California. I'm sure this thread's been done, but hey..

[K50 DEL]

Howard- said:

Was thinking of staying somewhere in or near LA on the first night (shortly after we land), and picking up the hire car from the airport the next morning, saves paying for an extra day of hire

Edited by Howard- on Wednesday 10th February 08:24

It will obviously pay you to check, but I would suspect that it will be cheaper to stay outside of LA and pay an additional days car hire than staying near the airport... not certain though.

[Howard-]

That little Sea Shore Motel place looks great, in a nice area to explore, and cheap, so I think you might be right

I'm glad I made this thread

[K50 DEL]

Howard- said:

That little Sea Shore Motel place looks great, in a nice area to explore, and cheap, so I think you might be right

I'm glad I made this thread

It was a cracking little place, several good bars and restaraunts within walking distance and easy enough to get to from LAX as well - I have a US Sat Nav, but even with just maps it'll be pretty straightforward.
I found it through a recommendation on another site, and I certainly didn't regret my choice.

If you end up in Santa Barbara on the last night, there's a similar place there called the Presidio Motel that was a great way to end my trip!

I like trying to stay in non-chain places, they're invariably nicer than a generic days inn

[Howard-]

K50 DEL said:

Howard- said:

That little Sea Shore Motel place looks great, in a nice area to explore, and cheap, so I think you might be right

I'm glad I made this thread

It was a cracking little place, several good bars and restaraunts within walking distance and easy enough to get to from LAX as well - I have a US Sat Nav, but even with just maps it'll be pretty straightforward.
I found it through a recommendation on another site, and I certainly didn't regret my choice.

If you end up in Santa Barbara on the last night, there's a similar place there called the Presidio Motel that was a great way to end my trip!

I like trying to stay in non-chain places, they're invariably nicer than a generic days inn

I have a US map for my TomTom too, so no problems in that regard

Re your last paragraph, I found that in Florida too

[beano500]

Our American family always give the tip "don't stay in a Motel chain with a NUMBER in the name" - it seems like a good tip. We don't tend to go for anything that looks like it could be used as a set for CSI.

If you want the equivalent of a "Travelodge" type experience the Hampton Inns are well worth a look. For the price you can get hot drinks anytime and continental style breakfast in the mornings. And they are famous for their beds policy. Nothing better than getting a good night's sleep when you're travelling.

[blindswelledrat]

Im sure these have been said, but when I did this trip the must-see things were Las Vegas (no place on earth like it) and Yosemite National Park (stunning).
THe other place noone has metioned is San Diego/Carlsbaad. I loved Sand DIego but I cant describe why. Just the atmosphere of the place. So refreshing after the nastiness that was LA.

[Robatr0n]

blindswelledrat said:

Im sure these have been said, but when I did this trip the must-see things were Las Vegas (no place on earth like it) and Yosemite National Park (stunning).
THe other place noone has metioned is San Diego/Carlsbaad. I loved Sand DIego but I cant describe why. Just the atmosphere of the place. So refreshing after the nastiness that was LA.

[Mastiff]

Seems to be hugely expensive to fly straight to Vegas at the moment. Stopover flights are cheaper but it just makes the journey too long for me.

Anyone got any ideas on where I could get a good deal on a direct flight?

Would I be better off doing the trip the other way around, fly to CA and then enternal flight to LV?

[LilCat]

Internal from LAX to LV $40 - 60 with Southwest (Also with Southwest you avoid the checked bag fee!)

[Howard-]

Well the flights are booked, it's actually happening

Now for the planning!

I'm thinking that Sea Shore Motel place looks like a nice place for the first night in Santa Monica in a nice area for exploring, unless anyone else has any other suggestions?


I wish car hire wasn't so expensive but needs must... Around £400 with the young driver surcharge

[louiebaby]

Howard- said:

Well the flights are booked.

You won't regret it. Have a great one.

[K50 DEL]

Howard- said:

I wish car hire wasn't so expensive but needs must... Around £400 with the young driver surcharge

I'm assuming you're flying into LAX... what dates are you hiring the car from/to?

[shakotan]

Polarbert said:

Here are the car hire sites that I've found so far:

http://www.holidayautos.co.uk/
http://www.easycar.co.uk
http://www.carhire3000.co.uk
http://www.carrentals.co.uk
http://www.auto-europe.co.uk/car.cfm

www.usacarhire.co.uk

Been using them for years and still not found anyone cheaper who gives 'all inclusive' prices.

Edited by shakotan on Thursday 11th February 16:51

[shakotan]

K50 DEL said:

Howard- said:

Was thinking of staying somewhere in or near LA on the first night (shortly after we land), and picking up the hire car from the airport the next morning, saves paying for an extra day of hire

Edited by Howard- on Wednesday 10th February 08:24

It will obviously pay you to check, but I would suspect that it will be cheaper to stay outside of LA and pay an additional days car hire than staying near the airport... not certain though.

http://www.hotwire.com is your friend, if you only have an area and 'comfort' level in mind, and are ok not knowing the EXACT hotel you are staying in until you book it.

Edited by shakotan on Thursday 11th February 16:51

[Goochie]

We're doing this in a couple of months time, over three weeks we'll be going to:

San Francisco
Yosemite
Lake Tahoe
Death Valley
Las Vegas
Grand Canyon
Lake Havasu
Palm Springs
Las Angeles

A little gem that a fellow PH member mentioned previously is Bodie. Its a "ghost town" between Yosemite and death valley which looks quite interesting.

Another PH member pointed us towards Hotel Charlotte , just outside Yosemite. It looks lovely and gets good reviews so we're booked in there.

tripadvisor.com is your friend for checking out hotels.

See the Grand Canyon from the air if you can afford to do so. It is massive and you wont appreciate it from the ground.

If anyone is planning on taking their first trip on Virgin Atlantic, drop me a PM with your email address and I'll forward you a link to join the Flying Club loyalty card - There are 5000 mile sin it for me

Edited by Goochie on Thursday 11th February 16:58

Edited by Goochie on Thursday 11th February 16:59

[Howard-]

K50 DEL said:

Howard- said:

I wish car hire wasn't so expensive but needs must... Around £400 with the young driver surcharge

I'm assuming you're flying into LAX... what dates are you hiring the car from/to?

29th May till 11th June

[Rollin]

Your first night should be in West Hollywood.

[Goochie]

Howard- said:

K50 DEL said:

Howard- said:

I wish car hire wasn't so expensive but needs must... Around £400 with the young driver surcharge

I'm assuming you're flying into LAX... what dates are you hiring the car from/to?

29th May till 11th June

You'll be flying in on the same day we're flying out!

[Polarbert]

Del, I've sent you an email message through PH mate. Send me a reply when you get chance.

[K50 DEL]

Polarbert said:

Del, I've sent you an email message through PH mate. Send me a reply when you get chance.

Replied to matey.