US help.

[mlam84]

Well I was thinking what if I choose to stay further away am I able to get a bigger property to accommodate my group with ease?

How big is your group? Choosing room with double bed (2 queen size bed) may help to reduce the cost.

 

[patryn33]

I don’t think in US they can charge you with traffic camera footage though. Never saw any traffic cameras here, it’s always police giving ticket personally. I think it’s because traffic camera footage too easy to fight the evidence. In US you can actually contest the ticket and say the police is wrong.

Traffic camera not finding in Cali but Chicago, Dallas common. Cannot fight as pic evidence. Traffic camera will tag to car not driver, rental car company iirc just charge your CC big time for crazy processing fee.

Parking violation just pay up fight not worth it. Some part of NYC with parking violation they just wheel lock. Can’t drive off unless pay

 

[patryn33]

How big is your group? Choosing room with double bed (2 queen size bed) may help to reduce the cost.

10 characters

Hi all.

I will be landing in SFO then will be spending 14 days in US then depart via LAX in June.

I would like to get some advice on my itinerary.

Some brief information regarding my family:

1) This is our first trip to US.
2) There will be 6 pax, including an infant who will be 10 months old in June.
3) I will be the only driver.

Right now my basic plan is:

4 days in San Francisco
2 days in Yosemite (Should I spend a night here?)
4 days on Pacific Highway roadtrip
4 days in Los Angeles/San Diego

Initially we wanted to also visit Grand Canyon, but it seems too out of the way considering the limited time we have.
.

 

[vivienwangtc@singnet.com.]

I am planning my 4th trip to US with hubby and 2 kids age 17 and 18 in Dec. Already been to East side on the last trip in 2014 and would like to go west coast this time round. West side already been to LA, SF, Vegas, Utah, Yosemite, Yellow Stone, San Diego. We are not confident about driving in winter but my kids love US. Are there any places that will not snow in Dec, ie, safe to drive and fun?

 

[cfleee]

It seems to be that there is a security and safety issue at Union Square?

Initially I was thinking to choose HI San Francisco Downtown hostel to get near the Union Square at affordable rate. After reading through reviews, I cancelled my booking due to it is at the border with Tenderloin.
I chose to stay in Financial District as it's not too far from City Centre, and it's near the Embarcadero station. We will fly in to SFO and fly out from OAK without driving in San Francisco. So staying near train station and central location is important.
I was considering staying further in Oakland but after calculating the time and money needed to travel in San Francisco, I decided just to stay in city itself.

I've stayed at both the HI SF City Center hostel, and the Handlery hotel on the same block as the HI SF Downtown hostel. The area around the City Center hostel is quite jialat; kids or no kids, I would not recommend it as it's seriously far inside the Tenderloin.

But the Downtown one nearer Union Square is quite ok. If you walk up Powell or Mason St from the Powell St BART station, it's not really a problem, but don't head further west. (Unless you're super adventurous like me, jetlagged in the early morning, and want a breakfast burrito at 7am...)

In any case, if you Uber/Lyft around instead of taking public transport then you will go directly to the doorstep of the hotel/hostel. If you like, you can just do this when returning at night; the area is less of an issue in the morning when... people are still asleep.

Agreed that Oakland accommodation is cheaper – still worth considering since you have more people, but often doesn't work out after you add the 2x daily BART fare across the bay. Just going from Embarcadero to 19th St Oakland is $3.50/$4.00 one way... multiplied by 5?

 

[patryn33]

I am planning my 4th trip to US with hubby and 2 kids age 17 and 18 in Dec. Already been to East side on the last trip in 2014 and would like to go west coast this time round. West side already been to LA, SF, Vegas, Utah, Yosemite, Yellow Stone, San Diego. We are not confident about driving in winter but my kids love US. Are there any places that will not snow in Dec, ie, safe to drive and fun?

U seen the entire Utah got to offer?
Is other parts of Arizona ok? Mostly national parks or nature.
Seattle, Vancouver or Victoria island no snow

 

[vivienwangtc@singnet.com.]

U seen the entire Utah got to offer?
Is other parts of Arizona ok? Mostly national parks or nature.
Seattle, Vancouver or Victoria island no snow

Thanks for the tip. How much time should I spend at each of these places? Any must visit places? I have about 2 weeks to tour. Really looking forward to your advice.

 

[patryn33]

Thanks for the tip. How much time should I spend at each of these places? Any must visit places? I have about 2 weeks to tour. Really looking forward to your advice.

When u said east coast does it cover Florida?
U keen on the south? Say New Orleans, key west, Charlotte, Atlanta, Charleston? What do you or family like doing?

I can spend a week down in Sedona as my family love to hike.
Seattle- greater Seattle has some great wines

When u said Utah is that all 5 parks?
https://utah.com/five-national-parks-five-days

when in Dec U looking to travel? ending your holiday b4 Xmas Eve?
if so can go hawaii hotels cheaper. Dec 21 to Jan 1st hotel rates is like 50-100% higher. I am going Waikoloa, Hawaii in that holiday block and hotel is ~US$500a nite + resort fees and tax.

Can’t suggest to your likes when I don’t know what u like to see and do

 

[Shiny Things]

I am planning my 4th trip to US with hubby and 2 kids age 17 and 18 in Dec. Already been to East side on the last trip in 2014 and would like to go west coast this time round. West side already been to LA, SF, Vegas, Utah, Yosemite, Yellow Stone, San Diego. We are not confident about driving in winter but my kids love US. Are there any places that will not snow in Dec, ie, safe to drive and fun?

Well, it's early March and we're getting snow on the hills in the SF Bay Area, so, anything could happen.

It sounds like you've been to most of the west-coast hot-spots (except Seattle and Portland), so... what about Hawaii? Go snorkeling and hiking; drive the Road to Hana; the kids can bike down Haleakala; and you can go see the volcanoes!

 

[mlam84]

Btw, thinking of renting with Alamo. Any reviews?

 

[vivienwangtc@singnet.com.]

U seen the entire Utah got to offer?
Is other parts of Arizona ok? Mostly national parks or nature.
Seattle, Vancouver or Victoria island no snow

My kids are not into water sports. They like theme parks, national parks and wildlife. We thinking of going to US in early Dec after my girl's A levels. If fly into Seattle and leave via LAX, is it possible to fit Olympic NP and Death Valley into the itinerary? Also thinking of revisiting Disney land. We've been to most of Utah but not Sedona. Can squeeze that in as well. Appreciate if you can advice further. Thank you.

 

[orionmiz]

Hi all,

I'll be travelling to Los Angeles soon (will only be staying in downtown area) in the middle of this month for about a week. A few questions to ask:

1. What's the best way to travel from LAX airport to downtown LA (other than driving, since I can't really drive)? Advisable to take the metro (via airport shuttle)?

2. Is fast food such as McDonald's/KFC/Burger King/Subway common in downtown LA?

3. Is credit card widely accepted? Planning not to bring too much cash (never mind about DCC)...

4. Any unsafe areas to avoid?

Will be travelling there alone.

Thanks.

 

[Parmesean]

Hi all,

I'll be travelling to Los Angeles soon (will only be staying in downtown area) in the middle of this month for about a week. A few questions to ask:

1. What's the best way to travel from LAX airport to downtown LA (other than driving, since I can't really drive)? Advisable to take the metro (via airport shuttle)?

2. Is fast food such as McDonald's/KFC/Burger King/Subway common in downtown LA?

3. Is credit card widely accepted? Planning not to bring too much cash (never mind about DCC)...

4. Any unsafe areas to avoid?

Will be travelling there alone.

Thanks.

1. The airport shuttle is one way to go, another way would be to Uber.

2. Fast food in Downtown LA is plentiful, but Los Angeles is really spread out, so I would recommend just Ubering everywhere if you aren't confident in driving.

But you are in the US, and you are going to California, definitely try In n Out, The Habit, and The Melt. Don't limit yourself to the fast food that is available in Singapore!

3. Credit Cards are widely accepted, you will definitely find it hard to find a place that doesn't accept credit cards.

4. Downtown LA generally isn't a very safe area, but definitely stay away from seventh Avenue at night, it gets real sketchy past 9pm.

When I went to LA in January, I stayed in Little Tokyo, and I found it pretty OK.

 

[orionmiz]

1. The airport shuttle is one way to go, another way would be to Uber.

2. Fast food in Downtown LA is plentiful, but Los Angeles is really spread out, so I would recommend just Ubering everywhere if you aren't confident in driving.

But you are in the US, and you are going to California, definitely try In n Out, The Habit, and The Melt. Don't limit yourself to the fast food that is available in Singapore!

3. Credit Cards are widely accepted, you will definitely find it hard to find a place that doesn't accept credit cards.

4. Downtown LA generally isn't a very safe area, but definitely stay away from seventh Avenue at night, it gets real sketchy past 9pm.

When I went to LA in January, I stayed in Little Tokyo, and I found it pretty OK.

1. What about LAX flyaway bus?

4. I'm doing LA marathon, so unfortunately will have to stay in downtown (using their marathon hotel reservation so that I can use the shuttle bus). Will be staying at Sheraton Grand, which is near 7th street. So is that the same as 7th avenue?

1&2. For Uber, do you pay extra tips? By cash or the credit card for tips?

Thanks.

 

[Parmesean]

1. What about LAX flyaway bus?

4. I'm doing LA marathon, so unfortunately will have to stay in downtown (using their marathon hotel reservation so that I can use the shuttle bus). Will be staying at Sheraton Grand, which is near 7th street. So is that the same as 7th avenue?

1&2. For Uber, do you pay extra tips? By cash or the credit card for tips?

Thanks.

Yes, I took the flyaway bus to the union Station, from there, you can get anywhere in LA.

For Uber, tipping is definitely recommended, but optional, just that some drivers might not give you a good rating if you don't tip them.

It seems like there are a lot of good places to get food around your hotel, IHOP, a fantastic place from breakfast, as well as five guys.

Generally, I would stay clear of walking out in the middle of the night where you're staying, but the hotel should be quite safe, as well as probably the surrounding blocks, just don't go down to main St, and you should be good.

 

[patryn33]

My kids are not into water sports. They like theme parks, national parks and wildlife. We thinking of going to US in early Dec after my girl's A levels. If fly into Seattle and leave via LAX, is it possible to fit Olympic NP and Death Valley into the itinerary? Also thinking of revisiting Disney land. We've been to most of Utah but not Sedona. Can squeeze that in as well. Appreciate if you can advice further. Thank you.

Olympic National Park and Mt Rainer will get a coating of snow in early Dec.
U will have to drive slow.

Up the the mountains in Washington state and British Columbia you will get snow. Even Sedona, AZ in the mountains you get snow.

Seattle and Portland area in Dec will be rainy season. temps higher don't get snow so they all rain. Columbia river Gorge is a nice place but early morning like b4 7am roads can be icy if temp drops below 0C. don't forget day are shorter too.

Have they been to Disneyworld?

 

[orionmiz]

Yes, I took the flyaway bus to the union Station, from there, you can get anywhere in LA.

For Uber, tipping is definitely recommended, but optional, just that some drivers might not give you a good rating if you don't tip them.

It seems like there are a lot of good places to get food around your hotel, IHOP, a fantastic place from breakfast, as well as five guys.

Generally, I would stay clear of walking out in the middle of the night where you're staying, but the hotel should be quite safe, as well as probably the surrounding blocks, just don't go down to main St, and you should be good.

Ok, thanks for the tips.

Most likely I won't going out at night (early morning before sunrise maybe), as I'll be too tired when night falls.

 

[vivienwangtc@singnet.com.]

Olympic National Park and Mt Rainer will get a coating of snow in early Dec.
U will have to drive slow.

Up the the mountains in Washington state and British Columbia you will get snow. Even Sedona, AZ in the mountains you get snow.

Seattle and Portland area in Dec will be rainy season. temps higher don't get snow so they all rain. Columbia river Gorge is a nice place but early morning like b4 7am roads can be icy if temp drops below 0C. don't forget day are shorter too.

Have they been to Disneyworld?

Thanks for your reply. Yes they've been to Disneyworld. Is is safe to drive when snowing? Will a 4 wheel drive help in this case?

 

[patryn33]

Thanks for your reply. Yes they've been to Disneyworld. Is is safe to drive when snowing? Will a 4 wheel drive help in this case?

Americans always have trouble with Nov/Dec 1st few snow fall, ppl always forget how to drive in snow and most accidents occur during time IMHO.
4 Wheel drive or All wheel drive will give u better traction but it does gives ppl the illusion it is safer and drive like normal road condition causing accidents. I see more trucks and SUV with 4 wheel drive on the side cause driver is just over confident.

Breaking distance needs to be further with snow. if snow melts and freeze over black ice is dangerous even with 4 wheel drive. It is impt to drive slower or keep to speed limit, use your turn signals etc under such conditions. some ppl would like half a car away in stop lights in cause if rear vehicle hit you, your car is at a safe distance not to hit the front car.
under storm you may want to turn on hazard lights and drive way slower like 60km or under if visibility is bad. have accident in mountain area call help may take over 4hrs to arrive. extending travel time by 2X isn't a bad idea.

it is not going to be as safe as normal/rainy road conditions. 4 wheel drive helps but it is not going make it just as safe as driving in normal road conditions. I have driven in snow for ~15 winter seasons... thats my 2 cents.

 

[koohansen]

Hi,

I am travelling solo to SFO in June, would like to know if there are properties that charges for day rooms ? I will be arriving 6+ pm and will stay for a night before my next flight to Hong Kong that only departs at midnight. This is not my first time in SFO, but would like to see the sights before heading to my next destination.

I will be staying at the Financial District area (I want to stay away from Tenderloin), but the hotel does not offer a day rate and check out time is at 12 noon. Booking for 2 nights will be a waste, and I read some hotels charges an early departure fee. I know those higher end hotels offers up to 4pm late checkout (but I am not their elite member so it's out) and some charges up to USD $150 for a 4 - 6pm late check out. Leaving my luggage with the hotel is not an issue, but I would like to freshen up before heading to the airport for a 14 hour hop across the Pacific to Hong Kong before I could possibly have a chance to shower. Too bad the SQ KrisFlyer lounge has closed to make way for the United Polaris Lounge, which is still under construction. There goes my shower.

I intend to head for the airport 9ish pm on my departure date.