US help.

[BoOOoM]

Hi all,

I've about 14 free days to travel around the west coast. Thinking of attempting a San Francisco, Las Vegas and finally Los Angeles before flying back to Sg. However, I'm a solo female traveller, and never drove on the left side before. Do you guys reckon it will be too ambitious.

would also appreciate if people could share their west coast itinerary with me.

Thanks!

 

[Hisashiburi]

What are some of your interests?

Do u like museums/outdoors national parks/aquariums/disneyland/beaches etc
Easier to help u plan if we know your interests.

This is a long thread but there are some itineraries in here.
Also look online for those travel agency itineraries and see what attractions u like, post here and we can help u plan further.

Hi all,

I've about 14 free days to travel around the west coast. Thinking of attempting a San Francisco, Las Vegas and finally Los Angeles before flying back to Sg. However, I'm a solo female traveller, and never drove on the left side before. Do you guys reckon it will be too ambitious.

would also appreciate if people could share their west coast itinerary with me.

Thanks!

 

[invisible999]

Hi all,

I've about 14 free days to travel around the west coast.

What time of the year do you plan to do it?

Thinking of attempting a San Francisco, Las Vegas and finally Los Angeles

There is nothing in LA worth to spend time there. Even an hour.

Correction - OK, Universal Studios is one such exception but you can get the same stuff in Singapore.

 

[BoOOoM]

a mix and match of all really.

what are the notably museums to visit?
for the national park, I'm thinking Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Yosemite but exactly how to go about visiting those places, not quite sure. Would love to try some shooting ranges and horseback riding around the canyon.

Would definitely want to do Disneyland/disney park?, universal studio (is that similar to the one in Singapore?), warner bros studio, hollywood. Then some outlet shoppings and just general city walkabouts.

Heading to Stanford on 25 Oct, spending a month till 25 Nov or so there plus San Francisco. Then taking two weeks to travel around other parts of West Coast but havent had the time to plan the trip, doing some last minute cramming.

Yea... not to sure what to do in LA, just some random city walking? Thats my last pitstop as I'm flying out from LAX.

Thanks all!

What are some of your interests?

Do u like museums/outdoors national parks/aquariums/disneyland/beaches etc
Easier to help u plan if we know your interests.

This is a long thread but there are some itineraries in here.
Also look online for those travel agency itineraries and see what attractions u like, post here and we can help u plan further.



BoOOoM wrote:
Hi all,

I've about 14 free days to travel around the west coast. Thinking of attempting a San Francisco, Las Vegas and finally Los Angeles before flying back to Sg. However, I'm a solo female traveller, and never drove on the left side before. Do you guys reckon it will be too ambitious.

would also appreciate if people could share their west coast itinerary with me.

Thanks!

What time of the year do you plan to do it?


BoOOoM wrote:
Thinking of attempting a San Francisco, Las Vegas and finally Los Angeles
There is nothing in LA worth to spend time there. Even an hour.

Correction - OK, Universal Studios is one such exception but you can get the same stuff in Singapore.

 

[Hisashiburi]

While at Stanford, u can spend your weekends checking out SF as well as going on day trips to Monterey n Carmel.
There is also a nice aquarium at Monterey if u like fishies.
U can drive down the 17? Mile scenic route.

Also from SF, u can take a 2-3 day trip out to Yosemite.

After Stanford, fly to Las Vegas.
Make it a base for Grand Canyon n Death Valley.

From LAS, drive to LA.
There is a newish disney theme park called California Adventures?
Also can check out the surfing n beach locales like Huntington, Venice beach, Laguna, Newport.

From LA, u can spend a couple of days at San Diego. Visit a nude beach along the way if u want.
SD has a nice zoo as well as beaches n a decent oldtown.

Then drive back to LA n fly back.

A lot harder if u dont drive though.

a mix and match of all really.

what are the notably museums to visit?
for the national park, I'm thinking Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Yosemite but exactly how to go about visiting those places, not quite sure. Would love to try some shooting ranges and horseback riding around the canyon.

Would definitely want to do Disneyland/disney park?, universal studio (is that similar to the one in Singapore?), warner bros studio, hollywood. Then some outlet shoppings and just general city walkabouts.

Heading to Stanford on 25 Oct, spending a month till 25 Nov or so there plus San Francisco. Then taking two weeks to travel around other parts of West Coast but havent had the time to plan the trip, doing some last minute cramming.

Yea... not to sure what to do in LA, just some random city walking? Thats my last pitstop as I'm flying out from LAX.

Thanks all!

 

[invisible999]

Well, if rain season starts (hopefully) for California, than there could be not a nice weather to travel around. I would recommend to go to Kings Canyon, but almost certainly it will be closed for winter as well as Yosemite's passes.

And there is a good chance that Grand Canyon (at least North Rim) is closed as well.

My suggestion: take a look at the calendar and the days you are going to travel. The go to weather.com and look at the temp around those days. It will give you some idea.

 

[patryn33]

a mix and match of all really.

what are the notably museums to visit?
for the national park, I'm thinking Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Yosemite but exactly how to go about visiting those places, not quite sure. Would love to try some shooting ranges and horseback riding around the canyon.

Would definitely want to do Disneyland/disney park?, universal studio (is that similar to the one in Singapore?), warner bros studio, hollywood. Then some outlet shoppings and just general city walkabouts.

Heading to Stanford on 25 Oct, spending a month till 25 Nov or so there plus San Francisco. Then taking two weeks to travel around other parts of West Coast but havent had the time to plan the trip, doing some last minute cramming.

Yea... not to sure what to do in LA, just some random city walking? Thats my last pitstop as I'm flying out from LAX.

Thanks all!

You intend to drive in the trip right? U did mention u never drove on the left b4, u drove freq in sg? when U brought up HOW above in red make me wonder... if U don't drive can joint tour

14 days of free time not alot.
want to do horse back riding and Grand Canyon... easy.
http://www.horsebackarizona.com/grand-canyon-horseback-riding-tours.html

river rafting down the canyon need to book 1yr in adv I heard from friends who did that years ago.

oh... U not travelling west coast missing out on Oregon and Washington State... U just doing Cali, not even covering northern Cali

 

[invisible999]

You drive right? Or intend to drive in the trip right?

Good question. But default it is assumed that in US one drives. If not, it is worse than be handicapped.

 

[BoOOoM]

Many thanks all!

yea, drives around in Aus everyday so should be an okay driver, but the left-hand drive and unfamiliarity with the American roads and drivers kinda freaks me out. Guess I'll be driving then. Although, for places like Yosemite and Canyons, would it be better to go with a guide? Horrible thoughts about getting lost inside and no GPS or phone signals.

Thanks for the tip on winter closures! Hadnt thought about that. So i should try to do the Yosemite and the Canyons as early as possible, then leaving themeparks and stuff at the end.

Thanks for the itinerary too! now Shall have a detailed look into it.

 

[patryn33]

No need guide for Grand Canyon and Yosemite
End nov it's ok, not like it's Yellowstone

But due to weather conditions parts of Yosemite maybe close.
Grand Canyon been there in December no issue.

Tracking down the canyon and hike you may need a guide but it's a few day activities.

 

[techman03]

Hi all,

I've about 14 free days to travel around the west coast. Thinking of attempting a San Francisco, Las Vegas and finally Los Angeles before flying back to Sg. However, I'm a solo female traveller, and never drove on the left side before. Do you guys reckon it will be too ambitious.

would also appreciate if people could share their west coast itinerary with me.

Thanks!

i went to SFO, LA, VEGAS and NYC last year.

this year Dec13-Dec31 im going back.

but this time im gonna drive from LA to SF via the Pacific Coast Highway.

can i check if anyone knows if its mandatory to get any insurance for a foreigner driving in LA?

if so, what are these insurances? i've read somewhere that you need SLI and LIS insurances driving in LA. not sure how true is this.
not sure if i got ripped off last year by Advantage rent a car. i paid like 27usd a day for LIS&SLI insurances. and i stayed in LA for a week.

pls. help im checking other car rentals like Alamo but its not transparent if their rates are inclusive. im scared like advantage when i went to the counter last year that i need to pay such insurances.

any inputa will be much appreciated.

 

[Hisashiburi]

Im not sure i would want to drive the entire la to sf on Pacific highway 1.
It is slow, lots of bends n takes a really long time.
Besides if u re driving, harder to enjoy the sights.

I would drive parts of it, especially the part from Monterey to sf.

Check to see if your credit card covers rental car insurance. If so, u might not need to buy it. I heard amex is good.
If u already have car insurance in sg, it might cover rental cars.

 

[alex76]

Which is the best car rental among the many companies in US? I always got a low quote from Hertz airport rental compare to city area...although the daily car rental is cheap, add this add that, comes out to almost US100 a day!! Is total damage waiver necessary? My travel insurance only covers access S$1000, I don't think is enough if *touch wood* anything happen.

Anyone have left over AT&T GoPhone prepaid sim card to give sell to me?? I need only AT&T cos the place I'll be going does not have T-mobile tower ... else I can use my M1 data passport.

 

[alex76]

LA - Do they have any day trip like open top bus touring around Hollywood and Beverly Hills area? Any nice recommendation inexpensive food that must try?

SF- Santa Cruz via highway 1 - Any must stop location along the way?

How about Seattle?

Recommendations from fellow Singaporean is always better

 

[Hisashiburi]

What would u like to know about Seattle?

 

[alex76]

What would u like to know about Seattle?

Anything is a must see, must eat, must try there? (besides those premium outlets )

 

[patryn33]

Anything is a must see, must eat, must try there? (besides those premium outlets )

Love Seattle!
The typical pike market and if u want to visit the first Starbucks
Must try all the fancy coffee places! Stumptown etc!
Slumptown - their great hair bender espresso yum

Great place for seafood, the macaroon at the French bakery down in pike market darn good. Was there 2 mths ago.. There is a forumer living in Seattle on the quitters thread, he can give u info

 

[Hisashiburi]

For Seattle itself:
1. Pike Place market where they sell fish/veggies/locally produced goods/restaurants
Original Starbucks is here too
2. Space Needle, an observation deck kind of place
3. EMP music museum and Scifi museum
4. Scenic views from downtown Seattle itself with water/mountains.
5, Ferry rides from downtown Seattle across the bay (about 30 mins) is really nice.

Food wise:
1. Seafood is the main draw with fresh wild pacific salmon available. Many restaurants serve it.
Halibut (large white flat fish) is also popular.
Lots of locally grown oysters too.
They can also pack it for 48 hr storage
2. Dungeness crab is also local but it is quite a small crab.
3. Rainier cherries and peaches if u are there during the summer.
4. Apple is a big agricultural export from WA state so if u like apples, it is a good place to go.
5. Northwest style smoked salmon is very popular too. U can buy them in boxes and bring home. The king salmon versions are best.
There are some notable restaurants, all western cuisine.

Near to Seattle (about 2 hrs drive)
1. Mt Rainier
2. San Juan islands (ferry ride to the islands is awesome)
3. Olympic peninsula with temperate rainforests
4. Skiing in winter in the mountains(mt Baker, snoqualmie, crystal)

There are also various neighbourhoods with different lifestyles
1. Capitol Hill with alternative grunge/gay/rock
2. Green Lake for sporty types
3. Alki Beach for beach town vibe
4. Madison Park for lakefront living

Climate is very mild, not too hot summers and not too cold winters with no haze year round(!).
Microsoft/Amazon/Starbucks hq are also there but their offices arent really interesting.

If u do go to Seattle, u can spend one or two days in Seattle itself and visit the various outdoor locations.

 

[alex76]

Love Seattle!
The typical pike market and if u want to visit the first Starbucks
Must try all the fancy coffee places! Stumptown etc!
Slumptown - their great hair bender espresso yum

Great place for seafood, the macaroon at the French bakery down in pike market darn good. Was there 2 mths ago.. There is a forumer living in Seattle on the quitters thread, he can give u info

seafood! what item and where would you recommend?

 

[patryn33]

seafood! what item and where would you recommend?

Best for u to PM --- HandTired
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/eat-drink-man-woman-16/%5Bofficial-quitters-chit-chat-thread%5D-5121570-123.html