Planes, trains & automobile - USA coast to coast
Discussion
After many a year procrastinating, we decided to do our “once in a lifetime” USA road trip this year.
Not ideal timing with various covid restrictions still in place. And the state of GBP/USD. But our eldest son turns 17 this year, so we won’t have many family holidays left.
Choosing a route and an itinerary has proved complex.
Originally I wanted to show the family some of the run of the mill, small town, middle America. I’d done a student exchange as a kid and stayed in Indiana and thought it would be good to see something similar.
We looked at renting a car, but realised we had a few stumbling blocks.
1. My wife won’t drive on the wrong side of the road. Purely a confidence thing, but won’t entertain the idea.
2. My wife cannot navigate. Even with a sat nav. Especially with a sat nav. This leads to frayed tempers.
3. I’m extraordinarily crap at driving long distances. As soon as I hit the road on a long trip, I start to yawn. Not ideal.
As a result, we have come up with an itinerary with a bit of everything.
Fly to Boston, MA - have a couple of nights here as an acclimatisation
Our only rental car, booked as a Dodge Challenger R/T or similar, collected from Boston, drive down to New York.
Four nights in New York, see the tourist sights, show the kids the big apple.
Fly to Chicago, as above with extra Ferris Bueller. We are in town for a Cubs game, so going to book that.
Board the train at Chicago Union Station, overnight to Denver
Four nights in Denver, hopefully take a trip into the rockies.
Back on the train for a mind blowing 30-something hours through the mountains, across some desert and finish up at…
SanFrancisco for six nights.
We had to make some last minute cuts for reasons I didn’t, and still don’t agree with. So no stop over around Newport, Cape Cod, Marthas Vineyard as the wife wanted to. The train schedule was not ideally suited for a stop between Chicago and Denver. I was hoping to spend a day or two in Omaha or Lincoln or some other smaller place in the mid west, but that got cut. Also wanted to do a couple of nights at Lake Tahoe just because there is a train stop there, but I was overruled for “reasons”.
To the point of the post. We’ve googled, tripadvisor-ed and generally read about all sorts. (Annoyingly, I can’t find my copy of Road Trip USA that I bought years ago). It occurred to me to check the vast experience of PH for suggestions for things to see and do that might not feature in the top-10-things-to-do youtube videos.
Bearing in mind we are a family of four, two sons, one 13 yr old and the aforementioned 16 yr old, eating, drinking, trips and events to surprise and delight.
Already got our eye on whale watching boat trip in SF, gun range and rockies trip in Denver, sky deck and art institute in Chicago.
What else should we do? Any tips for travelling?
TLDR - what’s good in USA?
Not ideal timing with various covid restrictions still in place. And the state of GBP/USD. But our eldest son turns 17 this year, so we won’t have many family holidays left.
Choosing a route and an itinerary has proved complex.
Originally I wanted to show the family some of the run of the mill, small town, middle America. I’d done a student exchange as a kid and stayed in Indiana and thought it would be good to see something similar.
We looked at renting a car, but realised we had a few stumbling blocks.
1. My wife won’t drive on the wrong side of the road. Purely a confidence thing, but won’t entertain the idea.
2. My wife cannot navigate. Even with a sat nav. Especially with a sat nav. This leads to frayed tempers.
3. I’m extraordinarily crap at driving long distances. As soon as I hit the road on a long trip, I start to yawn. Not ideal.
As a result, we have come up with an itinerary with a bit of everything.
Fly to Boston, MA - have a couple of nights here as an acclimatisation
Our only rental car, booked as a Dodge Challenger R/T or similar, collected from Boston, drive down to New York.
Four nights in New York, see the tourist sights, show the kids the big apple.
Fly to Chicago, as above with extra Ferris Bueller. We are in town for a Cubs game, so going to book that.
Board the train at Chicago Union Station, overnight to Denver
Four nights in Denver, hopefully take a trip into the rockies.
Back on the train for a mind blowing 30-something hours through the mountains, across some desert and finish up at…
SanFrancisco for six nights.
We had to make some last minute cuts for reasons I didn’t, and still don’t agree with. So no stop over around Newport, Cape Cod, Marthas Vineyard as the wife wanted to. The train schedule was not ideally suited for a stop between Chicago and Denver. I was hoping to spend a day or two in Omaha or Lincoln or some other smaller place in the mid west, but that got cut. Also wanted to do a couple of nights at Lake Tahoe just because there is a train stop there, but I was overruled for “reasons”.
To the point of the post. We’ve googled, tripadvisor-ed and generally read about all sorts. (Annoyingly, I can’t find my copy of Road Trip USA that I bought years ago). It occurred to me to check the vast experience of PH for suggestions for things to see and do that might not feature in the top-10-things-to-do youtube videos.
Bearing in mind we are a family of four, two sons, one 13 yr old and the aforementioned 16 yr old, eating, drinking, trips and events to surprise and delight.
Already got our eye on whale watching boat trip in SF, gun range and rockies trip in Denver, sky deck and art institute in Chicago.
What else should we do? Any tips for travelling?
TLDR - what’s good in USA?
Depending on season I would suggest given how long you have in SFO a trip up to Yosemite (it’s about 3-4 hours each way). I am of course ignoring your comments about navigation and your dislike of distance driving so feel free to tell me to read knob off and come up with a better idea.
Six days is quite a long time in San Francisco. Climate is cooler and regularly gets the fog rolling in. Sausalito across the bridge for lunch is a nice cycle ride. Have you thought of a hop down to Vegas to take in a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon and one night of walking the Strip/watching a show? I really don’t like Vegas but worth it to get to see the Canyon.
Might also be worth driving down part of the Pacific Highway south of SF to take in the views and check out Carmel/Monterey etc/17 Mile Drive.
You could also get the train from Boston to New York to save the drive and there’s some nice views of the coast along the way in part.
Might also be worth driving down part of the Pacific Highway south of SF to take in the views and check out Carmel/Monterey etc/17 Mile Drive.
You could also get the train from Boston to New York to save the drive and there’s some nice views of the coast along the way in part.
Not trying to put a dampener on things but, depending on when you are going, I'd recommend having a backup plan for the train journey from Denver to San Francisco.
Glenwood Canyon was shut down in summer 2020 due to a wildfire, and again in 2021 due to severe mudslides - which resulted in the Amtrak rail service shutting down completely from Denver west on the California Zephyr route. It is expected that there may be more mudslides in the canyon again this year as well.
Glenwood Canyon was shut down in summer 2020 due to a wildfire, and again in 2021 due to severe mudslides - which resulted in the Amtrak rail service shutting down completely from Denver west on the California Zephyr route. It is expected that there may be more mudslides in the canyon again this year as well.
Thanks for the replies. Need to set one or two things straight, I don’t think I made things clear.
Suggestions about where we are going and how we are getting there are very much appreciated, but we’ve booked travel and accommodation already. Guess we could change things, but it would have to be for a really good reason.
I took our lead on the muscle car hire from our kids. They will be riding in the back. It’s only for one day, so I’m sure they will manage it. Good news on the boot, Mrs Cjelli was stressing about luggage space. I’ve got to get to drive something v8 before they disappear, one days long distance driving is my opportunity.
Happy to hear it’s going to be cooler in SF, not big sun worshippers. We had seen the cycle across the bridge idea and really like the look of it, thanks for reminding me. Do they do day trips out to the parks, or would we have to hire a car? SF is supposed to be our wind down and chill after all the travelling and sightseeing. There’s obviously still a bit of that going on, but probably don’t want to book anything too heavy for while we are there.
I guess with the train there is the chance of delays/cancellations. Will have to play that one by ear I guess. Might be a real life John Candy/Steve Martin situation. Due to how long the train takes, I guess we have a little wiggle room with whatever alternative we need to find.
Back to the thread - in each of the places we are heading, what should we make a bee line for? Any obvious tourist traps worth avoiding, or hidden gems we won’t have heard of?
Food/drink suggestions appreciated. Haven’t totally got our heads round where we will be able to eat and drink with the kids. Loads of food places call themselves bars and as such won’t accept kids?
Suggestions about where we are going and how we are getting there are very much appreciated, but we’ve booked travel and accommodation already. Guess we could change things, but it would have to be for a really good reason.
I took our lead on the muscle car hire from our kids. They will be riding in the back. It’s only for one day, so I’m sure they will manage it. Good news on the boot, Mrs Cjelli was stressing about luggage space. I’ve got to get to drive something v8 before they disappear, one days long distance driving is my opportunity.
Happy to hear it’s going to be cooler in SF, not big sun worshippers. We had seen the cycle across the bridge idea and really like the look of it, thanks for reminding me. Do they do day trips out to the parks, or would we have to hire a car? SF is supposed to be our wind down and chill after all the travelling and sightseeing. There’s obviously still a bit of that going on, but probably don’t want to book anything too heavy for while we are there.
I guess with the train there is the chance of delays/cancellations. Will have to play that one by ear I guess. Might be a real life John Candy/Steve Martin situation. Due to how long the train takes, I guess we have a little wiggle room with whatever alternative we need to find.
Back to the thread - in each of the places we are heading, what should we make a bee line for? Any obvious tourist traps worth avoiding, or hidden gems we won’t have heard of?
Food/drink suggestions appreciated. Haven’t totally got our heads round where we will be able to eat and drink with the kids. Loads of food places call themselves bars and as such won’t accept kids?
Alexandra said:
Six nights in SF is too long. But, if you're committed, perhaps consider hiring a car there and visiting some national parks or getting on the Pacific coast highway to see the real California.
Unless it has changed you will also need to factor in a daily parking charge if you have a car while staying in SF unless you can find a hotel that offers free parkingYou'll be spoilt for choice in Boston - it's a fabulous place and really geared up for walking around.
Legal Sea Foods used to be (and hopefully still is) a great place to eat - no issues taking the kids.
To be honest - I don't see you having any issues anywhere finding somewhere decent to eat where you can take the kids. When ours were young I was always amazed by how accommodating restaurants were in the US - from the simplest to the swankiest - the kids were always welcome.
Legal Sea Foods used to be (and hopefully still is) a great place to eat - no issues taking the kids.
To be honest - I don't see you having any issues anywhere finding somewhere decent to eat where you can take the kids. When ours were young I was always amazed by how accommodating restaurants were in the US - from the simplest to the swankiest - the kids were always welcome.
Re Sausalito bike ride - if you do it then can recommend Bar Bocce there for a decent pizza for lunch by the water. Alcatraz trip def worth doing but pre-book your tickets as they sell out in advance. Getting around generally is easy enough and the trolleys are a fun way to get about if you're staying uphill.
Fisherman's Wharf is a bit tourist tacky but worth going down to have a look at the sealions grunting at each other for an hour or so.
I think you might struggle to fill six days in SF so would still recommend hiring a car and driving a bit of the Pacific Highway south of there for the views. 17 Mile Drive is a pleasant drive plus there are the golf clubs at Pebble Beach if golf floats your boat.
Great aquarium in Monterey (your kids might be too old for that) and depending when you're going you could do a whale watching tour. We stayed at the Monterey Bay Inn and if you get ocean front rooms you can watch the sea otters bobbing around on their backs under you eating their breakfast/lunch.
Back in Boston can recommend the Fenway Park stadium tour and the science museum was pretty good
Fisherman's Wharf is a bit tourist tacky but worth going down to have a look at the sealions grunting at each other for an hour or so.
I think you might struggle to fill six days in SF so would still recommend hiring a car and driving a bit of the Pacific Highway south of there for the views. 17 Mile Drive is a pleasant drive plus there are the golf clubs at Pebble Beach if golf floats your boat.
Great aquarium in Monterey (your kids might be too old for that) and depending when you're going you could do a whale watching tour. We stayed at the Monterey Bay Inn and if you get ocean front rooms you can watch the sea otters bobbing around on their backs under you eating their breakfast/lunch.
Back in Boston can recommend the Fenway Park stadium tour and the science museum was pretty good
I get the “six days in SF is too long” point, but as I think I mentioned above, we’ll have been travelling for two weeks solid before we get there and (mudslides and wildfires allowing) will have been on the train for a day and a half to get there. By the time we’ve done Alcatraz, whale watching and biked over the bridge, we’ve got three days to chill, wander and wind down - actually holiday by the sea/bay rather than rush to squeeze even more sightseeing in.
If we had just been going to SF for a week, I’d agree, but as part of the bigger trip, I don’t think it’ll work out too bad.
Fingers crossed.
For a fun family night out, just learned about Dave & Busters. Anyone got anything to say about them?
If we had just been going to SF for a week, I’d agree, but as part of the bigger trip, I don’t think it’ll work out too bad.
Fingers crossed.
For a fun family night out, just learned about Dave & Busters. Anyone got anything to say about them?
Pre C-d this was our hobby, pick a start and end city either with places undiscovered or as in 3 weeks time back to visit one of our favourites.
Road Trip USA is our goto, in fact I just bought a second hand copy for a friend of ours who wants to do the west coast Seattle to San Diego.
Boston is a great city, visiting “Cheers” was my highlight as my love of the US comes from the TV of my childhood and ticking iconic locations off is a strangely emotional experience.
Have a great 6 days in SF but your missing out if Napa, Yosemite, the PCH (the stretch north to Seattle is by far the best) and Carmel / Monterey aren’t on your list.
We’re planning a C2C next year taking in the last few northern states which will then leave Alaska as our 50th. Our provisional route is Montauk to Monterey, using parts of the Lincoln Highway and then diverting north to visit Minnesota and North Dakota.
SF is stunning, we’ve crested the hill on Hyde many times and will never tire of seeing SF Bay spread out before us.
I’m not sure I could do 6 days in the city but as you say you have the days filled and will be ready for a relax, I can’t wait to get back and lose an afternoon at the Boudin Bakery bar.
Safe travels.
Road Trip USA is our goto, in fact I just bought a second hand copy for a friend of ours who wants to do the west coast Seattle to San Diego.
Boston is a great city, visiting “Cheers” was my highlight as my love of the US comes from the TV of my childhood and ticking iconic locations off is a strangely emotional experience.
Have a great 6 days in SF but your missing out if Napa, Yosemite, the PCH (the stretch north to Seattle is by far the best) and Carmel / Monterey aren’t on your list.
We’re planning a C2C next year taking in the last few northern states which will then leave Alaska as our 50th. Our provisional route is Montauk to Monterey, using parts of the Lincoln Highway and then diverting north to visit Minnesota and North Dakota.
SF is stunning, we’ve crested the hill on Hyde many times and will never tire of seeing SF Bay spread out before us.
I’m not sure I could do 6 days in the city but as you say you have the days filled and will be ready for a relax, I can’t wait to get back and lose an afternoon at the Boudin Bakery bar.
Safe travels.
We did the guided cycle tour of Boston, mostly not on car roads, two kids around 13, it was fantastic. The stories at each of the regular stops were superb. The smells cycling through little Italy made it essential to go back and eat! The tour started from near the nice harbour area.
My wife and I just came back from a 5 week roadtrip in USA so here's a few up to date thoughts.
1. In New York the new 'must do' is SUMMIT One. We went to see the sun going down. Fantastic memories.
2. Also in NYC we went to the 9/11 museum - thought we'd be there a few hours but were there almost all day.
3. The Chelsea foodie quarter is fun - think London Borough Market but bigger.
4 After LA and WDC, we flew to LA and took a car all the way up to Seattle. Very little nav needed as it is the route 1 or 101 all the way. Of note is 'Big Sur' south of San Fran with the Nepenthe restaurant [https://www.nepenthe.com/] a must stop. You end up in Carmel which is great (allow time for your other half to shop).
I encourage you to think about flying to LA, drive up 101 via Santa Barbara, Montecito - if it's your thing you get to go through West Hollywood; Malibu, etc and again easy as you just follow the coast up! If your wife is anything like mine she'll always thank you for lunch and a shopping stop in Montecito, though you'll need a second mortgage.
You can hire electric bikes in Santa Barbara which has fantastic bike routes along the coast. We stayed at the Best Western in Santa Barbara which was perfectly decent and a fair price versus others. My PoV is there would be far more memories doing this and ending up in SF for a day or two than spending days in SF.
Hope this helps and good luck!
1. In New York the new 'must do' is SUMMIT One. We went to see the sun going down. Fantastic memories.
2. Also in NYC we went to the 9/11 museum - thought we'd be there a few hours but were there almost all day.
3. The Chelsea foodie quarter is fun - think London Borough Market but bigger.
4 After LA and WDC, we flew to LA and took a car all the way up to Seattle. Very little nav needed as it is the route 1 or 101 all the way. Of note is 'Big Sur' south of San Fran with the Nepenthe restaurant [https://www.nepenthe.com/] a must stop. You end up in Carmel which is great (allow time for your other half to shop).
I encourage you to think about flying to LA, drive up 101 via Santa Barbara, Montecito - if it's your thing you get to go through West Hollywood; Malibu, etc and again easy as you just follow the coast up! If your wife is anything like mine she'll always thank you for lunch and a shopping stop in Montecito, though you'll need a second mortgage.
You can hire electric bikes in Santa Barbara which has fantastic bike routes along the coast. We stayed at the Best Western in Santa Barbara which was perfectly decent and a fair price versus others. My PoV is there would be far more memories doing this and ending up in SF for a day or two than spending days in SF.
Hope this helps and good luck!
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