California multi centre coach tour

[LakeBuenaVisita]

Hi all,

We've been thinking about taking a 2 week coach tour around LA, San Francisco, Vegas, Yosemite, Grand canyon etc. Has any Dibber done this tour before? Our main concern is arriving at a resort at 10pm after an epic trip before getting the coach again at 6am to travel onto the next resort. Any pointers greatfully received.

[Maz]

Well I think if you can't, or don't want to drive then it is the only option to see so much of this fantastic area. You don't have to worry about parking, tickets or things like that. Suitcases are delivered to your room and collected in the mornings.
We haven't done it, but have stayed in hotels where tour groups were staying overnight. They were certainly up and away before we were awake, most times, if not actually waking us up, and we are early risers.
Sometimes the stops at the view points etc are quick, but at least you will get to see them. And there are some amazing views and places to see on that tour!
We were once staying at a hotel in Scottsdale, near Phoenix when a Saga tour came for 2 nights after a week or so of one night stops. The older members of the group looked exhausted and flopped by the pool - some has swollen ankles. It was so hot there too, over 100deg. We felt so much for them. I think they were grateful for the rest.
If there was not the option of driving then I would definately do it.

[Karen Mouse]

Hi all,

We've been thinking about taking a 2 week coach tour around LA, San Francisco, Vegas, Yosemite, Grand canyon etc. Has any Dibber done this tour before? Our main concern is arriving at a resort at 10pm after an epic trip before getting the coach again at 6am to travel onto the next resort. Any pointers greatfully received.

We've done 3 tours all over America with Cosmos. They were brilliant. We always chose toursa that DIDNT move everyday, i.e. some places had a 2 night stayover then you moved on etc. Its fine. We packed each suitcase with a weeks of clothes in it and didnt even open the second one til the 2nd week. The early mornings were fine (and I'm not a morning person!) You just get on the coach and fall asleep again!

There were plenty of stops for refreshments etc en-route so you could pick up snacks etc and the coaches were luxury coaches and never more than half full.

They rotated the seats so you got to know everyone on your coach and it was a lovely friendly atmosphere. The only reason we dont do them now is cos they dont let kids on board.

Another bonus is you get to the front of any queues etc. We pulled up at Hoover Dam and the queue was about 2 hours. We sailed right to the front. They know the coach is coming same time same day each week so you get priority over the general public.

You see such a lot in the 2 weeks (most of ours were about 16 day tours) thats its sooo worth it.

Hope this helps make your mind up.:wavey:

[Nikki'Andrew]

Having toured California on our own, it is a lot of miles to travel, therefore a lot of time on a coach, you may not really get to see these places much before you are moving on to the next place.
I would recommend California, but why not just do part of it at a time. I remember that drive from Carmell to LA, along Big Sur. About 8 hours and being car sick the whole way. And this was our honeymoon, 11 years and 2 DS's later I still feel sick at the thought af that trip.

By the way, we are only in Rugeley, down the road.

[BelleWannabe]

I have done the West Coast Tour with Titan Hi-tours. I would highly recommend them. We had an excellent guide and found the pace relaxing without missing anything.
I have since been back to the West Coast twice and driven parts of it and do not feel that I missed out on anything by doing an organised tour.

BelleWannabe

[ali-s]

I agree with Karen, have a look around & choose a company that stays 2 nights in most places. We did LA/Grand Canyon/monument valley/Vegas/Palm Springs ,before kids, that was a 13 day tour with Cosmos & it was fine ,we had a brilliant tour guide & learnt & saw far more than if we had been on our own :)

[starstruck]

Hi LBV

We have done 2 tours. One of the west coast with Travelsphere and one of the East Coast and Canada with Jetsave and I can highly recommend both companies. Bare in mind that they call these tours 6, 7, 8's for a reason but I can't think of a better way to see everything. We met some great people of all different ages (I think we were the youngest at 35 & 36) and have some great memories.