US help.

[fzhfzh]

Fwah!
UA non stop to SFO

Too bad their service n economy class will still suck.

Economy class is pretty comparable across airlines. It's mostly the same.

As for service standards. Just came back from US on united globalfirst. Their service is actually not too bad to my surprise and much better than what reviews put them at. I admit that the food isn't the best even on first class, but the service is definitely not bad. The FAs greeted me by name the moment I got to my seat, drinks are always filled and check on if I need anything every once in a while. It's not SQ standard but it's definitely not as bad as the horror stories. Their service definitely improved quite a lot since their new CEO took over.

 

[prayhard83]

Need some comment from gurus here.

My wife and I are planning a SF/LA holiday in April for approx 10days in total.
I read from this forum that SF is small and 3-4days is sufficient.
I wouldnt be driving so will take domestic flight from SF to LA.

Question:
1. Is is more advisable to land at SF and depart from LA? I read that LA airport is very crowded.
2. is hotel stay at SF generally expensive (>$300/night)? I search online and most hotels are above $300 per night
3. For a couple, will SF and LA be boring to visit? Our first trip to US.

Thanks!

 

[twinklingstars]

Need some comment from gurus here.

My wife and I are planning a SF/LA holiday in April for approx 10days in total.
I read from this forum that SF is small and 3-4days is sufficient.
I wouldnt be driving so will take domestic flight from SF to LA.

Question:
1. Is is more advisable to land at SF and depart from LA? I read that LA airport is very crowded.
2. is hotel stay at SF generally expensive (>$300/night)? I search online and most hotels are above $300 per night
3. For a couple, will SF and LA be boring to visit? Our first trip to US.

Thanks!

Hi I just visited SF and LA in July last year..
1) I landed in SF then departed from LA. Security clearance at SF took us almost 2 hours, probably because just so happened that a couple of planes landed around the same time.

The immigration clearance at LA was pretty fast, I didn't queue for too long. I left for LAX 4 hours before departure from Anaheim and had plenty of time to shop around and have my lunch. Traffic on the way to the airport was smooth as well.
2) motels rates are cheaper, I got mine for less than $200 per night. If you don't mind staying in a motel.
3) I think 5 days in SF and 4 days in LA is just nice. I spent 6 days in SF covering the usual stuff like downtown, Yosemite, Alcatraz, fisherman wharf etc. While in LA, I visited Hollywood (I stayed there), universal studios Hollywood, Warner bro studios, santa monica, beverly hills etc, all in 3 days. I spent another 4 days in anaheim Disneyland.

 

[Hisashiburi]

Landing at LAX is better, they have a new international terminal.
SFO is still very old.

Yes, lots to see in SF.
Suggest day tour to Monterey, Carmel if u can.
Public transport in SF is ok.

If u drink wine, can also go to Napa valley.
There are probably day tours going there.

U definitely need to drive in LA or take a local tour though.
Pls dont use public transport in LA, will regret.

The beach towns in LA are worth visiting like Venice Beach or Newport.
But hard to get to, without driving.

Need some comment from gurus here.

My wife and I are planning a SF/LA holiday in April for approx 10days in total.
I read from this forum that SF is small and 3-4days is sufficient.
I wouldnt be driving so will take domestic flight from SF to LA.

Question:
1. Is is more advisable to land at SF and depart from LA? I read that LA airport is very crowded.
2. is hotel stay at SF generally expensive (>$300/night)? I search online and most hotels are above $300 per night
3. For a couple, will SF and LA be boring to visit? Our first trip to US.

Thanks!

 

[invisible999]

Landing at LAX is better, they have a new international terminal.
SFO is still very old.

Huh? Where this comes from?

 

[prayhard83]

Hi I just visited SF and LA in July last year..
1) I landed in SF then departed from LA. Security clearance at SF took us almost 2 hours, probably because just so happened that a couple of planes landed around the same time.

The immigration clearance at LA was pretty fast, I didn't queue for too long. I left for LAX 4 hours before departure from Anaheim and had plenty of time to shop around and have my lunch. Traffic on the way to the airport was smooth as well.
2) motels rates are cheaper, I got mine for less than $200 per night. If you don't mind staying in a motel.
3) I think 5 days in SF and 4 days in LA is just nice. I spent 6 days in SF covering the usual stuff like downtown, Yosemite, Alcatraz, fisherman wharf etc. While in LA, I visited Hollywood (I stayed there), universal studios Hollywood, Warner bro studios, santa monica, beverly hills etc, all in 3 days. I spent another 4 days in anaheim Disneyland.

Thanks for the info!
Which motel did you stay? is Union Square very centralized in SA?
You spent 4 days in Disney? I was intending to go for 1 day pass only. Is it very big?

 

[twinklingstars]

Thanks for the info!
Which motel did you stay? is Union Square very centralized in SA?
You spent 4 days in Disney? I was intending to go for 1 day pass only. Is it very big?

I stayed at hotel mayflower, the room rates are inclusive of breakfast. The hotel is about 10-15 minutes walk from union square, but you have to be mindful about the really big steep slopes.

Most people choose to stay in downtown SF as it is close to most of the tourist attractions eg the shopping district, fisherman wharf, Chinatown etc.

I'm a huge Disney fan hence the 4 days ticket haha. There are 2 parks, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. I would suggest to side aside one day for each park as the park is pretty big and there are lots of rides and shows to visit. There is also the downtown Disney district, but you don't need a ticket to get in.

 

[Shiny Things]

Need some comment from gurus here.

My wife and I are planning a SF/LA holiday in April for approx 10days in total.
I read from this forum that SF is small and 3-4days is sufficient.
I wouldnt be driving so will take domestic flight from SF to LA.

Yeah, you'll love it. I would say driving down to LA would be fun - it's a beautiful drive - but you don't have to if you don't want to.

In SF, you'll want to stay around Union Square, but it is not cheap (like you've already found out). Spend a day down in Santa Cruz if you can (Monterey/Carmel is nice too, but it's a longer trip); and a day up in Napa if you like wine and food and the finer things in life. Scratch your shopping itch in downtown SF (if you must shop at outlet stores, there's a Neiman Marcus Last Call and a Saks Fifth Off Fifth right on Market Street), and then head out to the museums and art galleries in Golden Gate Park, or rent a bike and ride around to the Golden Gate Bridge.

In LA, you don't have to do Disneyland. LA is huge - three times the size of Singapore - and Disneyland is waaaaaay over the other side from any of the stuff you might actually want to visit, at least an hour-and-a-half drive each way.

If I were in your shoes, I'd rather stay on the other side of Los Angeles - in Santa Monica or West Hollywood - and see the Hollywood sights, drink at the bar at the Chateau Marmont, walk along Venice Beach, go celebrity-spotting in Beverly Hills...

Question:
1. Is is more advisable to land at SF and depart from LA? I read that LA airport is very crowded.

LAX sucks. The new international terminal is nice, but it's pretty crowded. The less time you spend in LAX, the better - so, yes, fly in to SF and out from LA (or vice versa).

2. is hotel stay at SF generally expensive (>$300/night)? I search online and most hotels are above $300 per night

Yep, SF is horrifically expensive, especially if you've accidentally planned your trip to clash with a big tech conference like DreamForce or Oracle Openworld. During Openworld, the crappy little two-star Holiday Inn near my house gets up north of $500 a night.

Either fool around with the dates of your trip, burn all those hotel points you've racked up, or suck it up and pay the $$$.

3. For a couple, will SF and LA be boring to visit? Our first trip to US.

Thanks!

I don't think so, but I love SF. It really depends on what you like, though. Do you like the outdoors? Food and wine? Shopping? Art and culture? History? Technology? What gets you going?

 

[invisible999]

Either fool around with the dates of your trip, burn all those hotel points you've racked up, or suck it up and pay the $$$

AirBnB/homeaway/VRBO and name your own price with Priceline could be an option, no?

 

[Shiny Things]

AirBnB/homeaway/VRBO and name your own price with Priceline could be an option, no?

Yeah, AirBNB generally has a few cheap things, even around the dates of the big tech conferences; but a lot of AirBNB listers are starting to cotton on to this and they're jacking their prices up at the same time as the hotels.

 

[staseus]

Hello, have been reading the forum. Heading for my first ever us trip!! Planning to go to California for about 15 days during first week of May. Flying in and out of San Fran.

Was wondering if I can get some advice for my itinerary..
We are more of a scenery people. So focussing on Yosemite NP, Grand Canyon, and a road trip down pacific highway stopping at Monterey and Cambria.

However the problem is that we are flying in and out of SF, airtiz flying multi city is otherwise expensive. Not sure how to reaarrange the itinerary such that we don't drive too long a distance at a stretch.

The best plan that I came up with is:
D1: touch down at SF, recover from jet lag
D2-D6: fly to Las Vegas, rent a car and doing a loop trip ( covering Zion, antelope canyon, Grand Canyon). We finished off Las Vegas leg with some outlet shopping and shows.

D6-D8: fly back to SF, head down the coast to big sur.
D9-11: drive inland towards Yosemite NP, spend a few days there
D12-15: drive back to SF and spend remaining days in SF before heading home.


Will this be ok?

My parents are coming with me and they are in their 60s hence wanted the trip to be pretty chill.

Any suggestions to make the itinerary smoother?

 

[Shiny Things]

Will this be ok?

My parents are coming with me and they are in their 60s hence wanted the trip to be pretty chill.

Any suggestions to make the itinerary smoother?

Nope, your itinerary's already really good. I don't think any of your legs will have more than four hours a day of drive time; your longest legs are Grand Canyon Village to Las Vegas (4 hours) and Cambria to Yosemite (3.5-4.5 hours, depending on where your end point is).

 

[Hisashiburi]

On D1, should fly to LV after u arrive at SF. U are already at the airport n the asian flights usually get in late morning so there will be plenty of time to get onto a connecting flight.
No point wasting money on transport n hotel for one night. U have to move your luggage around too.
Just give yourself at least 3 hours to clear immigration n get to the flight.

If u do fly between SF and LV, i highly recommend Virgin America. They are a top usa domestic airline.
The flight miles can also be credited to SQ.

U can buy separate round trip tickets between Sg/sf and sf/lv.

 

[cscs3]

Hi I just visited SF and LA in July last year..
1) I landed in SF then departed from LA. Security clearance at SF took us almost 2 hours, probably because just so happened that a couple of planes landed around the same time.

The immigration clearance at LA was pretty fast, I didn't queue for too long. I left for LAX 4 hours before departure from Anaheim and had plenty of time to shop around and have my lunch. Traffic on the way to the airport was smooth as well.
2) motels rates are cheaper, I got mine for less than $200 per night. If you don't mind staying in a motel.
3) I think 5 days in SF and 4 days in LA is just nice. I spent 6 days in SF covering the usual stuff like downtown, Yosemite, Alcatraz, fisherman wharf etc. While in LA, I visited Hollywood (I stayed there), universal studios Hollywood, Warner bro studios, santa monica, beverly hills etc, all in 3 days. I spent another 4 days in anaheim Disneyland.

For both SFO and LAX, if you are travelling with Airlines like SQ/CX etc. You will be arrived at international terminal building. Is packed and takes a long time to clear immigration and custom. So if you have connection with other dosmatic airlines. Better to allow at least 4 hours.

If you are travelling with US Airlines. The connection will be the same terminal. But you still have to go thru immigration and custom. But it going to be much shorter time.

To me I prefer LAX airport better. Arrived at SFO and leaving with LAX is a good ideal.

 

[invisible999]

Cambria to Yosemite (3.5-4.5 hours, depending on where your end point is).

Only in case if they take I-5. If they decide to take Highway 1, that's full day trip.

 

[Shiny Things]

Only in case if they take I-5. If they decide to take Highway 1, that's full day trip.

Yeah, fair call - but they're headed down from SF -> Cambria -> Yosemite, so I was assuming they're heading south along the 1.

 

[fzhfzh]

high way 1 will take about 6-7 hours, but you might want to because the view is sick. I-5 could be a lot faster if you drive at 100+ mph which my friends and I always do when driving to LA. Highway 1 a bit harder to do so because it's along the coast and a bit more windy.

 

[staseus]

Thank you for the replies!!!!

Have put in more details to my intinerary.
Here it is:

D1: Arrive SF at 21:15H
D2: Fly SF to LAS, pick up rental car
D3: LAS to Zion NP (Overnight@Springdale)
D4: Zion NP to Bryce (Overnight@Bryce)
D5: Bryce to Page (Overnight@Page)
D6: Page to Grand canyon south rim (overnight@GCV)
D7: GC to Hoover Dam to LAS
D8: Fly LAS to SFO, pick up car and drive to monterey (overnight@monterey)
D9: Monterey/ Carmel (overnight@monterey)
D10: Monterey to Big Sur to Cambria (including Hearst castle) (overnight@cambria)
D11: Cambria to Paso Robles, stop at Fresno for lunch and groceries, then on to Yosemite (overnight at Yosemite west apt)
D12: Yosemite NP (overnight at Yosemite west)
D13: Yosemite to SF (maybe pass thru Berkeley)
D14: SF (inc Alcatraz Island)
D15: SF
D16: Depart home


How does this sound?

Should I keep the car until we fly back home? Or drop it off when we reach SF from Yosemite?

Any personal favourites in terms of accommodations/ restaurants?

 

[GlitterBug]

Mine was the opposite...
We landed in Lax and depart from Sfo.

From lax we drove to Vegas. .Anaheim, Arizona and Sfo. Stopping for a few days in each places to visit theme parks, grand Canyon, various outlet malls and other tourist attractions.

Sent from my glitter paws using GAGT

 

[GlitterBug]

Parking in Sfo fisherman's wharf is a killer. Expensive but always full.

But we kept the car and return it at the airport cos we don't think a cab can fit all our luggage.

Sent from my glitter paws using GAGT