US help.

[swordspirit]

I've dropped the idea of driving SF-LV. Have book a flt instead. Also not doing Yosemite as some area will be closed in the winter.
We don't drink so Napa also out.

4 person? Just take taxi. Unless your hotel is very near to any metro.

 

[califonia]

Hi Shiny and Swordspirit,

Yes, I'm staying in Best Western Tuscan, just across the Pier. I could not find any nearby BART except in the south and airport. So I guess taxi is my only choice. Let's say 4 person wth 2 huge luggage, how much should i expect to pay for the ride?

Anything or types of taxi that I should be looking out for?

4 person? Just take taxi. Unless your hotel is very near to any metro.

 

[califonia]

Just added cheesecake and Gordon Ramsey in our list!!! Since we'll be staying in Paris LV, cannot miss.

I checked the vroom website. It does not include second driver. It say add $10-13/day. Good thing about this company is that they wont charge you anything until you pick up your car!!

Day 1: Hollywood walk of fame / Chinese Theatre / The Grove for Yummy cheesecake Factory (oh yes, the portions are HUGE - it's like x3 portions of SG)

Day 4: Vegas (Please try Gordon Ramsay Steak)

Website which i booked my car rentals: VroomVroomVroom Cheap Car Rental Comparison in the United States

Good rates but please book early.

 

[fone]

Just added cheesecake and Gordon Ramsey in our list!!! Since we'll be staying in Paris LV, cannot miss.

Remember to make reservations in advance. It will be disappointing to wait 1 hour+ for your meals.

I checked the vroom website. It does not include second driver. It say add $10-13/day. Good thing about this company is that they wont charge you anything until you pick up your car!!

Most non pre-paid car rental companies will only charge you upon returning of the vehicle. They will put a block on your card upon collection of the car, then the actual charge upon returning. Also, non pre-paid reservations do not have penalties for no-shows.

 

[stanknight]

So, dumb question first: what time of year are you travelling? That'll make a difference; there's some stuff you can't do in winter (Yellowstone, big chunks of Utah) and some stuff you can't do in summer (Death Valley, other chunks of Utah).

Thanks for the detailed answer. Anyway I will be travelling in end aug/ early sep.


And I have dropped the idea of driving from Yellowstone to vegas, instead will be taking plane from SLC to vegas.

 

[swordspirit]

Just added cheesecake and Gordon Ramsey in our list!!! Since we'll be staying in Paris LV, cannot miss.

I checked the vroom website. It does not include second driver. It say add $10-13/day. Good thing about this company is that they wont charge you anything until you pick up your car!!

Whats your rate? Carhire3000 shld be much cheaper after u consider cdw and other insurance.

 

[patryn33]

Our northern neighbours need to given some slack as well. If you love nature and forest, Banff National Park is something must see, especially if you manage to stay at Fairmont...

Banff, jasper, argonquin are great. Most ppl overlooked argonquin if one into wild life and nature must go there
Fairmont is great else try those b&b

 

[patryn33]

Just added cheesecake and Gordon Ramsey in our list!!! Since we'll be staying in Paris LV, cannot miss.!!

I would go Cheesecake Factory only for cheesecake not meals.
Food is consistent and taste good but not special. I usually just pack cheesecake to go.
Have your meals some where else

No pt asking shiny about outlet malls he isn't the type to shop in such places.
Singaporean go for such things..
Gilroy is a nice outlet to shop if u not shopping at the Vegas outlet.

Just return from pittsburgh and spent 4 hrs at the grove city outlet. Less touristy outlet I often find better deals. I don't like shopping at Vegas outlet or desert hills.

 

[califonia]

americacarrental charge $800+ all in. While vroom is $670 (less full tank, second driver, collision insurance and airport tax which i have no idea what is that?

I noticed if you book through the rental company itself (say Alamo), the cost can go up easily 10-20% more??!!!

Whats your rate? Carhire3000 shld be much cheaper after u consider cdw and other insurance.

 

[califonia]

Thanks. Yeah, will just do take-away for cheesecake.

Neither do i like shopping. But when you travel with wife, well, this is high priority for her. We will miss Gilroy since I'll fly SF-LV. From LV, we will head south to SD/LA. Wonder any good outlet along my way?

Why don't you like abt the Vegas Fashion outlet? Heard its one of the best?

I would go Cheesecake Factory only for cheesecake not meals.
Food is consistent and taste good but not special. I usually just pack cheesecake to go.
Have your meals some where else

No pt asking shiny about outlet malls he isn't the type to shop in such places.
Singaporean go for such things..
Gilroy is a nice outlet to shop if u not shopping at the Vegas outlet.

Just return from pittsburgh and spent 4 hrs at the grove city outlet. Less touristy outlet I often find better deals. I don't like shopping at Vegas outlet or desert hills.

 

[urban_closet]

Guys, I have a spare US AT&T SIM Card (GoPhone) with about 2GB of data left.

Got it on 5th April, so think there's 1 more month left. Do let me know your offers and we can deal. Served me well in US while we were driving in LV

 

[critical888]

for usa prepaid sim card, look no further, collect locally in sg, use in usa, can even activate for u while u are in sg, u can see your number also you can call tmobile customer service from sg after activation :

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/t...nd-wifi-hotspot-mifi-korea-japan-4656245.html

 

[swordspirit]

americacarrental charge $800+ all in. While vroom is $670 (less full tank, second driver, collision insurance and airport tax which i have no idea what is that?

I noticed if you book through the rental company itself (say Alamo), the cost can go up easily 10-20% more??!!!

Talking abt carhire3000.com or uscarrental.co.uk. cdw or collision dmg waiver with 0 excess will allow u to be free from all kinds of dmg claim that the car rental company going to impose on u. Including scratches. The risk abt no cdw us the potential hidden price that they can impose on u. E.g. saying u dmg a certain part where is pre existing but u have no knowledge when u took the car.

 

[patryn33]

Thanks. Yeah, will just do take-away for cheesecake.

Neither do i like shopping. But when you travel with wife, well, this is high priority for her. We will miss Gilroy since I'll fly SF-LV. From LV, we will head south to SD/LA. Wonder any good outlet along my way?

Why don't you like abt the Vegas Fashion outlet? Heard its one of the best?

It's in a men's blood, how many men like shopping? Lol
Most men are in and out ver focus, women are bargain hunters.
U wouldn't understand.

Very touristy, cannot find good deals IMHO.
I was out in PA and I was able to find Johnson Murphy dress shirts going for usd$15! Usual over usd$80. As a shoe brand shirts are not specially for outlet. Johnson Murphy usually has buy 3 get 1 free deals. But I rather shop online via allen edmonds.

Guys only buy essential items, shoes and maybe shirts or polo tee or a tumi bag, into shaving products can get cheap stuff at Crabtree. Wanted good shoes shop allen edmond order it and get it ship to your hotel. Enjoy the free shipping. Guys on fashion sub forums are into shoes, watches the usual guy stuff.

These guys super into shoes
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/fashion-grooming-235/working-shoe-young-exec-2696469-426.html

Outside LA go desert hills if u into lux brands
Else go Carlsbad closer to sd
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/store_listing.asp?id=66
Closer to La go this
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/store_listing.asp?id=20

Big shoppers just bring 1 suitcase and go buy new cheap tumi or samsonite to carry things back. Some buy and wear as they traveling out here.

My family love cooking utensils, this time here bought pots and pans. I bought stuff from all clad in PA outlet. A nice pot only usd$20 regular over usd$80.

 

[Shiny Things]

H
Yes, I'm staying in Best Western Tuscan, just across the Pier. I could not find any nearby BART except in the south and airport. So I guess taxi is my only choice. Let's say 4 person wth 2 huge luggage, how much should i expect to pay for the ride?

It'll be $60-$70 or so. Chunky, I know, but when you're out in Fishermans Wharf there's not a lot you can do.

 

[Shiny Things]

No pt asking shiny about outlet malls he isn't the type to shop in such places.
Singaporean go for such things..
Gilroy is a nice outlet to shop if u not shopping at the Vegas outlet.

Ha, yeah - I'm like "shopping? wtf? I could spend that time driving!".

To be fair, I've done some pretty serious damage to my credit card on past trips; I just don't like doing it at outlet malls. They're engineered to make you think you're getting a bargain when you're really, really not - and even when you do get a bargain, you've spent an entire day getting there and back. Different strokes for different folks, though.

 

[patryn33]

It's just 1 hr away or 2 hr or so. In Cali the traffic yes it's easily 3-4hr driving.

Yes many brands do make outlet good to make ppl think they are getting things at a bargain. Then again Singaporean only cares about brand, why pay sgd$150 for a polo tee when they can get it like usd$35 (good deal usd$20) at outlet or usd$85 at regular store. They claim outlet they didn't sew as well and tee can come apart but hack Singaporean can buy 2-4 tee not one at regular store and wearing them interchanging may last longer. The same goes with brands like Brooke's brothers etc.
even for timberland the quality from regular store and boutique hard to tell for me. I rough on shoes after 1 week store or outlet no diff. Hehe. Then again my rich friend refuse to shop at regular stores when they giving discount, he firmly believe it's same outlet goods at higher price! He rather pay regular price.

Well your time may cost more or be better doing something else, others just enjoy the experience of going shopping. Yes even u score good deals the time on the road not as if ppl have better things to do with the time unlike u. We all done serious damage to credit cards before. Oh some ppl do like driving there and time on the road. I know ppl who will drive 4-5 hours 1 way to eat good chinese food for lunch and tabao dinner back. That's 8-10hrs on the road to get food. As long as he likes it go for it. It's his time, no pt taking him out of it. No benefit for me, what to gain? Maybe get bad impression or distaste in his mouth. Lol

Just note I got stuff from pottery barn outlet and I did burn 1.5 day to get it. Saving me over usd$2k, well I don't make usd$2k in 12 hours. Most importantly happy wife! Priceless!!

To others interested in price diff of timberland
See below thread
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/eat-drink-man-woman-16/timberland-shoes-4698206-5.html#post86256591

 

[winorlose]

The only thing i bought during outlet shopping was like NIKE shoes, shorts, Adidas..mainly sportswear. Also a Coach messenger bag.

you will still find things to buy but very selective.

 

[patryn33]

U reminds me of my sibling yrs ago.
Diff ppl buy diff things. Did u regret spending the time shopping?

 

[winorlose]

no regrets!