US help.

[Din0saurus]

Hi, I have around 4-5 days start and end Seattle in Aug. Thinking of getting a car to go around including a day hike at Mt Helen (already got the permit). Any interesting stops between Seattle, Portland and Mt Helen? Thanks.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Mountainee...we_summited_mt_st_helens_yesterday_our_first/

stay safe!

 

[Kodomox]

Good afternoon all,

i will be intending to plan a trip to California (SFO airport), for about 8-10 days around late dec to january 2019.

1. For first timers like me, will there be any issues navigating there (solo traveller)?

2. Is it too many days to spend in california? Any recommendations for itinerary will be greatly appreciated.

3. What are the costs that im expected to look at (daily expenditure?).

I have checked flights ranges from SGD 1.1-1.4k depending on promotion.

4. Do you guys stay at AirBnB or Hotels as i havent experienced AirBnB yet (safety, security issues?). Recommendations ?

Thank you all for reading! have a great day

 

[Shiny Things]

Good afternoon all,

i will be intending to plan a trip to California (SFO airport), for about 8-10 days around late dec to january 2019.

1. For first timers like me, will there be any issues navigating there (solo traveller)?

2. Is it too many days to spend in california? Any recommendations for itinerary will be greatly appreciated.

3. What are the costs that im expected to look at (daily expenditure?).

I have checked flights ranges from SGD 1.1-1.4k depending on promotion.

4. Do you guys stay at AirBnB or Hotels as i havent experienced AirBnB yet (safety, security issues?). Recommendations ?

Thank you all for reading! have a great day

So, first thing: bring some cold-weather gear. San Francisco gets pretty cold around Christmas/New Year - not freezing, but you'll get temperatures down in the single digits Celsius, and if you head up to Napa or Yosemite it can definitely get sub-freezing.

Anyway, to your questions:
1) Nope. SF is pretty easy to get around. If you're comfortable driving, that opens up even more opportunities to get out of town and see the sights.
2) Oh heck, I'd even say you could do 2-3 weeks in California. There's so much to do here!
3) I'd probably budget $200-$250 USD a day for accommodation, depending on how fancy you are, and an extra couple hundred for everything else. San Francisco is not cheap.
4) I personally prefer hotels (I'm a Starwood—and now Marriott—loyalist), but give AirBNB a look, you might be able to find some interesting places.

 

[Parmesean]

Good afternoon all,

i will be intending to plan a trip to California (SFO airport), for about 8-10 days around late dec to january 2019.

1. For first timers like me, will there be any issues navigating there (solo traveller)?

If you are just planning on doing San Francisco, then you should be fine, and San Francisco is pretty easy to navigate, if you are lost, google maps is your best friend to get around. One thing I would do is go on a Big Bus Tour in San Francisco, at least for the first 2 days, sight see around the city.

2. Is it too many days to spend in california? Any recommendations for itinerary will be greatly appreciated.

Again, if you want to go elsewhere, then it might be too short. Consider heading up to Sacramento to see the Christmas lights, or Napa Valley for wine tasting or coffee.

3. What are the costs that im expected to look at (daily expenditure?).

I have checked flights ranges from SGD 1.1-1.4k depending on promotion.

Kind of depends on your budget. But I'd say set aside at least $60 or more just for meals, which equates to $20 per meal. Should be enough to get you through the day.

A few breakfast places to look out for would be
1. Mama's
2. Blackwood

Some other things to look out for would be the sour dough bread bowls, either filled with clam chowder, or chilli

You should stay clear of Pier 39, huge tourist trap, beautiful place to take photos, just don't spend more than $30 on souvenirs there.

4. Do you guys stay at AirBnB or Hotels as i havent experienced AirBnB yet (safety, security issues?). Recommendations ?

Thank you all for reading! have a great day

AirBnB is pretty safe as far as I've stayed in them. If you wish to have a more immersive experience, you might want to try couchsurfing.

 

[Kodomox]

If you are just planning on doing San Francisco, then you should be fine, and San Francisco is pretty easy to navigate, if you are lost, google maps is your best friend to get around. One thing I would do is go on a Big Bus Tour in San Francisco, at least for the first 2 days, sight see around the city.



Again, if you want to go elsewhere, then it might be too short. Consider heading up to Sacramento to see the Christmas lights, or Napa Valley for wine tasting or coffee.



Kind of depends on your budget. But I'd say set aside at least $60 or more just for meals, which equates to $20 per meal. Should be enough to get you through the day.

A few breakfast places to look out for would be
1. Mama's
2. Blackwood

Some other things to look out for would be the sour dough bread bowls, either filled with clam chowder, or chilli

You should stay clear of Pier 39, huge tourist trap, beautiful place to take photos, just don't spend more than $30 on souvenirs there.



AirBnB is pretty safe as far as I've stayed in them. If you wish to have a more immersive experience, you might want to try couchsurfing.

Hi Parmesean,

Thank you so much for the reply, its of great help to me! i guess i'll make do with just SF alone since im a first timer!

Just to clarify with u, do u mean $60 SGD or USD per day?

Don't really forsee myself going to fine dining restaurants so i think your budget will be reasonable!


Couchsurfing is indeed interesting, i've checked it out and it seems like its free? not sure what is the catch... haha

if u don't mind and have AirBnB recommendations, i hope u can share with me (or anyone else too!)

Do you have any idea where will be the happening areas when its NYE countdown? Something like Times Square will be amazing.

Thank you and have a great day all!

 

[g_t2006]

Hi Parmesean,

Thank you so much for the reply, its of great help to me! i guess i'll make do with just SF alone since im a first timer!

Just to clarify with u, do u mean $60 SGD or USD per day?

Don't really forsee myself going to fine dining restaurants so i think your budget will be reasonable!


Couchsurfing is indeed interesting, i've checked it out and it seems like its free? not sure what is the catch... haha

if u don't mind and have AirBnB recommendations, i hope u can share with me (or anyone else too!)

Do you have any idea where will be the happening areas when its NYE countdown? Something like Times Square will be amazing.

Thank you and have a great day all!

It's almost impossible to get a free couch in San Francisco.

 

[Parmesean]

Hi Parmesean,

Thank you so much for the reply, its of great help to me! i guess i'll make do with just SF alone since im a first timer!

Just to clarify with u, do u mean $60 SGD or USD per day?

Don't really forsee myself going to fine dining restaurants so i think your budget will be reasonable!

60 USD, that gives you about $20 a meal, which should cover a meal and a drink.

Couchsurfing is indeed interesting, i've checked it out and it seems like its free? not sure what is the catch... haha

if u don't mind and have AirBnB recommendations, i hope u can share with me (or anyone else too!)

Do you have any idea where will be the happening areas when its NYE countdown? Something like Times Square will be amazing.

Thank you and have a great day all!

If you are looking for locations to stay, fellow user Shiny Things already has a post written on the subject.

Any of the hotels around Union Square should be fine, though some of them are a little bit bland and corporate. What's your budget and your dates? I can have a hunt and recommend some; there's everything around there from little places to the St Regis.

I'd disagree with this, just because North Beach is a pain in the ass to get to and from. Uber's going to take ages, and it's going to be horrifically expensive from the airport; my recommendation would be to stay in Union Square or the financial district, take BART to/from the airport, and just use Uber or walk when you want to get to North Beach for some kickass cioppino.

 

[Parmesean]

It's almost impossible to get a free couch in San Francisco.

I personally have never tried couchsurfing, but i have had a few friends try it, and they really enjoy it.

 

[vofzxy]

helllo everyone again...
so i have decided to skip SFO and head to LAX instead...

any tips or advice on how i should spend my time at disneyland anaheim ?
or how to buy tickets?

 

[Parmesean]

helllo everyone again...
so i have decided to skip SFO and head to LAX instead...

any tips or advice on how i should spend my time at disneyland anaheim ?
or how to buy tickets?

I would recommend buying your tickets directly through the Disneyland website. Choose according to how long you intend to spend there. I'd recommend 3 days, that way, you have a magic morning included, where you can head into the park, and not have to wait long for any of the rides.

Some of the popular rides are space mountain at Disneyland, and the Guardians of the Galaxy ride over in California Adventure.

If recommend getting the park hopper, and the max pass.

If you have the budget for it, would definitely recommend staying in the Disneyland hotels. If not, you should definitely find a place to stay near Anaheim, at least for the time you are planning for at Disneyland, then head up to Downtown LA to find accommodation there.

 

[vofzxy]

I would recommend buying your tickets directly through the Disneyland website. Choose according to how long you intend to spend there. I'd recommend 3 days, that way, you have a magic morning included, where you can head into the park, and not have to wait long for any of the rides.

Some of the popular rides are space mountain at Disneyland, and the Guardians of the Galaxy ride over in California Adventure.

If recommend getting the park hopper, and the max pass.

If you have the budget for it, would definitely recommend staying in the Disneyland hotels. If not, you should definitely find a place to stay near Anaheim, at least for the time you are planning for at Disneyland, then head up to Downtown LA to find accommodation there.

i think i only have time for 1 full day there
1 night there = 2 days of tickets...

i probably just sit 1 roller coaster LOL

 

[galliano]

Curious with the US exchange rates now... better to change there or here?

 

[Shiny Things]

Curious with the US exchange rates now... better to change there or here?

For cash, it's always better to change in Singapore; the rates in Change Alley blow away anything you'll find over here in the States.

That said, you don't want to carry too much cash if you're travelling. You're better off getting a good credit card with no foreign transaction fees, and using that for most of your spending when you travel. It's safer, easier to carry, and you won't get funny looks from customs.

 

[rza29]

But credit card exchange rate not good. Recently US rate going up... I shld have changed it when it was 1.31

 

[rza29]

What data plans do u all get when there? I saw Qoo10. Tmobile card but they recommend to use it on phone and not mobile router as tmobile might block it upon detection

 

[addats]

What data plans do u all get when there? I saw Qoo10. Tmobile card but they recommend to use it on phone and not mobile router as tmobile might block it upon detection

Go to Amazon and search for H2O sim. Cost about $15 and come with 4GB data. Send it to the first hotel that you are going to say. Put in your name and hotel comfirmation number. When you check in you can get the SIM and activate.

 

[Shiny Things]

But credit card exchange rate not good. Recently US rate going up... I shld have changed it when it was 1.31

Credit card exchange rates are usually within 1-2% of the spot rate. As long as you pay in local currency (if you get the option to pay in your home currency, don't do it!) you'll be fine.

 

[patryn33]

But credit card exchange rate not good. Recently US rate going up... I shld have changed it when it was 1.31

CC rate vs money changer rate of course CC not good.
with US dollar stronger it is not in your favor, but if US dollar becomes weak CC lets U take adv of the rate change.

then again really depends on how much U spending if 1% lost U cannot takan then dont go for it

 

[boiboi123]

What's good to buy back from US ah? Food? Souvenirs?

 

[Parmesean]

What's good to buy back from US ah? Food? Souvenirs?

It depends on where in the US you are currently at, but generally, chocolates are a good bet to bring back, and I guess Keychains?