Visiting California from UK - Help needed

[Miss Stitch]

I would like to visit California next year and would like to stay in Los Angeles. I will be staying for 14 nights. I have lots of questions and would appreciate some help.

If I stay in LA, how easy would it be to get to Anaheim without a car. We don't drive. Is there shuttles we could book?

Is LA easy to get about also without a car, we would obviously like to see places like Hollywood Boulevard, the Farmers Market, Universal and of couse, we would love to go to the Hollywood sign and maybe do a tour of the houses of the rich and famous in Beverly Hills.

Would it actually be easier to do a week in LA and then a few days in Anaheim, although we only want to do two Disney Park days.

Were also thinking about San Diego and maybe Grand Canyon.

We dont mind public transport, shuttles etc. and dont mind it being time comsuming. In fact a long bus ride through the US is a treat for us.

This would be only trip to California and we would love to fit it as much as possible. Our vacations are usually to Florida but we fancy a change this time and I have always wanted to visit Hollywood, but if it will be difficult to do without a car I might have to rethink. We can get vacation tours here in the Uk, but they all seem to include 4 or 5 days in Vegas which is not really our thing as we have children, 15, 13 and 9.

I really would prefer to use one place as a base rather than move about and would appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance

 

[c&m]

If you're going to do DL and LA, make Anaheim the home base, not LA. Anaheim hotels are less expensive.

We go every year, and we do DL, as well as The Grove/Farmer's Market and sometimes Universal. We always end up staying in Anaheim because the hotels are in the $90 to $130 range -- decent, clean hotels, some even with a complimentary continental breakfast and free parking included.

Check out the Candy Cane Inn or Hojo's Anaheim.

Whether you rent a car depends on how comfortable you are at hwy driving. If you have no issues with driving the I-5, then definitely rent a car as it is easier to do the commuting. For the kind of touring trip you describe, it seems that renting a car would be the most practical. For our family of 4, it's always cheaper and more convenient to rent a car than to pay per head for transportation services.

When you do go to San Diego, you should think about checking into a hotel in SD. There's so much to see and explore there, and you may need more than a day trip. The drive (about 1.5 hours with no traffic, 2+ with traffic) would be pretty unpleasant if you choose to go back and forth.

Have fun planning!

 

[Miss Stitch]

Hi, thanks for your comments.

I realised it may be easier to base myself in Anaheim after I posted, there seems to be some cool things to do there. Ive priced up a stay and it is coming out at over £3000.00 for five of us. Thats only a ten night stay without park passess, transport etc. but does include flights, tranfers and hotels. Its is a lot more expensive than 14 nights in Florida, although it would be great to walk in Walts footsteps, so to speak .

Unfotunately we cant drive but have checked out the boards and found lots of good reviews for a tour company called Allananaheimtours who have some good cheap tours which seem ideal for first timers. We just want to see all the typical tourist places. I have a big list of places to see in the world before I die (hopefully not yet ) and one of these is the Hollywood sign.

I am only in the early planning stages, we are already planning a trip to DLP and Paris in September this year, and am just tossing ideas around at the moment for our SoCal trip.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Andy B]

If you can find a tour which suits then well done but really if there is a city in the US where the car is king then LA is it, you will be restricted with what you can see, where you can go and the times without a car, I know driving is not an option for you but be aware.

 

[Miss Stitch]

If you can find a tour which suits then well done but really if there is a city in the US where the car is king then LA is it, you will be restricted with what you can see, where you can go and the times without a car, I know driving is not an option for you but be aware.

I know the driving is my main problem, maybe I should learn to drive and put my trip off for a few years, might be more fun without the kids , they may have left home in around 4 years. It would be lots cheaper too lol. Here in the UK, it is so easy to get around anywhere without a car so I havent really felt the need to drive.

I can imagine myself driving around the US in a pink convertible with a headscarf on

Its all Arnie's fault (the terminator), he is on our screen nearly advert telling us how wonderful California is and that we really need to go. Ive wanted to visit California for years but no Arnie is telling me I must visit his state, and we know what happens when you don't take notice of the Terminator! lol

 

[Eaglefan9727]

As a former resident of Southern California of 22 years. I will say that a car is a MUST if you really want to do any traveling or sightseeing. It would be very hard to do much without a car.

 

[Soprano]

We did the same thing in '99 without a car and returning in April, with a car.

We flew with Virgin and wasn’t really sure how we’d get around. We were based in Anaheim and was able to see everything we wanted to see by taking tour buses which the Virgin Rep mentioned at the meeting. You just book up which tour you want for what day. They drive you there then pick you up later on. There are lots of options.

We got to see Hollywood, Sea World, Universal and other places of interest using them.

Like you, we often go to Florida. To compared, Orlando is easier to get around without a car, but that doesn’t mean California is too difficult. The distances are greater. As you know, if your in Orlando, almost everywhere is a 20 minute ride away. But dare I say we were getting a little bored of Orlando!! So we thought lets revisit LA.

Anaheim is a good and central location as I‘m sure you will want to visit San Diego Zoo and Sea World.

HTH, feel free to ask any more questions!

 

[tink too]

We'll be visiting LA in May this year. Originally we were going to split our stay between Anaheim and Hollywood, but have decided to base ourselves in Anaheim and just take a tour into Hollywood for one day.

Although both myself and DH can drive, we always opt not to on vacation. Besides highway driving seems a bit scary to us - we live in a small town in Scotland with only one lane of traffic on each side of the road!

I find this is one of the greatest differences between us folks in the UK and the USA - they can't imagine life without driving, for us Brits, cars are optional. No offence meant to our American cousins, it's just this has been my experience with over 20 years of travelling to Florida.

 

[Hound 109]

Always wanted to say that....but i waited till one of our friends across the pond posted.

California is HUGE (bigger than your lovely island). No way to have a "home base".

Have you considered the train? (coupled with one of those hollywood tours &/or LA tours) Since you're talking '09.....& you're talking 14 days, I'll free wheel a little. Going up or down the coast, start or end in SF or SD. For example:

- Fly into SF (2-3 days)
- (in a perfect world, rent a car & drive to Monterey (spend the night), drive Highway 1.. 100 spectacular miles to San Luis Obispo (SLO) Sights include Cannery Row, Pebble, 17 mile drive, Big Sur, Beauty, Elephant seals, Cambria, Morro Bay & Rock, SLO)
- If you don't rent a car...take the train from SF to SLO. (spend the night - maybe a tour to the beach or through the winerys).
- Back on Train (hop off in Solvang for a couple hours.)
- Back on Train to Santa Barbara (spend the night, do a tour)
- Train to Burbank or LA. (1 or 2 nights) Do Hollywood (lots of tours), LA, Universal (if inclined).
- Train to Anaheim (DLR 4-7 nights). Read HydroGuy's Tip Threads.
- Train to SD. (maybe get off at Capistrano or the stop for Legoland if it makes sense...or not).
- 2-3 nights in SD. (Zoo, Sea World, Tours, beach etc.)
- Fly out of SD.

I've never done it, but would welcome comments from those who have done some of it (or all of it). The train travels along the ocean for much of the trip, fyi. Here's a link:

http://www.amtrakcalifornia.com/rail/go/amtrak/routes/pacific_surfliner/route-map/index.cfm

I don't know how the Grand Canyon would be incorporated in this, maybe you junk the trip north of LA & do the GC instead? Also, look at the DL trip reports....particularly SpartanGirl's TR. Beautiful pictures & traveled (by car) many of the spots mentioned. (Great report to read & look at in any event. )

Have a great time planning a trip to Walt's Park.

 

[tink too]

Always wanted to say that....but i waited till one of our friends across the pond posted.

California is HUGE (bigger than your lovely island). No way to have a "home base".

Have you considered the train? (coupled with one of those hollywood tours &/or LA tours)

Hound, we'll only have 5 days in California, and will be spending 3 of those at DL. I have already purchased tickets for San Diego Zoo. I was considering taking the train down as opposed to using a tour bus to allow us some freedom and flexibility. I think that will be the best way for us to go - thanks for the link to the amtrak website!

Now, for the day in Hollywood, should we take a tour or just catch the train from Anaheim and have a "do-it-yourself" tour to suit ourselves? I'm not bothered about seeing the driveways to stars homes , just Mann's Chinese Theatre, Walk of Fame, the Kodak Theatre, etc.

Any/all suggestions appreciated!

 

[Claire L]

I stayed at Newport Beach back in 1998 with my Mom for 7 nights and we got about ok by public bus and organised tours but in 2003 when I went back with DH we had a car and it was so much easier. Again in 2003 stayed at Newport Beach and would stay there again it is a lovely area and away from the hussle and bustle of the city.

I would advise you to check out all tours available and base what these are on where you stay.

Claire

 

[Hound 109]

Hound, we'll only have 5 days in California, and will be spending 3 of those at DL. I have already purchased tickets for San Diego Zoo. I was considering taking the train down as opposed to using a tour bus to allow us some freedom and flexibility. I think that will be the best way for us to go - thanks for the link to the amtrak website!

Now, for the day in Hollywood, should we take a tour or just catch the train from Anaheim and have a "do-it-yourself" tour to suit ourselves? I'm not bothered about seeing the driveways to stars homes , just Mann's Chinese Theatre, Walk of Fame, the Kodak Theatre, etc.

Any/all suggestions appreciated!

Tink, I always have a car when i visit LA. I lived there as a kid & return to visit siblings every year, so I'm comfortable driving....but i can see where others would not be.

Looks like you got some great advice (on Hollywood) on the other thread.

The reason I mentioned the train to our British friend (who i think said she "doesn't ever drive") was that I thought it would be a good way to see 3-4 different amazing areas of California. Something that can't be done "based" in Anaheim. & she has 14 days!!!!

& if i read right they have a special where she can go all over Cal (during a 21day period) for $159 (& kids are less). Heck, even if you prefer to drive, why spend $$ on the gas & agravation?

With only 3-4 days at DLR (& an extra day for Hollywood or Legoland etc.), I think it makes sense to home base it at DLR & day trip it (or bus it or train it) to the 75 minute away place (hollywood or legoland) for THAT day.