California Dreamin'
Discussion
I've just booked flights to LA: 2.5 weeks in April travelling with Mrs P and 2 daughters (12 and 15).
The broad plan is to spend time in LA, travel to the Grand Canyon via Vegas etc. My wife wants to spend some time trekking in a National Park, daughters want to visit Universal Studios, Hollywood etc.
It will be the 1st time in California on holiday for me, so I'd appreciate any thoughts or recommendations for family activities, great hotels, car hire, or short organised tour companies etc. Thanks!
The broad plan is to spend time in LA, travel to the Grand Canyon via Vegas etc. My wife wants to spend some time trekking in a National Park, daughters want to visit Universal Studios, Hollywood etc.
It will be the 1st time in California on holiday for me, so I'd appreciate any thoughts or recommendations for family activities, great hotels, car hire, or short organised tour companies etc. Thanks!
Definitely a helicopter trip from south rim over the GC, I and my family loved it.
A show in Vegas provides some evening entertainment that you can take your kids to plus also the dancing fountains plus also just hire a taxi for an hour and go up to the old bit and back down the strip at night, we had a chatty taxi driver who used to ride his BMX bike on desert where the new hotels were recently built.
A show in Vegas provides some evening entertainment that you can take your kids to plus also the dancing fountains plus also just hire a taxi for an hour and go up to the old bit and back down the strip at night, we had a chatty taxi driver who used to ride his BMX bike on desert where the new hotels were recently built.
If you're staying in LA and have a rental car definitely drive through Angelese Crest Highway.
Its a 60ish mile mountain road that is completely void of any traffic. Since the main highway was built around it the only logical reason for using Angeles Crest is specifically because you want to drive Angeles Crest.
Its effectively a very long, wide open mountain pass with amazing bends and a real treat for driving enthusiasts and, as I said, next to no civilian drivers (or police) to ruin the fun.
Even in a boring car with the family and luggage loaded it up would still make for a great drive, the views are spectacular.
A small clip of the incredible road is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWq9vCW5dDI
Its a 60ish mile mountain road that is completely void of any traffic. Since the main highway was built around it the only logical reason for using Angeles Crest is specifically because you want to drive Angeles Crest.
Its effectively a very long, wide open mountain pass with amazing bends and a real treat for driving enthusiasts and, as I said, next to no civilian drivers (or police) to ruin the fun.
Even in a boring car with the family and luggage loaded it up would still make for a great drive, the views are spectacular.
A small clip of the incredible road is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWq9vCW5dDI
LV with kids is limited. A lot of the shows are over 18, and you can't get into bars etc. Kids not allowed to linger in the gaming area, and we were told that there could be issues about even ordering alcohol with kids - didn't see that though.
In short choose the hotel carefully- Mandalay Bay has a great pool complex which got us out of trouble, albeit at 10 our daughter is younger.
In short choose the hotel carefully- Mandalay Bay has a great pool complex which got us out of trouble, albeit at 10 our daughter is younger.
Thanks for the tips. We're hoping to fix the itinerary and book hotels in the next couple of weeks.
Current thinking is to do the city bit first...2 days in LA then fly to SF and stay there for 3 nights, pre-booking Alcatraz etc.
Hire a car (probably a 4x4 with Hertz or Avis) from SF and drive down Highway 1, spending a couple of nights on the coast.
Drive to LV and stay there for 2 nights, then on to the Grand Canyon for a few days trekking (wife and daughters are into running and cycling but don't like helicopters unfortunately!).
Finally drive back to LA and stay by a beach (Malibu?) for a couple of relaxing days before heading home.
Any tips for places to stay would be much appreciated. Our preference is for interesting / trendy places rather than 5 star luxury!
Cheers, and I'll definitely report back.
Current thinking is to do the city bit first...2 days in LA then fly to SF and stay there for 3 nights, pre-booking Alcatraz etc.
Hire a car (probably a 4x4 with Hertz or Avis) from SF and drive down Highway 1, spending a couple of nights on the coast.
Drive to LV and stay there for 2 nights, then on to the Grand Canyon for a few days trekking (wife and daughters are into running and cycling but don't like helicopters unfortunately!).
Finally drive back to LA and stay by a beach (Malibu?) for a couple of relaxing days before heading home.
Any tips for places to stay would be much appreciated. Our preference is for interesting / trendy places rather than 5 star luxury!
Cheers, and I'll definitely report back.
I wouldn't take your kids to Las Vegas for two days. A day drip would be enough to see the sights for under 18's.
At night the bars are full of prostitutes, the streets are full of Mexican pimps and bill-boards are driven up and down the strip advertising women by the hour.
Saying that we still saw a fair few kids in November, gratefully accepting the calling cards from the pimps!
At night the bars are full of prostitutes, the streets are full of Mexican pimps and bill-boards are driven up and down the strip advertising women by the hour.
Saying that we still saw a fair few kids in November, gratefully accepting the calling cards from the pimps!
Thanks - yes, only planning 1 day in Las Vegas. Arriving late on the first night and driving away first thing after the second night.
Might try to shorten that if I can't pre-book any family friendly shows, restaurants etc. Don't fancy a big night out with Tiger Woods' mates.
The hotel recommended above sounds like it might be a good option.
Might try to shorten that if I can't pre-book any family friendly shows, restaurants etc. Don't fancy a big night out with Tiger Woods' mates.
The hotel recommended above sounds like it might be a good option.
Do it all by bike. Way better :-)
On a marginally more sensible note, might be worth seeing what's on at the Hollywood Bowl whilst you're in LA.
They have some world-class performances of all genres, isn't expensive and offers a little respite from all the usual LA fluff.
We saw the LA Philharmonic with Steve Martin (he of Planes, Trains and Automobiles) on the 4th of July....
On a marginally more sensible note, might be worth seeing what's on at the Hollywood Bowl whilst you're in LA.
They have some world-class performances of all genres, isn't expensive and offers a little respite from all the usual LA fluff.
We saw the LA Philharmonic with Steve Martin (he of Planes, Trains and Automobiles) on the 4th of July....
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 1st February 00:04
P1ato said:
Thanks for the tips. We're hoping to fix the itinerary and book hotels in the next couple of weeks.
Current thinking is to do the city bit first...2 days in LA then fly to SF and stay there for 3 nights, pre-booking Alcatraz etc.
Hire a car (probably a 4x4 with Hertz or Avis) from SF and drive down Highway 1, spending a couple of nights on the coast.
Drive to LV and stay there for 2 nights, then on to the Grand Canyon for a few days trekking (wife and daughters are into running and cycling but don't like helicopters unfortunately!).
Finally drive back to LA and stay by a beach (Malibu?) for a couple of relaxing days before heading home.
You're doing it the wrong way around - especially as time isn't on your side.Current thinking is to do the city bit first...2 days in LA then fly to SF and stay there for 3 nights, pre-booking Alcatraz etc.
Hire a car (probably a 4x4 with Hertz or Avis) from SF and drive down Highway 1, spending a couple of nights on the coast.
Drive to LV and stay there for 2 nights, then on to the Grand Canyon for a few days trekking (wife and daughters are into running and cycling but don't like helicopters unfortunately!).
Finally drive back to LA and stay by a beach (Malibu?) for a couple of relaxing days before heading home.
Why are you flying to LA first and then flying up to SF and then driving back to LA again!!!
Fly into LA, rent car, stay over night local to airport and sleep. Then head out early next day and drive out through Yuma desert to Arizona, stay a night in Phoenix area, then drive up to Grand Canyon.
You only need one night there, and unless you want to do the long trek/horse ride/camping trip over several days, down into the base of the canyon there's not much nice walking there, so go and look at the big hole in the ground at sunset and then that's it.
Next drive to Vegas for an overnight stay. As others have said, not really worth staying in Vegas for more than an overnight with your kids - not a under 21 friendly place.
Then head up to Yosemite National Park - much nicer and better place to spend a few days walking/treking etc. You can drive there over a few days either via the long scenic route through Death Valley and then up the 395 via Mammoth Lakes etc., or via the easier to find motel stop overs out via Barstow, Bakersfield and up the Interstate 5 past Fresno.
From Yosemite you can then go across to San Fran and spend a few days, then drive back down to LA via the Pacific coast highway and stop off in Santa Barbara or Malibu and then onto LA to do the Disney/Hollywood stuff for a few days before flying home from LA.
You'll get more time doing what you want to do that way than your plan.
aeropilot said:
You're doing it the wrong way around - especially as time isn't on your side.
Why are you flying to LA first and then flying up to SF and then driving back to LA again!!!
Fly into LA, rent car, stay over night local to airport and sleep. Then head out early next day and drive out through Yuma desert to Arizona, stay a night in Phoenix area, then drive up to Grand Canyon.
You only need one night there, and unless you want to do the long trek/horse ride/camping trip over several days, down into the base of the canyon there's not much nice walking there, so go and look at the big hole in the ground at sunset and then that's it.
Next drive to Vegas for an overnight stay. As others have said, not really worth staying in Vegas for more than an overnight with your kids - not a under 21 friendly place.
Then head up to Yosemite National Park - much nicer and better place to spend a few days walking/treking etc. You can drive there over a few days either via the long scenic route through Death Valley and then up the 395 via Mammoth Lakes etc., or via the easier to find motel stop overs out via Barstow, Bakersfield and up the Interstate 5 past Fresno.
From Yosemite you can then go across to San Fran and spend a few days, then drive back down to LA via the Pacific coast highway and stop off in Santa Barbara or Malibu and then onto LA to do the Disney/Hollywood stuff for a few days before flying home from LA.
You'll get more time doing what you want to do that way than your plan.
Having driven up from LA to SF, I think SF to LA along the coast road would be a better way to do it as you are closer to the sea and have the coastal view instead of the cliffs or fields. If I did it again I would go North to South. Why are you flying to LA first and then flying up to SF and then driving back to LA again!!!
Fly into LA, rent car, stay over night local to airport and sleep. Then head out early next day and drive out through Yuma desert to Arizona, stay a night in Phoenix area, then drive up to Grand Canyon.
You only need one night there, and unless you want to do the long trek/horse ride/camping trip over several days, down into the base of the canyon there's not much nice walking there, so go and look at the big hole in the ground at sunset and then that's it.
Next drive to Vegas for an overnight stay. As others have said, not really worth staying in Vegas for more than an overnight with your kids - not a under 21 friendly place.
Then head up to Yosemite National Park - much nicer and better place to spend a few days walking/treking etc. You can drive there over a few days either via the long scenic route through Death Valley and then up the 395 via Mammoth Lakes etc., or via the easier to find motel stop overs out via Barstow, Bakersfield and up the Interstate 5 past Fresno.
From Yosemite you can then go across to San Fran and spend a few days, then drive back down to LA via the Pacific coast highway and stop off in Santa Barbara or Malibu and then onto LA to do the Disney/Hollywood stuff for a few days before flying home from LA.
You'll get more time doing what you want to do that way than your plan.
Fluffsri said:
aeropilot said:
You're doing it the wrong way around - especially as time isn't on your side.
Why are you flying to LA first and then flying up to SF and then driving back to LA again!!!
Fly into LA, rent car, stay over night local to airport and sleep. Then head out early next day and drive out through Yuma desert to Arizona, stay a night in Phoenix area, then drive up to Grand Canyon.
You only need one night there, and unless you want to do the long trek/horse ride/camping trip over several days, down into the base of the canyon there's not much nice walking there, so go and look at the big hole in the ground at sunset and then that's it.
Next drive to Vegas for an overnight stay. As others have said, not really worth staying in Vegas for more than an overnight with your kids - not a under 21 friendly place.
Then head up to Yosemite National Park - much nicer and better place to spend a few days walking/treking etc. You can drive there over a few days either via the long scenic route through Death Valley and then up the 395 via Mammoth Lakes etc., or via the easier to find motel stop overs out via Barstow, Bakersfield and up the Interstate 5 past Fresno.
From Yosemite you can then go across to San Fran and spend a few days, then drive back down to LA via the Pacific coast highway and stop off in Santa Barbara or Malibu and then onto LA to do the Disney/Hollywood stuff for a few days before flying home from LA.
You'll get more time doing what you want to do that way than your plan.
Having driven up from LA to SF, I think SF to LA along the coast road would be a better way to do it as you are closer to the sea and have the coastal view instead of the cliffs or fields. If I did it again I would go North to South. Why are you flying to LA first and then flying up to SF and then driving back to LA again!!!
Fly into LA, rent car, stay over night local to airport and sleep. Then head out early next day and drive out through Yuma desert to Arizona, stay a night in Phoenix area, then drive up to Grand Canyon.
You only need one night there, and unless you want to do the long trek/horse ride/camping trip over several days, down into the base of the canyon there's not much nice walking there, so go and look at the big hole in the ground at sunset and then that's it.
Next drive to Vegas for an overnight stay. As others have said, not really worth staying in Vegas for more than an overnight with your kids - not a under 21 friendly place.
Then head up to Yosemite National Park - much nicer and better place to spend a few days walking/treking etc. You can drive there over a few days either via the long scenic route through Death Valley and then up the 395 via Mammoth Lakes etc., or via the easier to find motel stop overs out via Barstow, Bakersfield and up the Interstate 5 past Fresno.
From Yosemite you can then go across to San Fran and spend a few days, then drive back down to LA via the Pacific coast highway and stop off in Santa Barbara or Malibu and then onto LA to do the Disney/Hollywood stuff for a few days before flying home from LA.
You'll get more time doing what you want to do that way than your plan.
P1ato said:
That's a much better plan! It sounds like a lot of driving, but my daughters are used to long road trips.
It is in mileage, but it's not really that bad, and much easier doing long distances over there than here.It will save you hiring cars in multiple places, as you WILL need a car to get around in LA, and while you can travel around SF city OK without a car, most hotels will have car parking to leave the rental in while you stay in SF, but, you can't go to SF without having at least a drive around the hills pretending your Steve McQueen and you have to also at least drive over the Golden Gate bridge
Yosemite area is much better for your walking/trekking break as well.
Thought I'd report back on this, and thanks to those who offered advice.
It was a 2.5 week Easter trip with Mrs. P and 2 teenage daughters. We all like active holidays and we're not into 5 star luxury.
Our itinerary was as follows:
3 nights in Hollywood. We arrived late on the first evening after sorting our the car rental with Hertz (Jeep Cherokee with 141 miles - just big enough for 4 bags). Stayed at Loews Hotel close to Hollywood Boulevard, did the Warner Brothers studio tour (which was great); a bus tour around the Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, Beverley Hills etc. (driver's commentary was a bit crap); walked up to the Hollywood sign (as close as you can get); Rodeo Drive etc.
5 nights in Yosemite - 3 at Tenaya Lodge and 2 at Evergreen Lodge. Much preferred the latter: great food and hospitality. Tenaya is more suitable for younger kids (pool was full of toddlers), a bit of a rip off, and too pleased with itself. We hiked up Yosemite Falls (amazing at this time of year) and walked lots of trails.
3 nights in San Francisco at the Clift Hotel near Union Square. No breakfast but there are some amazing diners including David's opposite. Hotel charges $50 per day to park the car, but just dropped it off round the corner on Taylor St for half the price. Only rainy day was spent doing a bus tour. Pre-booked Alcatraz (daughters found it really interesting and that's saying something). Walked to pier 39 over Nob Hill and Lombard St. Rode back on the cable car. Daughters hung out Westfields etc. Went to a great Italian (Uncle Vitos) and a ropey Chinese...
Spent a few days driving PCH, staying for a couple of nights in Carmel (pretty place with a nice beach) and San Louis Obispo (stayed at the bonkers Madonna Inn). Stopped off at loads of places including Santa Cruz, Monterey for a whale watching trip, Pfeiffer Beach, Malibu etc. Views around Big Sur were remarkable.
Finally stayed in Santa Monica at an Airbnb, we all ran to Venice Beach each day, daughters enjoyed shopping etc. Also an easy drive back to LAX.
In total we covered 1,500 miles. Could easily have driven more, but it was good to spend a decent amount of time in each place.
Saw some interesting cars, including a "Ferrari Daytona" convertible on fire by the side of the PCH (assume some kind of kit car). Several porsche 356s, including a few genuine coupes. A nice orange pre-impact 911S at Madonna Inn, parked up next to an E type 1.5 series.
Definitely recommend this trip - it will be a tough one to follow.
It was a 2.5 week Easter trip with Mrs. P and 2 teenage daughters. We all like active holidays and we're not into 5 star luxury.
Our itinerary was as follows:
3 nights in Hollywood. We arrived late on the first evening after sorting our the car rental with Hertz (Jeep Cherokee with 141 miles - just big enough for 4 bags). Stayed at Loews Hotel close to Hollywood Boulevard, did the Warner Brothers studio tour (which was great); a bus tour around the Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, Beverley Hills etc. (driver's commentary was a bit crap); walked up to the Hollywood sign (as close as you can get); Rodeo Drive etc.
5 nights in Yosemite - 3 at Tenaya Lodge and 2 at Evergreen Lodge. Much preferred the latter: great food and hospitality. Tenaya is more suitable for younger kids (pool was full of toddlers), a bit of a rip off, and too pleased with itself. We hiked up Yosemite Falls (amazing at this time of year) and walked lots of trails.
3 nights in San Francisco at the Clift Hotel near Union Square. No breakfast but there are some amazing diners including David's opposite. Hotel charges $50 per day to park the car, but just dropped it off round the corner on Taylor St for half the price. Only rainy day was spent doing a bus tour. Pre-booked Alcatraz (daughters found it really interesting and that's saying something). Walked to pier 39 over Nob Hill and Lombard St. Rode back on the cable car. Daughters hung out Westfields etc. Went to a great Italian (Uncle Vitos) and a ropey Chinese...
Spent a few days driving PCH, staying for a couple of nights in Carmel (pretty place with a nice beach) and San Louis Obispo (stayed at the bonkers Madonna Inn). Stopped off at loads of places including Santa Cruz, Monterey for a whale watching trip, Pfeiffer Beach, Malibu etc. Views around Big Sur were remarkable.
Finally stayed in Santa Monica at an Airbnb, we all ran to Venice Beach each day, daughters enjoyed shopping etc. Also an easy drive back to LAX.
In total we covered 1,500 miles. Could easily have driven more, but it was good to spend a decent amount of time in each place.
Saw some interesting cars, including a "Ferrari Daytona" convertible on fire by the side of the PCH (assume some kind of kit car). Several porsche 356s, including a few genuine coupes. A nice orange pre-impact 911S at Madonna Inn, parked up next to an E type 1.5 series.
Definitely recommend this trip - it will be a tough one to follow.
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