West coast trip

[Scrap_Vamp]

We're trying to get the most out of Annual Pass over the next year as we've decided 2012 is probably the time to think about babies

We have our August and Christmas trips to the World already booked. We are renewing in August so we hope we will get the 15 month renewal period.

Even if we don't, we are also considering upgrading to the 2 Coast version of the pass, and doing a three week trip in August 2011 to the West coast (not just Disney but San Francisco and possibly Vegas for a few days). It has to be August as I'm a teacher.

However, I have no idea where to even begin - I've only ever booked trips to Florida and New York before!

If anyone could give me some tips, great places to stay etc. then we would be very grateful. Thanks in advance

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

When we went (a few years ago now) - we flew into San Fransisco and out of LA to save on driving.

We had a one way car rental with Alamo - stayed 4 nights in SF (Handlery Union Square) picked the car up and drove to Yoesemite (Yosenite Lodge), Santa Barbra (santa Barbara Inn) and then Anaheim (Buena Park).

From LA we took a trip down to Las Vegas & flew over the Grand Canyon.

Try a few flight combinations on Expedia or something like that for prices and then sort out your driving plan and hotels

Goog luck with the planning.

 

[Chilly]

First off I'd decide how long you want to spend in each place and then do you want to fly or drive between places.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

Thanks guys .

I think we will probably do flying into one airport, then drive and fly out of another. DH turns 25 in November so we would share the driving (only I drive in Florida at the mo to save the young driver fee!). As it would probably be our last big couples only trip I imagine we might look into getting something fancier - DH loves his old Mustangs.

I reckon we would want a week in California so we could make the most of our Disney days (3 split between DLC and DCA), and fit in Universal. Probably only a few days in Vegas.

A good 5 days in San Francisco I expect as we want to do all the touristy things plus some more unusual stuff.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

We did Vegas / Anaheim a couple of years ago for a week each, and had a GREAT time.

In Vegas we stayed at the Luxor which we really liked. Its at one end of the strip, and is joined to several other hotels through walkways, which makes getting around to different restaurants and shows very easy (all the hotels have numerous places to eat, its like Disney on heat!!). Centre of the strip (say Ceasars Palace) is about a 15 - 20 min walk from there. There is also a monorail which goes up and down the strip, if you don't like to walk. Some people prefer to stay more centrally, but we loved the Luxor, and stayed there again for another week last Christmas. We looked around all the hotels and personally I would avoid the Stratosphere (well out of the way) and Circus Circus (chav hell!!!!). Next year depending on money we will either do the Luxor again, or may upgrade to Mandeley Bay, one of the hotels its joined to, (has a lazy river which is a major plus!!).

In LA we stayed at the Sheraton Anaheim. Absolutely lovely hotel BUT not in walking distance to DL, as the Virgin brochure stated, due to a majorly big freeway being in the way! There are some Disney hotels onsite, but if you go on the DL forum on the DIS the "experts" recommend loads of hotels nearby which are cheaper and in walking distance (in some cases closer than the onsite ones!). From memory the Howard Johnson and the Candy Cane get good write ups. Its fairly I-Driveish, with a load of restaurants in walking distance as well as Disney ones. We are going to book one of the walking distance hotels next year! I like being able to get places on foot!

Next year we are looking at flying into Sanfrancisco for three nights. We're then going to drive to Yosemite for two nights. Then LA for 3 nights, Anaheim for 4 nights (solid Disney time!)and Vegas for 4 nights (where I have to fit in the Celine Dion concert - laugh all you like!!!). Its a lot of driving, but they are the places we really want to see and I can't be bothered with waiting in airports - would rather be on the way! Just waiting for the flights to be released next month (we want to go in June) so I can get booking!

I'm not an expert on the areas by any means, but any more questions about LA / Anaheim and Vegas I'll be happy to try help!

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

We did Vegas / Anaheim a couple of years ago for a week each, and had a GREAT time.

In Vegas we stayed at the Luxor which we really liked. Its at one end of the strip, and is joined to several other hotels through walkways, which makes getting around to different restaurants and shows very easy (all the hotels have numerous places to eat, its like Disney on heat!!). Centre of the strip (say Ceasars Palace) is about a 15 - 20 min walk from there. There is also a monorail which goes up and down the strip, if you don't like to walk. Some people prefer to stay more centrally, but we loved the Luxor, and stayed there again for another week last Christmas. We looked around all the hotels and personally I would avoid the Stratosphere (well out of the way) and Circus Circus (chav hell!!!!). Next year depending on money we will either do the Luxor again, or may upgrade to Mandeley Bay, one of the hotels its joined to, (has a lazy river which is a major plus!!).

In LA we stayed at the Sheraton Anaheim. Absolutely lovely hotel BUT not in walking distance to DL, as the Virgin brochure stated, due to a majorly big freeway being in the way! There are some Disney hotels onsite, but if you go on the DL forum on the DIS the "experts" recommend loads of hotels nearby which are cheaper and in walking distance (in some cases closer than the onsite ones!). From memory the Howard Johnson and the Candy Cane get good write ups. Its fairly I-Driveish, with a load of restaurants in walking distance as well as Disney ones. We are going to book one of the walking distance hotels next year! I like being able to get places on foot!

Next year we are looking at flying into Sanfrancisco for three nights. We're then going to drive to Yosemite for two nights. Then LA for 3 nights, Anaheim for 4 nights (solid Disney time!)and Vegas for 4 nights (where I have to fit in the Celine Dion concert - laugh all you like!!!). Its a lot of driving, but they are the places we really want to see and I can't be bothered with waiting in airports - would rather be on the way! Just waiting for the flights to be released next month (we want to go in June) so I can get booking!

I'm not an expert on the areas by any means, but any more questions about LA / Anaheim and Vegas I'll be happy to try help!

That sounds like a great plan for next year - totally agree with rather be driving than sitting in an airport! Plus, if we can get a Mustang it would be DH's dream, lol!

I'm pretty sure my brother and SIL stayed in the Luxor and they really liked it. Thanks for the recommendations of which ones not to go for! There's enough Chavs where I live so don't want to be on holiday with them if I can help it

 

[originalkk]

My wife is on a course near LA this sumer, so I'm taking the kids (19 and 14, so hardly kids), on a trip around CA.

We are flying into Las Vegas (flights were cheaper into LV, out of LA than SF-LA), spending a couple of nights in LV, then driving up to Yosemite for a few nights. Across to SF for another few nights, then a leisurely drive down the pacific coast, stopping overnight in Monterey, Pismo Beach and Santa Monica. Disney had some discounts on the on-site hotels this year, so we booked the Disneyland Hotel for a week.

We'll use that as a base for some trips out as well as for the parks, as by then I think we'll have had enough of changing hotels every few days.

Returning the car to LAX and flying home.

It's costing quite a lot, but hopefully we'll have some great memories!

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

My wife is on a course near LA this sumer, so I'm taking the kids (19 and 14, so hardly kids), on a trip around CA.

We are flying into Las Vegas (flights were cheaper into LV, out of LA than SF-LA), spending a couple of nights in LV, then driving up to Yosemite for a few nights. Across to SF for another few nights, then a leisurely drive down the pacific coast, stopping overnight in Monterey, Pismo Beach and Santa Monica. Disney had some discounts on the on-site hotels this year, so we booked the Disneyland Hotel for a week.

We'll use that as a base for some trips out as well as for the parks, as by then I think we'll have had enough of changing hotels every few days.

Returning the car to LAX and flying home.

It's costing quite a lot, but hopefully we'll have some great memories!

Thanks for the info. Have just priced into SF and out of LA for similar dates this August (2011 not yet available) and the cheapest indirect flights are coming out at just over £700 pp. If we book through expedia, though, we will get Quidco cashback. Will look at prices of into LV and out of LA

It sounds like you will make some wonderful memories on your trip!

 

[dixonsontour]

We did a 16 night driving trip when we were younger (before we had our daughter)

Flew into LA. We stayed in Santa Monica - walking distance to the pier. We drove up the coast - santa barbara, pismo beach and carmel - it was a really stunning costline. Then stayed in San franscisco.

We then went to Yosemite - we actually stayed in a cabin there - booked through the parks service - this was a must do imo. Then lake tahoe.

We drove through death valley - a real trip highlight and drove to Vegas - nothing for miles then you just see the casinos. We styed in caesars palace on the strip. We enjoyed side trips to hoover dam and flew over grand canyon.

Finally we went to san diego before flying back out of LA.

Enjoy..would love to do it again one day when our daughter is older.

Planning wise - I used to get the holiday brochures with the fly drive tours in - Virgin do one and jetsave have one called route 66 aswell as those escorted coach trip ones - titan? - gives you a real idea of what is doable. Then used to use a rough guide or fodor's guide and plan away.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

We did a 16 night driving trip when we were younger (before we had our daughter)

Flew into LA. We stayed in Santa Monica - walking distance to the pier. We drove up the coast - santa barbara, pismo beach and carmel - it was a really stunning costline. Then stayed in San franscisco.

We then went to Yosemite - we actually stayed in a cabin there - booked through the parks service - this was a must do imo. Then lake tahoe.

We drove through death valley - a real trip highlight and drove to Vegas - nothing for miles then you just see the casinos. We styed in caesars palace on the strip. We enjoyed side trips to hoover dam and flew over grand canyon.

Finally we went to san diego before flying back out of LA.

Enjoy..would love to do it again one day when our daughter is older.

Planning wise - I used to get the holiday brochures with the fly drive tours in - Virgin do one and jetsave have one called route 66 aswell as those escorted coach trip ones - titan? - gives you a real idea of what is doable. Then used to use a rough guide or fodor's guide and plan away.

Thanks for your help - that's such a good idea to get the fly-drive brochures! Will definitely do that

I'm feeling excited as I think it is looking very feasible now. Might change if they cut public sector pay by 5% as that's both of us losing out, but if we escape that we can have our last big hurrah before moving onto parenthood!

 

[grannyed]

We did a 28 day trip last year.....flew into San Francisco and home from Las Vegas....and we stayed in Yosemite....Monteray....Santa Barbara.....Los Angeles......San Diego.......Sedona ....... and Las Vegas. Had a brilliant time and we did it all DIY........did lots or research on Trip Advisor ..... looking at each place that we wanted to stay at individually......folks on there were - on the whole - very helpful.

One thing not to miss is the drive from San Francisco down the coast road to Los Angeles....we did this over 2 days ......

we stayed in some nice hotels and none of them particularly expensive......but pushed the boat out in Vegas when we stayed at the Bellagio.......I still have all my holiday notes if you'd like any more details.

 

[c&m]

Your post caught my eye as I was about to click onto the Canadian boards. I'm currently planning our August trip to Las Vegas - some tips to pass on to you...

1. Figure out what hotels you want to stay at in Las Vegas, and sign up for their e-mail alerts. I've been getting some great rates via e-mail from the Wynn, Venetian, Mirage, Aria, and Vdara. I was torn between a $99 summer promotion at the Wynn vs. a $109 summer rate at the Aria. (We ended up choosing Aria because it's new and mid-strip, located behind the Bellagio.) Those are such good rates, since those hotels currently go for close to $200 on Expedia.

2. Go to Restaurant.com. They have discounted gift certificates to Vegas restaurants real cheap. Get on their mailing list too because you can get special codes that will give you 80% off on already discounted GCs (i.e., $10 GC is sold for $4, and then take off 80%,you pay only 80cents for the $10 GC). Get a Stripburger GC (located at the Fashion Show Mall on the strip). Great burgers, fries and shakes there. However, pay attention to the restrictions that apply for each restaurant.

3. Go to Travelzoo.com before you go on your trip. They display deals on Vegas shows. Or you can just go to a TKTS booth for same-day show ticket discounts. There're TKTS booths in different locations. The one I know of is in the ground floor of the Fashion Show Mall on the strip.

Hope that helps you!

 

[disneyholic family]

fly-drive is the way to go when you visit california....so many things to see there...

as for DL, we stayed at Disney's Grand Californian and really liked being able to pop up to our room whenever we wanted...it's a beautiful hotel and you can't get any more conveniently located than it is...

after DL, we flew to Las Vegas - i originally had us there for 4 days, but we hated it so much, we left after 3 (and that cost me a bundle to change the flights, but we really hated it there)...

we ended our trip with 3 days in New York, which we also enjoyed very much.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

We did a 28 day trip last year.....flew into San Francisco and home from Las Vegas....and we stayed in Yosemite....Monteray....Santa Barbara.....Los Angeles......San Diego.......Sedona ....... and Las Vegas. Had a brilliant time and we did it all DIY........did lots or research on Trip Advisor ..... looking at each place that we wanted to stay at individually......folks on there were - on the whole - very helpful.

One thing not to miss is the drive from San Francisco down the coast road to Los Angeles....we did this over 2 days ......

we stayed in some nice hotels and none of them particularly expensive......but pushed the boat out in Vegas when we stayed at the Bellagio.......I still have all my holiday notes if you'd like any more details.

Oh, I would love your notes please! Might help me with my planning a bit!!

 

[Chilly]

Oh, I would love your notes please! Might help me with my planning a bit!!

Me to if you don't mind!

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

Thank you everyone for your tips - it's making me feel much more confident about organising it all now

c&m - thanks for dropping by, those tips are fantastic!

 

[j9000]

If you want a good location in LA there is a hotel in hollywood called the orchid suites, it has the worst view possible (a wall) BUT its the back wall of the Kodak theatre, and you can walk to the Graumans Chinese theatre in all of 3 minutes.

few recommendations of things to do aside from the obvious (disney/universal etc)

Ameoba music - great second hand music store on sunset easy to spend hours in, and spend $100s in

Warner Brothers Studio - expensive, but the best thing i did on my trip, 3 hour tour some on foot around a REAL studio with an amazing guide.

Balboa Park San Diego - lots of small museums, the botanical house is amazing.

Reagan Presidential Library - Air force one is there, and is a great view.

if you like poison, guns n roses and stuff like that, take a trip on a monday night down sunset have a drink at the rainbow and see Steel Panther play, or catch them in las vegas, great comedy cover band.

and In-n-out burger,
there is a great one about 5-10 walk from the orchid suites down on sunset, drive through had about 15 cars queued when i walked past.

Best thing i can reccomend is the 'Dorean Kinsley' (spelling?) guide to california, will help you decide what to do according to your tastes,
there is ALOT of things to appeal to alot of different people.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

If you want a good location in LA there is a hotel in hollywood called the orchid suites, it has the worst view possible (a wall) BUT its the back wall of the Kodak theatre, and you can walk to the Graumans Chinese theatre in all of 3 minutes.

few recommendations of things to do aside from the obvious (disney/universal etc)

Ameoba music - great second hand music store on sunset easy to spend hours in, and spend $100s in

Warner Brothers Studio - expensive, but the best thing i did on my trip, 3 hour tour some on foot around a REAL studio with an amazing guide.

Balboa Park San Diego - lots of small museums, the botanical house is amazing.

Reagan Presidential Library - Air force one is there, and is a great view.

if you like poison, guns n roses and stuff like that, take a trip on a monday night down sunset have a drink at the rainbow and see Steel Panther play, or catch them in las vegas, great comedy cover band.

and In-n-out burger,
there is a great one about 5-10 walk from the orchid suites down on sunset, drive through had about 15 cars queued when i walked past.

Best thing i can reccomend is the 'Dorean Kinsley' (spelling?) guide to california, will help you decide what to do according to your tastes,
there is ALOT of things to appeal to alot of different people.

Some more fantastic tips, thank you! I particularly like the sounds of the Warner Bros tour (I'm a Drama teacher) and the Steel Panther gig

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

If you want a good location in LA there is a hotel in hollywood called the orchid suites, it has the worst view possible (a wall) BUT its the back wall of the Kodak theatre, and you can walk to the Graumans Chinese theatre in all of 3 minutes.

.

Do you know if the hotel had parking available or not? Cheers!

 

[j9000]

Poohs honey pot,
it does and is (or was when i went) included in the room price,
its an secure locked underground lot, and the only way in is with a key, and in a week of staying there i never managed to get the car within an arms distance of the entry panel! very embarrassing!

if you punch orchid suites, or orchid suites hollywood into google maps it will show up, and its pin is in the right place, right behind the kodak / hollywood & highlands complex

if they charge for parking, i think the comfort inn on sunset is free & around the same price.

Scamp,
if you like SP's album or even if you have seen them in the UK the Los Angeles and Vegas shows are different as its about 90% covers, plus in LA loads of people show up,
a friend took me in 08, we went to the rainbow first, spotting Bruce Kulluck (ex Kiss) & Ron Jeremy
at the show on stage & in the crowd was Ron (again) Sum41, Dave Navarro, Matt Sorum (g&r) Juliet Lewis and Avril Lavigne,
it was a good night