US help.

[Not.banned.yet]

california is very big. which part or any also can?

The usual LA lo. Probably reasonable driving from LAX, shopping a day before flying

 

[reddevil0728]

The usual LA lo. Probably reasonable driving from LAX, shopping a day before flying

Ontario Mills

 

[Not.banned.yet]

Ontario Mills

So popular. So big. But wasn’t in the top 10 of my google map search… thank you.

 

[reddevil0728]

So popular. So big. But wasn’t in the top 10 of my google map search… thank you.

what keyword u use

 

[Not.banned.yet]

what keyword u use

Outlet mall. I limited to the LA and outer area.

 

[reddevil0728]

Outlet mall. I limited to the LA area.

ah. this 1 not too far anyway

 

[agent_719]

Hello ! First time traveling to US for leisure.
will be travelling 2 weeks from SF to LA.
Would like to ask
1) noticed there’s a huge price difference booking with Hertz SG (cheaper) and US website for the same car . Which is the recommended ?
2) any recommended hotel in Anaheim and Los Angeles ? Preferably with parking.
Thank you very much !

 

[dreamcast18]

Hello ! First time traveling to US for leisure.
will be travelling 2 weeks from SF to LA.
Would like to ask
1) noticed there’s a huge price difference booking with Hertz SG (cheaper) and US website for the same car . Which is the recommended ?

U gotta use the CDP discounts.

2) any recommended hotel in Anaheim and Los Angeles ? Preferably with parking.
Thank you very much !

Arcadia Le Meridian - valet parking but best value hotel IMO for LA area.

They are those under marriot with free parking in Arcadia too..but I prefer Le Merdian.

 

[Shiny Things]

Hello ! First time traveling to US for leisure.
will be travelling 2 weeks from SF to LA.
Would like to ask
1) noticed there’s a huge price difference booking with Hertz SG (cheaper) and US website for the same car . Which is the recommended ?

Book with whichever one's cheaper - and check Avis as well.

2) any recommended hotel in Anaheim and Los Angeles ? Preferably with parking.
Thank you very much !

For Anaheim - I assume you mean Disneyland specifically? If that's right, then pick the Grand Californian if it's within your budget (being on property is absolutely worth it); or if not, the Sheraton Park Hotel At The Anaheim Resort (I've stayed here before) is just across the street from the park and perfectly good.

For Los Angeles - don't stay in downtown Los Angeles, it's absolutely dead; but if you must, the Westin Bonaventure is fine (and it's famously appeared in a bunch of movies!) A far better bet is to stay in West Hollywood or Beverly Hills (if you like shopping) or Santa Monica or Marina Del Rey (if you like the beach.

In WeHo/Beverly Hills, the Edition WeHo is great if you have unlimited budget, otherwise the Avalon Beverly Hills is good too; in Santa Monica, I stayed at the Oceana a few years back and it was great.

 

[Not.banned.yet]

Book with whichever one's cheaper - and check Avis as well.


For Anaheim - I assume you mean Disneyland specifically? If that's right, then pick the Grand Californian if it's within your budget (being on property is absolutely worth it); or if not, the Sheraton Park Hotel At The Anaheim Resort (I've stayed here before) is just across the street from the park and perfectly good.

For Los Angeles - don't stay in downtown Los Angeles, it's absolutely dead; but if you must, the Westin Bonaventure is fine (and it's famously appeared in a bunch of movies!) A far better bet is to stay in West Hollywood or Beverly Hills (if you like shopping) or Santa Monica or Marina Del Rey (if you like the beach.

In WeHo/Beverly Hills, the Edition WeHo is great if you have unlimited budget, otherwise the Avalon Beverly Hills is good too; in Santa Monica, I stayed at the Oceana a few years back and it was great.

I was booking for viceroy hotel at Santa Monica

For the same room type, realise that the pricing is lower at air bnb listing than on hotel / hotel sites.

any clue behind this ?

 

[Shiny Things]

I was booking for viceroy hotel at Santa Monica

For the same room type, realise that the pricing is lower at air bnb listing than on hotel / hotel sites.

any clue behind this ?

I don't know, but you should be very suspicious of the AirBnB listing. If you're booking a hotel, I always book directly through the hotel site - don't cheap out on hotel rooms, a lot of weirdly sketchy stuff goes down on AirBnB.

 

[Not.banned.yet]

I don't know, but you should be very suspicious of the AirBnB listing. If you're booking a hotel, I always book directly through the hotel site - don't cheap out on hotel rooms, a lot of weirdly sketchy stuff goes down on AirBnB.

Ikr. So just wondering if there any other possibilities.

 

[agent_719]

Arcadia Le Meridian - valet parking but best value hotel IMO for LA area.

They are those under marriot with free parking in Arcadia too..but I prefer Le Merdian.

Thanks @dreamcast18 for your recommendation. Have booked a hotel in Pasadena area as well.

Book with whichever one's cheaper - and check Avis as well.


For Anaheim - I assume you mean Disneyland specifically? If that's right, then pick the Grand Californian if it's within your budget (being on property is absolutely worth it); or if not, the Sheraton Park Hotel At The Anaheim Resort (I've stayed here before) is just across the street from the park and perfectly good.

For Los Angeles - don't stay in downtown Los Angeles, it's absolutely dead; but if you must, the Westin Bonaventure is fine (and it's famously appeared in a bunch of movies!) A far better bet is to stay in West Hollywood or Beverly Hills (if you like shopping) or Santa Monica or Marina Del Rey (if you like the beach.

In WeHo/Beverly Hills, the Edition WeHo is great if you have unlimited budget, otherwise the Avalon Beverly Hills is good too; in Santa Monica, I stayed at the Oceana a few years back and it was great.

Thanks @Shiny Things . Have booked with Hertz

Have a lot of questions in my mind

I have booked an SUV size vehicle (Nissan Pathfinder or similar) and have a concern. Heard it is common in US that homeless people may break into the car if they see there's something valuable.
Of course I will not leave anything valuable in the car but there are definitely times (in premium outlets or national park trailhead) where I may have to leave luggage in the trunk. Is it safe even i bring a tard with me to cover the luggage ? any other preventative measure?

As much as possible i will try to unload the luggage and push around with me (example going around premium outlet) but hiking will not be an option.
Places where it is a short / reasonable distance from hotel I will likely request the front to help store the luggage and come back to collect it after my itinerary.
Sedan is not an option as there's 5 adults. Did considered Chrslyer 300 or similar but it will be squeezy for the back and not sure if the trunk can fit 4 luggage or not.

 

[Shiny Things]

I have booked an SUV size vehicle (Nissan Pathfinder or similar) and have a concern. Heard it is common in US that homeless people may break into the car if they see there's something valuable.

It's really not common, but that said, it's smart to cover your luggage if you're leaving it in the car. The goal is just to not have anything obviously on show for anyone who walks past.

If the Pathfinder has a cargo cover, use it; if it doesn't, tossing a tarp or a blanket over your luggage is a great idea.

As much as possible i will try to unload the luggage and push around with me (example going around premium outlet) but hiking will not be an option.

Noooo, you really don't need to do this. Schlepping all your luggage around the premium outlets is going to be absolutely miserable; just leave it in the car, put a cover over it, and go enjoy your day.

 

[JivBunny]

Hello ! First time traveling to US for leisure.
will be travelling 2 weeks from SF to LA.
Would like to ask
1) noticed there’s a huge price difference booking with Hertz SG (cheaper) and US website for the same car . Which is the recommended ?
2) any recommended hotel in Anaheim and Los Angeles ? Preferably with parking.
Thank you very much !

I booked via Trip.com in my recent trip to US (Orlando) and used Dollar.

Gotten a Toyota Cross SUV for 6 days at close to S$400 for full insurance coverage, unlimited mileage and I opted for no petrol top up required on return for additional 40usd ( which is somewhat the amount for 1 full tank)

so pick up at airport and return 6 days later. No need to check anything as the insurance covers for all.

maybe can try to use klook or trip to search

 

[dreamcast18]

Thanks @dreamcast18 for your recommendation. Have booked a hotel in Pasadena area as well.





Thanks @Shiny Things . Have booked with Hertz

Have a lot of questions in my mind

I have booked an SUV size vehicle (Nissan Pathfinder or similar) and have a concern. Heard it is common in US that homeless people may break into the car if they see there's something valuable.
Of course I will not leave anything valuable in the car but there are definitely times (in premium outlets or national park trailhead) where I may have to leave luggage in the trunk. Is it safe even i bring a tard with me to cover the luggage ? any other preventative measure?

As much as possible i will try to unload the luggage and push around with me (example going around premium outlet) but hiking will not be an option.
Places where it is a short / reasonable distance from hotel I will likely request the front to help store the luggage and come back to collect it after my itinerary.
Sedan is not an option as there's 5 adults. Did considered Chrslyer 300 or similar but it will be squeezy for the back and not sure if the trunk can fit 4 luggage or not.

i used to live in Pasadena..Rose Bowl! miss my house there.

Old Town is a must visit...if u golf...public golf course at Rose Bowl and Arcadia.

Please go have makan at King Taco in Old Town...every year..i will still go back there (not just the Pasadena branch)....love it more than In & Out. that coming from a resident of Pasadena of 16 yrs..lol.

 

[agent_719]

Hi guys, would like to hear comment regarding my itinerary.
Do give me your suggestion how is it or is it too packed

1) period : End April - mid May
2) 2 drivers in which will rotate every 1-2 hours of driving; had mark down petrol stops for resting and gas top-up

Day 1
Arrived SFO
Drop luggage at accommodation
Visit twin peaks , coit tower, lombard street , chinatown

Day 2
Visit fisherman wharf,
drive across golden gate bridge
visit golden gate park

* Didnt really plan SF itinerary as I shall leave it to my relative who resides in SF. Generally they will bring us around

Day 3 (quite a long drive)
Pick up rental car at San Jose airport in early morning
Drive to Mariposal town for lunch
Mariposal Grove Welcome Centre (to visit giant sequias)
Pass by Tunnel View & Bridalveil fall to see see look look via highway 41
Groceries shopping at Village Store
Check-in at Yosemite lodge
Self made dinner
Stars gazing

Day 4 (Hiking day)
Will be driving aound Yosemite area instead of taking shuttle bus

Lower Yosemite fall trail hike (besides lodge)
Sentinal Meadow Cook's loop trail (bedisdes lodge)
Drive to Tunnel View + Bridalveil falls with pinic lunch
Drive to Mist Trail
Drive to Mirror Lake
see see look look Ahwahnee Hotel
Self made dinner

Day 5 (Very long drive day)
Check-out of lodge early morning
Drive to Las Vegas via interstate highway with lunch at firestone grill (8 hours of driving)
Visit LV The Strip
Dinner at Gordan Ramsey fish & chips restaurant
May catch a show if have time or else go casino see look see look

Day 6 (reasonable drive day)
Check out of LV
Brunch at Blueberry hill restaurant
Drive to Zion national park , take pictures at observatory point
Get take away dinner at Panguitch (is it recommended ? seems like a small town not sure safe or not)
Drive to and check in at Bryce Canyon town

Day 7
Hotel breakfast
Check-out and drive to Bryce Canyon national park for hiking
Back to hotel to get luggage
Set off for Lake Powell
Lunch at Archies food to die food
Sun set at Horseshoe Bend
Check-in to Lake Powell hotel
Dinner at Birdhouse

Day 8
Hotel breakfast
Upper Antelope tour
Strombolli italian lunch
Drive to Monument valley take photo
El Tapitio dinner

Day 9 (Long drive day)
Hotel breakfast
Early check-out to set off for Grand Canyon South Rim
Visit GCSR visitor centre , watch IMAX documentary , take photos
Set off for Las Vegas with lunch at Seligman Town in-between
Visit Hoover Dam
Check-in hotel
Visit and explore LV again (or watch show if missed during previous LV night)
Dinner at The Cheesecake Factory

Day 10
Set off for Los Angeles with lunch at Peggy Sue 50 Diners
Check-in hotel at Pasedana
Drive to Rodeo drive, Original Farmers' markets
Dinner at Farmers market area (looking at Chao Krung Thai food)

Day 11
Desert Hill Outlet Store shopping whole day

Day 12
morning to after visit Universal Studios Hollywood
Late afternoon Griffith Observatory
Drive to Ovation Hollywood (park at Ovation Hollywood) to visit walk of fame and chinese theatre (heard this area quite crappy)
Dinner at Korean Town with Kbbq

Day 13
short visit to Little Tokyo (wants to take picture of Shohei mural at Miyako Hotel)
Park car at LA Times and visit downtown LA
drive to Santa Monica downtown and park at parking structure
Dinner at Bubba Dump Shrimp

Day 14
Sleep well and check-out as late as possible
Have lunch and last minute shopping at nearby Target or Walmart
Get luggage at hotel and set off to LAX to return car
back to SG

many thanks in advance..
1st time travel so far away

 

[Not.banned.yet]

Hi guys, would like to hear comment regarding my itinerary.
Do give me your suggestion how is it or is it too packed

1) period : End April - mid May
2) 2 drivers in which will rotate every 1-2 hours of driving; had mark down petrol stops for resting and gas top-up

Day 1
Arrived SFO
Drop luggage at accommodation
Visit twin peaks , coit tower, lombard street , chinatown

Day 2
Visit fisherman wharf,
drive across golden gate bridge
visit golden gate park

* Didnt really plan SF itinerary as I shall leave it to my relative who resides in SF. Generally they will bring us around

Day 3 (quite a long drive)
Pick up rental car at San Jose airport in early morning
Drive to Mariposal town for lunch
Mariposal Grove Welcome Centre (to visit giant sequias)
Pass by Tunnel View & Bridalveil fall to see see look look via highway 41
Groceries shopping at Village Store
Check-in at Yosemite lodge
Self made dinner
Stars gazing

Day 4 (Hiking day)
Will be driving aound Yosemite area instead of taking shuttle bus

Lower Yosemite fall trail hike (besides lodge)
Sentinal Meadow Cook's loop trail (bedisdes lodge)
Drive to Tunnel View + Bridalveil falls with pinic lunch
Drive to Mist Trail
Drive to Mirror Lake
see see look look Ahwahnee Hotel
Self made dinner

Day 5 (Very long drive day)
Check-out of lodge early morning
Drive to Las Vegas via interstate highway with lunch at firestone grill (8 hours of driving)
Visit LV The Strip
Dinner at Gordan Ramsey fish & chips restaurant
May catch a show if have time or else go casino see look see look

Day 6 (reasonable drive day)
Check out of LV
Brunch at Blueberry hill restaurant
Drive to Zion national park , take pictures at observatory point
Get take away dinner at Panguitch (is it recommended ? seems like a small town not sure safe or not)
Drive to and check in at Bryce Canyon town

Day 7
Hotel breakfast
Check-out and drive to Bryce Canyon national park for hiking
Back to hotel to get luggage
Set off for Lake Powell
Lunch at Archies food to die food
Sun set at Horseshoe Bend
Check-in to Lake Powell hotel
Dinner at Birdhouse

Day 8
Hotel breakfast
Upper Antelope tour
Strombolli italian lunch
Drive to Monument valley take photo
El Tapitio dinner

Day 9 (Long drive day)
Hotel breakfast
Early check-out to set off for Grand Canyon South Rim
Visit GCSR visitor centre , watch IMAX documentary , take photos
Set off for Las Vegas with lunch at Seligman Town in-between
Visit Hoover Dam
Check-in hotel
Visit and explore LV again (or watch show if missed during previous LV night)
Dinner at The Cheesecake Factory

Day 10
Set off for Los Angeles with lunch at Peggy Sue 50 Diners
Check-in hotel at Pasedana
Drive to Rodeo drive, Original Farmers' markets
Dinner at Farmers market area (looking at Chao Krung Thai food)

Day 11
Desert Hill Outlet Store shopping whole day

Day 12
morning to after visit Universal Studios Hollywood
Late afternoon Griffith Observatory
Drive to Ovation Hollywood (park at Ovation Hollywood) to visit walk of fame and chinese theatre (heard this area quite crappy)
Dinner at Korean Town with Kbbq

Day 13
short visit to Little Tokyo (wants to take picture of Shohei mural at Miyako Hotel)
Park car at LA Times and visit downtown LA
drive to Santa Monica downtown and park at parking structure
Dinner at Bubba Dump Shrimp

Day 14
Sleep well and check-out as late as possible
Have lunch and last minute shopping at nearby Target or Walmart
Get luggage at hotel and set off to LAX to return car
back to SG

many thanks in advance..
1st time travel so far away

First time to USA this June too. I suggest u do a rough guide on the drive time by using google maps. For example, I realise that there’s time zone difference -1h in Utah (when u go to Zion, Bryce NPs)

need to factor in the meal times, and made some adjustments. (One of the days in my plan I suppose to reach at 730pm, but forgot to add 1h, which would be a problem as the restaurants in the area closes at 9pm)

 

[Not.banned.yet]

Hi guys, would like to hear comment regarding my itinerary.
Do give me your suggestion how is it or is it too packed

1) period : End April - mid May
2) 2 drivers in which will rotate every 1-2 hours of driving; had mark down petrol stops for resting and gas top-up

Day 1
Arrived SFO
Drop luggage at accommodation
Visit twin peaks , coit tower, lombard street , chinatown

Day 2
Visit fisherman wharf,
drive across golden gate bridge
visit golden gate park

* Didnt really plan SF itinerary as I shall leave it to my relative who resides in SF. Generally they will bring us around

Day 3 (quite a long drive)
Pick up rental car at San Jose airport in early morning
Drive to Mariposal town for lunch
Mariposal Grove Welcome Centre (to visit giant sequias)
Pass by Tunnel View & Bridalveil fall to see see look look via highway 41
Groceries shopping at Village Store
Check-in at Yosemite lodge
Self made dinner
Stars gazing

Day 4 (Hiking day)
Will be driving aound Yosemite area instead of taking shuttle bus

Lower Yosemite fall trail hike (besides lodge)
Sentinal Meadow Cook's loop trail (bedisdes lodge)
Drive to Tunnel View + Bridalveil falls with pinic lunch
Drive to Mist Trail
Drive to Mirror Lake
see see look look Ahwahnee Hotel
Self made dinner

Day 5 (Very long drive day)
Check-out of lodge early morning
Drive to Las Vegas via interstate highway with lunch at firestone grill (8 hours of driving)
Visit LV The Strip
Dinner at Gordan Ramsey fish & chips restaurant
May catch a show if have time or else go casino see look see look

Day 6 (reasonable drive day)
Check out of LV
Brunch at Blueberry hill restaurant
Drive to Zion national park , take pictures at observatory point
Get take away dinner at Panguitch (is it recommended ? seems like a small town not sure safe or not)
Drive to and check in at Bryce Canyon town

Day 7
Hotel breakfast
Check-out and drive to Bryce Canyon national park for hiking
Back to hotel to get luggage
Set off for Lake Powell
Lunch at Archies food to die food
Sun set at Horseshoe Bend
Check-in to Lake Powell hotel
Dinner at Birdhouse

Day 8
Hotel breakfast
Upper Antelope tour
Strombolli italian lunch
Drive to Monument valley take photo
El Tapitio dinner

Day 9 (Long drive day)
Hotel breakfast
Early check-out to set off for Grand Canyon South Rim
Visit GCSR visitor centre , watch IMAX documentary , take photos
Set off for Las Vegas with lunch at Seligman Town in-between
Visit Hoover Dam
Check-in hotel
Visit and explore LV again (or watch show if missed during previous LV night)
Dinner at The Cheesecake Factory

Day 10
Set off for Los Angeles with lunch at Peggy Sue 50 Diners
Check-in hotel at Pasedana
Drive to Rodeo drive, Original Farmers' markets
Dinner at Farmers market area (looking at Chao Krung Thai food)

Day 11
Desert Hill Outlet Store shopping whole day

Day 12
morning to after visit Universal Studios Hollywood
Late afternoon Griffith Observatory
Drive to Ovation Hollywood (park at Ovation Hollywood) to visit walk of fame and chinese theatre (heard this area quite crappy)
Dinner at Korean Town with Kbbq

Day 13
short visit to Little Tokyo (wants to take picture of Shohei mural at Miyako Hotel)
Park car at LA Times and visit downtown LA
drive to Santa Monica downtown and park at parking structure
Dinner at Bubba Dump Shrimp

Day 14
Sleep well and check-out as late as possible
Have lunch and last minute shopping at nearby Target or Walmart
Get luggage at hotel and set off to LAX to return car
back to SG

many thanks in advance..
1st time travel so far away

Here’s mine for reference too

 

[Shiny Things]

Hi guys, would like to hear comment regarding my itinerary.
Do give me your suggestion how is it or is it too packed

1) period : End April - mid May
2) 2 drivers in which will rotate every 1-2 hours of driving; had mark down petrol stops for resting and gas top-up

This is smart. I always swap out every couple of hours, or a little less - basically if you feel even slightly tired and you see a gas station, pull over and swap drivers.

Day 1
Arrived SFO
[...]

Day 2
[...]

* Didnt really plan SF itinerary as I shall leave it to my relative who resides in SF. Generally they will bring us around

If you can, add an extra day in San Francisco. You're going to be absolutely shattered after the flight; trying to cram in a bunch of sightseeing on the day you land won't be much fun.

Day 3 (quite a long drive)
Pick up rental car at San Jose airport in early morning

Picking up from SJC is a mistake: rent from a place in San Francisco (or SFO airport), not San Jose.

Going from San Francisco to San Jose is the same distance as driving from Tuas to Changi and then all the way back to the CBD, just for the car pickup; that'll be a $100+ Uber ride or a huge pain in the behind on public transport.

The rest of day 3 looks pretty good, though! Yosemite is only a three-and-a-half-hour drive, you'll do that easy.

Day 5 (Very long drive day)

Day 5 is a schlep, yes, but it really is a long way from Yosemite to Vegas, and there just isn't a lot to see on the way. You might even want to add a second day in Vegas here to recover from the long drive.

Day 6 (reasonable drive day)
Get take away dinner at Panguitch (is it recommended ? seems like a small town not sure safe or not)

Yep. Small-town Utah is incredibly friendly and very safe; I've driven through there a bunch. The only catch is that Panguitch is a little out of your way; dinner at Bryce Canyon City might be easier to swing.

Day 9 (Long drive day)
Hotel breakfast
Early check-out to set off for Grand Canyon South Rim
Visit GCSR visitor centre , watch IMAX documentary , take photos
Set off for Las Vegas with lunch at Seligman Town in-between
Visit Hoover Dam

You're gonna struggle to make the Hoover Dam on the same day as the Grand Canyon South Rim, unless you're only planning to spend a few minutes at the Hoover Dam. If it's an option, split this drive into two days; do the GCSR on one day, and sleep in Williams or Flagstaff (Flagstaff is great, btw); then on the second day, drive to Las Vegas via the Hoover Dam.

Day 10
[...]

You should plot out your Los Angeles destinations on a map and group nearby destinations together - you're doing a lot of back-and-forth driving across LA, which you really want to avoid, because driving in LA is a giant pain in the behind.

I'd group them like this:

• Day 10: drive into town: hit the Desert Hills Outlets on the way in to LA. Desert Hills is way out on the east side of town and that's the direction you're coming in from; it's easier to hit it on the way in, even though that makes your drive to Pasadena longer.
• Day 11: Hollywood: Universal Studios Hollywood (the Shohei mural is in Burbank as well, so it's near here); the Walk of Fame if time permits (you heard right, that part of town is crappy); Griffith Observatory at sunset;
• Day 12: Beverly Hills / Wilshire: Beverly Hills (Rodeo Drive, Farmer's Market, The Grove); dinner in KTown. (Also: LACMA, the Oscars Museum, and the La Brea Tar Pits are right around here, and they're all great!)
• Day 13: West side: Santa Monica. Walk down along the beach to Venice, as well.

Also - I would suggest staying somewhere other than Pasadena. Pasadena's very nice, but it's not very central, so it adds a lot of travel time (for example, Pasadena to Santa Monica is only 40km drive but it can take well over an hour during morning rush hour). Staying in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, or even Culver City would be a better bet.

Enjoy it - you're going to have an amazing time! Post photos!