California/Las Vegas Roadtrip Honeymoon
Discussion
Craikeybaby said:
Crossflow Kid said:
Pfffttt........go by bike. Million times better.
If probably need stabilisers! And the future Mrs CB struggles to pack for a long weekend away in my MR2 a road trip by bike would blow her mind!Now get your biggest suitcase. You get the lid, Mrs CB (desig) gets the base. Whatever doesn't fit out of what's left after stage 1 (see above) also goes back in the wardrobe.
Get a USB four or six port charging block and a US-spec lead too, instead of taking loads of adaptors.
Oh and don't get stung hiring a SatNav with the car. For the same cost as one day's hire you can download the entire US map pack for TomTom before you leave the UK. Also means you can pre-program your route. (I guess Garmin can't be much different)
Craikeybaby said:
Thanks. In April we're going to be spending a week touring Scotland in my MR2, which doesn't really have a boot to speak of, so that will be a practice run for packing and navigation.
For the US I was thinking of an offline navi app on my iPhone and an old fashioned paper map.
Definitely buy a satnav. It's so much easier.For the US I was thinking of an offline navi app on my iPhone and an old fashioned paper map.
Also make sure you have data on your phone, as it's much easier to be able to get online whilst your out and about and sort things out/investigate options. Lots of places have wifi, but easier to have data on the phone too.
shakotan said:
About halfway between LA and LV on I-15 is Peggy Sue's Diner.
I'd highly recommend it, its a timewarp back to the 60s and I always stop there for lunch.
Seconded. Also if you are fan of tanks the diner is next to some kind of military storage facility which contains hundreds of themI'd highly recommend it, its a timewarp back to the 60s and I always stop there for lunch.
Matt.. said:
Craikeybaby said:
Thanks. In April we're going to be spending a week touring Scotland in my MR2, which doesn't really have a boot to speak of, so that will be a practice run for packing and navigation.
For the US I was thinking of an offline navi app on my iPhone and an old fashioned paper map.
Definitely buy a satnav. It's so much easier.For the US I was thinking of an offline navi app on my iPhone and an old fashioned paper map.
Also make sure you have data on your phone, as it's much easier to be able to get online whilst your out and about and sort things out/investigate options. Lots of places have wifi, but easier to have data on the phone too.
First time we went in 2012, calls were pricey but data was cheap as Vodafone did a £5 all-you-can-eat roaming offer. (Other providers may vary, obviously)
Went back last year and, in the light of changes to overseas rates, call were much cheaper but to make up for it data was stupidly expensive.
Crossflow Kid said:
Matt.. said:
Craikeybaby said:
Thanks. In April we're going to be spending a week touring Scotland in my MR2, which doesn't really have a boot to speak of, so that will be a practice run for packing and navigation.
For the US I was thinking of an offline navi app on my iPhone and an old fashioned paper map.
Definitely buy a satnav. It's so much easier.For the US I was thinking of an offline navi app on my iPhone and an old fashioned paper map.
Also make sure you have data on your phone, as it's much easier to be able to get online whilst your out and about and sort things out/investigate options. Lots of places have wifi, but easier to have data on the phone too.
First time we went in 2012, calls were pricey but data was cheap as Vodafone did a £5 all-you-can-eat roaming offer. (Other providers may vary, obviously)
Went back last year and, in the light of changes to overseas rates, call were much cheaper but to make up for it data was stupidly expensive.
A 3 pay as you go sim is the answer. £15 will get you a months worth of calls and data that work in the US (or something like that) I have one and top it up each time I go. Or if you are already with 3 then no problem.
Hopefully booking flights & car this weekend, I'm still not decided between the Mustang GT and Camaro SS from Hertz Adrenalin collection. Has anyone got experience with hiring either?
This video got me excited about both cars, but as they were both running the performance packs it is hard to compare. I guess the Hertz ones will be autos too.
This video got me excited about both cars, but as they were both running the performance packs it is hard to compare. I guess the Hertz ones will be autos too.
piers1 said:
We are planning a family road trip exactly the same as you, Vegas, SF, LA etc, some great responses on here.
A freind who travels a lot in the States, suggested going into Vegas each way and driving in a circle from there, would really appreciate thoughts on that as a strategy?
That's precisely what we did. Being on a bike meant luggage space was a bit limited, so we left our bags in Vegas, allowing us to restock mid-trip. It also meant the trip divided in to two distinct legs....the Eastern loop out to Monument Valley, then back round the top of the Canyon, then a Westren loop through Death Valley to Yosemite then across to SF, down the coast then back to LV so it felt like two holidays in one.A freind who travels a lot in the States, suggested going into Vegas each way and driving in a circle from there, would really appreciate thoughts on that as a strategy?
piers1 said:
We are planning a family road trip exactly the same as you, Vegas, SF, LA etc, some great responses on here.
A freind who travels a lot in the States, suggested going into Vegas each way and driving in a circle from there, would really appreciate thoughts on that as a strategy?
Depends really on exactly what you're doing. You might well find flights into Vegas and out from la are the same price. I'd always suggest checking, as flying out from somewhere else can often save you a lot of time, and give you more options.A freind who travels a lot in the States, suggested going into Vegas each way and driving in a circle from there, would really appreciate thoughts on that as a strategy?
Craikeybaby said:
Blib said:
Mrs Blib & I have just sorted out our California, two week trip itinerary.
We fly into Vegas and then:
Vegas - Death Valley - Palm Springs - Santa Barbara - Monterey - Santa Cruz - San Francisco. We fly back to Vegas from SF.
Sounds good! When are you going?We fly into Vegas and then:
Vegas - Death Valley - Palm Springs - Santa Barbara - Monterey - Santa Cruz - San Francisco. We fly back to Vegas from SF.
So many people do this trip, there is so much opinion and options, it's quite difficult to advise! We did the trip in 2003 but have since moved to the Bay area 18 months ago and travelled locally quite a bit, particularly the Bay area, down to Big Sur up to Tahoe and Yosemite numerous times. It's about 4 hours drive for us so we go every couple of months. Glacier Point is a MUST see in our opinion.
One thing I can say is Lake Tahoe and surrounding area is one of our favourite places and wows visitors we take there every time. It is stunningly beautiful with so much to do there that you wouldn't normally get to see. However, when it's a holiday and there is so much to do, you have to select what appeals to you. LA and surrounding area I wouldn't personally spend too much time on.
Be warned though, the Pacific Coast Highway and stunning and almost ever bend you will want to stop and take a photo - it can take hours to go not a long way! Also, south is a better direction as you are on the coast side of the road.
One thing I can say is Lake Tahoe and surrounding area is one of our favourite places and wows visitors we take there every time. It is stunningly beautiful with so much to do there that you wouldn't normally get to see. However, when it's a holiday and there is so much to do, you have to select what appeals to you. LA and surrounding area I wouldn't personally spend too much time on.
Be warned though, the Pacific Coast Highway and stunning and almost ever bend you will want to stop and take a photo - it can take hours to go not a long way! Also, south is a better direction as you are on the coast side of the road.
Viper_Larry said:
So many people do this trip, there is so much opinion and options, it's quite difficult to advise! We did the trip in 2003 but have since moved to the Bay area 18 months ago and travelled locally quite a bit, particularly the Bay area, down to Big Sur up to Tahoe and Yosemite numerous times. It's about 4 hours drive for us so we go every couple of months. Glacier Point is a MUST see in our opinion.
One thing I can say is Lake Tahoe and surrounding area is one of our favourite places and wows visitors we take there every time. It is stunningly beautiful with so much to do there that you wouldn't normally get to see. However, when it's a holiday and there is so much to do, you have to select what appeals to you. LA and surrounding area I wouldn't personally spend too much time on.
Be warned though, the Pacific Coast Highway and stunning and almost ever bend you will want to stop and take a photo - it can take hours to go not a long way! Also, south is a better direction as you are on the coast side of the road.
Thanks. Lake Tahoe is one place I really want to visit, but can seem to fit into the trip, I think it would have to be a choice between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. Will have to save it for another trip!One thing I can say is Lake Tahoe and surrounding area is one of our favourite places and wows visitors we take there every time. It is stunningly beautiful with so much to do there that you wouldn't normally get to see. However, when it's a holiday and there is so much to do, you have to select what appeals to you. LA and surrounding area I wouldn't personally spend too much time on.
Be warned though, the Pacific Coast Highway and stunning and almost ever bend you will want to stop and take a photo - it can take hours to go not a long way! Also, south is a better direction as you are on the coast side of the road.
Craikeybaby said:
Crossflow Kid said:
Who are you flying with?
Virgin, as i should be able to use my miles for an upgrade. In case you were unaware....it's worth keeping an eye on their website for upgrade sales too. We upgraded to PE and it was only something like £200 per person each way. Loose change in the grand scheme of things but well worth it.
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