US help.

[galliano]

Mid Nov - 6Dec.
Bought my tics last week. It’s 1,350 today I just checked.

Will be spending the thanksgiving week in Anaheim with my sis over there. With domestic return air tickets soaring to $300/ea, i was thinking of taking HIghway 1 (SF-LA), then return via the Pacific Coast Highway. It will be my 1st time driving so much.

1. Is traffic really that bad during the thanksgiving week? Am planning to leave for Anaheim on Mon 21Nov, and return back to SF on Fri, 25-26Nov.

 

[Hisashiburi]

Will be spending the thanksgiving week in Anaheim with my sis over there. With domestic return air tickets soaring to $300/ea, i was thinking of taking HIghway 1 (SF-LA), then return via the Pacific Coast Highway. It will be my 1st time driving so much.

1. Is traffic really that bad during the thanksgiving week? Am planning to leave for Anaheim on Mon 21Nov, and return back to SF on Fri, 25-26Nov.

Pacific coast highway is scenic but very curvy n very low speed limit.
It will take forever to get from LA to SF.

Can travel part of the way to SF on Pacific coast n then switch to the main highway.

Thanksgiving driving is ok not that crowded but airline travel is very busy.
Best not to fly during those times.

 

[galliano]

Pacific coast highway is scenic but very curvy n very low speed limit.
It will take forever to get from LA to SF.

Can travel part of the way to SF on Pacific coast n then switch to the main highway.

Thanksgiving driving is ok not that crowded but airline travel is very busy.
Best not to fly during those times.

thanks for the advice. Ya, figured that the airports gonna be messy during that crazy week. Since I got my sis car, might as well brave the traffic and drive.

I was hoping to check out Big Sur stretch on way back from Anaheim to SF. Rest I dun mind doing the highway 1.

 

[Hisashiburi]

thanks for the advice. Ya, figured that the airports gonna be messy during that crazy week. Since I got my sis car, might as well brave the traffic and drive.

I was hoping to check out Big Sur stretch on way back from Anaheim to SF. Rest I dun mind doing the highway 1.

Definitely drive the part near Carmel, Monterey Big Sur.
Very scenic!

 

[jaydentk]

Any recommendation for SFO air bnb for a family of 4? As i will be driving, will prefer a parking option too.

 

[gairr]

Pacific coast highway is scenic but very curvy n very low speed limit.
It will take forever to get from LA to SF.

Can travel part of the way to SF on Pacific coast n then switch to the main highway.

Thanksgiving driving is ok not that crowded but airline travel is very busy.
Best not to fly during those times.

Will be spending the thanksgiving week in Anaheim with my sis over there. With domestic return air tickets soaring to $300/ea, i was thinking of taking HIghway 1 (SF-LA), then return via the Pacific Coast Highway. It will be my 1st time driving so much.

1. Is traffic really that bad during the thanksgiving week? Am planning to leave for Anaheim on Mon 21Nov, and return back to SF on Fri, 25-26Nov.

Years ago I drove along the coast and I know I will have quite a few stops along the way for photo taking so I stayed 1 night along the way. My direction is from SF to LA.

You might want to consider stop over in Monetary Bay for a night. It's a nice place to visit. From Monetary Bay to SF along the way there's a factory outlet (San Jose area if I remember correctly) you can visit and buy as much stuff as you want.

 

[ceecookie]

It's really too tiring and enduring to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles (or vice versa) via Pacific Coast highway.

I did that and it took me 14 hours on the road (including photo taking breaks and lunch)! Started at 8am and only reached my downtown LA hotel at 10pm. Pls remember to factor in LA traffic because its a nightmare even during non peak hours

Best town to stopover for a night is San Luis Obispo. Very nice small town with old Spanish design.

 

[nivlac9]

Hi, making my maiden trip to NYC for Xmas and New Year count down. 23 Dec to 10 Jan. Was thinking of driving between cities NYC - Boston + DC with a bit of sight seeing along the way. Was informed that weather might be quite hazardous during winter and its probably safer to just take a train instead. Lastly, would restaurants, cafes, shops, etc be opened during the year end or will they largely be shut?

TIA

 

[beanstalk6]

Hi, making my maiden trip to NYC for Xmas and New Year count down. 23 Dec to 10 Jan. Was thinking of driving between cities NYC - Boston + DC with a bit of sight seeing along the way. Was informed that weather might be quite hazardous during winter and its probably safer to just take a train instead. Lastly, would restaurants, cafes, shops, etc be opened during the year end or will they largely be shut?

TIA

Winter is not conducive to driving. Snow storms can turn your drive trip into a nightmare. It gets dark earlier than usual, which is havoc to sightseeing plans in the countryside. Stick to Amtrak.

 

[Hisashiburi]

Hi, making my maiden trip to NYC for Xmas and New Year count down. 23 Dec to 10 Jan. Was thinking of driving between cities NYC - Boston + DC with a bit of sight seeing along the way. Was informed that weather might be quite hazardous during winter and its probably safer to just take a train instead. Lastly, would restaurants, cafes, shops, etc be opened during the year end or will they largely be shut?

TIA

East coast usa can have massive snowstorms in winter.
If that happens, roads n rail will shut down.

Anyway, Amtrax rail is probably ok if u are going to only be in the cities.
Pls don't take the public long distance buses...for safety.

Restaurants n shops in the big cities will be open.
Christmas day itself , some places shut down or close early.
New Year is ok.
If u are going to museums check their holiday schedule first.

U can see how the weather is like before u depart nyc to Boston.
Driving between NYC n Boston is quite nice as u can stop along the way like in Connecticut n visit small towns.

If u don't care for that n don't want the hassle of finding parking and refilling gas then train is better.

 

[OMeGa666]

Thanks. Am looking around for esim options also.

Tagging along for the same question. iPhone does not support dual physical SIM, so I need eSIM for my US line.

From my research, looks like there are 4 options:
1) AT&T: US$40/30days (15GB, tethering allowed) + US$4.99 eSIM fee. eSIM activation card with a QR code will be sent to your mailing address. Scan the QR to install the eSIM ("Install cellular plan").
2) T-Mobile: US$35 Connect by TMO UNL Talk&Text w/ 12 GB Data-1 Month (tethering allowed). Activate on T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app. eSIM fee unknown.
3) Buy from Airalo: US$26 (10GB). eSIM fee, tethering availability unknown.
4) Buy and activate eSIM from AT&T/T-Mobile at airport. My flight reaches SFO at 9am.

Which should be the best?

 

[galliano]

Tagging along for the same question. iPhone does not support dual physical SIM, so I need eSIM for my US line.

From my research, looks like there are 4 options:
1) AT&T: US$40/30days (15GB, tethering allowed) + US$4.99 eSIM fee. eSIM activation card with a QR code will be sent to your mailing address. Scan the QR to install the eSIM ("Install cellular plan").
2) T-Mobile: US$35 Connect by TMO UNL Talk&Text w/ 12 GB Data-1 Month (tethering allowed). Activate on T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app. eSIM fee unknown.
3) Buy from Airalo: US$26 (10GB). eSIM fee, tethering availability unknown.
4) Buy and activate eSIM from AT&T/T-Mobile at airport. My flight reaches SFO at 9am.

Which should be the best?

think I’ll go with the easiest setup. Airalo. 10Gb is enough for me.

 

[ceecookie]

Tagging along for the same question. iPhone does not support dual physical SIM, so I need eSIM for my US line.

From my research, looks like there are 4 options:
1) AT&T: US$40/30days (15GB, tethering allowed) + US$4.99 eSIM fee. eSIM activation card with a QR code will be sent to your mailing address. Scan the QR to install the eSIM ("Install cellular plan").
2) T-Mobile: US$35 Connect by TMO UNL Talk&Text w/ 12 GB Data-1 Month (tethering allowed). Activate on T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app. eSIM fee unknown.
3) Buy from Airalo: US$26 (10GB). eSIM fee, tethering availability unknown.
4) Buy and activate eSIM from AT&T/T-Mobile at airport. My flight reaches SFO at 9am.

Which should be the best?

Easiest option is Airalo - I’ve used it before and you can activate the package in advance so when you land in SFO, straight away you will get data access.

it doesn’t come with talktime but you can download Skype and top up US$5 to make cellular calls.

Do take note that Airalo does not have any data rollover when buying additional package. So if u want to top up data, the current package must be fully used else u will forfeit the remaining data.

 

[galliano]

Easiest option is Airalo - I’ve used it before and you can activate the package in advance so when you land in SFO, straight away you will get data access.

it doesn’t come with talktime but you can download Skype and top up US$5 to make cellular calls.

Do take note that Airalo does not have any data rollover when buying additional package. So if u want to top up data, the current package must be fully used else u will forfeit the remaining data.

In SF now, used the Airalo USD23 (after $3 welcome discount). Good T-mobile 5G coverage. I think it’s the cheapest eSim and easy to start using.

 

[Crimsom]

Hi, i am renting a car in san francisco to go on road trip to national parks.

Can I check what is required insurance?

From alamo website, the damage waiver is included but Supplementary Liability insurance (SLI) is not included.

I read on tripadvisor, seems like it says SLI is needed for international hirers.

My travel insurance would already cover liability to others.

 

[Hisashiburi]

Hi, i am renting a car in san francisco to go on road trip to national parks.

Can I check what is required insurance?

From alamo website, the damage waiver is included but Supplementary Liability insurance (SLI) is not included.

I read on tripadvisor, seems like it says SLI is needed for international hirers.

My travel insurance would already cover liability to others.

If u already have the SLI coverage then u wouldn't need to buy but have to provide proof of the insurance.

 

[hipaws]

Hi all, any recommended places to purchase US SIM card in SG? Any review on ICC SIM card? I know of Airalo but sadly my phone couldn't handle eSIM.

 

[sarahdes12]

Years ago I drove along the coast and I know I will have quite a few stops along the way for photo taking so I stayed 1 night along the way. My direction is from SF to LA.

You might want to consider stop over in Monetary Bay for a night. It's a nice place to visit. From Monetary Bay to SF along the way there's a factory outlet (San Jose area if I remember correctly) you can visit and buy as much stuff as you want.

whats the duration of driving from san fran to LA?

 

[Hisashiburi]

whats the duration of driving from san fran to LA?

Google maps say 6 to 7 hrs if u use I-5 highway
Much much longer if u take the Pacific coast scenic route

Of course u prob need to stop for rest n gas up the car.

 

[hipaws]

Hi, any recommendation for US physical SIM card to purchase ?