Mr and Mrs T's West Coast Tour Pre Trip Report

[TractorBoy]

After our anniversary trip to Florida last March/April and a lovely trip to the West Country in September we sat down one weekend and spoke about what we wanted to do for 2015.

Elaine will celebrate her 60th (sorry boss) in July so we wanted to do something really special. We have both been big Orlando fans for many years now but wanted to do something different although still in the USA. To be very honest we had got bored with Orlando.

We spent 9 days in San Francisco in 2005 and really loved our stay. After discussing various places we both agreed that we wanted to return to the West Coast. Next where to stay what places to visit. Elaine had always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon so that would mean a stay in Las Vegas. Neither of us are gamblers as such (I do the lottery! ) so we agreed that we wanted as little time as possible in Vegas. Decided on 3 days which would give us a trip to the Grand Canyon and a bit of sight seeing and maybe a show.

Before booking a place to stay we needed a flight. Looked at Virgin as they are our normal means of flying over the Atlantic. Because we were only having 3 days in Las Vegas we would want to fly into Las Vegas and out of San Francisco. Prices were competitive so booked Virgin to fly out on Thursday, June 4 and return out of San Francisco on Friday, June 19, landing at Heathrow. We have booked premium economy for the return leg and are hoping to fly PE on our trip to Vegas.

I normally drive and stay overnight when going to Orlando but with a return to Heathrow we decided to find alternative means of travelling to and from the airports. Looked at hiring a car but that would cost me more than I really wanted to pay. Elaine found a train that would take us from Ipswich via Stratford, London Bridge and then onto Gatwick for £18.50 each. When the dates appeared on the website it was booked straight away. Bargain!

For the return from Heathrow we would use the taxi company that Elaine uses for work colleagues who are travelling abroad on business trips.

Needed an overnight and as we will be travelling to the airport on the Gatwick Express we looked at an airport hotel. After looking at a few we decided on The Bloc. Excellent price and we would have a short walk to the terminal.

Right that is the UK part of the trip booked. Now we start on hotels and places to stay at on the West Coast.

First Las Vegas. Spent a while looking at various hotels around the strip and the reviews. As we were no bothered about the casinos and the smoke we looked at places that did not include a casino underneath the accommodation. Finally settled on the Carriage House which is situated on East Harman Avenue (have since picked Heather 1957s brain as she stayed there in March and were very grateful for the information and advice she gave us.

Have been playing myVegas for a few months and have managed to get enough gold coins to have 24 hour passes for the monorail and also to buy one get one free tickets for the KA show at the MGM on the Saturday – something we are both looking forward to. Have also managed to buy one get one free buffet at the MGM and will use that prior to going into the show. Also managed to get a buy one get one free at the Mirage for the Friday.

Next was how to get to the Grand Canyon. Both agreed that our first full day – the Friday – would be a good day as we would be up early anyway after the flight the day before. After looking at various sites and various means of getting there we decided on a helicopter trip. Neither of us have ever been on one so that will be another experience.

Booked the Grand Canyon All American Helicopter Tour via Viator. Will be flying with Sundance. They will pick us up from the Carriage House and drop us back afterwards. We both are really looking forward to this.

Next was how to get to San Francisco for the next part of our trip. I fancied driving but as we would not want a car while in San Francisco decided on an internal flight. Found a good price and time flying with United so booked. Nice departure time of 10.19 a.m. (was originally 9.30 but has since been changed). Would get us to San Francisco just after midday.

Have booked a shuttle with Airport Express so we can get to our home for 4 nights - the Best Western Tuscan near Fishermans Wharf. This is the hotel we stayed at in 2005 and was competitively priced with others in the area. Booked the City Pass which will enable us to get around and also have free entrance to a few things we want to visit.

We were going to bus to a local Target and buy a satnav but saw on the dibb that a dibber was selling one that they recently purchased in Orlando. It arrived shortly after paying for it. Bargain!. And it turned out to be the best thing we have ever purchased. An absolute godsend for getting from A to B.

On ending our stay in San Francisco we will get a shuttle to back to the airport to pick up a car for our road trip. Will drive from the airport and make our way to Yosemite National Park for our 3 night stay at A Bed of Roses bed and breakfast. This is situated just outside the park in Oakhurst and comes with wonderful reviews. Will spend as much time as possible in Yosemite and are also hoping to have a steam train ride as well.

On leaving Yosemite we are going to stop off in Fresno and visit the zoo. From there will be journey onto our next 3 night stay in Templeton at the Carriage Vineyards Bed and Breakfast. This also comes with lovely reviews and somewhere we are also looking forward to staying at. We have booked a trip to visit Hearst Castle and spend time along the Pacific Coast Highway. If time allows might try and get to Santa Barbara.

Our final part of this trip will be to drive to Monterey for a 2 night stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Cannery Row. Will drive the 17 mile drive on our way there and will try and make a visit to Pebble Beach Golf Club.

After 2 nights we will leave the Holiday Inn Express on Friday, June 19 for the drive to San Francisco airport and our flight back to the UK.

The two of us are:

John aka TractorBoy. Driver, pack mule and anything else the wife wants to throw at me. Doting grandad to Caitlin, Henry, Dylan and our darling George who we miss so much and who will be with us every day of our trip.

Elaine aka AlexE. Does all the work with regards to all the holidays we have ever been on. Nannie to Caitlin, Henry, Dylan and darling George. She is prone to do a bit of shopping while in the US which means an extra bit of luggage is taken!

Right that is it. Time is going very quickly and as we both finish work on the Friday before we will have 3 weeks off work. Getting really excited and cannot wait to get on board the train at Ipswich Station. That is when the holiday will start!

[Pussycat Doll]

Sounds fantastic! Off to read all about it! Pussycat

[SuzyM]

Sounds fab - can't wait to read more!

Suzy