Californian Roadtrip HUUUR

[ote1]

An hour south of SF on the coast there's a nature reserve, Ano Nuevo, it's an elephant seal breeding ground. Worth going to see, they're quite impressive. One of the highlights of my trip.

Spent time further north of SF, didn't go much south (only down to Yosemite and back). If you venture north of SF then Point Reyes is quite beautiful. I also found it somewhat less 'American' than the rest which I liked. We went as far north as Fort Bragg. Stopped in Mendocino which was really nice. We then went off to Lake Tahoe to ski at Heavenly (Dec). Even if if it wasn't for skiing I'd definitely recommend. I'd love to go back walking there. It was amazing looking towards Lake Tahoe from the top of a mountain and on one side seeing the lake and lush forests covered in snow and on the other seeing a vast, deserty plane with a few mountains. A little trip into the wine valleys near SF might be a bit of fun, too.

 

[Nitefly]

Actually most car rental firms do not charge for one-way rentals within California and Neveda so that's probably not an issue.

I will have to investigate this further then, but in any case it's an interesting point to note for future trips.

This is presumably because you are going more than 4 months from now, currently there are little in the way of discounted fares for West Coast destinations and pretty much everywhere is the same price. Closer the time you will begin to see offers popping up - you can get to LAX for between £480 and £580 when decent deals are around but it's unlikely that somewhere like San Diego will get much lower than it is now. It's simple supply and demand - British Airways run the only direct flight to San Diego so can charge what they like for it.

A couple of supplementary points (edit - I changes my mind, they are all relevant):

1. There is very little scope for me booking prolonged holiday (heck, any holiday) at relatively short notice. This trip will need to be booked soon (in the relative sense).
   
2. The direct flights I've found with British Airways are £710 directs to San Diego and out of Vegas, which I find relatively wholesome, pending my decision on the best route. At a glance, if I book not with LA returns it's from £550 with a poop carrier and luggage / food / hidden costs. I appreciate that cash savings can be made, but see the final paragraph of my post.
   
3. 1-2 considered, I'm aware (and almost concerned) that life will get in the way of booking the trip at a later date, particularly for my friend who is domiciled abroad.

You said:

I don't want the faff of driving to San Diego from LA '

San Diego from LA is 2 hours, not 5. If you instead meant Las Vegas not LA then yes, thats 5 hours, though it's still a drive thats worth ticking a box for - not very often you'll get the chance to drive along a freeway through a searing hot desert. It's another one of those experiences to tick.

Yes, this was confusing, apologies. My considered alternative was flying into LA and out of Vegas, which actually seems more expensive than San Diego. I've also heard, on my timescale, that LA is the place to cut out if you are looking for more time.

What is about the triangle route most people do that you don't like? It is absolutely ideal and covers all the best bits with the benefit of being the most likely source of cheaper fares. It was my first US road trip and having now done many more and learnt a lot more about the planning there is still little I'd change if I did it again. It just works so well as a first road trip and an introduction to everything the US has to offer

We started and finished at LAX and covered everything you wish to cover and more besides in exactly the same 16 day timescale you have allowed. It didn't feel rushed at any point and there was always something to see at every stage of the route If you go anti clockwise from LA down to San Diego first you don't get that '5 hour drive before a flight' you don't like the sound of. Instead, it becomes a day of road tripping across the Mojave Desert heading for the bright lights of Vegas. What is there not to like about that

Again, it's just a time consideration really. My actual timescale involves flying out on a weekday and then back again on the same weekday but two weeks later (equating to 12 days annual leave, which is pushing my luck), so it's not quite 16 full days. Of course, the drive would be fun, but against the backdrop of additional info I have just delivered, that's why it's something I'm inclined to cut. If I had the flexibility (holiday allowance and booking holiday that far in advance) to do the complete loop, then I'd most certainly be jumping up and down for it. Yes, I appreciate it's only 5 hours... but it is 5 hours nonetheless.

All of the above considered, what are your thoughts? Many thanks for your help!

 

[[TW]Fox]

[*]There is very little scope for me booking prolonged holiday (heck, any holiday) at relatively short notice. This trip will need to be booked soon (in the relative sense).

Just book the holiday and book the flights later - it's no issue. I've already booked the holiday for mine and I doubt I'll get the flights booked until May or June time as I never seem to get a decent deal until about 3-4 months out. The absolute furthest in advance I've ever booked was 5 months before departure - last year it was 2 months before departure that I booked. The trip planning and date selection commenced long in advance, but I just waited it out until I was happy with the flight prices. Getting a decent price can be a very frustrating task at times. The best thing to do is learn what constitutes a good fare and wait until one pops up.

[*]The direct flights I've found with British Airways are £710 directs to San Diego and out of Vegas, which I find relatively wholesome, pending my decision on the best route. At a glance, if I book not with LA returns it's from £550 with a poop carrier and luggage / food / hidden costs. I appreciate that cash savings can be made, but see the final paragraph of my post.

£700 is a lot of money for a flight to the West Coast of the US in June. You could get to Australia for similar money, to give you an idea. The prices you are seeing now are expensive - it's obviously entirely up to you but I wouldn't be looking to book at that pricepoint.

Look at the sort of offers available if you travel within the next 3 months. Air New Zealand, arguably the best carrier between the UK and the USA, can get you to LAX, return, for just £470 date dependant. You might not be able to do quite that well in June but you'll be able to get a good carrier for less than £710.

[*]1-2 considered, I'm aware (and almost concerned) that life will get in the way of booking the trip at a later date, particularly for my friend who is domiciled abroad.[/LIST]

I don't really see how this is a thing. There is nothing stopping you agreeing the dates, concreting them into your diary and then booking the flights when a deal comes up. The flights wont sell out, you won't find yourself unable to travel on your desired dates

Yes, this was confusing, apologies. My considered alternative was flying into LA and out of Vegas, which actually seems more expensive than San Diego. I've also heard, on my timescale, that LA is the place to cut out if you are looking for more time.

Totally agree here. I found Los Angeles was a total hole. Definately skip it if you don't have a burning desire to see it. It's a great place to fly into and rent a car out of but thats about it. It's a gateway to a fantastic state rather than a destination in itself, IMHO. Others may disagree.

All of the above considered, what are your thoughts? Many thanks for your help!

No problem. I could talk for hours and hours on this subject, I absolutely *love* these trips.

I'm doing Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico in September hopefully

 

[Nitefly]

Just book the holiday and book the flights later - it's no issue. I've already booked the holiday for mine and I doubt I'll get the flights booked until May or June time as I never seem to get a decent deal until about 3-4 months out. The absolute furthest in advance I've ever booked was 5 months before departure - last year it was 2 months before departure that I booked. The trip planning and date selection commenced long in advance, but I just waited it out until I was happy with the flight prices. Getting a decent price can be a very frustrating task at times. The best thing to do is learn what constitutes a good fare and wait until one pops up.

...

I don't really see how this is a thing. There is nothing stopping you agreeing the dates, concreting them into your diary and then booking the flights when a deal comes up. The flights wont sell out, you won't find yourself unable to travel on your desired dates

Alas, in this instance, I anticipate life is likely to get in the way as my friend has strings pulling him in other directions. I recall making an almost identical thread about 2 years ago, but my friend pulled out / couldn't commit because he was moving countries and his job was uncertain - I cannot find it via search so I assume it has been pruned (maybe). I'm in exactly in the same boat now, this time he is possibly moving back to the UK! So yes, it's not as concrete as I'd like it to be, but it's promising.

Also, in my experience, do flight prices tend not to fluctuate wildly depending on exact dates? Perhaps not in a 'sale'.

I'm doing Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico in September hopefully

Nice

Just to ask again, what is the feasibility of completing the classic 'JanesyB loop' should I fly in on Day 1 and then out on Day 15?

 

[[TW]Fox]

Just to ask again, what is the feasibility of completing the classic 'JanesyB loop' should I fly in on Day 1 and then out on Day 15?

It's entirely feasible, his loop is exactly the trip I did and I did exactly that.

Looked up my old rental car reservation... 15 days.

 

[Kol]

Fox, unless I've missed it, who would you recommend for car hire? We are going to do your recommended route 28/05>12/06. Flights booked. Just need to sort car hire and hotels along the way.

Cheers.

 

[Glaucus]

Personally I wouldn't book hotels (other than first night), unless there somewhere you really want to stay or it's a known busy area, as it ties you down. Booking on the way is easy enough, everywhere has WiFi so you can check the webs.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Fox, unless I've missed it, who would you recommend for car hire? We are going to do your recommended route 28/05>12/06. Flights booked. Just need to sort car hire and hotels along the way.

Cheers.

I mostly use Alamo - I like how in theory they have long lines of each class and you pick the car you want. Currently I have found booking Car Hire Only through Virginholidays.co.uk is the cheapest source (Note, it must be Car Hire Only, if you book a flight+car deal you don't get the included insurance!). Also try uscarhire.com and Alamo.co.uk.

All three of these options should give you all the insurance you need with zero excess and nothing to purchase once you get there (Though check Virgin Holidays first, as I've only personal experience of the latter two).

Booked my flights and car yesterday too

 

[[TW]Fox]

Personally I wouldn't book hotels (other than first night), unless there somewhere you really want to stay or it's a known busy area, as it ties you down. Booking on the way is easy enough, everywhere has WiFi so you can check the webs.

There are pros and cons of both methods. I've done both pre-book and sort it out when you get there and what I tend to do now is a hybrid of both where I book the first 60-70% and leave the last bit.

Not booking at all gives you ultimate flexibility - you can change your mind, you can stay longer if you find somewhere nicer than you were expecting, etc.

But it has disadvantages too - I find that by booking in advance you can get nicer hotels for less money than the walkin rate by taking advantage of non refundable discount rates. It's also quite nice to do all your planning and research in the months before you go - I've had a few evenings where I've spent too much time faffing around on the laptop working out a) where to go the next day and b) where I might stay.

So what I tend to do now is plan the whole thing out and book most of the hotels and just leave the last 4-5 nights flexible.

Both are good options, though.

 

[Kol]

Thanks Fox. Alamo ~$966/£650 (CDW was extra!), through Virgin holidays (who use Alamo it would appear) all inclusive, £433. I'll check the UK alamo site and the others.

Out of interest, what did you go for? Would you recommend the Convertible (Mustang or similar?).

 

[Tunney]

I agree with what's been said. Make sure you do Highway 1 north to south so that you're driving on the ocean side of the road. Also, I always try to avoid flying in/out of LAX. The flights there can be pretty cheap but it's a terrible airport.

 

[Freakbro]

I'd love to do something like this too, roughly what's your overall budget if you don't mind me asking?

 

[[TW]Fox]

The CDW is not extra with Alamo – if you are being quoted a price in dollars exclusive of CDW you are using the wrong website – use .co.uk and it will quote in sterling and quote a rate fully inclusive of all insurance (With a little ‘FULLY INC’ logo at the side). That said, for me at the moment Virgin Holidays undercut Alamo direct anyway.

We did California in the Mustang Convertible – it’s really not a very good car (Cheap interior, crap gearbox, limited luggage space) but California in a Mustang just felt like one of those things that had to be done. Now I’ve ticked the box I’ve not rented one since and never would again but for the first trip it’s probably your best bet. People in the UK have a really very romantic view of what is actually a fairly ordinary car over there. With a convertible reservation at Alamo you will find a row from which to choose what you want – it could contain either Chrysler 200’s (Awful, awful cars), Mustang’s or Camaros. The latter two are the ones to pick.

 

[Peerzy]

I'd love to do something like this too, roughly what's your overall budget if you don't mind me asking?

I did this exact trip last year (for 3 weeks) and roughly I found it worked out at £1000 per person per week for everything. This included absolutely everything (flights, hotels, car, parking, tickets, food, drink, shopping, petrol etc....).

So the entire 3 week trip for me and my partner was roughly £6k.

 

[Amp34]

That seems really expensive for what it is? I guess the hotels were a significant chunk of that though?

 

[Peerzy]

That seems really expensive for what it is? I guess the hotels were a significant chunk of that though?

It was easily the best holiday we've ever had.

Flights were roughly £550 each, then I averaged about £70 per night for hotels over 21 nights. Car was £700, food and drink was probably £50-£60 per day on average. It included about £500 of shopping, show tickets in Vegas etc......

Personally for £3k I thought it was good value for money. People happily spend £2k for 2 weeks all inclusive somewhere like Egypt with Easyjet flights.

 

[RobHu]

Booked my flights and car yesterday too

You said you were going in September right? Who're you flying with/what price did you get in the end? I booked mine last week - £510 with American (might be an experience as I've heard their economy legroom is...poor, but oh well).

 

[[TW]Fox]

Air New Zealand, they are the first to compete with that AA pricing. Paid 470

AA will be fine as they use the brand new 777-300's on that route, you even get in flight WiFi.

 

[TrixiBuG]

Thanks Fox. Alamo ~$966/£650 (CDW was extra!), through Virgin holidays (who use Alamo it would appear) all inclusive, £433. I'll check the UK alamo site and the others.

Out of interest, what did you go for? Would you recommend the Convertible (Mustang or similar?).

Check out RentalCars.com

They have Alamo, Dollar, National etc on their books and the rates include ALL insurance with nothing to pay when you get there.

As long as you return the car to a depot within California, Nevada or Arizona then there are no one way charges (check your T&C's tho)

For a full size 5 door car for the dates you were looking at Kol, its working out at £350. Get a premium package to include your additional drivers and first tank of fuel (well worth it if you want an extra driver) for £410 ish

 

[RobHu]

Wow that's a great deal! NZ were nowhere near for my dates and unfortunately I don't have much flexibility.

AA may use nice new planes but their economy seat pitch is only an inch more than ryan air !