<![CDATA[Travel : United States]]>We (with hubby and 2 sons aged 13 and 11 yrs old) are going to US in June for 2 weeks and would like to ask if you have any tips on must-see attractions, recommended hotels, rent-a-car, etc.... We are planning to go to Las Vegas, San Diego and Los Angeles (hopefully in that order). We are hoping to get tickets where we can land in Las Vegas & depart from Los Angeles or vice versa to save on a one-way 4-hour drive to/from Las Vegas.


Places in our must-go list now :
LA - Disneyland, California Park Adventure, Universal Studios, Hollywood, etc.
San Diego - Legoland, Seaworld & San Diego zoo or Safari Park
Las Vegas - Bellagio, Caesar's Palace, Mandalay Bay, etc.

Is June a good time to travel to US? Will it be too hot there?

For now, we are thinking of going via Philippine Airlines since this is the cheapest airline we can find which does not have a connecting flight in Japan. Do you know of other airlines?

This is my hubby's first time to go to US and for myself, I went there when I was still in primary school :lol: So, we are not familiar with the roads and we plan to drive to San Diego & Las Vegas/Los Angeles depending on our point of entry. Do you have any idea whether the rent-a-car companies have GPS which covers the map for LA, San Diego & Las Vegas? And also, how are the parking rates there or would it be better to ride public transpo once we're in the city?

Lastly, do you have hotels to recommend which have reasonable rates and which are also near the attractions?

Or you have other tips or anything, would really be glad to hear them.

Thanks!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/21727/travel-united-statesRSS for NodeSat, 25 Apr 2026 03:12:10 GMTSat, 23 Apr 2011 02:28:22 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Thu, 12 Dec 2019 02:01:24 GMT]]>Husband will be assigned to Odessa, TX for two weeks in Feb 2020. Has anyone here have been to Odessa? What are the other must-see and visit in TX which is close to Odessa?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1952833https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1952833Thu, 12 Dec 2019 02:01:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Thu, 31 Oct 2019 12:22:57 GMT]]>Anyone can advise which place is worth visiting in Southern USA?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1944076https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1944076Thu, 31 Oct 2019 12:22:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Sat, 17 Aug 2019 15:04:09 GMT]]>Zac mum, thks for the link .interesting

My younger already10, must cycle one bike , too big to tag along, the teen ds no problem . Maybe i am too short for American bikes pedals 😛
We have rented car fr airport ,No need Uber . Last time I went to the visitor center at San Fran Gg side n picnic at the park . Am staying in Lombard area so anytime can walk over to Gg park as well .
We will decide there, cheapest bike can be those city Bike sharing type?

Hollywood Christmas parade - ok thanks for info , I go Google 🙂

Hb : yes highway 1 Pacific Ocean coastal drive is our plan this Dec. Last time we did 17 mile drive, more relax but not exciting. This time will do all the way up Bixby Creek bridge - Big sur-

Will be flying back fr LA airport , any tips for me to take note? Coz I heard before say inside v crowded n confusing . Late morning flight home.

B

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929725https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929725Sat, 17 Aug 2019 15:04:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Sat, 17 Aug 2019 14:17:23 GMT]]>

Rejoicemom\" post_id=\"1929692\" time=\"1566040331\" user_id=\"43599:

Hi. Does anyone here have a self drive itinerary for LA, SFO and surroundings?
Planning at least 15 days in early June and bringing 3 boys aged 9 and 10.
This was some years back and pre-kids, but we drove up the coast from LA to SF (on Highway 1, I think), with stops at Big Sur, Monterey and Carmel. We also made a slight detour to wine country, but perhaps that's less suitable for kids...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929720https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929720Sat, 17 Aug 2019 14:17:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Sat, 17 Aug 2019 13:52:51 GMT]]>

MyPillow\" post_id=\"1929702\" time=\"1566047600\" user_id=\"70594:

Zac mum, does the bike shop offers kid size bike ?
But I will be there in Dec, maybe too chilly n windy to cycle across the bridge to sensualito .
If not, anyway, I can drive over to N San Fran GG side , got to pay toll.
When I went a decade ago , we din drive over GG bridge , wat a waste .
Yes they have. You can browse around their website to take a look: https://www.blazingsaddles.com/san-francisco/bikes-and-rates/kids-equipment

We also went in Dec, Christmas time. The weather is cold, need the usual layers. But after 10 minutes of hard cycling, we started to shed the layers because exercise makes you hot! My 7 year old was just a beginner cyclist, so hubby got a Tag-Along attachment for him instead of a kids bike. Something u can consider. The kid doesn’t need to pedal so hard (hubby did most of the work). And yet it’s not as tough to balance and steer as a tandem.

If you don’t want to drive or cycle, I think you can simply take an Uber/Lyft to the national park/visitor’s lookout at the foot of the bridge, and then walk. The bridge itself is several kilometers long I think (didn’t really keep count). If your kids hate exercise kind, maybe not advisable haha. Mine is very sporty.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929715https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929715Sat, 17 Aug 2019 13:52:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Sat, 17 Aug 2019 13:34:19 GMT]]>

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"1929703\" time=\"1566048132\" user_id=\"43981:

we walked over the GG gate..woah really long time ago. Yosemite?
Been to Yosemite last trip is a decade plus 😂 ago
It was Jan, still winter - I can’t stand the drive up the winding mountains.
I can see the opp mountain winding road as my side
No joke!
But scenery was great ! I was scared of Bears sightings in the park too , scared to walk too far into the woods to see the grand Yosemite fall n dome
U should go US again then, I believe now n donkey yrs ago v different
That’s why Dh choose to do this road trip again

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929708https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929708Sat, 17 Aug 2019 13:34:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Sat, 17 Aug 2019 13:22:12 GMT]]>we walked over the GG gate…woah really long time ago. Yosemite?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929703https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929703Sat, 17 Aug 2019 13:22:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Sat, 17 Aug 2019 13:13:20 GMT]]>Zac mum, does the bike shop offers kid size bike ?

But I will be there in Dec, maybe too chilly n windy to cycle across the bridge to sensualito .
If not, anyway, I can drive over to N San Fran GG side , got to pay toll.
When I went a decade ago , we din drive over GG bridge , wat a waste .

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929702https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929702Sat, 17 Aug 2019 13:13:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Sat, 17 Aug 2019 12:14:13 GMT]]>

Rejoicemom\" post_id=\"1929692\" time=\"1566040331\" user_id=\"43599:

Hi. Does anyone here have a self drive itinerary for LA, SFO and surroundings?
Planning at least 15 days in early June and bringing 3 boys aged 9 and 10.
This is what we did with our 7 year old boy in Nov/Dec 2017:

Day 1: Hollywood - coincided with the annual Hollywood Xmas parade with the marching bands etc. Since you’re going in June it doesn’t apply.

Day 2: Griffith Observatory at evening to night. Very nice view of the surrounding scenery. Get up there earlier (it’s a long drive up the mountain) and wait for the sunset. Magnificent photos for your family album - sunset always gives the best photos, even no makeup also looks good!

Day 3: California Science Center - the Space Shuttle Endeavor is permanently parked here. My boy (+ me and hubby aviation/science buffs) were absolutely in awe seeing the life sized spaceship (suspended from the ceiling). There’s the California Natural History Museum next door too, but we were bored with that.

Day 4: Noah’s Ark at Skirball Cultural Center. More for younger kids or Jewish-American history buffs. Your kids may find the Noah’s Ark play area too childish.

Day 5: Universal Studios Hollywood. This is a MUST GO. It is the original Universal studios and no other outlet in the world comes close. MUST TAKE the Studio Tour on the tram. It brings you past the real full-scale movie sets and you get a real feel of how Hollywood movies are shot, outdoors. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is also the biggest in the world.

Day 6: pack up and drive to San Diego. Stop by Carlsbad Premium Outlets for shopping. With 50% discount on branded American labels, it’s really worth it. Hubby (typical Singaporean shopper) had a field day. Even if you aren’t a shopper like me, U can stock up on the sports brands like Nike etc. for your boys.

Day 7: Legoland California. your boys may be too old for this already.

Day 8: San Diego Downtown. Nice place to walk around. USS Midway aircraft carrier - your boys might find this cool. We did. It’s a real life sized aircraft carrier with several decks to explore & plenty of military aircraft parked on the top deck (photos galore). They even have a realistic video simulator ride that can simulate dogfights, which turn 360 degrees controlled by your own joystick.

Day 9: drive to Santa Monica Pier (overly touristy) - I recommend San Clemente Pier which was better, with local surfers and better scenery, fewer tourists.

Day 10: continue driving to San Francisco. Alcatraz tour - pretty cool and very nice scenery.

Day 11: self-cycling tour from Fisherman’s Wharf up to Golden Gate Bridge, to Sausalito for lunch, and back. Some people take the ferry back instead (weekends only I think). If you are healthy and fit, I fully recommend this. Your boys - if they are active kind - will love it. Strenuous but absolutely the best view along the bridge. The shop name is Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals. Very professional yet friendly and helpful.

Day 12 and 13: shopping in Union Square area - hubby bought lots of Abercrombie and Fitch. During Xmas time there was also open-air ice skating and very nice Christmas mood.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929695https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929695Sat, 17 Aug 2019 12:14:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Sat, 17 Aug 2019 11:12:11 GMT]]>Hi. Does anyone here have a self drive itinerary for LA, SFO and surroundings?

Planning at least 15 days in early June and bringing 3 boys aged 9 and 10.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929692https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1929692Sat, 17 Aug 2019 11:12:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Tue, 06 Aug 2019 08:36:27 GMT]]>

MyPillow\" post_id=\"1926896\" time=\"1565078209\" user_id=\"70594:

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1926893\" time=\"1565077749\" user_id=\"2964:

[quote=MyPillow post_id=1926879 time=1565075896 user_id=70594]Need car rental recommendations
Fr San Fran airport - 16 days rental
We used tried Alamo more than 10 yrs ago
Wondering any better rental these few yrs?
Thank you 🙂

We only use Hertz but I guess any one of the big names will do?

can share how many days , which car & how much was your rental cost?
I am looking for Big car , sit 5, take 3 big luggage
had read SUV is easy target for theft , true?[/quote]Hi MyPillow, we did not go to Grand Canyon in the end. Wasn’t sure if could see much in winter (cos I remembered going up to one of Taiwan’s mountains in winter was a big waste of time. All trees were bare and looking so forlorn...)

We rented from Avis. The major consideration should be ease of pickup and return. If ure picking up the car straight from airport then u have more choices. But we stayed in SF city area, did some walking tours and then picked up the car later to drive to San Diego, Santa Monica, etc. So we used Google maps to find a big rental company near our hotel. Can walk there to pickup. Similarly, big name allows u to return it in another city (our case was return in Los Angeles cos we took plane back from LA).

We got an SUV. Toyota or some very common brand. Fits all the luggage comfortably (we always somehow overpack...) SUVs are extremely common in the US, even their locals all drive big SUVs. So no issue with theft. Just remember to lock it. I loved driving in LA. The roads are so much better planned than here and drivers are courteous too. SF City driving is complicated (as all CBDs are). Be careful especially at 4-way junctions (no traffic lights). Our Uber/Lyft driver explained it to us: the first car to approach the junction has the right of way. And so on. But if ure like me and blur blur, just wait and give way of unsure lor haha. As I said, US drivers are mostly very patient and courteous (unlike in SG).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1926910https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1926910Tue, 06 Aug 2019 08:36:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Tue, 06 Aug 2019 08:17:19 GMT]]>

MyPillow\" post_id=\"1926896\" time=\"1565078209\" user_id=\"70594:

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1926893\" time=\"1565077749\" user_id=\"2964:

[quote=MyPillow post_id=1926879 time=1565075896 user_id=70594]Need car rental recommendations
Fr San Fran airport - 16 days rental
We used tried Alamo more than 10 yrs ago
Wondering any better rental these few yrs?
Thank you 🙂

We only use Hertz but I guess any one of the big names will do?

can share how many days , which car & how much was your rental cost?
I am looking for Big car , sit 5, take 3 big luggage
had read SUV is easy target for theft , true?[/quote]I cannot remember the cost, even if you have asked me right after I come back, I also cannot remember.

We were 3 people, the car was a Merc in SF and a Land Rover Discovery in LV. I am not a car person so I cannot remember anything beyond that. But they are big cars. We always take big cars that can take 3 normal sized suitcases in the boot. So that my daughter can sit comfortably at the back, with lots of space to spare to throw jackets, cameras, water, etc. We dont like cars where we need to pack and arrange everything constantly in order to fit.

But anyway I guess big names would be charging market rates so should be worry free.

Not sure about easy target for theft, we never have problems in any country. It is a luck thing. Cos my friend, who said she didnt leave anything in the car, also encountered car break-in.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1926900https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1926900Tue, 06 Aug 2019 08:17:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Tue, 06 Aug 2019 07:56:49 GMT]]>

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1926893\" time=\"1565077749\" user_id=\"2964:

MyPillow\" post_id=\"1926879\" time=\"1565075896\" user_id=\"70594:

Need car rental recommendations
Fr San Fran airport - 16 days rental
We used tried Alamo more than 10 yrs ago
Wondering any better rental these few yrs?
Thank you 🙂

We only use Hertz but I guess any one of the big names will do?

can share how many days , which car & how much was your rental cost?
I am looking for Big car , sit 5, take 3 big luggage
had read SUV is easy target for theft , true?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1926896https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1926896Tue, 06 Aug 2019 07:56:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Tue, 06 Aug 2019 07:53:01 GMT]]>

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1872191\" time=\"1535948753\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1872191 time=1535948753 user_id=53606]
Anyone here has tried hiking in the Grand Canyon or one of the other famous national parks? One night’s accommodation enough?

And is it true rental cars cannot have snow chains?[/quote]
so did u try last yr, or when u plan to go?
Yes snow chains are required n dun tell the rental company lor , if need to install - must pay money to get mechanics to install n remove
what i think is avoid going up mountains when it is snowing - if u one to do mountain excursion - must std by n ready to chg plan as the weather changes.
Driving to G canyon is a straight desert rd, even if it snows, it is very little - no need chain for the road to canyon. Can park in canyon , take the free shuttle, no need to drive if it snows in canyon.
And we plan to hike this yr end, we booked 2 nites Eltovar hotel in 5 mths ago. South rim is an easy trail - but still must not get too excited going too near the edge 🆒

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1926895https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1926895Tue, 06 Aug 2019 07:53:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Tue, 06 Aug 2019 07:49:09 GMT]]>

MyPillow\" post_id=\"1926879\" time=\"1565075896\" user_id=\"70594:

Need car rental recommendations
Fr San Fran airport - 16 days rental
We used tried Alamo more than 10 yrs ago
Wondering any better rental these few yrs?
Thank you 🙂
We only use Hertz but I guess any one of the big names will do?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1926893https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1926893Tue, 06 Aug 2019 07:49:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Tue, 06 Aug 2019 07:18:16 GMT]]>Need car rental recommendations

Fr San Fran airport - 16 days rental
We used tried Alamo more than 10 yrs ago
Wondering any better rental these few yrs?
Thank you 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1926879https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1926879Tue, 06 Aug 2019 07:18:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Mon, 03 Sep 2018 04:25:53 GMT]]>Anyone here has tried hiking in the Grand Canyon or one of the other famous national parks? One night’s accommodation enough?


And is it true rental cars cannot have snow chains?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1872191https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1872191Mon, 03 Sep 2018 04:25:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Wed, 27 Jun 2018 03:06:09 GMT]]>Avoid some of those national parks if you’re going in late Dec. Early Dec still good weather.


I dont like to visit too many ‘Nat Geo-ish’ sites in 1 trip actually. Overkill of nature and geography. My priority has always been history, culture, dining and shopping.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853903https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853903Wed, 27 Jun 2018 03:06:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Wed, 27 Jun 2018 02:50:11 GMT]]>And thanks for taking the time with the map.


Appreciate it.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853893https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853893Wed, 27 Jun 2018 02:50:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Wed, 27 Jun 2018 02:47:36 GMT]]>Hi Zeit,


Thank you.

Will be going in winter so can’t exit Yosemite from Tioga. And Bryce will be icy/snowy so can’t work that in with limited days as I cannot wait for the weather. Maybe you used to live there and have your own car but chains are not allowed on rental cars (or maybe last time can, now cannot) so the winter itinerary can be a bit different from summer ones. Anyway as it has been some days since my last post here, I have firmed up most of the stuff.

But nonetheless, your detailed post will benefit many others.

A good read.

Thanks!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853891https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853891Wed, 27 Jun 2018 02:47:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Wed, 27 Jun 2018 02:17:11 GMT]]>

MerlionInGermany:
I’m on TA. And also not first time visitor. Just wanted to see any other new ideas cos last trip to this side of the US was 6 years ago. Though I half expect nothing has changed, but no harm asking. Like how you improvise by putting in less travelled places.


🙂
Hi MerlioninGermany

While the attractions are the same-old same-old, their visitor centres have been refurbished for sure. New shops and new F&B have definitely sprouted across town as the population becomes more diverse 😉 Wait, there were also newer casinos in LV when I revisted her. And lastly, more PRC and Indian tourists as well.

I presume you'd done Sacramento, UC Berkeley, Napa V, Stanford U, Silicon V, Yosemite Pk? If yes, then it'll very straight forward as follows. Just finish off the road trip in LV and fly back to SFO with extension to explore the city further, have an extra In N Out burger, savour your Dungeness at FW/Pier 39, roam around Muir Woods/Sausalito, revisit the same classic must-sees, must-dos in SFO downtown...I won't repeat to bore you as you're a repeat visitor.

https://s15.postimg.cc/xk8wd7iq3/SFO1.png\">


As for 2nd timers, you may want to move on from Grand Canyon West to Antelope Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend - all in AR.

Thereafter, head north to Salt Lake City (UT). Base in SLC for a night before driving up to Wyoming (WY) to visit the Yellowstone Ntl Pk, Grand Teton Pk. If u still have a week, move south to see Rocky Mountain in Colorado (CO), and/or eastward to South Dakota (SD) to see Mt Rushmore (4 Presidents) & Crazy Horse (Indian Chieftain) - which are on some pp's US Bucket List.

https://s15.postimg.cc/ne0au0vp7/Yellostone.png\">


I note you're dropping LAX and San Diego (+ optional Tijuana, MX). Some pp also drive up to NW Seattle then cross border to Vancouver.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853883https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853883Wed, 27 Jun 2018 02:17:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Mon, 25 Jun 2018 03:11:07 GMT]]>Whenever we were in SF, we love the HK timsum & when night falls, go to some timsum outlet & u’ll see oldies & their grandchildren ballroom dancing. We were so mersmerised, we didn’t wanna leave.


SF’s Fisherman’s Wharf seafood - eat till you drop. In my case, I ate crab, lobsters, king prawns, mussels, etc till my entire body reacted in allergy & cldnt sleep entire nite!

Take their tram for fun to the Wharf.

We found one antiquated sushi restaurant & enjoyed the sushi chef’s art & food was delicious. Just can’t rmbr name of restaurant tho. Hope you hv fortune to bump in & try.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853556https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853556Mon, 25 Jun 2018 03:11:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Mon, 25 Jun 2018 01:10:48 GMT]]>Monterey- a must visit. Highway 1 is fully open. I was just there about 2 weeks ago. A lot of their resorts and restaurants have been refurbished. There is a ‘new’ feel to the place:) I last went there 8 years ago. Go to Nepanthe restaurant, views and food are great.


San Fransico itself- if you want to go off the beaten track, go climb Filbert Street Steps, quite a hard climb if you want to climb up. I think it is best to take an Uber up, go to Coit tower, beautiful views and not as crowded as Lombard St and then take a slow leisure walk down.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853535https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853535Mon, 25 Jun 2018 01:10:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Travel : United States on Sun, 24 Jun 2018 07:54:07 GMT]]>Suggest places to go in California:

SFO- Mid Nov starting of Dungerness Crab season, hopefully can have a dungerness feast somewhere near Pier 39, visit crooked street Lombard Street, Golden Gate Park
San Jose - Winchester Mystery House, Silicon Valley, Stanford University
Santa Cruz - Mystery Spot, Henry Cowell Redwoods
Monterey - Coastal Scenic Drive along Highway1, hopefully the Highway 1 is fully open by Sep 2018.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853466https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1853466Sun, 24 Jun 2018 07:54:07 GMT