California FlyDrive questions

[alisonbestford]

Well, as the title suggests we're thinking about a California Fly Drive next August.

Whilst we've done fly drives, organised holidays and "DIYed" Florida I really don't know where to start with California

Does anyone have any recommendations?
Think we'd be looking to spend 3 days or so in Anaheim then off to Universal Hollywood for a couple of days before driving to the coast - ?San Diego?
I'd like to take a look at Vegas and SF but guess it's somewhat like Florida and you need to visit more than once to see everything you're interested in

Been to San Diego before Eve was born so know it's lovely but any one recommend another coastal resort?

We could do a "standard" 14 days or I could probably spin it out to 17 if I plan off duty at work well

Any thoughts would be much appreciated

Thanks in advance

 

[disneyholic family]

a friend of mine did a long fly drive a few years back...
they flew into Las Vegas, then drove to LA, then from LA they drove up the coast to SF (taking in one of the national parks - not sure which one...yosemite? i have to look at a map)..

and then they flew back to Scotland from SF.....

it sounded like so much driving to me, but they all loved the trip!!

 

[alisonbestford]

Any suggestions on air lines, fly drive companies - besides Virgin?

 

[tashasmum]

We leave on Fri for 5 nights in SF then pick up a car to drive to Yosemite for 4 nights and then on to Anaheim for 5. We fly BA and have booked a car with Alamo. This will be our first time and really looking forward to it.

 

[disneyholic family]

Any suggestions on air lines, fly drive companies - besides Virgin?

he did it DIY - i know he flew BA, because he's a frequent flyer with them, so he used some of his points for the family.
they flew via london....flying out to las vegas and back from SF....

he also rented with alamo (an SUV)....

i remember him planning that trip for months....he was so psyched up about the drive part of it......he absolutely loved it and wishes he had the time to do it again....

 

[wayneg]

We have been to West coast twice, once drove down to Heathrow for direct flight into LAX. Other time from Manchester into Vegas via Chicago, return flight from LAX back to Man via Chicago again.
You just need to pick your airports you want to fly into and out of (kayak.co.uk a good start) then a car rental between the 2, hotels wherever you want to stay, as easy as DIY to Florida.

 

[dixonsontour]

We did it all DIY. We flew BA heathrow to LAX and hired a car. Did 16 nights -if you can swing more than 14 think well worth it.

We stayed santa monaca, then went up the coast via hwy 1 - santa barbara, carmel to san francisco. Coast road was excellent.

Then across to yosemite - another must do imo - stayed in a tent cabin in the park booked online with the park service.

Then death valley - stayed at a small motel at panamint springs - nothing else for miles.

Then drove to vegas and then down to san diego and back to LAX.

10 years ago and still great memories of the trip.

 

[dixonsontour]

What I used to do for our road trip holidays was get brochures for virgin fly drives/ jetsave do one aswell and escorted tours - titan? to give me an idea of what was a do able route in 2 weeks then book DIY.

 

[alisonbestford]

Thanks everyone

I thought BA might be good.....also got a couple of brochures for ideas.
Got Virgin but don't think Jet Save is out yet.

It's my 50th (shhhh!) in April
I originally wanted to be in Sri Lanka in April but really can't justify spending so much, and taking 2 weeks off work, when I know we'll want to go away in Aug/Sept to break up the school hols.
Driving in California is something I've always fancied and think Eve would enjoy it more anyway

Keep coming with the suggestions - that's great

 

[mikki.young]

Have a look at Trailfinders - they can organise flights and various hotels for each stop from a choice. I flew into San Fran with them and after a few nights there drove down to LA and Anaheim on the coast road. Amazing views. Some highlights were Pebble Beach golf club, Hearst Castle and Santa Barbara botanical gardens. Oh and the sign saying Hill Curves for the next 64 miles!