Road Tripping in the USA!

[kinobestew123]

Ok thanks. We're probably going to go with 2 medium-large holdalls/soft cases and a rucksack each. Hopefully it'll fit!

Am I right in assuming that Alamo will likely have the newer 2014 (?) onwards model? From what I can find it seems to have slightly more boot space than the previous version.

We got a 2015 model which had done 8k miles so must have only been round a few weeks.

In terms of the boot space, we thought it was pretty large. We had two tripp holiday 4 suitcases (these ones http://www.tripp.co.uk/products/1891-tripp-holiday-4-4-wheel-medium-suitcase-black) as well as two normal sized rucksacks (like school bags). And they fit with bags of space for coats, shoes, crates of water and cans of pop to be put around them.

On and unless I'm missing something in the newer models the roof up or roof down doesn't seem to make any difference to boot space? The roof didn't retract into the boot.

 

[[TW]Fox]

We got a 2015 model which had done 8k miles so must have only been round a few weeks.

They've been in the fleet since late last year.

 

[[TW]Fox]

How many days would you spend driving down the PCH? I've currently budgeted for 3 days (arriving back at LAX approx. 6pm on the last day) with two overnight stops on the way. I can see that getting pushed down to 2 days with one overnight stop if any of the rest of our trip runs over. Is it worth saving 3 days to do it or would 2 days still be enough time to enjoy it at a relaxed (ish) pace?

We did:

San Francisco to Carmel (1 night)
Carmel to Morro Bay (1 night)
Morro Bay to Los Angeles

I wouldn't have wanted to cover it any quicker than this.

 

[RobHu]

We got a 2015 model which had done 8k miles so must have only been round a few weeks.

In terms of the boot space, we thought it was pretty large. We had two tripp holiday 4 suitcases (these ones http://www.tripp.co.uk/products/1891-tripp-holiday-4-4-wheel-medium-suitcase-black) as well as two normal sized rucksacks (like school bags). And they fit with bags of space for coats, shoes, crates of water and cans of pop to be put around them.

On and unless I'm missing something in the newer models the roof up or roof down doesn't seem to make any difference to boot space? The roof didn't retract into the boot.

Great, we should be fine then!

Anyone see any problems/have any advice/hotel recommendations with this route:

• Fly into LAX
• LA (Either Hollywood area or Santa Monica probably) 2 nights
• SD (Unsure on area here) 3 nights
• LV (Staying at the A r i a) 3 nights
• Mammoth Lakes 1 night
• Yosemite Park (Camp curry) 1 night
• SF 2 nights
• Monterey 1 night
• San Luis Obispo or Pismo Beach 1 night
• Santa Barbara 1 night
• Fly home from LAX

 

[tlrBeta]

Great, we should be fine then!

Anyone see any problems/have any advice/hotel recommendations with this route:

• Fly into LAX
• LA (Either Hollywood area or Santa Monica probably) 2 nights
• SD (Unsure on area here) 3 nights
• LV (Staying at the A r i a) 3 nights
• Mammoth Lakes 1 night
• Yosemite Park (Camp curry) 1 night
• SF 2 nights
• Monterey 1 night
• San Luis Obispo or Pismo Beach 1 night
• Santa Barbara 1 night
• Fly home from LAX

Obviously a very busy holiday (as was mine), just my thoughts on this.

In SD, any particular reason you're doing 3 nights? Just my opinion would be to add an extra night in Yosemite or alternatively, add an additional night in San Fran? (it really is a great place)

Are you visiting the Grand Canyon from LV?

How are you getting from LV to Mammoth / Yosemite? These two areas are beautiful, what is it you're planning to do? You might be trying to push it too much trying to get it all in. It's a long old drive through DV to Mammoth, 1 night there, then you're heading out immediately to Yosemite for another night? Are you seeing any of it at all?

 

[[TW]Fox]

Great, we should be fine then!

Anyone see any problems/have any advice/hotel recommendations with this route:

• Fly into LAX
• LA (Either Hollywood area or Santa Monica probably) 2 nights
• SD (Unsure on area here) 3 nights
• LV (Staying at the A r i a) 3 nights
• Mammoth Lakes 1 night
• Yosemite Park (Camp curry) 1 night
• SF 2 nights
• Monterey 1 night
• San Luis Obispo or Pismo Beach 1 night
• Santa Barbara 1 night
• Fly home from LAX

Pretty much exactly what my itinerary was (Though we stayed either side of Yosemite rather than in it).

Worked fine but you only need 3 nights in SD if you have plans there. Otherwise 2 is more than enough.

 

[RobHu]

I've budgeted 3 nights in SD because my gf wants to go to the zoo and potentially sea world as well. Could trim it down to 2 nights and leave LA very early but we then wouldn't have a lot of time to explore the city.

Probably won't be visiting the GC unfortunately. I'd like to but the 4 hour each way drive is a bit much for one day and my girlfriend isn't the best flyer so a journey on a small plane is a nono. The 3 nights there will be all shows and gambling !

It does seem like the stop in Mammoth might be a bit wasted because we likely won't make it there until later in the afternoon and then will want to leave early for Yosemite the next day. It does make for a shorter drive to Yosemite as opposed to somewhere like Bishop though?

In Yosemite we'll be doing 1 or 2 of the shorter hikes - One when we arrive and possibly another before leaving for SF the next day.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I've budgeted 3 nights in SD because my gf wants to go to the zoo and potentially sea world as well. Could trim it down to 2 nights and leave LA very early but we then wouldn't have a lot of time to explore the city.

That is exactly why we did 3 nights there too - one day for the Zoo, one for Sea World and late afternoons in San Diego.

It does seem like the stop in Mammoth might be a bit wasted because we likely won't make it there until later in the afternoon and then will want to leave early for Yosemite the next day. It does make for a shorter drive to Yosemite as opposed to somewhere like Bishop though?

We stayed in Bishop. It seemed like the right place as it wasn't THAT far from Death Valley nor that far to Yosemite the next day. It was also nice to not have to drive too far after Death Valley as it stopped us feeling time pressured and meant we got to see everything we wanted there.

The only downside of Bishop it's simply a generic small town, which is cool but don't expect to stay anywhere better than the Ramada Inn or a Super8. It's just not a nice hotel kinda place.

 

[Peerzy]

Mammoth Lakes was a really cool place. We arrived late (having driven from Vegas through Death Valley) and went for some drinks at a ski bar place and it was really good.

The next morning we spend a few hours driving around the lakes.

It's probably only 30-40 minutes further than Bishop and will give you the option to explore and see some cool places if you want.

I did 4 nights in San Diego and could have done another one but we loved the whole vibe and the bars and restaurants. We stayed in a hotel called La Pensione Hotel and the location was ideal. 5 minutes walk to all the bars and places to eat, 5 minutes to the sea and about 30 minutes walk to Seaport Village. We only needed the car to go to the Zoo.

The hotel we stayed in was good and I'd stay there again (although the rooms were on the smaller side).

We also did Monterey (1 night), San Luis Obispo (1 night) and Santa Barbara and the distances and times felt good.

For LA I'd actually look at staying in a nicer hotel that isn't right on the beach. LA is so big you have to drive everywhere anyway so you might as well get a better hotel, San Diego being the complete opposite.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Mammoth Lakes was a really cool place. We arrived late (having driven from Vegas through Death Valley) and went for some drinks at a ski bar place and it was really good.

The next morning we spend a few hours driving around the lakes.

It's probably only 30-40 minutes further than Bishop and will give you the option to explore and see some cool places if you want.

You have to drive past it to get to Yosemite anyway so we just visited it the next morning, I think we stopped and got lunch there.

 

[Peerzy]

You have to drive past it to get to Yosemite anyway so we just visited it the next morning, I think we stopped and got lunch there.

Fair enough, Mammoth Lakes was slightly cheaper than Bishop to stay and gave us somewhere nice to go in the evening when we arrived (we arrived at about 7pm, used the hot tub for an hour and then walked into the village for some really good food and drinks.

 

[One More Solo]

Just back from 2 and a a bit weeks driving round California. Thoughts:

-Had an awesome time
-We got a 2015 Mustang with 0.4 miles on the clock - I wasn't expecting to like this car as much as I did but it was a blast and surprisingly comfortable for long days. Only I drove and we did Vegas to Mammoth Lakes in one day and felt relatively fresh at the end of it. Shame about the awful USA speed limits!
-Virgin economy on the 787 is actually great although we got moved to a bulkhead seat due to my wife being stuck next to someone who took up two seats.
-Virgin economy on the A340 is appalling and the seat pitch is worse than Ryanair (or feels it). Probably the most uncomfortable long haul flight I've ever done. Service was nothing to write home about on the return leg either.
-California is a very expensive place to visit!

We overnighted in:
LA (2 nights)
SD (2)
Vegas (3)
Mammoth Lakes (1)
Modesto (1)
SF (2, although we stayed in San Rafael as SF is a rip off)
Santa Cruz (1)
San Luis Obispo (1)
Ventura (1)

This felt like a good way to break the trip up - if you've done Vegas before I'd lose a night there for maybe one more in San Diego. We loved Vegas but I'd happily spend more time in San Diego, my second visit there and I can see more happening in the future. Alternatively, one night in LA is more than enough, we only spent 2 as we arrived Saturday and went to see U2 on the Sunday night.

I thought I'd be booking a saloon/SUV for our next trip stateside but the new Mustang is a really versatile, nice driving car IMO.

 

[shrek2]

Has anyone ever rented from Budget in LAX? What are the queues like?

 

[[TW]Fox]

Has anyone ever rented from Budget in LAX? What are the queues like?

Rent from Avis instead if you want Budget - same firm but you can join Avis Preferred for free. This means when you arrive there is no queue as your car and documents are ready for you without visiting the counter. Budget do a similar scheme called FastBreak which I joined but they were just awful and I spent ages faffing at the desk when I used them in Seattle. Avis was a breeze.

 

[Peerzy]

Just under 2 weeks until I go now, very exciting!

Any reason for me to not take the shortest and quickest route to Portland (coming from Salt Lake City with a stop in Boise);

 

[Capt Doufos]

You should take the shortest, otherwise you will miss out on Columbia River Gorge which is a scenic byway.

http://columbiariverhighway.com/

I would note there are roads both sides of the river though, I'm not 100% sure on which is the most scenic, but obviously the i84 will be quickest.

 

[[TW]Fox]

The scenic by way is on the same side as the I84 and the I84 for many miles prior is also stunningly scenic.

The highlighted route is the best.

 

[Peerzy]

Lovely thanks guys, any comments the two below routes;

Lethbridge to Helena (via Glacier NP);

I've picked to go around Flathead Lake and Missoula but should I be taking the 82 via Seely Lake;

Yellowstone NP to Salt Lake City - I remember someone saying to go via the 89 hence the 'odd route';

 

[FinglisHobbit]

Just got back today from our west coast trip. Was amazing. Landed in San Fran.

Did..

SF for 3 nights
Yosemite for 2 nights
LA for 2 nights
San Diego for 3 nights over comic con weekend
Palm springs for 1 night
Grand Canyon for a night to see sunrise and set.
Vegas for 2 nights.

4th of July in San Francisco and yosemite were probably highlights.

Overall a fantastic Road trip holiday. Speed limits are low and I'm kinda worried I was going too fast everywhere. Hopefully no backlash from that.

I recommend it to anyone.

 

[Capt Doufos]

Lovely thanks guys, any comments the two below routes;

Yellowstone NP to Salt Lake City - I remember someone saying to go via the 89 hence the 'odd route';

Personally I would come through Grand Teton national park (as that's what I did) The Teton's are a good visit, however after Glacier the Rockies around Jackson Hole (Tetons) and SLC may not be so scenic.

My photos' aren't online anymore but just google image seach Grand Teton and you will get the idea. I really enjoyed it and think the Tetons/Yellowstone as a Duo have to be one of the best National Parks. I didn't get to Glacier / the Going to the Sun road. I would really love to do it.