Starting in LA...
Discussion
As title, myself and Mrs Saleen fly into LA in September for the start of our holiday and as the search isn't working I thought I would post.
The plan is to stay in LA for 2-3 days before driving to Vegas, so firstly looking for a hotel recommendation?
What is the best way to get around LA, get the hire car at the airport and use that or buses/cabs etc then pick up the hire car on the day we head off to Vegas?
The plan is to stay in LA for 2-3 days before driving to Vegas, so firstly looking for a hotel recommendation?
What is the best way to get around LA, get the hire car at the airport and use that or buses/cabs etc then pick up the hire car on the day we head off to Vegas?
Thanks for the replies, I guess the main thing we are stopping in LA for a couple of days is to visit Universal Studio, will be booking 2 cars I think...Camaro (hopefully) for the drive to Vegas and back to LA then will have to swap it as we are flying home out of SFO and I don't think they do one way rental on the Camaro, staying just outside of LA isn't a problem and a friend who was there last year suggested the Hollywood Hotel, looks ok on their website and they can sort a studio tour.
The Shutters place looks fantastic but not really looking to spend that much from the budget for a couple of nights, I have found another couple of places very close to the beach with 4 stars that are almost half the price 
Have also decided to not bother with a Camaro (I drive a Mustang here so no V8 urge on holiday), we are just going to get a normal car as it works out cheaper and takes out the hassle of driving back into LA to change cars before the drive up to San Fran,this of course leaves more spending money for better hotels etc.
Have also decided to not bother with a Camaro (I drive a Mustang here so no V8 urge on holiday), we are just going to get a normal car as it works out cheaper and takes out the hassle of driving back into LA to change cars before the drive up to San Fran,this of course leaves more spending money for better hotels etc.
theboyfold said:
saleen836 said:
The Shutters place looks fantastic but not really looking to spend that much from the budget for a couple of nights, I have found another couple of places very close to the beach with 4 stars that are almost half the price
Have also decided to not bother with a Camaro (I drive a Mustang here so no V8 urge on holiday), we are just going to get a normal car as it works out cheaper and takes out the hassle of driving back into LA to change cars before the drive up to San Fran,this of course leaves more spending money for better hotels etc.
If you wanted you could return the car in SF if you fly home from there. You won't need it in town as the public transport is good, it's a nice city to walk and you can get a train to the airport. Have also decided to not bother with a Camaro (I drive a Mustang here so no V8 urge on holiday), we are just going to get a normal car as it works out cheaper and takes out the hassle of driving back into LA to change cars before the drive up to San Fran,this of course leaves more spending money for better hotels etc.
It is just the first couple of nights in LA and the final 3-5 nights in San Fran that we will book somewhere to stay, Vegas and other places en-route will be a case of turn up and book a room, this saves us being restricted to a timetable in between the start and finish of the holiday.
Fas1975 said:
I keep coming back to this thread. I miss Vegas 
one day is not enough, yes, you'll see the strip, but you won't FEEL the strip take in the shows, it's what made our trip
Originally we were flying both into and out of SFO as the main reason for the trip is to visit San Francisco with a drive down the PCH and back up, due to not being able to get upper class tickets in and out of SFO until the start of October we opted to fly into LA and out of SFO which has infact made planning the trip of where to drive etc a lot easier, as I mentioned in an earlier post neither of us are interested in Vegas but while over that way as we want to take in a helicopter flight around the Grand Canyon we thought might aswel have a night in Vegas. one day is not enough, yes, you'll see the strip, but you won't FEEL the strip take in the shows, it's what made our tripaudidoody said:
I;d strongly suggest a cab to a SM hotel for the first night to get over the exhaustion of the flight and jet lag and picking up rental car next morning.
One more vote for Shutters.
Manhattan Beach is quote funky as is Marina Del Rey.
I had actually thought about a cab to the hotel and some form of public transport to Universal, but so far have not been able to find any prices to see if will save much over getting a hire car at the airport.One more vote for Shutters.
Manhattan Beach is quote funky as is Marina Del Rey.
Fas1975 said:
Buy a GPS when you're out there. I bought one from Best Buy in Toronto, full Canada, and all 50 US states. $60. They really are that cheap out in the states.
Have purchased an SD card from Tomtom loaded with USA maps for £56 
David Beer said:
Not sure how you are travelling upper class virgin but looking for cheap hotels? Personally would fly prem and pocket the money and get some great hotels, try the QE2 long beach, stay in a two bed suite for I think 380 a night, fab and would do it again. Have you tried last minute.com for hotels? Also, have you thought of an RV, done that every year for many years, quite often the same as a hotel per night, ok 10 mpg is less than a mustang will do but gives great flexibility .
I wouldn't say $2-300 a night was cheap! besides we are flying upper class because...well why not!Not interested in an RVas we prefer a nice bed and a decent shower.
SunnyD said:
If you're going to the Virgin Upper Class lounge at Heathrow get there in plenty of time to enjoy it! And go hungry!
Seriously dont rely on public transport to get around. Yes traffic is notoriously terrible but just leave enough time in your journey. I moved to LA when I was a mere 18 yrs old(!) and didn't find the driving difficult, just busy.
Free sweets for the journey? >>> ( in the LHR Virgin Lounge)
Mmmm sweets! Have used the upper class lounge at Gatwick a few times and was impressed with that so was hoping Heathrow was the same.Seriously dont rely on public transport to get around. Yes traffic is notoriously terrible but just leave enough time in your journey. I moved to LA when I was a mere 18 yrs old(!) and didn't find the driving difficult, just busy.
Free sweets for the journey? >>> ( in the LHR Virgin Lounge)
Ok almost all our accommodation is sorted along with the rental car, I've been looking to book a Grand Canyon helicopter flight for us, I'm sure I read a thread on here ages ago about these but with the search not working properly I can't find it!
Anyone have any recommendations of which company to use?
Have been looking at the Papillon company as thier flight includes setting down at the bottom of the Canyon with a picnic.
Anyone?
Anyone have any recommendations of which company to use?
Have been looking at the Papillon company as thier flight includes setting down at the bottom of the Canyon with a picnic.
Anyone?
Well, that time has come and we are almost packed as we get picked up in the morning to be driven to Heathrow, just off the phone from registering with Virgin for their exclusive upper class check in
Weather is looking good in California so Mrs Saleen is happy, hopefully the 11 odd hour flight wont drag too much!
Weather is looking good in California so Mrs Saleen is happy, hopefully the 11 odd hour flight wont drag too much!
Bit of a Unit said:
Very jealous indeed.
Wherever you eat in Vegas, tell them you are not gambling or the meal will be done in 30 mins!
On the drive up from LA to San Fran, Santa Barbara is worth a stop and Brophy Bros seafood restaurant there is absolutely fantastic. Should be an ideal lunch stop leaving LA.
Monterey some good bars/restaurants is very pretty and Cartmel (Clint Eastwoods local village) is worth a stop, one of the most surreal towns I have ever seen!!
Enjoy
We are booked in at the Harbour View Inn, Santa Barbara for 3 nights and also have 1 night in Monterey before ending up in San Francisco.Wherever you eat in Vegas, tell them you are not gambling or the meal will be done in 30 mins!
On the drive up from LA to San Fran, Santa Barbara is worth a stop and Brophy Bros seafood restaurant there is absolutely fantastic. Should be an ideal lunch stop leaving LA.
Monterey some good bars/restaurants is very pretty and Cartmel (Clint Eastwoods local village) is worth a stop, one of the most surreal towns I have ever seen!!
Enjoy
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