California in January?

[Bristol spark]

Ive had a little itch for a while to visit USA.

I also conveniantly have a load of amex air miles to use, and have enough for a return upper class flight (with just taxes to pay) to certain USA Airports.


The only downside is due to being self employed i need to go at my quietist time of year which would be January.


Im thinking around the California area, i can fly to either Vegas, Los Angeles or San Fransisco in this region.


I understand it won't be super hot weather, but TBH I'm not the biggest fan of super heat! as i melt easily!

I imagine death valley etc should be a bit more bearable! a bit of snow would be a bonus


So has anyone been to the California area in the winter?

I guess hotels etc should be cheaper at this time of year as well?


So anyone got any experience/advice?

Cheers

[Bristol spark]

Thanks guys.

No i haven't booked flights yet, there are still some availability in Jan, more so in Vegas than Los Angeles. So will get flight booked ASAP.

TY4C - Just after general advice, whats best to do at this time of year. Am just after a relaxing driving trip around to see part of america.
Oh and 1 must is to find a firing range, as have always wanted to fire a "real" gun

As well as visiting, Vegas, Death valley, San Fransisco (have an urge to drive down ) etc.



One other thing, would it be foolish to hire a Mustang at this time of year? Or Would a SUV like a Grand Cherokee be more suitable?
Both are around £450 for 2 weeks.

[Bristol spark]

Thanks Guys,

This is my first (very rough) route, with probably a day at each stop, and a couple of days at San Fransisco, and Los Angeles.




Does this look a bit ambitious over 18 days?


Also, yes i did look/consider a small camper, but TBH hotels look pretty damn cheap at this time of year!

Oh and yes i know most is not actually "California", but the California "Region"

Edited by Bristol spark on Thursday 28th April 12:16

[Bristol spark]

Brill thanks Dave, that looks good. I assume i can find a list of closed roads on google somewhere to get from Montana? (or is it back to Idaho and across?)

[Bristol spark]

Thank you Dave, thats great.

Well i have pressed on and ordered my plane tickets from fear of selling out, but appears none else has even chosen there seat yet!

I did have to change flights slightly as Vegas and LA go to different UK airports! Heathrow and Gatwick.

So going to and from Vegas, which also gives me an extra day out there due to dates of available flight so have 19 days out there.



One question, are either of these available seats better, or are they all the same? Do they all have windows?

Ive only ever flown on easy jet, so not too sure what to expect other than pics I've found online.

Edited by Bristol spark on Saturday 30th April 15:25

[Bristol spark]

Well only 10 days to go!!!

I think I've got my route about sorted now, everyone seems to think I'm nuts, so it may be a little over ambitious in the time frame.
But TBH id i could probably spent a week in each stop if i had the time

This is my route:

6th - Stay Bloc Hotel Gatwick
7th - Fly to Vegas, Arrive 1PM. Pickup hire car and Relax in Vegas in afternoon.
8th - Day in Vegas, Battlefield Vegas, Hoover Dam
9th - Grand Canyon, will get a plane ride there.
10th - Drive to salt lake city, arrive mid afternoon, PM around the Salt lakes.
11th - Drive to Yellowstone, Arrive Mid afternoon, PM around Yellow Stone.
12th - AM around Yellow stone, PM Drive to Montana.
13th - Day in/around Montana.
14th - Drive into Canada, midway stop at Kimberley.
15th - Drive to Vancouver.
16th - Day in Vancouver.
17th - Drive to Seattle, Arrive Midday. PM around Seattle.
18th - Day in Seattle, Boing Factory Tour AM, PM Around Seattle.
19th - Start Drive Towards San Francisco, Stop over in Eureka, keeping to main highway "5"
20th - Drive to San Francisco, keeping on the Coast Road, Route 101/1.
21st - Day in San Francisco
22nd - Day in San Francisco
23rd - Drive to Los Angeles.
24th - Day in Los Angeles.
25th - Drive to Death Valley am, Death Valley PM, hotel in Beatty (next to death valley)
26th - Drive back to Vegas Airport, flight 3PM.



I have had to book most of the hotel's as they are all pretty well booked (i expected them to be empty this time of year).


So do we think this is manageable? Or any Advice?

Cheers

Edited by Bristol spark on Wednesday 28th December 20:32

[Bristol spark]

Thank you guys very helpful.

And yes all my hotels are flexible bookings (i made sure) so i can make amendments.

The more i look at the map now, it looks more of a challenge! (mind i love a challenge!)


Im thinking of going back to nearer my original route:




This would give a full day at yellow stone, so can get the snowcoach (thanks 8.4L i did not realise could not explore on own).

Then head straight to Seattle, with a halfway stop near Spokane.

Then from San Francisco to LA go along the coast along with a halfway stopover.

Then would have 2 full days in L.A.

And a full day at Death Valley.


6th - Stay Bloc Hotel Gatwick
7th - Fly to Vegas, Arrive 1PM. Pickup hire car and Relax in Vegas in afternoon.
8th - Day in Vegas, Battlefield Vegas, Hoover Dam
9th - Grand Canyon, will get a plane ride there.
10th - Drive to salt lake city, arrive mid afternoon, PM around the Salt lakes.
11th - Drive to Yellowstone.
12th - Day at Yellowstone.
13th - Drive Towards Seattle, Stopover halfway near Spokane.
14th - Seattle
15th - Seattle
16th - Start Drive Towards San Francisco, Stop over in Eureka, keeping to main highway "5"
17th - Drive to San Francisco, keeping on the Coast Road, Route 101/1.
18th - San Francisco
19th - San Francisco
20th - Start drive to L.A on Coast Roads, stopover halfway.
21st - Arrive in L.A
22nd - L.A
23rd - L.A
24th - Drive Towards Death Valley Hotel
25th - Death Valley
26th - Drive back to Vegas Airport, flight 3PM.


Do we think this would be more manageable?, and be able to see a lot more.

Or still too far?

Alternatively, i could have longer in Vegas, to Utah, and straight over to San Francisco with 4/5 days in both San Francisco and L.A.
And do the North another year.

My must do's are the Canyon and Vegas area, San Francisco and L.A. and would be nice to see the coast coming down from Seattle.

Any yes booked an SUV, Grand Cherokee or similar

All advice much appreciated

Edited by Bristol spark on Wednesday 28th December 22:26

[Bristol spark]

Thank you 8.4 that is Very Helpful