returning?

  3. San Diego, how many days is too little, how long is too long? I like extended travel, so I was estimating 7 nights?

  4. San Francisco, accommodation is quite expensive, starting at ~$100US per night compared to ~$60US elsewhere. Any tips on alternative regions within driving distance? Is 4 nights enough? 5 nights perhaps? It's mainly the cost that's putting me off spending too long here

  5. Are there any other regions worth fitting in the schedule? Phoenix doesn't seem too far from San Diego, but I don't know how much there is to see. Boulder or Denver in Colorado would be nice but that's quite a drive, so would start to pressure our schedule. Any comments or suggestions?

Travel

Comments

  • Randxyz123 on 26/02/2017 - 15:38
    +1

    For LA, how do I need to account for traffic? I'm planning on booking an airbnb residence for the full 10 nights+, perhaps in the outer suburbs, no idea where yet but this is the next stay I need to book.

    LA traffic is horrid. Stay somewhere central that way you won't waste time getting places.

    San Francisco, accommodation is quite expensive, starting at ~$100US per night compared to ~$60US elsewhere. Any tips on alternative regions within driving distance? Is 4 nights enough? 5 nights perhaps? It's mainly the cost that's putting me off spending too long here

    San Fran is expensive but worth it. The Muni (underground train) is excellent and works really well. Where on earth are you finding somewhere for $60 in LA? Is it $60 per night / person for 3 people (you, your partner and SIL) or $60 a night?

    • idjces on 26/02/2017 - 16:05

      LA traffic is horrid. Stay somewhere central that way you won't waste time getting places.

      How central are we talking? We won't be going to the same places each day, wanting to visit all around the region. Eg a few days up around Santa Monica, another couple days down south towards Huntington Beach and Orange County, a few days in the parks around Anaheim, that sort of thing.

      Looking at the map, is say, Riverside, Ontario too far away? We can try to avoid driving at peak traffic hours, just don't know how much worse it is than the major Australian cities

      Where on earth are you finding somewhere for $60 in LA? Is it $60 per night / person for 3 people (you, your partner and SIL) or $60 a night?

      Yea that's not entirely accurate. If I search hotels.com in the region starting by cheapest, there are a bunch in the US$60-80 range (for all of us, a single room), but there's a few taxes and what not on top, so might end up closer to US$90 per night. Airbnb will hopefully work out cheaper with extended stay discounts. My point was just on the comparison to San Francisco, which will be at least US$40+ extra per night, if not a lot more.

  • try2bhelpful on 26/02/2017 - 16:36
    +3

    Head across to Yosemite and spend a couple of days there, depending on the time of year stay in the park or one of the close by motels. Go to Glacier point on dusk, great view back to El Capitan as the sunset crosses the white rock. Yosemite peak might be a bit of an ask with an infant in tow but there is plenty to see in the park.

    Do spend about 4-5 days in San Francisco - Alcatraz, riding the cable cars, going to the Museums, eating out at the restaurants - Much better than LA (I usually get out of LA as fast as I can, a bunch of suburbs looking for a centre and failing). Just horrible.

    Go to the shopping malls - might be less attractive with the drop in the dollar.
    Do the road trip from San Franciso down to LA. Make sure you stop at Monterey and have a look at the aquarium - very impressive. Pace this trip over about 3 days and stop on the way.

    I would also see if there is a cheap internal flight to spend a few days in New Orleans - my favourite American city.

    San Diego was good for the Zoo, which was one day, but then we got out of there. Other people might have a longer experience.

    Vegas is only worth wandering out at night time. During the day it is best to go out to, e.g. The Grand Canyon. You can get scenic flights that take you out there and then rim tours on buses. Personally I would be looking at an overnight at the Grand Canyon to do a bit of exploring. The walk down to Indian Gardens is a bit strenuous but really good.

    Disneyland is worth a wander around and some of the rides are quite good, but the more adverturous ones might be a problem with an infant.

    Have fun.

    • idjces on 26/02/2017 - 16:54

      Great pointers, thanks! I'll spend some time going through the plan adjusting for your comments

      Have heard good things about the restaurants, still need to look into which ones to check out.

      • try2bhelpful on 28/02/2017 - 09:03
        +1

        An interesting online paper to read about San Francisco is the SFGATE. This could give you some pointers on restaurants and the places you might want to avoid.(There is a bit around Turk St but, generally, I've never felt unsafe in San Francisco - even when I was there on my own).

        http://www.sfgate.com/

        Public transport is really good; you shouldn't need a car whilst in San Franciso, but hire one to go down the coastal road between San Franciso and LA and across to Yosemite. Even the drive down the Sierra Nevadas to Vegas is interesting.

        You need to really think about the roads because your instinct will be all wrong, particularly crossing between streets. My other half tried to turn into the traffic on Rodeo Drive. But you also need to think about it when walking - don't think you can run across the road like you do here because you will be looking in the wrong direction when you set off.

    • madreece on 26/02/2017 - 17:01

      This is some really good advice,particularly the get out of LA fast. I've been there twice now and my opinion did't change, it's an awful place.

    • Randxyz123 on 26/02/2017 - 20:11

      Agree with everything here.

  • ms_caz on 26/02/2017 - 18:03
    +1

    I suggest that you jump on to the forums at Trip Advisor

    Here is the general California forum, and you will find that each location has their own sub forum with perhaps more specific info.

    https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowForum-g28926-i29-Californ…

    I have generally found there have been lots of people willing to share their experiences and giving input - and there is usually an archive of previous trips etc that you can search.

    One piece of advice I would give is to check the legality of Airbnb and such - they might be advertised but it doesn't mean they are legal - this differs for different cities.

    • idjces on 26/02/2017 - 22:24

      Some good posts after browsing a few, thanks!

  • djkelly69 on 26/02/2017 - 21:09
    +2

    I recommend seeing the aircraft carrier in San Diego, pretty cool. Few theme parks and the zoo, but maybe not looking for those at this stage. I think it is more of a 2-3 nights sort of place (unless you are doing Tijuana as well?), and would add the days on to San Fran. Very nice place, lots to see and do.

    Could also spend a couple of days driving to or from San Fran on the coastal highway, I have heard this is really good. The inland drive is dead straight and dead boring. Maybe look at heading further north as well?

    +1 to getting out of LA, particularly as you don't seem to be doing theme parks so there is not a whole lot to do there.

    To be honest 6 weeks seems like ages to do just do CA, I would add some other areas as well if possible.

    • idjces on 26/02/2017 - 22:37

      Hopefully he will enjoy legoland and seaworld, more so, than some of the rides he would be too young for in disney/universal studios. There's also the red bull air race on the 16th, but there doesn't look to be a lot else going on down there (definitely want to check out that aircraft carrier). Perhaps 3 or 4 days would suffice.

      I'm sure there's a ton of awesome things to do if you know the areas (which i don't!). Formula drift is on in Long Beach one weekend, with the Grand Prix the following weekend. That might be something i'll need to by myself, leave the girls for something they decide on :)

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