california holiday advice please

[Ross1988]

Williams has loads of mahoosive trains go through during the night, so be careful of that when you stay. Similar for Flagstaff aswell.

[davepoth]

I'm not sure I'd spend 3 nights at Monterrey and 2 at San Luis Obispo, unless your intention is to drive the PCH many times in both directions (which is a good plan).

[sawman]

Not sure I would choose to spend 5 nights in hollywood, it stinks of pish and is full of vagrants, plus the traffic is ugly.

Also I dont think I could manage 5 nights in anaheim, you might want to look at some of the beach towns, Huntingdon beach or Newport beach.

California is odd at christmas, the temp is like summer in the UK, but its dark at 5pm

Edited by sawman on Tuesday 20th September 20:30

[Fats25]

I will let you know in a couple of weeks as fly to San Fran on Saturday, driving down to San Diego over two weeks, doing similar places to yourself, but only have 2 weeks unlike the month you have. Only other places we are doing that you are not is palm springs, and napa valley (castilago).

Vegas is fantastic (got married there earlier this year) but with kids it does limit the experience, my brother and sister are 20 and 16 and plenty for them to do, but lots of things they could not do due to being under 21.

[davepoth]

Neither of them are very big towns at all; Monterrey has an outlet village and an Aquarium, San Luis Obispo has Hearst Castle.

[Crafty_]

sawman said:

Not sure I would choose to spend 5 nights in hollywood, it stinks of pish and is full of vagrants, plus the traffic is ugly.

Also I dont think I could manage 5 nights in anaheim, you might want to look at some of the beach towns, Huntingdon beach or Newport beach.

Would agree with this, spent a week in Anaheim using it as a base to visit quite a few hot rod places all over the LA area (Pomona, Huntingdon Beach, Torrance, Ontario etc). Unless you are a bit flush and can spend time rodeo drive etc I don't think there is that much to do ?

Anaheim is the same really, unless you are doing theme parks ?

I'd be tempted to drive some of the PCH and see a bit more of the coastal areas.

[tuffer]

Personally I would look to spend more time out in the desert looking around the National Parks. As has been said, Hollywood is an absolute sthole, San Fran is not much better, the place is full of vagrants. I would also look at heading North toward Oregon and having a look around up there. Some stunning Coastline, get into the Dunes and hire a Quad bike for a few hours.......I never got to do that so I'm going back. If you have that much time I would even head up to Yellowstone and you HAVE to do Yossemite.

[Fats25]

tuffer said:

If you have that much time I would even head up to Yellowstone and you HAVE to do Yossemite.

Is it accessible that time of year? I thought it got a bit snowy ........

[tuffer]

Ah yes, did not look at the dates. Yossemite probably not but Yellowstone yes. Stay in Jackson hole and do the snowmobile tour, ace fun and stunning.

[Highrisedrifter]

sawman said:

Not sure I would choose to spend 5 nights in hollywood, it stinks of pish and is full of vagrants, plus the traffic is ugly.

Also I dont think I could manage 5 nights in anaheim, you might want to look at some of the beach towns, Huntingdon beach or Newport beach.

California is odd at christmas, the temp is like summer in the UK, but its dark at 5pm

Edited by sawman on Tuesday 20th September 20:30

Yep, I agree with this. Santa Monica is good too. Nice beach and the start of Route 66. The problem with LA is that it is so big that it takes ages to get from one place to another. I have a mate who lives in Los Feliz and it took us well over an hour to get to him from Anaheim.

You've got kids, so once you've done Disney / California Adventure and Universal Studios (which is better than both of them put together in my opinion), it doesn't leave much left to do. The Getty museum is beautiful with some cracking views but kids might get bored, Hollywood is as mentioned a tourist sh*thole (but you'll probably want to do it anyway, just so you can say you've done it and to look at all the wannabe actors in costume in front of Mann's) and the city tours will be boring as hell for kids. A SoCal Citipass ticket might be useful as it gives you three days at either/both of the Disney parks including an early morning entry, Universal Studios, plus San Diego Zoo and Sea World too. Kids, especially young kids, would love all those.

Yosemite is breathtaking and I would also recommend it. It's a good few hours drive from San Fran (which is how we did it) but it's totally worth it. the views are sublime.

SF itself is fine if you stay somewhere interesting. We stayed at The Argonaut in Fisherman's Wharf and whilst the hotel itself was poor, the area is lovely. Ride next to the Powell-Hyde tram turnaround and smack-bang on the wharf front. Pier 39 is within walking distance and the trams take you right into Downtown.

So, to recap, less time in LA, more somewhere else.

[Deva Link]

Highrisedrifter said:

Yosemite is breathtaking and I would also recommend it. It's a good few hours drive from San Fran (which is how we did it) but it's totally worth it. the views are sublime.

Not feasible for the OP in December.

San Francisco could be pretty cold too.

We've done a very similar trip but over 3 weeks, rather than 4, and we included Yosemite. I too think there's too many days in several of those places, although perhaps the shorter days at that time of year will limit how much you can do each day.

What are you going to do all of those long evenings? It's not as if you can spend relaxing hours dining - you can be in and out of US restaurants in very short order.

Edited by Deva Link on Tuesday 20th September 23:46

Edited by Deva Link on Tuesday 20th September 23:48

[Matt..]

Add one night in Death Valley. It's only 65f (~18c) in December, which is much better than the 115c (~45c) summer weather!

[andrew311]

nismobrown said:

please can anyone tell me if the following sounds Ok for a family Christmas holiday ? ( 2 adults plus a 19, 18, 16 and 11 year old )

I know the weather will not be perfect but it is the only time we can arrange it.

are any of the following too long or too short ?

We are flying to San Fran and returning from Las Vegas.

san francisco 4 nights

monterey 3 nights

san luis obispo 2 nights

hollywood 5 nights

anaheim 5 nights

san diego 5 nights

las vegas 2 nights

williams 1 night ( closer to Grand Canyon )

las vegas 1 night

thanks!

Been to CA several times but never with kids. I'd disagree that SF is a hole, it does have hordes of homeless but I'd never let that put anyone off as it's such a great city. If you're travelling with kids I'd recommend staying at the Fishermans Wharf area. SF is a really unique place and def one of my favourite cities.

Monterey Bay activities mainly revolve around outdoorsy things so if the weather is poor there isn't a great deal that will keep your kids entertained (there are cinemas, malls, bowling alleys etc). MB, Pacific Grove and Carmel are all within spitting distance with PG and MB merging pretty much into one. I've stayed in PG it has a very nice beach.

I assume San Luis Obispo is to break up the journey down to LA? I've never been so can't comment here. Big Sur is very nice but pricey, last time I was there I stayed at Cambria very nice town with a variety of accomadation to choose from, easy accsess to Hearst Castle, not sure if they're there at that time of year but if they are stop off to see the Elephant Seals the beach they frequent is just off the main road.

As others have said don't bother staying in Hollywood, the vast majority of people who stay in LA proper end up not really liking it. Santa Monica is very nice and there are many other sea side towns with accsess to LA. There's a tour company in Santa Monica (I'll dig out the name if you're interested) driving in LA can be awful so to take the stress out of driving I left the car and used them to see the sites within LA we wanted to see.

If it were me I'd totally turn your trip on it's head, I think 4nts is enough for most places. Saying that I'd consider seeing more of the interior of LA. It's Christmas do you want to see some snow? Do you Ski? Head to South Lake Tahoe masses of things to do in the winter and stunning scenery. Yosemite Valley will be about the only area of Yosemite that will be open. I'd always recommend staying in Death Valley, most people use it as a stop over but it is a destindation in itself. The possabilities are endless, you have a good amount of days budgeted so I'd maximise what you can see.

[Robatr0n]

nismobrown said:

please can anyone tell me if the following sounds Ok for a family Christmas holiday ? ( 2 adults plus a 19, 18, 16 and 11 year old )

I know the weather will not be perfect but it is the only time we can arrange it.

are any of the following too long or too short ?

We are flying to San Fran and returning from Las Vegas.

san francisco 4 nights

monterey 3 nights

san luis obispo 2 nights

hollywood 5 nights

anaheim 5 nights

san diego 5 nights

las vegas 2 nights

williams 1 night ( closer to Grand Canyon )

las vegas 1 night

thanks!

I can only answer for the places I've been to so here goes!

We arrived in San Francisco and spent 4 days there. The key to San Francisco it to stay in a nice area with tram/bus links close by. We stayed there for 4 days and felt that we wouldn't want to stay there any longer as we saw absolutely everything we wanted to see. I felt quite safe in there and practically walked or rode a bike everywhere we went.

Although Monterey is lovely, I'd be suprised if you're able to spend more than a day here. As we were driving from San Fran to L.A, we decided to use Monterey as our first stop over and stopped in a town called Carmel but we arrived pretty late at night. In the morning, we popped to Laguna Seca to watch a spot of racing and then popped into Monterey to check out the Aquirium and the Scenic Drive.

San Luis Obispo was a place we saw very little of. We stopped overnight, ate at a nearby Rib Shack () and left first thing in the morning. It seemed pleasant enough but I don't know enough about it to pass comment on how many nights you should stay.

If you have the chance, do try and stop in Santa Monica and Santa Barbara. Avoid Santa Cruz, unless you like the idea of a run down version of Blackpool...

I think 5 days in Hollywood is complete overkill. Rodeo drive is an experience, the farmers market is great and it's nice to see Hollywood Blvd but for me, that's it. L.A is dirty, forget all the glitz and glamour you hear about as it's nothing like that and for me, it just doesn't feel safe.

There's plenty to see and do in Vegas for everyone. Red Rock Canyon, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Dune Buggy Racing, Quad Bike Racing, Gun Store, Casinos, great restaurants and bars and so many other things.

The best part of your journey will be the Pacific Highway drive. The views are just breathtaking, so much so that it took us hours to cover around 50 miles. We stopped at almost every stop off point to take photos and catch our breath. I cannot wait to go back and enjoy the same experience again!

[CO2000]

Much more time in Vegas !

[ViperDave]

Fats25 said:

tuffer said:

If you have that much time I would even head up to Yellowstone and you HAVE to do Yossemite.

Is it accessible that time of year? I thought it got a bit snowy ........

Yellowstone is open to snow coach and snowmobile tours only, well worth it, you will be among only a few people in the park at the time as there are limited numbers allowed in and only with a guide but the scenery at that time of year is breathtaking both from what it looks like and the cold. Hoping to be there myself again in the coming jan.

Yosemite is more accessible and closer to where you will be. You can't get over the pass and it can get a bit snowy on the road into the valley. the road up to glacier point will be closed beyond the ski area. It is mandatory to carry tire chains in the park at that time of year and we were asked if we had them on the day a big snowfall was predicted although they didn't ask to see them. we came close to actually putting them on as well. if the weather is good then access shouldn't be a problem, if its bad then you will be ok in a 4x4 with chains in the trunk. Again though it is much quieter at that time of year but the scenery is not as dramatically different as yellowstone is as the valley is actually not at a particularly high elevation so snow is not as common.

[anonymous-user]

nismobrown said:

please can anyone tell me if the following sounds Ok for a family Christmas holiday ? ( 2 adults plus a 19, 18, 16 and 11 year old )

I know the weather will not be perfect but it is the only time we can arrange it.

are any of the following too long or too short ?

We are flying to San Fran and returning from Las Vegas.

san francisco 4 nights

monterey 3 nights

san luis obispo 2 nights

hollywood 5 nights

anaheim 5 nights

san diego 5 nights

las vegas 2 nights

williams 1 night ( closer to Grand Canyon )

las vegas 1 night

thanks!

Echoing some of what's been said...

San Fran is a really nice city to visit. Quite a bit to see. We've been there a few times with the kids (now 9 and 11) and they have always loved it. Never had a concern about safety there either. If you're going to spend 5 nights anywhere, spend it there. If the budget runs, the Sheraton in Union Sq is a good choice.

Monterey and SLO. Hmm. one night each. They're OK, but not a lot to see/do once you've done the aquarium in Monterey.

LA. I wouldn't stay in Hollywood. We have stayed in the W on (I think) Hollywood Blvd (big red spiral staircase on the website), which is far enough away from the Hollywood sign to see it from the hotel roof. And that was only because we were heading to Universal Studios for the day. FWIW, I though that (Uni Studios) was a bit tired.

With kids of that age I would probably do Universal, but keep their expectations down. Six flags Magic Mountain might be a better bet if they like the rides.

Best place to stay in LA IMO is Westwood. Rodeo Drive is well worth a look, as is Santa Monica Pier/beach, and perhaps a drive around Beverley Hills. But all three of those together won't fill a day.

Anaheim presumably = Disneyland. If you go there, try to stay in the Disney hotel. It is not a rip off, and you get early access to the park. Two full days in the park should be enough.

San Diego is really nice. The Zoo is by far and away the best attraction. Get there early and book a backstage pass. Really worth it. Seaworld I found a bit meh (although they doa backstage pass thing there with a marine biologist for a couple of hours, which was by far and away the best bit of the day). Avoid the Hyatt near Seaworld at all costs.

We didn't head over the border to Mexico, but it's supposed to be worth doing. Remember to take your passports. I'd do 4 days there.

Never been to Las Vegas/Grand Canyon.

Yosemite is not on your list. Pretty spectacular place, probably more so in winter with snow. But I would imagine that you would have to book accommodation a long time ahead.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 21st September 14:38

[Rollin]

Don't think you can take a hire car over the border, although I have. Wouldn't do it again, especially with kids.

[jayfrancis]

Rollin said:

Don't think you can take a hire car over the border, although I have. Wouldn't do it again, especially with kids.

We crossed the border into Mexico a few years ago when we stayed in Tucson. It was dodgy then and definetly not recomended now.

OP have a think about Arizona, fantastic scenery and maybe some sunshine and warmth. We've stayed in Tucson three times now and find it execellent.