West Coast - help needed!

[Mrs Dazzle]

We've decided next year to visit somewhere else in the US other than Florida, which we've visited the last 5 years.

DD (10) and I so want to visit the West Coast, but given her school situation (won't be able to take her out) it looks like the only time we would be able to go would be Easter (best time for all of us) or last week July, first week August (after that DH's away a lot of the time until October with his job as normal ). I don't really want to go summer holiday time because it will be busy.

Now here's the problem. DH is a sun worshipper. I've looked at all sorts of different sites and the weather looks slightly chilly in the LA area in April (compared to Florida), but this is really when we want to go.

I'm having difficulty in getting to grips with the sheer size of the west coast in miles, since we'd be happy doing a fly drive and booking hotels ourselves, or there are a couple of reasonable tours with pre-set hotels around. Other problem here is we don't want too much time spent in the car since DH does over 45,000 miles per year on business and doesn't want a busman's holiday (yes, I CAN drive, but he would be really stressed out ).

What I have in my mind for places to visit are:

A week in Los Angeles for Disney, Universal, San Diego, Hollywood etc. Maybe a couple of days Las Vegas or San Fransisco. The rest of the two weeks is open to suggestions, but I've discovered Palm Springs, 100 miles from LA, is reasonably warm - DH liked the sound of that! But what is there for us to go nosey at - can't sit around all day, I like to get out and about. As long as the hotel has a pool DH and DD will be happy.

Has anyone any tips of travel companies to use, airlines (fed up with Virgin after our St Lucia and Orlando trips this year) and can anyone help with an idea of travelling distances and times.

Any suggestions most gratefully received - I'm at the pulling hair out stage now - I know what I want, just can't figure it all out

Other ideas we've looked at are Canada and a dude ranch - yee ha - for a week, but I don't get on so well with horses, so shelved that idea

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

We did a five days in San Francisco and five days in LA this Easter and had a wonderful time. Weather in SF was cool but pleasant (needed a light jacket on a couple of days, other than that jeans and seaters), and warmer in LA (high 70s, low 80s) so shorts and T-shirts during the day. We flew to SF (with BA), then a quick flight down to LA, then back home from LA (also with BA). On a previous visit I've driven from LA to SF which was very enjoyable, but if you don't want to drive too much this is probably not for you.

While in LA we did mostly Disney and Hollywood,with a day at San Diego Zoo, but didn't do Universal. SF was more relaxing, just visitng some of the sights, trying out restauants, riding cable cars, etc. I wish that we'd had more time in SF as there was lots of stuff that we didn't get to see. LA was OK, but the Easter crowds in Disneyland were very large and the 'Hollywood thing' isn't up to much unless you are a real film fan and want to visit all the old Studios sites and other famous landmarks.

Regards

Rob

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hi Annie Just switching this over to the Community Board

 

[KayleeUK]

Wow

That sounds wonderful Annie I haven't got any suggestions I am afraid but the 'Dude' ranch sound cool.

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi Annie,
We did a West Coast trip this April/May and it was one of the best holidays we have had.
We started out in Anahiem staying at the Grand Californian (courtesy of our DVC membership) for 3 nights.
We then drove to Vegas for 5 nights at the Mirage.
Next stop was Palm Springs and The Wyndham for 4 Nights.
Then we moved onto San Diego staying at The Coronado Mariott for 4 nights (courtesy of Priceline £60 per room per night.
We then drove back for a final night in La.
Because of the time constraints we only did the 2 Disney parks while in the LA area,weather was ok not hot but warm enough for shorts and t shirts.
Drive to Vegas was straight forward and had a great time there,bit like Disney for adults.Flew through the Grand Canyon in a Helicopter and landed on the Canyon floor for a champagne lunch.Weather was warm but a little breezy,plenty hot enough for swimming though.
Palm Springs,what can I say I would live there tommorow if they'd let me.It was such a freindly slow paced town and the weather was great.I have to admit we didn't do much while we were there,had a ride to the outlet mall.Went to Indian Wells and the Joshua Tree park.There are also casinos too if you like.
Coranado was also a dream.The hotel was awesome and the room we got should have been $330 per night.We liked Coranado Island much more than downtown San Diego although we did go there sight seeing (20 min ferry ride from the island )Went to Sea World,Old Town,Gas Light area and of course had tea at the DEL Hotel.Would haved loved to see the zoo but time beat us again.The weather was good here too 80 degrees+ everyday.
Would have liked to have gone onto San Fransisco but we thought being further north it may have been cooler so we decided to leave it for another time.
This reply has been more like a trip report but I hope it helps.
Please feel free to ask if you want more info and I'll try to help.

Mick.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

I've only got one thing to say - if you're going to California...

GO TO SAN FRANCISCO!!!

It is my all time favourite place on earth - so much so that my DH is under strict instructions to throw my ashes of the Golden Gate Bridge when I'm dead and gone!!!

Seriously, it really is he most beautiful and facinating place - well worth a visit IMHO.

We've never been in April but have been twice in November. San Fran was cool - a bit like May in the UK but there was a lot less fog problems that they seem to have a lot of in the summer. Had a couple of wet days - one when we ere hanging off the outside of a cable car - I think I'd have been drier going and standing in the shower with my clothes on - great fun all the same!!!

I wasn't a great fan of LA - too big, too much smog and some VERY dodgy areas - especially around Hollywood. We did DL - well you have to don't you!!! - but this only took up a couple of days. We also did a hollywood tour thing on a minibus - including the 'stars' homes bit (saw Michael Douglas getting out of his car - in the pre-Catherine Z-J days!) - quite good fun but got a bit boring at times.

On another trip we did San Diego - much warmer down there, about 80 c - which I really enjoyed. I'm not a 'beach' person so we didn't try these out but there are apparnetly some lovely beaches in the surrounding area. Don't believe the hype about the Zoo - Chester Zoo is MUCH better IMHO!!! Also did Sea World - amazing how Shamu manages to do shows in Florida and California at the same time - a very talented Whale!!!!

Las Vegas is MAAAAAD!!! Another place we've been to twice - so we must have enjoyed it the first time. didn't doo ANY gambling - not even the machines - but enjoyed looking round the various hotels, casinos and associated shops etc. Not worth staying more than a couple of days, unless you seriously like gambling. Disn't ALWAYS feel completely safe and got sick of DH being given Porn mags while walking down the street!!! Not a place I'd take kids!

We've also visited the Grand Canyon but it's a loooong drive from LV - no way was I going in one of theose little planes though so it was our only option! A truely awe-inspiring place - very glad to have gone but dn't think i'd bother again.

Last time we also had time out a Yosemite - now HERE i would visit again - absolute paradise. We were very lucky in that the weather, although chilly was very bright and sunny, glinting off the mountain ranges and through the trees - BEAUTIFUL!!!

I hope this has given you a bit of info - if you want any more specific info, please feel free to PM me and I'll try to answer any questions you have.

Oh I nearly forgot...don't write off Virgin as an option for your flight - they seem to be much better on these flights than the Orlando ones - also in the quieter months, they are often only half full - on the way back last time we had a row of four seats between the two of us and both managed to get a good nights sleep for once!!!

 

[Pootle]

Hello

I've been to most of the places on your list but on several visits, so I dug out my last itinerary for some of the distances/times you requested.

LA to San Francisco is a 400 mile drive, which we have done - once only because much of the journey was shrouded in fog - so we have also flown into San Fran and out of LA (with BA).

LA to San Diego - 120 miles - 2 hours
San Diego to Palm Springs - 170 miles - 3 hours
Palm Springs to Las Vegas - 300 miles - 5 hours

We don't like downtown LA - and the congestion on the freeways is the stuff of legends. However, Santa Monica (the 'lungs of LA) is pretty and near enough to do the LA sights.

Anything else, just ask.

 

[Claire L]

Annie,
If you don't want to drive how about an air tour? Perhaps 7 nights in LA then LV for 3/4 nights and finish in SF for 4/ nigths depending which city you would prefer to spend more time in. According to mos of the Disney books Easter is very busy at the Parks so perhap summer wouldn't be so bad, although LV will be into the 100's!! The Grand Canyon is breathtaking and should be visited either by road or air.
Hotel wise in LA I think a hotel near DL would be a great base unless hiring a car for the week is a possibility. We found getting around LA very easy in June when we stayed at Newport Beach which is a lovely area just South of the main city and only a twenty minute drive to DL.
If going to the West Coast for the first time then you must visit SF as Alcatraz is very interesting and a walk on Golden Gate Bridge is awesome. SF weather is variable due to its location and catching the fog. Go just North to say Muir Woods or Sausalito for the day and it is 10 - 15 degrees warmer.
As has been said don't write Virgin off we found them very good this summer. The flights weren't too busy and had very few kids on them. If Virgin don't work out then try United, when I flew with them in 1995 they were very efficient and I hear they are still good.
Claire

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Annie

Just wanted to add quickly - I'll give it more thought later but we went to Disneyland at the beginning of March this year and it was definitely T-shirt weather and Paul wore his shorts. The days were warm and the nights were chilly - but all in all great weather.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Thanks for the very useful ideas, everyone.

Much head scratching still being done, so having a few days "off" from the holiday planning before we decide where in the world we're going to go (also looking into Mauritius and the indian ocean for a complete chill-out).