If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Feedback on West coast trip route
Hi,
I think I've finalized my West coast trip plan, just wanted to get some feedback / comments on it. Any suggestions or improvements would be greatly appreciated... 1. Depart from New York, arrive at Las Vegas. Stay for 3 days (2 nights). 2. Flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Rent a car, spend 4 days in LA (including 1 day of Six Flags). 3. Leave LA in the morning, drive to Santa Barbara, stop there for 2-3 hours. 4. Drive to Hearst Castle, 2-3 hour visit. 5. Drive to Carmel, stay for the night. 6. Leave Carmel in morning, take the 17-mile drive. 7. Drive to Gilroy, stop for some outlet shopping. 8. Drive to San Fransisco (arriving at night), stay an additional 4 full days in SF. 9. Back home This trip was planned with an average of 12 days available. I can squeeze another 1-3 days if a nice improvement / addition can be made... Thanks in advance to all who can help. Danny |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Feedback on West coast trip route
Driving from Santa Barbara to Carmel will take all day not including
stops. Just as an FYI, I used to stay in King City, CA. We left at noon to go to Monterey (less than two hours), to drive to Big Sur, and take Nacimiento-Ferguson and Jolon Road back to King City. It was dark (in Summer) before we even got to the turnoff to start heading home. Let's just say it took 10 hours, and we didn't even drive the whole thing. I'd advise you to ditch a day somewhere and plan one day for Santa Barbara and Hearst Castle, and stay in San Simeon or Cambria, then spend one day just driving to Monterey. There's lots to see and do in Monterey, so if you see the 17 mile drive, visit something else, like the Aquarium, look at geese at one of the city's many parks, drive up to Santa Cruz, and plan to be in San Francisco the following day (and you can leave early enough to do your outlet shopping). There's lots to do everywhere you are going, but take it from someone who just did a one month road trip (4200 miles), I have now had the pleasure of stopping in half a dozen places I need to go back to on the next road trip. I wasn't in a situation to cut things short because I was 1500 miles from where I started, and only had five days left to get back to the rental depot. Just my input... I've spent many months in California. Another note, if you're interested in Six Flags, don't bother with Disneyland. It's crowded (all year round, and I was there in March, after the school breaks mind you...) it's overpriced. You'll spend 42 dollars or whatever it costs now, per adult, to wait over an hour to buy lunch, and you might get about a dozen rides in, if you're lucky... Hollywood Boulevard is a pretty cool place to go, and Universal Studios isn't too bad if you're into that stuff. (Not too overcrowded). That's mostly my suggestions. Sapphyre Danny Liberty wrote: Hi, I think I've finalized my West coast trip plan, just wanted to get some feedback / comments on it. Any suggestions or improvements would be greatly appreciated... 1. Depart from New York, arrive at Las Vegas. Stay for 3 days (2 nights). 2. Flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Rent a car, spend 4 days in LA (including 1 day of Six Flags). 3. Leave LA in the morning, drive to Santa Barbara, stop there for 2-3 hours. 4. Drive to Hearst Castle, 2-3 hour visit. 5. Drive to Carmel, stay for the night. 6. Leave Carmel in morning, take the 17-mile drive. 7. Drive to Gilroy, stop for some outlet shopping. 8. Drive to San Fransisco (arriving at night), stay an additional 4 full days in SF. 9. Back home This trip was planned with an average of 12 days available. I can squeeze another 1-3 days if a nice improvement / addition can be made... Thanks in advance to all who can help. Danny |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Feedback on West coast trip route
Sounds good.
I don't want to overwhelm you, but I love the western part of the US and have lots of links for stops/housing/things to do - comments inline: Enjoy, Bobb ========== "Danny Liberty" wrote in message oups.com... Hi, I think I've finalized my West coast trip plan, just wanted to get some feedback / comments on it. Any suggestions or improvements would be greatly appreciated... 1. Depart from New York, arrive at Las Vegas. Stay for 3 days (2 nights). If you want to check out Vegas "best of" things to do , where to eat etc ... http://www.reviewjournal.com/bestoflv http://www.lasvegastaxi.com/bestin.html To check shows , events when you're in town: http://www.reviewjournal.com/neon/showsevents/ http://www.lvshowbiz.com/index.html To just "hang out at a nice place" - and if you don't order drinks it's free - go to Bellagio and grab a few seats at a piano bar to either get 'in the mood' or to just rest and people watch. For GREAT Thai food for dinner only I think - head to the Lotus of Siam - local restaurant in a shopping center near the LV Hilton at 953 E Sahara Ave . They've won lots of awards although I've heard to NOT get the buffett - order from the menu. http://www.frommers.com/destinations...as/D51887.html If you've never been, It's nice to go to the top of the Stratosphere hotel at dusk - you have to pay to get up there but it's worth the $10 or so. Great aerial views of the strip. The traffic helicopter are WAY below you ! so if you're afraid of heights it might not be such a great idea, but if not, get there before dusk and you'll see the strip hotels light up as it gets dark. If you're REALLY not afraid of heights, there's a mini roller coaster up there too. ( I've never done that - don't plan to) If you feel like "getting the most for your dollar" - head downtown for 99 cent Shrimp Cocktail at the Golden Gate (on the corner across from the Plaza ) Other eating options exclusive to Vegas - near Circus Circus head to Slots-o-Fun. No you're not there for the slots -you're there to get a hot dog and a beer for $1 each. Their hot dogs are famous - they weigh a half pound. Whether they taste great is up to you. On the other extreme... Sunday morning - nice QUIET brunch /breakfast (which is often hard to find) head to the basement of the Mandalay Bay for the "public area" of the Four Seasons Hotel . The FS hotel is really on TOP of the hotel , but the reception lobby is in the basement. They have nice quiet areas outside with beatiful flowers/landscaping and airmist sprinklers near the tables. I'm always there in the fall/winter so check - you may need reservations this time of year. 2. Flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Rent a car, spend 4 days in LA (including 1 day of Six Flags). Although not needed in LA, if the weather is great , you may want a convertible driving to Carmel - nothing like doing that drive with the top down. 3. Leave LA in the morning, drive to Santa Barbara, stop there for 2-3 hours. 4. Drive to Hearst Castle, 2-3 hour visit. Before buying ticket for Hearst, read over your tour/ticket options as they have various tours. http://www.cavalierresort.com/hearst.html I didn't know better and bought a ticket at Hearst for "the tour that was just starting". When I got home, neighbors asked " wasn't xyz great ?" My tour didn't include xyz (I forget what it was now but I guess I should have seen it) I had bought the basic tour. So check above before buying tickets. http://www.cavalierresort.com Across the street (on the water side) stop for lunch at the Cavalier Best Western - they have great/cheap food. Save room for their APPLE PIE - it is excellent. If you need a room - this place has a backyard overlooking the Pacific. They have a few fire pits there to just sit and relax at night. Not expensive either. Close up of oceanfront at hotel- big photo - slide to center at down most of the way - you'll see the benches/ fire pits. http://www.californiacoastline.org/c...9&year=current For any pictures along the California coastline : http://www.californiacoastline.org/c... year=current and you can either scroll north/south ( use left/right arrows on screen) or click on the map to move along the coast. Click ON the picture to enlarge it. Maybe call home and even have family follow along your route ? 5. Drive to Carmel, stay for the night. To get you in the mood for that drive: http://www.earthflix.com/stories/travel.php to preview Big Sur / California coastline movies Lots of online video to play "remote tourist" to show your friends where you're going (need high-speed connection) Most beautiful part of the country ! We've stayed he http://www.coachmansinn.com - comfortable motel - TV/VCR/ gas fireplace in the room. If you want peace and quiet in a cozy room. If it's rainy - and planning on a quiet restful night - sign out VCR movies for free at the desk. http://www.normandyinncarmel.com - more of a European feel - like a small room in a home. Continental breakfast in the lobby - better if you're looking to mingle with others. http://www.coachmansinn.com/Transportation.html = overview of route from LA - SF. Click on right map for detail of Carmel/ Pebble Beach/Pacific Grove. 6. Leave Carmel in morning, take the 17-mile drive. Before leaving Carmel, take a walking tour from the lady who owns an art store just off Ocean ave - she gives them in the morning before the store opens. She's lived there a while - knows everyone. She'll show you a lot of very nice yards, history, famous people's houses, Clint Eastwood's OLD house ( he moved up to the hills). Ask when you check into your hotel for her name. I got her name from some local literature at the Chamber of Commerce ( for others - they always have a list of discounted rooms available at hotels that night and great maps/info. ) During the walk don't be surprised if you see some famous people just walking around - playing tourist themselves. http://www.carmelcalifornia.org/chamber/index.asp While you're there stop a few doors down at Clint Eastwood's building - first floor now has a jazz radio station. KRML - It's the set from "Play Misty for me". He's a big jazz fan . Downstairs is the Hog's Breath - he used to hang out there when he was in the service. That's when he got to know/love Carmel - it went up for sale years ago and he bought it http://www.californiacoastline.org/c...=1& year=2005 Leaving Pebble Beach Resorts, take a left to follow the coastline through Pacific Grove. To get you in the mood: http://www.earthflix.com/stories/pg_coast.php for a 5 Minute QuickTime movie of the coast there. We like a long walk here rather than Carmel Beach - lots of locals to chat with if you like. If you're looking for a romantic B&B - we've stayed at the Grand View Inn - expensive ! but great location/view/house http://www.pginns.com/ If it's time for lunch and you want seafood - do NOT miss this place: Monterey's Fish House 2114 Del Monte Avenue, Monterey Located on the right as you are heading out of downtown Monterey (via Pacific Grove route) and back towards Highway 1 on Del Monte Avenue. from local website: " Locals swear by this place. For dinner it's packed - not too crowded for lunch. NOTE: the atmosphere is not glamorous at all -- there are no ocean views and the restaurant looks pretty "plain jane" from the outside. You might even grab two chairs at the bar and watch them prepare some of the food. But if you are looking for fresh seafood, this is THE place to go (and it is not too pricey either). " 7. Drive to Gilroy, stop for some outlet shopping. 8. Drive to San Fransisco (arriving at night), stay an additional 4 full days in SF. lots of SF info already in this newsgroup. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/de...sco/index.html For items to stop/see along Pacific Coast hwy too read there. 9. Back home This trip was planned with an average of 12 days available. I can squeeze another 1-3 days if a nice improvement / addition can be made... Thanks in advance to all who can help. Danny |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Feedback on West coast trip route
Sapphyre wrote:
Driving from Santa Barbara to Carmel will take all day not including stops. That's driving at 20mph. Taking the Pacific Coast and Cabrillo highways between Los Angeles and San Francisco is a twelve-hour trip. Danny Liberty wrote: This trip was planned with an average of 12 days available. I can squeeze another 1-3 days if a nice improvement / addition can be made... Nice trip. If you're in 'Vegas on a Monday, I highly recommend going to the Monday night Blues Jam in Images Lounge at the Stratosphere. Here's "A bit of non-gambling Las Vegas" with about a dozen useful links: http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/LasVegas.html The "Don't-miss sights in San Francisco" page http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/Sights.html has enough to keep you busy for nine twelve-hour days. It includes links to your best source of advice on where to eat here, the UseNet Group ba.food, and the quite-good sfSurvey. The best on-line map of San Francisco is an inter-active PDF: http://geocities.com/iconoc/Grafix/MuniMap.gif. Click on it to get the *.PDF. I recommend 150-300% magnification. A creation of the San Francisco Municipal Railway, it includes all of its routes. The frequently-updated SPECIAL EVENTS page has irregularly-scheduled music and dances as well as links to seven calendars of regularly-scheduled dances, a composite of five of them, and one of dance cruises and events around the world: http://geocities.com/dancefest/Specials.html#t DRIVING DIRECTIONS -- San Francisco to: Pacifica-Half Moon Bay-Santa Cruz-Monterey/Carmel http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/DriveDir.html The page includes Since April 4, the page has included the NOTE: The Cabrillo Highway between Pacifica and Montara, The Devil's Slide, on April 2, 2006, slid again; it's closed. Here's the alternate route to Half Moon Bay -- __________________________________________________ ______________ A San Franciscan in (where else?) San Francisco. http://geocities.com/dancefest/ --- http://geocities.com/iconoc/ ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 ------- IClast at Gmail com -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Feedback on West coast trip route
Icono Clast,
I tried to view the munimap.gif at http://geocities.com/iconoc/Grafix/MuniMap.gif. clicking on it did nothing for me . I could only save as gif or bmp I did find a link to the Munimap pdf he http://transit.511.org/providers/map...8200510805.pdf Bobb "Icono Clast" wrote in message .. . Sapphyre wrote: Driving from Santa Barbara to Carmel will take all day not including stops. That's driving at 20mph. Taking the Pacific Coast and Cabrillo highways between Los Angeles and San Francisco is a twelve-hour trip. Danny Liberty wrote: This trip was planned with an average of 12 days available. I can squeeze another 1-3 days if a nice improvement / addition can be made... Nice trip. If you're in 'Vegas on a Monday, I highly recommend going to the Monday night Blues Jam in Images Lounge at the Stratosphere. Here's "A bit of non-gambling Las Vegas" with about a dozen useful links: http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/LasVegas.html The "Don't-miss sights in San Francisco" page http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/Sights.html has enough to keep you busy for nine twelve-hour days. It includes links to your best source of advice on where to eat here, the UseNet Group ba.food, and the quite-good sfSurvey. The best on-line map of San Francisco is an inter-active PDF: http://geocities.com/iconoc/Grafix/MuniMap.gif. Click on it to get the *.PDF. I recommend 150-300% magnification. A creation of the San Francisco Municipal Railway, it includes all of its routes. The frequently-updated SPECIAL EVENTS page has irregularly-scheduled music and dances as well as links to seven calendars of regularly-scheduled dances, a composite of five of them, and one of dance cruises and events around the world: http://geocities.com/dancefest/Specials.html#t DRIVING DIRECTIONS -- San Francisco to: Pacifica-Half Moon Bay-Santa Cruz-Monterey/Carmel http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/DriveDir.html The page includes Since April 4, the page has included the NOTE: The Cabrillo Highway between Pacifica and Montara, The Devil's Slide, on April 2, 2006, slid again; it's closed. Here's the alternate route to Half Moon Bay -- __________________________________________________ ______________ A San Franciscan in (where else?) San Francisco. http://geocities.com/dancefest/ --- http://geocities.com/iconoc/ ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 ------- IClast at Gmail com -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Feedback on West coast trip route
Driving from Santa Barbara to Carmel
will take all day not including stops Are you sure about that? According to Google Maps, the drive is 250 miles and they estimate 4-1/2 hours. Jim |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Feedback on West coast trip route
Didn't they say " Arrive in Carmel in evening", so aren't they planning
for the day ? No one who's never done that drive is going to do it at 55 miles per hour ( 250 / 4.5hrs) - no way, no how. But even at 4 1/2 hrs - it still sounds like a full day. Hearst Castle is a few hours (especially if you just missed a tour) Nepenthe is worth stopping for a break and 20 min for the view Lunch somewhere in there. wrote in message ups.com... Driving from Santa Barbara to Carmel will take all day not including stops Are you sure about that? According to Google Maps, the drive is 250 miles and they estimate 4-1/2 hours. Jim |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Feedback on West coast trip route
|
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Feedback on West coast trip route
wrote in message ups.com... Driving from Santa Barbara to Carmel will take all day not including stops Are you sure about that? According to Google Maps, the drive is 250 miles and they estimate 4-1/2 hours. What route is that? Does it include time on the slower Coast Highway? One really should drive at least part of the route along the coast, especially around Big Sur. It's one of the most scenic highways in the country. To the OP, I agree with the others. You will want to spend more time and another night on the drive from LA to Carmel. Also there are several things to do around Monterey/Carmel in addition to the 17-mile drive. Like visit the Carmel Mission and go to the Monterey Acquarium. And do you like golf? The 17-mile drive goes through/by Pebble Beach. Can you reserve ahead of time for Hearst Castle? Marianne |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Feedback on West coast trip route
If you're going to do it non stop, I'm sure it's
possible to get it done in 4-5 hour ... .. Thanks for the clarification. The drive itself is only about 4-1/2 hours, but I agree that most folks would want to take more time so they could enjoy the scenic views. Jim |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
west coast holiday destination | David Bennetts | USA & Canada | 2 | February 17th, 2006 03:22 AM |
East coast trip. Input needed asap. | Harsha | USA & Canada | 4 | August 4th, 2004 01:01 AM |
Perth - Darwin West Coast road trip! | Tom Evans | Australia & New Zealand | 16 | June 17th, 2004 03:48 AM |
West Coast Wilderness Railway - FHC Press Release | Tony Bailey | Australia & New Zealand | 0 | April 16th, 2004 04:26 AM |
Long - West Coast Wilderness Railway | Tony Bailey | Australia & New Zealand | 0 | February 13th, 2004 10:35 PM |