California - Anyone been?

Rexxar

Rexxar

Rexxar

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Joined
13 May 2010
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1,642
Heya guys,

Thinking of going to California for a week, but not sure if its better/worse than Florida ?

Mainly going for a bit of sight seeing, beaches, and to recharge away from the UK... Have done NYC before so dont want to do that again,

Suggestions / Recommendations?

Rob.
 
Week is way way too short for a first visit.

The state is sooooo much better then the state of Florida.
 
We did the Route 66 thing. Drove from LA, 2 nights in Hollywood then went north to Santa Barbara for a night, then Carmel for a night, then San Francisco for 2 nights.
Then drove to Vegas for a week, now that was fun :D

Got to say Santa Barbara was beautiful, Hollywood was a dump and San Francisco quite nice but very expensive. Most of California is more expensive than Florida too.

Try this for more info: http://www.visitcalifornia.co.uk/
 
I went last year and wrote a huge therad about it. It's fantastic but a week there is a complete waste of time and money - you need 2, its simply too far with too much to see that is too spread out to do a week.
 
Yep, did a similar trip to Mr Fox there last year and as he says a week is far too short. With flight times and time difference you only really have 5 full days there which is maybe enough to do LA and the surrounding area/attractions.

If you can afford it, do two weeks and start in San Francisco then drive to Yosemite Park, back out to Pacific Coast Highway and down to LA. Then end up in Vegas. Here is my thread on our trip in which we did just that from last year:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18131244

The itinerary was:

Arrive SF, eat, crash out after 20+ of being awake and travelling!
Day 2 in SF- Alcatraz, tram ride + shopping
Day 3 in SF- Free time- do touristy stuff
Day 4- Pick up car, drive to Yosemite Park, look at big trees, waterfalls and mountains then head down to Oakhurst for the night. Long day of driving but the only way we could do it.
Day 5- Drive to Monterey. Check out the Aquarium and Cannery Row
Day 6. Still in Monterey, do 17 Mile Drive, have lunch at Pebble Beach and check out Carmel.
Day 7. Drive through Big Sur to San Luis Obispo and stay at the Madonna Inn for 4 July!
Day 8. On to Santa Monica. Check out Venice Beach/ Santa Monica Pier
Day 9. Sightseeing on a tourbus in LA
Day 10. Sightseeing on tourbus in LA
Day 11. VEGAS BABYYYYYYY. Drive up to Vegas and hit the gun store en route
Day 12. Canyon South Rim. Gotta be done.
Day 13-16 More Vegas shenanigens!
 
I personally thinking Starting and Finishing at LA is the best bet - you don't cover old ground twice, the whole area is perfectly set up for a triangular tour and flight prices to LA are cheaper than either Vegas or San Francisco.
 
I'd happily go for a week as long as you're happy travelling that far for only a week long visit.

As you've probably gathered by now there is enough to see to fill many a year.

My highlight is Yosemite. Been there a couple of times now and it's one of my favourite places in the world.

A word of warning though it gets VERY busy at peak times. This can spoil the experience when you're in the main parts of the valley.

I wouldn't bother going there for a beach relaxation time though, there are nice beaches closer and cheaper. It has so much more to offer.

P.S. If you can get to Racetrack Playa to see the moving stones...it's surreal. Having said that, the last time I went I couldn't get there (flash flood had destroyed the track). The first time I went there I nearly died trying to get out!
 
I lived in la for 15 years, and what they say is right. There's a week worth of fun in la let alone all of ca. I suggest hitting six flags for some of the best rollercoasters in the world, or hit the house of blues for a night out in la. Santa Monica pier is a cool but cheaper night on the lash too. Avoid the city though, its mainly ghetto. Drive up pch for a nice coastal drive northwards, or head east to Vegas. There's just loads
 
I did this a few years ago then got a greyhound bus back from san fran to LA

la-to-the-bay-2011-map-300x210.gif
 
I have simply no idea why somebody would wish to do San Diego to Pheonix instead of San Fran to LA, Highway 1 is simply epic and world Famous, the highway from SD to Pheonix...isn't :p
 
[TW]Fox;19241695 said:
I personally thinking Starting and Finishing at LA is the best bet - you don't cover old ground twice, the whole area is perfectly set up for a triangular tour and flight prices to LA are cheaper than either Vegas or San Francisco.
Click to expand...

[TW]Fox;19241844 said:
I have simply no idea why somebody would wish to do San Diego to Pheonix instead of San Fran to LA, Highway 1 is simply epic and world Famous, the highway from SD to Pheonix...isn't :p
Click to expand...

Well sometimes needs must and that's all they can do. However as you said earlier if you did that above route and then drove south from SF to LA it'd really be perfect.

I agree that Hwy1, The Big Sur is a fantastic place/route to tour by car.
 
[TW]Fox;19248557 said:
I actually did play California Girls whilst driving down Highway 1 with the roof off my Mustang :D
Click to expand...

Shock as Fox lets slip his human nature. The BMW stats chronicle will disapprove!!!!

:D:D:D

We had the Pretty Wreckless album on CD most of the first trip, cracking album for the road trip and it didn't help I forgot to burn any other CDs :p

OP, come into Motors and search fo Vegas/LA/Roadtrip etc and you will see our threads.
 
[TW]Fox;19248610 said:
Road tripping the USA is just so awesome.

4 months to go :(
Click to expand...

1 month and 1 week until: yellowstone, grand tetons, bryce canyon, capitol reef, canyon lands, arches, horse show canyon, goblin state, zion, great salt lake, wasatch mountains...

First time for some of these including yellowstone and the tetons, returning to many of the Utah parks
 
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