Trip to California

TheNewsGuy(Mike) wrote:
PeterL wrote:
,,,
Be sure to tell the rental company you'll be driving the car out of
the state of California.

Usually Nevada and Arizona are no problem for the company, but do tell
them.

Also, insurance is mandatory on rentals in California. It is a lot
cheaper to put a rider on your own car insurance policy than to purchase
the rental company's coverage.

Insurance is not mandatory. Forst, most insurance polices already cover
rental cars (primary). Second, most credit cards provide secondary
insurance if the cardholder has primary insurance), and primary if they
do not have primary insurance. Third, while not advisable, the rental
car companies do not require insurance. You're liable for the entire
cost of the car, as well as liable for any damages incurred.

"BlackHat" wrote in message
...
"CalifBill" wrote in message
...

"BlackHat" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I plan to travel to west coast in June and visit San Francisco, San
Jose, Santa Cruz, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego. I plan to rent a
car and travel for two weeks around California (and visit Las Vegas for
3 or 4 days)

Because this is my first time on the west coast and I was never in these
towns, I would appreciate any information about what is must see in
California, which areas in these towns are good to find a hostel to
spend a night and which area I should avoid (because they are dangerous,
boring or to expensive)

Thank you for any help and info!

Best regards!

If you are doing 3-4 days in Vegas, just cut out the Northern Calif part.
It is a 6 hour drive from San Jose to L.A. Just concentrate on the San
Diego, L.A. and Vegas areas.

Hi!

First I would like to thanks all for your suggestions and help!

I'm coming from Croatia, so I think there is no insurance company here
which would cover eventually damage on rental cars in USA.

I rented a car a month ago in Spain, and they charged me 300 EUR (around
500 USD) for renting a car for 10 days (Audi A3). They also told me that
if I return the car in the same condition it was when I pick it up, they
won't charge me anything else. If I return damaged car, they will charge
my credit card for additional 700 EUR (around 1160 USD).

I don't know is it possible to rent a car in USA with these conditions. As
far as I know, if I want a full insurance cover I have to pay it extra,
very often this insurance cost twice then just a car renting, and the
insurance company doesn't return you any money if you return the car
undamaged. Please tell me I'm wrong, but I think this how all insurance
companies in USA works!

When I was thinking which towns I should visit on my trip I though that 2
weeks are enough for all towns that I found interesting. Now when I've
read your posts I think I was wrong

Because my return flight is from LA, now I'm thinking to visit only Las
Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego. But I'm also planning to visit things
that are around these towns, like some cliffs and natural parks.

Today I've bought an Eyewitness travel guide about California, so when I
pass the whole book I'll inform you what I plan to visit!

But I would much more enjoy first hand experiences about these places from
you, the people who already were there, so please continue to suggest and
write about your trips around that area!

hmmm...so you are not a US resident. Exactly what are your interests? If
big cities and the things they have - live shows, gambling, museums, theme
parks, etc - then indeed Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego will have
plenty to fill a two week trip. And should you be so inclined, you should
be able find time for quick visits to places like Death Valley, Joshua
Tree, Anza Borrego, etc.

On the other hand, if you are intersted more in nature and things you don't
see in your part of the world, the consider Las Vegas as a starting point to
the Southwest to visit places like Zion, Bryce, Capitiol Reef, Canyonlands,
Arches, Dead Horse Point, Natural Bridges, the Goosenecks, Monument Valley,
Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon,

BlackHat wrote:

I don't know is it possible to rent a car in USA with these conditions. As
far as I know, if I want a full insurance cover I have to pay it extra, very
often this insurance cost twice then just a car renting, and the insurance
company doesn't return you any money if you return the car undamaged. Please
tell me I'm wrong, but I think this how all insurance companies in USA
works!

Okay, that's different. For U.S. residents, you don't need insurance on
rental cars, even if you don't have your own insurance (it may be wise
to get it, but it's not required). Yes, you're correct that insurance
can more than double the cost of a car rental.

In the U.S., the Diner's Club card provides primary rental car insurance
for card holders, even those with their own car insurance, and though
there is a large annual fee, it can be worth it. I don't know about the
Croatian Diner's Club "http://www.diners.hr/Kartice/privatni/CroAir.aspx"

When I was thinking which towns I should visit on my trip I though that 2
weeks are enough for all towns that I found interesting. Now when I've read
your posts I think I was wrong

I live near San Jose. There is almost nothing a tourist would find
interesting here. I think the most interesting place is the Rosicrucian
Egyptian Museum. There is no nightlife. Most restaurants close
relatively early (9:30-10:00 p.m., max). A few of the suburbs of San
Jose have some appeal. Cupertino is a very Asian town with a lot of good
restaurants, though many of the good items aren't on the English menus.

I've been to Las Vegas about twenty times for industry trade shows. If
you gamble, or want a hooker, then go there. Other than that, it's a lot
of expensive hotels, expensive food, and shows that stopped being good
when the Mafia left and the corporations took over.

Because my return flight is from LA, now I'm thinking to visit only Las
Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego. But I'm also planning to visit things that
are around these towns, like some cliffs and natural parks.

The best parks are in Northern California. It'd be a shame to come all
the way from Croatia and miss places like Yosemite, as well as missing
San Francisco, where you could easily spend five to seven days very
inexpensively if you stay at hostels and eat in local neighborhood
restaurants. Las Vegas is probably the biggest waste of time, unless
you're a big gambler.

If you insist on Las Vegas, just spend one night there (it's more than
enough), then go through Death Valley, then north on 395 to the eastern
entrance of Yosemite, and go through Yosemite. Spend a couple of nights
there (there's a hostel outside the park, but it's a 30 minute drive
from Yosemite Valley). After Yosemite, head to San Francisco. Then take
a few days from San Francisco back down to LA, stopping in Santa Cruz,
Big Sur, etc.

"BlackHat" wrote in message
...
"CalifBill" wrote in message
...

"BlackHat" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I plan to travel to west coast in June and visit San Francisco, San
Jose, Santa Cruz, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego. I plan to rent a
car and travel for two weeks around California (and visit Las Vegas for
3 or 4 days)

Because this is my first time on the west coast and I was never in these
towns, I would appreciate any information about what is must see in
California, which areas in these towns are good to find a hostel to
spend a night and which area I should avoid (because they are dangerous,
boring or to expensive)

Thank you for any help and info!

Best regards!

If you are doing 3-4 days in Vegas, just cut out the Northern Calif part.
It is a 6 hour drive from San Jose to L.A. Just concentrate on the San
Diego, L.A. and Vegas areas.

Hi!

First I would like to thanks all for your suggestions and help!

I'm coming from Croatia, so I think there is no insurance company here
which would cover eventually damage on rental cars in USA.

I rented a car a month ago in Spain, and they charged me 300 EUR (around
500 USD) for renting a car for 10 days (Audi A3). They also told me that
if I return the car in the same condition it was when I pick it up, they
won't charge me anything else. If I return damaged car, they will charge
my credit card for additional 700 EUR (around 1160 USD).

I don't know is it possible to rent a car in USA with these conditions. As
far as I know, if I want a full insurance cover I have to pay it extra,
very often this insurance cost twice then just a car renting, and the
insurance company doesn't return you any money if you return the car
undamaged. Please tell me I'm wrong, but I think this how all insurance
companies in USA works!
When I was thinking which towns I should visit on my trip I though that 2
weeks are enough for all towns that I found interesting. Now when I've
read your posts I think I was wrong

Because my return flight is from LA, now I'm thinking to visit only Las
Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego. But I'm also planning to visit things
that are around these towns, like some cliffs and natural parks.

Today I've bought an Eyewitness travel guide about California, so when I
pass the whole book I'll inform you what I plan to visit!

But I would much more enjoy first hand experiences about these places from
you, the people who already were there, so please continue to suggest and
write about your trips around that area!

[darn - hit the wrong key and sent an incomplete post. Here it is in its
entirety.]

hmmm...so you are not a US resident. Exactly what are your interests? If
big cities and the things they have - live shows, gambling, museums, theme
parks, etc - then indeed Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego will have
plenty to fill a two week trip. And should you be so inclined, you should
be able find time for quick visits to places like Death Valley, Joshua
Tree, Anza Borrego, etc.

On the other hand, if you are intersted more in nature and things you don't
see in your part of the world, the consider Las Vegas as a starting point to
the Southwest to visit places like Zion, Bryce, Capitiol Reef, Canyonlands,
Arches, Dead Horse Point, Natural Bridges, the Goosenecks, Monument Valley,
Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado, and upper/lower
Antelope Valley. Take along a tent and some minimal camping equipment -
lots of campgrounds in the entire area. You can make a big loop trip that
will just about take two weeks with ample time to dawdle here and there.

Insurance-wise, the rental companies will offer you daily insurance. There
are several types of insurance and be careful that you purchase only what
you need/want. And yes, if you return the car undamaged, you get no
reimbursement for the insurance you paid...that's why the rental companies
are very anxious to sell you this insurance. Before renting your car, I
suggest that you research on the net the various car rental companies for
both their rental and their insurance rates. The major players are Hertz,
Avis, National, Budget, Alamo, and Enterprise. And I would recommend
staying with the majors rather than with the smaller, local rental companies
of which there are a number. Look at the Travelzoo website for some good
rates.

SMS wrote:
...
Insurance is not mandatory.

You're wrong about that and you're wrong about Las Vegas.
================================================== =========================
"In California, motorists are required to adopt car insurance and as per
the Californian law, one needs to cover both bodily as well as property
damage liability coverage.

Under the state law, the minimum liability amounts are $15,000 for
bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 for bodily injury liability
per accident and $5,000 for property damage liability per accident. "
,,,

"Although it's a law to have coverage, one should consider having in
excess of the mandatory coverage to protect your assets. It's best to
get California car insurance quotes on more than just the minimum coverage."


--
===========================
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===========================

Because my return flight is from LA..

Do you fly in/out of the same airport? Or does your arrival flight
land somewhere else (like Vegas)?

James

Graz wrote:
On Tue, 6 May 2008 21:49:37 -0700 (PDT), PeterL
wrote:

On May 6, 1:35=A0am, "BlackHat" wrote:
Hi,

I plan to travel to west coast in June and visit San Francisco, San Jose,
Santa Cruz, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego. I plan to rent a car and=

travel for two weeks around California (and visit Las Vegas for 3 or 4 day=
s)

Because this is my first time on the west coast and I was never in these
towns, I would appreciate any information about what is must see in
California, which areas in these towns are good to find a hostel to spend =
a
night and which area I should avoid (because they are dangerous, boring or=

to expensive)

Thank you for any help and info!

Best regards!


Be sure to tell the rental company you'll be driving the car out of
the state of California.

Is there any need for that? I know you can't take rental cars into
Mexico but Nevada isn't a problem.

I don't think it should be a problem. Every time I've signed a car
rental agreement in California, the terms were that I could take the
car into Oregon, Nevada, or Arizona. Once I rented a car in San
Diego, and it had Nevada plates.

The toughest restriction I've seen was when I rented a car from
Enterprise in Florida. Those terms were that I shouldn't take the car
out of Florida. At least Key West was still technically in Florida
(the Conch Republic notwithstanding).

On May 7, 11:23 am, SMS wrote:
BlackHat wrote:
Hi,

I plan to travel to west coast in June and visit San Francisco, San Jose,
Santa Cruz, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego. I plan to rent a car and
travel for two weeks around California (and visit Las Vegas for 3 or 4 days)

Because this is my first time on the west coast and I was never in these
towns, I would appreciate any information about what is must see in
California, which areas in these towns are good to find a hostel to spend a
night and which area I should avoid (because they are dangerous, boring or
to expensive)

Thank you for any help and info!

Best regards!

First of all, forget Las Vegas and San Jose. You're trying to do too
much in two weeks, and both of those cities are utterly forgettable with
no redeeming value.

For hostels, go to "http://www.hiusa.org/usa-hostels/ca/ca-state.shtml".

You really need to make reservations in the summer, it may already be
too late, though for a bed in a dorm room you could probably find
something (probably no more private rooms available).

The San Jose (Saratoga) hostel is out of business, a victim of the
Republicans. What a shame as this was a spectacular hostel set in a
redwood forest.

Since you have a car, the Marin Headlands hostel (Sausalito, but not
really in Sausalito), across the GG bridge from SF is an option if the
San Francisco hostels are full, though you'll need to drive into SF each
day (or drive somewhere you can take the Golden Gate Transit bus). I
stayed there last weekend with my son's scout troop. Very nice, very
quiet, and a beautiful area in the Golden Gate NRA.

Or Point Reyes. I stayed there one night, although I had the room all
to myself. It was formerly a dairy farm dormitory.

http://www.norcalhostels.org/reyes

I've been to Las Vegas about twenty times for industry
trade shows. If you gamble, or want a hooker, then go
there. Other than that, it's a lot of expensive hotels, expensive
food, and shows that stopped being good when the Mafia left
and the corporations took over.

Vegas is a city that folks tend to either love or hate. Obviously it's
the place to go if you enjoy gambling. Personally I don't gamble much,
nor do I have any interest in hookers, but there's still a great deal
I enjoy in the city, such as the themed hotel / casinos (my favorite
is the Bellagio), restaurants, nightlife, shows (some are excellent,
though overpriced), and so forth.

However I agree with you that the city isn't the same now that the
Mafia is gone. Also I agree that prices tend to be high, although the
slow economy has started to affect Vegas in recent months and it's
easier to find good deals if you look.

Since the original poster mentioned visiting parks, he may enjoy some
of the parks near Vegas, such as Red Rock or Valley of Fire, and Death
Valley makes a great day trip (although he probably won't have time
for that). And Hoover Dam is quite impressive.

James

"TheNewsGuy(Mike)" wrote in message
...
SMS wrote:
...
Insurance is not mandatory.

You're wrong about that and you're wrong about Las Vegas.
================================================== =========================
"In California, motorists are required to adopt car insurance and as per
the Californian law, one needs to cover both bodily as well as property
damage liability coverage.

Under the state law, the minimum liability amounts are $15,000 for bodily
injury liability per person, $30,000 for bodily injury liability per
accident and $5,000 for property damage liability per accident. "
,,,

"Although it's a law to have coverage, one should consider having in
excess of the mandatory coverage to protect your assets. It's best to get
California car insurance quotes on more than just the minimum coverage."


--
===========================
Sawyer Nicknames http://sawyer.xtreemhost.com/
Seinfeld Trivia, Lists, and Scripts http://seinfeld.xtreemhost.com/
===========================

Two points. European Credit cards do not cover the CDW collision damage
waiver. And that is what the insurance you are buying covers. The rental
companies cover liability and bodily injury on the car. They would not be
able to register the cars otherwise. As well as the company is going to be
on the hook for any liability awards against the car as the car owner.