Going to California

[Lee152]

Planning a month long trip to California, February next year, starting off in Phoenix driving to the Grand Canyon, Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite, LA up the coast to San Francisco and a week in Hawaii (for her). Anyone got any tips or advice, gratefully recieved.
Really want to drop in on a VW meet or two, pick up a bargain and hopefully see where my bus spent the first 10 years of its life in Fremont.
So if you got any advice love to hear it

Lee

 

[Myvanway]

Sounds well cool.
Got a local guy down the road who goes to Cali all the time, he always posts pics of his trips on his facebook page. (SoCal Diaries)
check it out.

World Wild Wagens: http://www.facebook.com/pages/World-Wild-Wagens/160370450677776" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Sounds Awesome.....im jealous!!!!
Go to the Gene Berg Factory and get me a t-shirt! 8)

 

[Lee152]

Cool pick ups. Looking forward to driving through Death Valley and finding a rusty old Chevy at the side of the road. Can't beat a big old Lincoln slammed on air

Lee

 

[Walt]

Did San Francisco to LA via the pacific Coast highway. Stopped off at places such as Monteray(?), carmel, big sur, Santander Monica etc.

Was a great drive, awesome scenery - would love to do it again!

 

[Lee152]

That's definitely part of the trip. How long did u take to drive from San Fran to LA. I'm planning to go in the other direction?

Lee

 

[ozziedog]

Pay the money, and fly round the canyon, you can`t see **** from ground level up to what you can see from upstairs. The chopper is more expensive but you`ll see as much from the plane (it`s big don`t ya know) :lol: One thing I was not keen on doing, but I did because of orders :shock: was going to see some poxy prison :roll: But ALCATRAZ has got to be on the list of possibly the most interesting / absorbing/ disturbing/days out you can ever go on :? AND,,, book it before you go as you just an`t get on it some days, and whenever you go ,,,, you will have to que for a bit. Check out the trams and the street cars, also crab resturaunts ar wicked and the pier is pretty cool too 8)

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,, And don`t forget Otis Redding 8) :mrgreen: :mrgreen: 8)

 

[Clem]

We did San Fran to LA a few years back stopping in the way at Carmel, Monterey, Santa Barbara and down to Dana Point in OC and then to San Diego. We went from LA to Vegas too.
Check to see if there is a Pomona Swapmeet on, they are worth a look.

My tip, don't drive your hire car into Mexico without your passport :lol:

 

[Tofufi]

I'll be in Phoenix on Monday. Plans include the grand canyon and route 1

Will let you know if we find anything good 8)

 

[curly head]

if your in san fran take a nice 4 hour drive to lake tahoe and do yourself some snow boarding, very jealous

 

[5erge]

Off of route 1 stop at San Luis Obisbo, very nice place, well it was 10 years ago.

I know I shouldn't be saying this but why waste holiday time going to a VW swapmeet or something, unless of course you want to pick me up a set of Deluxe bumper trim :mrgreen:

Des

 

[Lee152]

Thanks for the comments and advice 8)

Sounds Awesome.....im jealous!!!!
Go to the Gene Berg Factory and get me a t-shirt!

Its looks like its on the way from Vegas to LA, but might be pushing my luck, though I really do fancy a locking shifter

Pay the money, and fly round the canyon, you can`t see **** from ground level up to what you can see from upstairs. The chopper is more expensive but you`ll see as much from the plane (it`s big don`t ya know) One thing I was not keen on doing, but I did because of orders was going to see some poxy prison But ALCATRAZ has got to be on the list of possibly the most interesting / absorbing/ disturbing/days out you can ever go on AND,,, book it before you go as you just an`t get on it some days, and whenever you go ,,,, you will have to que for a bit. Check out the trams and the street cars, also crab resturaunts ar wicked and the pier is pretty cool too

So you reckon the Heli ride rather than the plane?, expensive but its once in a lifetime and after all its only a set a wheels for the bus...........arh bugger, the things we do for love. Defo the prison as others have mentioned its very cool. And I will be sitting on the dock of the bay wasting time. 8)

Check to see if there is a Pomona Swapmeet on, they are worth a look.
My tip, don't drive your hire car into Mexico without your passport

Jesus that makes Slough swapmeet look pants! No dates for 2014 yet but I fancy that, she wont but its my holiday as well :lol:
Sounds like theres a whole story about driving into Mexico with no passport :roll:

I'll be in Phoenix on Monday. Plans include the grand canyon and route 1

Appreciate any extra info.

if your in san fran take a nice 4 hour drive to lake tahoe and do yourself some snow boarding, very jealous

Gonna cut in from the coast and do a loop round the lake and back to San Fran. Any recommendations on route to go?

Off of route 1 stop at San Luis Obisbo, very nice place, well it was 10 years ago.
I know I shouldn't be saying this but why waste holiday time going to a VW swapmeet or something, unless of course you want to pick me up a set of Deluxe bumper trim

Will look it up. Swapmeet or VW meet is really only if it falls on route at the right time. Aint gonna do detours or waste time but just like the idea

Lee

 

[Walt]

That's definitely part of the trip. How long did u take to drive from San Fran to LA. I'm planning to go in the other direction?

Lee

Took about 2 days. Stayed in cambria, then Santa Monica.

If you go north to South you are driving along side the coastline, makes it easier to pullover into layby's (not that there's loads of traffic mind - i's pretty much dead),and it means your passenger has a perfect view of the sea.

As someone has already said, the drive from la to vegas is great aswell - try and time it so you arrive in vegas at dusk - looks great driving in with the sun setting and the neon lights blazing!

As for San Fran, yep alcatraz was pretty interesting, also ride a tram and catch a helicopter over and under the golden gate bridge. If you aren't driving through yosemite before you get to San Fran then you can always do a trip out there from the city. Yosemite is definitely worth a visit.

Again as someone mentioned, if you've got the time then pop to lake tahoe - doubt you'll be there in winter but if you are then it's awesome (if you are really keen on snowboarding then head up to kirkwood, off piste is just amazing), the way the old style mom & pop guest houses are along the street in california, then suddenly the casinos appear into nevada, a real mashup!

To be honest California is just an amazing place - loads to see and do! You'll have a great time.

 

[Walt]

So you reckon the Heli ride rather than the plane?

The helicopter was the quicker option. They flew out to the west rim of the canyon, landed in the canyon, glass of champagne, refuelled, played music from apocalypse now and flew back.

But i'd recommend the plane. Flew out to the South rim, think the flight took a couple of hours, then landed, onto a bus, went to few places around the top of the canyon (that glass platform was being built at the time),was pretty good, then plane back. You had much more time to basically just keep saying "wow - I can't believe how big it is ”.

 

[Lee152]

Cheers for the info. Planning on a month in Feb so guessing Vegas, LA to San Francisco will be fine weather wise. Not sure how much I will get to see of Yosemite as told some roads close due to snow. More time in LA or San Francisco?

Lee

 

[Walt]

more time in LA or San Francisco?

Lee

Tough one.
Would probably say more time in San Francisco. LA is good, there's the beaches, Hollywood and loads of other stuff to do and see, but if I was offered the choice between a stay in LA or San Francisco, at the moment i'd go for San Francisco.
It just has a nice vibe about the place, feels pretty easy and laidback.

 

[Trikky2]

In Feb its going to be quite cold and yes Yosemite will still be snowed. This year the west exit was still closed in mid may.

 

[curly head]

if your in san fran take a nice 4 hour drive to lake tahoe and do yourself some snow boarding, very jealous

Gonna cut in from the coast and do a loop round the lake and back to San Fran. Any recommendations on route to go?

Lee

Personally I love San Fran and would have a longer stay there than LA, the night time visit to Alcatraz is a must.

In terms of Tahoe my preference is around South Lake Tahoe, you can walk over the stateline into Nevada for some gambling and fun. For boarding try a small resort called Homewood, not many people go there and we was told by a local friend it is a locally kept secret, the views of the lake are the best from here. Sierra resort is quite cool but I suppose Heavenly is the most popular and has the biggest runs. If you need cheap clean accommodation in walking distance of the Heavenly gondola try Station House Inn, approx $100 / night. There is also a bus stop outside which will take you to most resort free of charge.

Have a great time, so jealous.

 

[paul_q]

Huntington beach if you go a little lower than la

 

[waltz19]

2 - 3 Days Max for Vegas it will burn you out :lol:

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[Retroman]

For Fremont get a gun! Rough! As far as Tahoe the north and west shore is where locals go. Try the breakfast at "the Firesign cafe" just south of Tahoe city. I have lived near Tahoe my whole life. Just enjoy!