Brainiac:thebusybee:[quote=\"MMM\"]Hi,
Need help on the following :
* Recommendations on accomodations in LA/ LV/ San francisco/ San Diego. We've 5 pax. Looking for somewhere convenient (we intend to drive so need not be next door), safe environment and reasonably priced. If possible, big enough to accomodate all in a room. Pls share.
* For rental car - anyone has experience with the insurance options or watchouts? My observation is that insurance can be almost the same price as rental. Can we buy in Singapore for coverage in US, etc...?
* What are the must go places in west coast. We have around 15 days and the last we went was during our honeymoon.
Kindly share all the tips.
Accommodations-
I suggest motels as they are available in most places, which usually have big family room to accommodate 5 pax. You don't have to pre-book and be restricted by the itineraries. Some can even negotiate price. It's convenient that you just park your car outside the room, imagine lugging your luggage from the carpark to hotel room, especially when you forget something.
Rental Car
We rent from Alamo 2 years ago, with coupons from the web (google it) which give good discount. After discount, our 3 weeks big Chrsyler MPV only US$500. You can find coupon codes online for other rental companies (Avis, Enterprise, Hertz). Join as member before booking to enjoy some discounts too.
Hubby always think not worth to take the insurance (CDW or access) from any rental company. The cars there are very new and reliable, with experienced good drivers and you will be extra careful driving with family.
Any small knocks, just go workshop, leave for half day, and get it repair for $50-$200, no worries.
Dents smaller than golf ball size and scratchlines less than 5 inches, they won't ask you pay, very relaxed on customers.
Must go places
LA - Disneyland and Universal Studio should be must for kids? Venice Beach to watch people. Beverly Hills to spot stars?
LV- Casinos and shows.
SF- Seafood, shopping, Chinese Restaurants,Golden Gate bridge, Coit Tower at Telegraph Hill. Drive around the scenic tourist drive following the brown sign.
If you are flying in/out same place- LAX. You might want to take the round-trip route :-
LA - LV - Grand Canyon - Death Valley - Yosemite - SF - LA via the beautiful coastal drive. But that's about 3000km of driving! Or add few more days (best a week) for slower pace!
*If $ not an issue, to save time, fly in/out LV, take local tour / rent a car to Grand Canyon, return to LA then pick up another vehicle.
Enjoy your planning. ![:smile: 😄](https://forum.kiasuparents.com/assets/plugins/nodebb-plugin-emoji/emoji/android/1f604.png?v=pnaorhqo184)
HI busybee
Did you do a round trip route? Can you advise how many days and how much did you spend on accommodation, car rental and expenses for theme parks or attractions for your trip?[/quote]Hi Brainiac
For a thorough West Coast best give at least 3 weeks. (we did 21days)
My little bro is going for honeymoon soon, this is what my hubby suggested, for your reference:
Day 1: Pickup car/Sleep
Day 2: SF City Shopping/Dining
Day 3: 49 Mile Route 1 SF
Day 4: 49 Mile Route 2 SF
Day 5: SF-Napa Vallley Wineyards
Day 6: Napa-Yosemite
Day 8: Yosemite Hikes
Day 9: Yosemite - Mono Lake-Death Valley-LasVegas
Day 10: LasVegas
Day 11: LV-Hoover Dam-Williams
Day 12: Grand Canyon - Cameroun
Day 13: Antelope- Vermillion-Kanab-Bryce
Day 14: Bryce-Zion Canyon-LV
Day 15: LV-Tangerine-Desert Hills (both shopping)
Day 16 Desert Hills-Hollywood-Beveley Hills- (Westwood-UCLA)
Day 17 Universal City- Studios
Day 18: Malibu, Santa Babara, (part of Pacific Coast HW1)
Day 19 Anaheim(Disneyland) - Venice Beach
Day 20 Venice Beach- Airport
The plan is very much a 2500km road trip, taking you thru all the must see places of the region.
All the 4 trips into and out of Las Vegas are full day stop/visit/go/eat drives. LV hotel accommodation are relatively cheap
If want more shopping/civilisation, skip Grand Canyon land route with a heli-sightseeing flight from LV, (US$400-500 each pax), then can spend more days in the cities and do San Diego too. However, Antelope and Bryce Canyon are beauties.
San Diego is just see city/navy ships/dining, the Sea World and Zoo talked about, but same of not lose our local or HK Seaworld.
This is what we did in 2011 - Flying in/out LAX
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This is 20 D -Flying in SF- Out LAX
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For budget wise, it depends on how luxury you want your trip to be.
For me, I always take the cheapest flight and accommodations, so that I have more $ for more trips every year and shopping as bonus!
Rough gauge of my 21 days expenses for 3A 1 child around S$ 8k-10k - air tix from China Eastern around 1K each (check Skyscanner.com everyday)
Car rental - SUV - USD$480
Accommodations - motel ranging from USD 50 -80 with 2 x queen beds. (but then also depending on which period, summer is their peak)
Food - generally quite cheap. Asian food served in huge portion, restaurants have takeaway box for diners to pack unfinished food.
I also subscribed to Groupon - SF / LA to look for deals. My bro booked his LV Hardrock hotel at very cheap rate thru Groupon.
* My bro pre-booked most of stays, majority are thru airbnb. Just make sure you read the reviews to make sure they are genuine before booking.
Hope you have fun planning the trip.
Cheers!