Help Me Plan 3/4 Weeks In USA!
Discussion
My girlfriend's just finished her masters and I've just sold my first development, so we've decided to go away for 3 or 4 weeks to the USA around the 11th October. That's really as far as we've got - so give me some ideas on what's worth going to see etc!
We don't want to rent a car for the whole time (under 25 so insurance expensive and don't want to be travelling all the time), but would like to see more than one place. We're thinking of doing say 4 or 5 places and spending 5 or 6 days in each, maybe getting a bus or train between each place?
We're both 24, want to see a variety of things, maybe have a surf on the way but not too much relaxation as my partner likes to be active and doing new things!
So does anyone have any suggested itineraries that would work well and ensure we experience as much as we can and maybe see something a bit different to the usual touristy bits?!
Cheers!
Dom
We don't want to rent a car for the whole time (under 25 so insurance expensive and don't want to be travelling all the time), but would like to see more than one place. We're thinking of doing say 4 or 5 places and spending 5 or 6 days in each, maybe getting a bus or train between each place?
We're both 24, want to see a variety of things, maybe have a surf on the way but not too much relaxation as my partner likes to be active and doing new things!
So does anyone have any suggested itineraries that would work well and ensure we experience as much as we can and maybe see something a bit different to the usual touristy bits?!
Cheers!
Dom
Car rental is super cheap out of season in the USA, even for under 25s, so it's worth checking as it'll be cheaper than the train, possibly cheaper than the bus if there are two of you, and certainly more fun.
I spent 4 months in the US, and barely managed to scratch the surface of what I wanted to go and do; you should make a list of things you want to see and then see if they can be joined together in a trip.
I spent 4 months in the US, and barely managed to scratch the surface of what I wanted to go and do; you should make a list of things you want to see and then see if they can be joined together in a trip.
All depends on your budget and interests really matey. Internal flights are cheap but bare the distances in mind (roughly 6 hours coast to coast. NYC is a great city and a major hub so makes sense allot of the time to stay over. I love California and 3-4 weeks is a good amount of time to 'do a loop' of the state. You may fancy including Vegas into this if that's your thing. Lots of possibilities really would try to cram too much in. Popular question on here so there won't be any shortage of advice.
Cheers guys, I'll look into car rental - any suggestions of companys good for under 25's or just the usuals?
A loop of California is what my girlfriend has been thinking - flying into LAX, doing "the loop" (inc a couple of days in Vegas) and flying out of San Francisco. With 3-4 weeks what is a definite "see" and what's a definite miss?
Thanks!
Dom
A loop of California is what my girlfriend has been thinking - flying into LAX, doing "the loop" (inc a couple of days in Vegas) and flying out of San Francisco. With 3-4 weeks what is a definite "see" and what's a definite miss?
Thanks!
Dom
You should try and fit in some of Arizona/Utah if you like doing outdoor stuff. If you stay in Page you can do lots of good stuff from there. We did a 2 day kayak down the Colorado on our own.
From Above..
From below..
People here tend to slag off LA, but I love it and you should too at your ages
ETA LA to Denver is a great trip.
From Above..
From below..
People here tend to slag off LA, but I love it and you should too at your ages
ETA LA to Denver is a great trip.
Edited by Rollin on Friday 23 September 19:47
I am on the last few days of a 3 week USA trip.
My route has been:
- Yellowstone NP
- Grand Teton NP
- Salt Lake City
- Capitol Reef NP
- Grand Escalante NM
- Bryce Canyon NP
- Zion NP
- Valley of Fire SP
- Death Valley NP
- Mammoth Lakes
- Yosemite NP
- San Francisco
- Carmel
- Pismo Beach
- Santa Barbara
It is an amazing route IF you like big and beautiful scenery.
October is a good time for fall colours in the US, so if you want some decent scenery if only for a part of it, try to fit in a national park somewhere.
Yosemite and Death Valley are easy parks that you can do if you travel between San Francisco and Vegas, so maybe try that?
You could do something like this:
- NYC
- Boston (maybe take the train from NYC?)
- Fly to Denver and get a hire car
- Drive through southern Utah taking in the following:
- Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon NP, Zion NP
- Stop off in Page Arizona for Antelope Canyon
- Las Vegas (if you feel you need to...!)
- Death Valley NP
- Yosemite NP
- San Francisco
- Down route 1 to LA
- San Diego
Drop NYC/Boston if you need it to be cheaper.
My route has been:
- Yellowstone NP
- Grand Teton NP
- Salt Lake City
- Capitol Reef NP
- Grand Escalante NM
- Bryce Canyon NP
- Zion NP
- Valley of Fire SP
- Death Valley NP
- Mammoth Lakes
- Yosemite NP
- San Francisco
- Carmel
- Pismo Beach
- Santa Barbara
It is an amazing route IF you like big and beautiful scenery.
October is a good time for fall colours in the US, so if you want some decent scenery if only for a part of it, try to fit in a national park somewhere.
Yosemite and Death Valley are easy parks that you can do if you travel between San Francisco and Vegas, so maybe try that?
You could do something like this:
- NYC
- Boston (maybe take the train from NYC?)
- Fly to Denver and get a hire car
- Drive through southern Utah taking in the following:
- Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon NP, Zion NP
- Stop off in Page Arizona for Antelope Canyon
- Las Vegas (if you feel you need to...!)
- Death Valley NP
- Yosemite NP
- San Francisco
- Down route 1 to LA
- San Diego
Drop NYC/Boston if you need it to be cheaper.
Whether some roads will still be open is a bit of Russian roulette at that time of year (Yosemite etc). Been to the US several times east coast, west and a combo of both. 4 weeks I'd tag NYC and a few nights in Vegas on, 3 weeks I'd just do California and maybe Vegas. Flying form SF or LA to Vegas and then home is another option. Weather was awesome last October, if you like a mixture of stunning natural scenery, culture, and cities this is what we did.
Stay SF, pick up hire car.
Head into the wine country staying at Sonoma, lovely little town, great restaurants, day touring the vineyards is a must, very social day out getting tippsy!
Drive on to South Lake Tahoe. 2nd largest alpine lake in the world, stunning drive up there, beautiful place kind of like building a couple of high rise casinos in the Lake District.
Drive on to Yosemite, been a few threads recently discussing when the mountain roads and in particular Tioga pass closes. You pay you money and take your chances really, one year we were fine but last we got in via Tioga but not out.
We went on to Mammoth mostly as a stop of to get to Death valley. Most people use Death Valley as a stop off on the way to Vegas, having done both I'd sooner go back and spend time in DV than Vegas, really alien environment.
DV onto San Diego, SD is a bit of a detour, you could if time is tight drop SLT for SD or include both. Drive up to LA, don't stay in LA proper, chose a sea side town like Santa Monica. Love Santa Monica, massive beach, predestrianised centre with interesting street theatre, bars, reastaurants and nice mall. Lots of interesting towns on the cost to visit. Would leave the car at the hotel and let a tour company do the driving into LA.
From LA drive back to SF on highway one, can be done in a day but a stop at somewhere like Big Sur breaks it up nicely. Cambria is a much more cost effective option, nice sleepy town. Monterey Penisula was out next stop depends what your interests are will be much cooler than Southern CA we went Whale watching, spent time on the beach, watching people surfing.
Back onto SF for flight home.
The above breaks the driving up nicely, taking in some interesting roads. We did the above actually flying out a year gone today
If you want any adive on places to stay etc let me know.
San Francisco
Sonoma Valley
South Lake Tahoe
Entering Yosemite
El Capitan- Yosemite Valley
Death Valley
Devils Golf Course- Death Valley
Santa Monica
Highway 1 near Big Sur
Elephant Seals outside Cambria
Whale watching at Monterey
The big red chariot, 3 weeks and 2800 miles=awesome.
Stay SF, pick up hire car.
Head into the wine country staying at Sonoma, lovely little town, great restaurants, day touring the vineyards is a must, very social day out getting tippsy!
Drive on to South Lake Tahoe. 2nd largest alpine lake in the world, stunning drive up there, beautiful place kind of like building a couple of high rise casinos in the Lake District.
Drive on to Yosemite, been a few threads recently discussing when the mountain roads and in particular Tioga pass closes. You pay you money and take your chances really, one year we were fine but last we got in via Tioga but not out.
We went on to Mammoth mostly as a stop of to get to Death valley. Most people use Death Valley as a stop off on the way to Vegas, having done both I'd sooner go back and spend time in DV than Vegas, really alien environment.
DV onto San Diego, SD is a bit of a detour, you could if time is tight drop SLT for SD or include both. Drive up to LA, don't stay in LA proper, chose a sea side town like Santa Monica. Love Santa Monica, massive beach, predestrianised centre with interesting street theatre, bars, reastaurants and nice mall. Lots of interesting towns on the cost to visit. Would leave the car at the hotel and let a tour company do the driving into LA.
From LA drive back to SF on highway one, can be done in a day but a stop at somewhere like Big Sur breaks it up nicely. Cambria is a much more cost effective option, nice sleepy town. Monterey Penisula was out next stop depends what your interests are will be much cooler than Southern CA we went Whale watching, spent time on the beach, watching people surfing.
Back onto SF for flight home.
The above breaks the driving up nicely, taking in some interesting roads. We did the above actually flying out a year gone today
If you want any adive on places to stay etc let me know.
San Francisco
Sonoma Valley
South Lake Tahoe
Entering Yosemite
El Capitan- Yosemite Valley
Death Valley
Devils Golf Course- Death Valley
Santa Monica
Highway 1 near Big Sur
Elephant Seals outside Cambria
Whale watching at Monterey
The big red chariot, 3 weeks and 2800 miles=awesome.
Cheers Andrew, it looks like that is roughly the itinerary that we've settle on - getting really excited now! Looks like car rental can be made much more affordable by taking out a yearly "excess insurance" policy over here rather (from a 3rd party provider) than adding it at the point of rental too.
Accommodation in general seems to be much more expensive than I'd imagined - I was expecting to be able to get a nice 4* central hotel in most places for about $150 a night but it seems that's way off, I guess because each stop is a touristy location. I'm particularly struggling with San Francisco - would you (or anyone else) have any suggestions of good places to stay around SF, or at other locations along that route?
Thanks mate!
Dom
Accommodation in general seems to be much more expensive than I'd imagined - I was expecting to be able to get a nice 4* central hotel in most places for about $150 a night but it seems that's way off, I guess because each stop is a touristy location. I'm particularly struggling with San Francisco - would you (or anyone else) have any suggestions of good places to stay around SF, or at other locations along that route?
Thanks mate!
Dom
We stayed at the Argonaut hotel in SF and it was a good location, close to the Wharf, across from a bar claiming to have the first Irish coffees in America and next to the cable car turntable, it may be hard to get it for $150 a night though as the whole city is quite pricey. One option could be to go for a cheaper hotel (it's only somewhere to sleep and you'll be eating out most of the time probably). We stayed in Carmel after SF and that is a lovely little town to spend a night with some nice restaurants.
I'm on holiday in the us at the moment, Utah is stunning. I hired an Jeep and have been taking the 4x4 only roads when I can - Mrs has now banned them as too scary, some stuff was very tough with huge drops off the side. However she has said glad we did it as saw amazing scenery. If you don't want to risk being 15 or so miles from Tarmac roads hire a Corvette and see 99% of the amazing stuff and enjoy some amazing canyon roads. So far Utah has been far more impressive than Arizona or Nevada.
Really look into your car hire. I'm currently in north Carolina doing something similar. I'm 23 and hiring a car is getting expensive mainly because I'm under 25.
The rates online are great but read the t&cs and a surcharge applies for young drivers. On a half decent car you are looking at an extra $30 a day in charges, This pretty much doubles the cost of renting a car for a week or two.
The rates online are great but read the t&cs and a surcharge applies for young drivers. On a half decent car you are looking at an extra $30 a day in charges, This pretty much doubles the cost of renting a car for a week or two.
Dom,
I'd say drop me a PM but it's tied to my works email and I'm not back in until Friday. Sorry for the late reply anyhow, the US is pretty expensive for accomadation I find but with your budget I reckon you'll be able to get something within a £100 a night average which is what I usually try to stick to.
For SF Union Square for couples is where I'd recomend, although Fishermans Wharf is pretty touristy I love it! I've neve stayed there though. Have a look on Trip Advisor/the internet and see what suits your needs best. SF isn't too big but it's famously hilly so walking can be a strain! I quite like the HOHO (Hop on Hop off buses) You can use them like a reqular bus to get around and the driver acts as a tour guide. I've only ever stayed at the Chancellor Union Square, superb location, friendly staff, renovated rooms are nioce but quite small by US standards which is about average to large by UK standards. I know the manager Wes Tyler, have a look and if you're interested send him an email direct or I can on your behalf and he'll do you a deal!
I'll send you a list of the places I stayed. I'm usually a meticulous planner when it comes to this sort of thing....
ETA I can remember all of the accom apart for San Diego,
SF-Chancellor Union Square- As above, really good value for SF.
Sonoma-Hidden Oak Inn. Little B&B only 3 rooms right in the town centre, nice breakfasts, complimentry cheese and wine tasting in the evening, hot tub and pool.
South Lake Tahoe- Inn by the Lake. Kind of like a posh motel really, huge rooms, hot tub, heated pool, over the road from a beach. Well away from the Nevada side and casinos which is a plus or a minus to some.
Yosemite- Yosemite House Keeping Camp. Very few places to stay in Yosemite valley proper. This, curry village (permanent tents like HKC) or the circa £500 a night Anwhnee lodge which is a proepr hotel. There are also camp site but you'd need a tent. HKC lets you have your own fire which has a grill over it to cook, I enjoyed this! Shared shower facilities etc but if you want to see Yosemite properly don't get pulled into staying outside the valley would be my advice. There is a free bus that does a circular route of the valley that you can jump on and off.
If you plant to go to Vegas I'd recommend a stop off. Mammoth Lakes is nice we just used a motel 6.
Death Valley-Stovepipe Wells. There are only 3 locations you can stay in the National Park proper SW is kind of in the middle. Just a motel really pretty basic, has a pool and nice views.
Santa Monica-Seashore Motel. Real gem of a place, great location and very affordable for Santa Monica
Highway one-we've used Big Sur and Cambria as stop offs. Big Sur is expensive Cambria is a lovely little town, great restuarants and more afforadable accomadation. We got a really good deal on the El Colibra Hotel and Spa. Nicest hotel and room we stayed in-sunken hot tub/bath in the room etc.
Monterey-we stayed in Pacific Gardens at the Pacific Gardens Inn. Nice location by the beach, log fires in the rooms, hot tub.
I used Netflights (Thomas Cook) for my hire car they were vastly cheaper than anyone else.
I'd say drop me a PM but it's tied to my works email and I'm not back in until Friday. Sorry for the late reply anyhow, the US is pretty expensive for accomadation I find but with your budget I reckon you'll be able to get something within a £100 a night average which is what I usually try to stick to.
For SF Union Square for couples is where I'd recomend, although Fishermans Wharf is pretty touristy I love it! I've neve stayed there though. Have a look on Trip Advisor/the internet and see what suits your needs best. SF isn't too big but it's famously hilly so walking can be a strain! I quite like the HOHO (Hop on Hop off buses) You can use them like a reqular bus to get around and the driver acts as a tour guide. I've only ever stayed at the Chancellor Union Square, superb location, friendly staff, renovated rooms are nioce but quite small by US standards which is about average to large by UK standards. I know the manager Wes Tyler, have a look and if you're interested send him an email direct or I can on your behalf and he'll do you a deal!
I'll send you a list of the places I stayed. I'm usually a meticulous planner when it comes to this sort of thing....
ETA I can remember all of the accom apart for San Diego,
SF-Chancellor Union Square- As above, really good value for SF.
Sonoma-Hidden Oak Inn. Little B&B only 3 rooms right in the town centre, nice breakfasts, complimentry cheese and wine tasting in the evening, hot tub and pool.
South Lake Tahoe- Inn by the Lake. Kind of like a posh motel really, huge rooms, hot tub, heated pool, over the road from a beach. Well away from the Nevada side and casinos which is a plus or a minus to some.
Yosemite- Yosemite House Keeping Camp. Very few places to stay in Yosemite valley proper. This, curry village (permanent tents like HKC) or the circa £500 a night Anwhnee lodge which is a proepr hotel. There are also camp site but you'd need a tent. HKC lets you have your own fire which has a grill over it to cook, I enjoyed this! Shared shower facilities etc but if you want to see Yosemite properly don't get pulled into staying outside the valley would be my advice. There is a free bus that does a circular route of the valley that you can jump on and off.
If you plant to go to Vegas I'd recommend a stop off. Mammoth Lakes is nice we just used a motel 6.
Death Valley-Stovepipe Wells. There are only 3 locations you can stay in the National Park proper SW is kind of in the middle. Just a motel really pretty basic, has a pool and nice views.
Santa Monica-Seashore Motel. Real gem of a place, great location and very affordable for Santa Monica
Highway one-we've used Big Sur and Cambria as stop offs. Big Sur is expensive Cambria is a lovely little town, great restuarants and more afforadable accomadation. We got a really good deal on the El Colibra Hotel and Spa. Nicest hotel and room we stayed in-sunken hot tub/bath in the room etc.
Monterey-we stayed in Pacific Gardens at the Pacific Gardens Inn. Nice location by the beach, log fires in the rooms, hot tub.
I used Netflights (Thomas Cook) for my hire car they were vastly cheaper than anyone else.
Edited by andrew311 on Wednesday 28th September 14:01
andrew311 said:
The big red chariot, 3 weeks and 2800 miles=awesome.
All the usual hire firms seem to be much of a muchness, any recommendations for a decent deal. (Atlanta)
http://norcalhostels.org/marin/rates/
I know some don't go in for hostels in a big way, but this one is absolutely awesome, has private rooms, is three minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge by car, and you get woken up by the sound of the ocean every morning.
I know some don't go in for hostels in a big way, but this one is absolutely awesome, has private rooms, is three minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge by car, and you get woken up by the sound of the ocean every morning.
Elroy Blue said:
andrew311 said:
The big red chariot, 3 weeks and 2800 miles=awesome.
All the usual hire firms seem to be much of a muchness, any recommendations for a decent deal. (Atlanta)
Really sorry for my few days away - really appreciate all of your comments, especially Andrew - thanks alot mate.
So an update of where we've got to, after finally managing to get flights after the ones we'd chosen then sold out etc! We've booked and confirmed:
Fly in to San Fran on the 18th October - Stay in Chancellor Hotel
22nd October - Pickup rental car and drive to Yosemite. Park hotels too expensive so looking at Cedar Lodge in El Portal?
25th October - Drive to Lone Pine for a one night stop over (unless there's somewhere better half way?)
26th October - Drive on to Vegas
30th October - Drive to LA (tried to book Sea Shore Motel but it's fully booked, any other suggestions?)
3rd Nov - Drive to Anaheim for a couple of days to do the theme parks etc
5th Nov - Fly home from LA
So that's the route, we've booked the flights, the car and the Chancellor but suggestions for accommodation in the other places would be great. Really wanted to book the Sea Shore Motel but unfortunately it's all booked up!
Cheers guys,
Dom
So an update of where we've got to, after finally managing to get flights after the ones we'd chosen then sold out etc! We've booked and confirmed:
Fly in to San Fran on the 18th October - Stay in Chancellor Hotel
22nd October - Pickup rental car and drive to Yosemite. Park hotels too expensive so looking at Cedar Lodge in El Portal?
25th October - Drive to Lone Pine for a one night stop over (unless there's somewhere better half way?)
26th October - Drive on to Vegas
30th October - Drive to LA (tried to book Sea Shore Motel but it's fully booked, any other suggestions?)
3rd Nov - Drive to Anaheim for a couple of days to do the theme parks etc
5th Nov - Fly home from LA
So that's the route, we've booked the flights, the car and the Chancellor but suggestions for accommodation in the other places would be great. Really wanted to book the Sea Shore Motel but unfortunately it's all booked up!
Cheers guys,
Dom
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