Originally Posted by E3only

Thanks a lot guys for your suggestions.

I am starting to do the math in my head and yeah underestimated the driving. Doable but I am be shattered after that.

I think East Coast will be something that they will do themselves. Fly into New York and back. Although they already know that it only takes one storm and flights are backed up. So like a few folks suggested, we will have to wait until 10 days before the first week December and then see if weather is any good.

The key I think is to stick to the west coast and would love to cover SF (Napa and Tahoe potentially), LA (Universal, Disney, some shopping and Hollywood), San Diego (Sea World), Vegas (3 days), Texas (Austin, San Antonio and Houston – 3 or 4 days) back to SF.

At this stage I am starting to think if it’s worth covering SF and LA portions with a bus tour. It’s hectic but at the least not driving around nuts…..some tour that will take us from SF to LA (covering Universal and Disney) exit in LA and then do the LA – SD – Vegas with a minivan. Fly to Texas and back to Vegas. Then the long drive back to SF.

Roughly the driving would be
SF to LA – 370 Miles
LA to SD - 460 miles
Vegas to SF – 550 miles (over 2 days)

I am the only driver and the complication would be to pick up a minivan in LA and returning that in SF.

The other idea would be to go to Napa and get drunk of course!

Honestly – I am back to square one. I know the places I want to visit but it just does not add up in terms of driving. Even if we do tours, it would involve some driving. I think I need to start considering flying to some places.

Any feedback would be appreciated. Also any help where to look for deals for tickets and any ideas on what to do in the cities mentioned above would be appreciated too.

Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by avanutria

What do your friends think about doing lots of travelling once they're here? Would they rather chill and hang out in local areas, or are they up for being in a car for 6-8 hours at a time?

Originally Posted by N1cky

Although the driving seems crazy, it's actually not too bad with the breaks in, we did something similar a few years ago when our daugther was 4 and it was great.

You could always do a stop between SF and LA to break the journey, Carmel or Santa Barbara maybe.

Universal is a good base to do Hollywood you can jump on the Metro and do the Chinese Theatre, Stars... also the cheesy bus tours that do the on-off stop things.

Drive to Disney from Universal in around 90 minutes, then the drive from Disney to San Diego is less than 100 miles and a real easy drive. San Diego to Vegas is a dull drive but easy enough.

The drive back from Vegas will not be fun, nowhere good to stop in between. Anyway you could leave the car in Vegas and fly back to SFO?

Also, agree with the priceline suggestion, good deals on minivans. Keep in mind that you will need chains to go to Yosemite and Tahoe at that time of year.

Originally Posted by AmerLisa

You can't really do a one way with a Priceline bid on cars.... But doing a one way is pretty easy to book. Out of State one ways can ding you though....

Originally Posted by AmerLisa

You can't really do a one way with a Priceline bid on cars.... But doing a one way is pretty easy to book. Out of State one ways can ding you though....

Originally Posted by E3only

Thanks.

My plan is to drive from SF to LA and then SD and Vegas back to SF.

I am not really concerned about SF to LA to be honest. I have driven that 7-8 times and back in the last year or so. It's more the overall driving...

I am debating weather once I arrive in LA, I should take 3-4 day tour bus so I don't drive as much....yes, I realize that Vegas to SF will be long drive. I want to rent a van and return it at the same location so I don't have to pay $200 additional fee.

Originally Posted by Mummy in the foothills

The Vacaville Premium outlets are nearer to you and it's huge place.
What about Monterey and the Aquarium too. I think six flags marine world is open on weekends in winter.

Originally Posted by avanutria

One way out of state with Budget was easy, flat $100 surcharge. We did this in 2009 when we arrived in Seattle-Tacoma and needed to drive down to Oregon.

Originally Posted by N1cky

The weather could be anything in LA. First year we arrived the roads were flooded around Christmas time with all the rain.

Second year my FIL was sat out sunbathing in his shorts on Christmas Day.

Originally Posted by E3only

That's true...but that could be said about Bay Area too....may be not as extreme. December undoubtedly will mean some rain.....

Originally Posted by E3only

Thanks, I am going to do all the priceline research tonight. I am pretty active with priceline. Have always done all my hotel bookings there..never had to rent a car though.

Originally Posted by E3only

Thanks, I am going to do all the priceline research tonight. I am pretty active with priceline. Have always done all my hotel bookings there..never had to rent a car though.