USA : West coast/California fly/drive suggestions?

[Bi11]

We did Vegas to SF a few years ago and like you didn't want the hassle of sorting it all out ourselves. We used Thomas Cook , who were very good (but I guess we paid a bit more than if we had organised it all ourselves). They were good at working out what distances we're realistic to drive in a day, what standard of accommodation we wanted, etc.

[Wolff]

I did a two week trip last year, all booked through dialaflight. Did a little research of where I wanted to go, gave them a call and told them what I wanted, a day later had a quote and intinerary. Very well priced (probs only £50 more than booking it myself), and because it included flights & hotels, had all the ABTA/ATOL/whatever it is insurance that comes with it.

Was a bit worried it would go wrong - a hotel wouldn't have a booking etc, but it all went like clockwork, including getting the exact hire car we ordered.

[tangerine_sedge]

Thanks to all who responded!

I bit the bullet and used my local friendly travel agent to put together a package for us. We spent about 2 hours with her and put together the following, based on her advice :

San Fran - 3 nights
Monterey - 1 night
Pismo beach - 1 night
Santa Barbara - 1 night
Santa Monica - 3 nights
San Diego - 2 nights

Flights with BA, 'full size' hire car (hopefully something American and wobbly), Family/double rooms in middling hotels. We'll be away over the Easter holidays, hence the not quite a fortnight trip.

This came to a smidgeon under £5k all in for 2 adults and 2 teenagers (now counting as adults!). This was about £2k less than I budgeted for, so gives me some spending money whilst out there...

I'm sure that I could have booked all this myself and possibly saved some money, perhaps next time!

[surveyor]

Can I tag on to this?

My other half has her sites set on a visit to Las Vegas, and I have permission to consider a road trip after (the alternative will be Florida). I'm thinking about West Coast and a gigantic RV.

Anyone done this?

[jackal]

tangerine_sedge said:

Thanks to all who responded!

I bit the bullet and used my local friendly travel agent to put together a package for us. We spent about 2 hours with her and put together the following, based on her advice :

San Fran - 3 nights
Monterey - 1 night
Pismo beach - 1 night
Santa Barbara - 1 night
Santa Monica - 3 nights
San Diego - 2 nights

Flights with BA, 'full size' hire car (hopefully something American and wobbly), Family/double rooms in middling hotels. We'll be away over the Easter holidays, hence the not quite a fortnight trip.

This came to a smidgeon under £5k all in for 2 adults and 2 teenagers (now counting as adults!). This was about £2k less than I budgeted for, so gives me some spending money whilst out there...

I'm sure that I could have booked all this myself and possibly saved some money, perhaps next time!

Sounds cheap !


I recommend santa barbara fish house on the front there for Ribs ... best ribs ive ever had.

Schooners Coastal Kitchen in monterey, great views and beautiful seafood soup.

Chez jay at SM for an early drink and a fair slice of celeb history.

San diego, tons of nice restuarants in the gaslamp district.

[andy-xr]

You can do pretty much everything you want to via Orbitz website, I've never seen any value in what travel agents offer personally, but that's more because I want to do my own thing when I'm there

[Roo]

Good price.

Enjoy the trip.

[David Beer]

surveyor said:

Can I tag on to this?

My other half has her sites set on a visit to Las Vegas, and I have permission to consider a road trip after (the alternative will be Florida). I'm thinking about West Coast and a gigantic RV.

Anyone done this?

I have rented many many times, cruise America the best value, stick for new vehicles, they can do it, ok you have pictures stuck all over the bodywork but so what.

[thetrash]

tangerine_sedge said:

her advice :

San Fran - 3 nights
Monterey - 1 night
Pismo beach - 1 night
Santa Barbara - 1 night
Santa Monica - 3 nights
San Diego - 2 nights

Avoid,avoid,avoid Pismo Beach, the place is a dive and will seem a big come down after leaving Monterey and just having driven the Big Sur. Staying another night in Monterey or Santa Barbara would be a better plan.