US help.

[patryn33]

Concerned about new york actually. haha, not like our safe streets in Singapore.

Say the wrong thing you put yourself into risk no matter where u go in USA.

New York State is big but I guess u refer to the city and just the touristy area.

Hang around touristy area generally safe like 99%, no place is 100%
But if u worry about terrorist , I am not going to say u 100% safe

 

[takuyazzz]

Have a look at a map. It's always worth having a look at a map before asking these sort of questions.

Short answer: Santa Monica to the Griffith Observatory is about the same distance as Jurong to Changi, and Los Angeles public transport sucks.

Yeah, you'll need a car.



If your hotel charges for parking (not all do, and some will let you park for free if you're in the frequent guest program), then it'll usually be "get a ticket when you drive in; when you leave, get the ticket validated at a pay machine, and stick it in the machine when you leave". It's really not that complicated; just do it once and you'll get the hang of it.

That said, you're probably paying about $200 a night for the hotel. If you're getting hung up on a $15 parking charge, you're focusing on the wrong thing.

Will we be able to get by by relying on lyft/uber? Costs aside, we're apprehensive about driving (opposite side) in city traffic right after a 20 hour transit.

 

[patryn33]

Will we be able to get by by relying on lyft/uber? Costs aside, we're apprehensive about driving (opposite side) in city traffic right after a 20 hour transit.

U can certainly use uber to get around.
Traffic light issue not a big deal, common sense will tell you not to drive into cars.
The 20hr thing getting tired that I agree. If u not comfortable why put yourself at risk

 

[takuyazzz]

Yep, more or less decided to get a car when leaving LA.

Can I get some critic and help to see how the following can be improved? Is it too packed?

Days 1-3: LA - Hollywood attractions, BHills, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier,
Day 4: Collect car, drive to Anaheim (stay at Anaheim)
Day 5: Disneyland full day (stay at Anaheim)
Day 6: Desert Hills Premium Outlet (stay at Morongo Casino Resort)
Day 7: Drive to Las Vegas
Day 8: Las Vegas
Day 9: Check out and leave for Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon South Rim, stay the night at Tusayan
Day 10: Grand Canyon in the morning then head back to Las Vegas (stay in vegas)
Day 11: Vegas
Day 12: Fly to San Francisco (or fly on day 11?)
Day 13: SF
Day 14: SF
Day 15: SF
Day 16: Return flight

 

[crunsik]

Anyone knows if the airlines check the diamensions of your baggage? I'm traveling by SQ but my current diamension exceeds the 158cm by 10cm or so

 

[fone]

Anyone knows if the airlines check the diamensions of your baggage? I'm traveling by SQ but my current diamension exceeds the 158cm by 10cm or so

SQ is usually fine.

 

[Shiny Things]

Yep, more or less decided to get a car when leaving LA.

Can I get some critic and help to see how the following can be improved? Is it too packed?

Days 1-3: LA - Hollywood attractions, BHills, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier,
Day 4: Collect car, drive to Anaheim (stay at Anaheim)
Day 5: Disneyland full day (stay at Anaheim)
Day 6: Desert Hills Premium Outlet (stay at Morongo Casino Resort)
Day 7: Drive to Las Vegas
Day 8: Las Vegas
Day 9: Check out and leave for Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon South Rim, stay the night at Tusayan
Day 10: Grand Canyon in the morning then head back to Las Vegas (stay in vegas)
Day 11: Vegas
Day 12: Fly to San Francisco (or fly on day 11?)
Day 13: SF
Day 14: SF
Day 15: SF
Day 16: Return flight

Looks good to me. I'd probably fly late on day 11, to give yourself an extra day in SF; Vegas is fun but there's not THAT much to do.

Also depending on how long you spend at Desert Hills, you could probably get to Vegas that night; it's only a four-hour drive, even if you double back a bit through Los Angeles to get to Interstate 15. (Google Maps suggests another route that runs through the middle of the Mojave Desert, but that's not a great idea at night; if you break down on that road you're pretty boned.)

 

[Momentumm]

Is there anyone who will be in LA alone on 02/04 - 04/04 and wants to explore some places together? Lol.

 

[takuyazzz]

Looks good to me. I'd probably fly late on day 11, to give yourself an extra day in SF; Vegas is fun but there's not THAT much to do.

Also depending on how long you spend at Desert Hills, you could probably get to Vegas that night; it's only a four-hour drive, even if you double back a bit through Los Angeles to get to Interstate 15. (Google Maps suggests another route that runs through the middle of the Mojave Desert, but that's not a great idea at night; if you break down on that road you're pretty boned.)

Thanks for your suggestions!

We went ahead to book a night at Morongo so we'll have to stick to our plan and take it easy.

We're contemplating stopping by Newport or Long beach to join a whale watching tour on the day we leave LA for Anaheim. Are these tours actually worth going for?

 

[crunsik]

SQ is usually fine.

thanks!

wondering if there are any drivers in US that could share some tips on how to avoid toll? Would selecting the avoid toll on Google maps be feasible?

Would it be cheaper to buy a GPS in US rather than to rent it from Avis/Hertz? I currently have one in my phone but am considering to get another one as insurance

route from SF to NAPA https://goo.gl/maps/DG8SuREhPPT2

 

[shawniiex]

thanks!

wondering if there are any drivers in US that could share some tips on how to avoid toll? Would selecting the avoid toll on Google maps be feasible?

Would it be cheaper to buy a GPS in US rather than to rent it from Avis/Hertz? I currently have one in my phone but am considering to get another one as insurance

route from SF to NAPA https://goo.gl/maps/DG8SuREhPPT2

brother, no need rent a GPS luh, i drove in Japan with Google Maps perfectly fine. didnt get lost one bit. i'm sure USA will be alright.

 

[ronanzc]

hi guys,
I would be staying at LA for a few days in May and I am intending to go to a factory outlet.
Which outlet is recommended? In my mind i am think either Carmarillo or Desert Hill but I can't make my mind which one...

Thanks in advance

 

[takuyazzz]

Hi guys any car rentals to recommend? From my search so far, Sixt seems to be the cheapest + it doesnt charge a drop fee for return to a different location.

 

[urban_closet]

I used SIXT for my reservation this August. This was with LDW included. Unlimited miles.

Something interesting i observed for SIXT was that it was more expensive to pickup and return the car at the airport compared to picking up at LAX and then dropping off at the Venice beach location - price was about $1xx more expensive.

Compared with Budget, Avis, Hertz. Sixt is still cheaper.

 

[crunsik]

brother, no need rent a GPS luh, i drove in Japan with Google Maps perfectly fine. didnt get lost one bit. i'm sure USA will be alright.

Hmm I hope so too but at times google map ain't that accurate so wondering if it's ain't going to be that expensive I'll just buy gps for insurance

 

[crunsik]

hi guys,
I would be staying at LA for a few days in May and I am intending to go to a factory outlet.
Which outlet is recommended? In my mind i am think either Carmarillo or Desert Hill but I can't make my mind which one...

Thanks in advance

Based on what i read it's going to be Desert hill for me since the brands are more distinct here

 

[crunsik]

Hi guys any car rentals to recommend? From my search so far, Sixt seems to be the cheapest + it doesnt charge a drop fee for return to a different location.

Go read abit on TA. There are quite a number of bad reviews for Sixt. With people having to wait for an hour or more just to collect their car. Being billed for damaged parts etc.

For me I paid abit more for Avis and hope that there's gonna be less of an issue with the pick up and return

 

[Shiny Things]

thanks!

wondering if there are any drivers in US that could share some tips on how to avoid toll? Would selecting the avoid toll on Google maps be feasible?

Would it be cheaper to buy a GPS in US rather than to rent it from Avis/Hertz? I currently have one in my phone but am considering to get another one as insurance

route from SF to NAPA https://goo.gl/maps/DG8SuREhPPT2

On the one hand you're trying to avoid like five dollars worth of tolls; on the other hand you're thinking of spending like a hundred bucks on a GPS? Just use Google Maps. The Offline Maps feature is great.

Anyway. The basic rule for all of these bridges is that tolls only get charged when you're going to San Francisco: so, southbound on the Golden Gate Bridge, westbound on the Bay Bridge, etc etc etc. You're looking at going away from San Francisco, so those routes you've got there will be free of tolls. If you head back to SF afterwards, you'll pay $5-$6 in tolls.

 

[patryn33]

thanks!

wondering if there are any drivers in US that could share some tips on how to avoid toll? Would selecting the avoid toll on Google maps be feasible?

Would it be cheaper to buy a GPS in US rather than to rent it from Avis/Hertz? I currently have one in my phone but am considering to get another one as insurance

route from SF to NAPA https://goo.gl/maps/DG8SuREhPPT2

U planning to buy and refund right?

 

[shawniiex]

U planning to buy and refund right?

think he means the GPS as a top up option.