Taken the plunge!

floridafan101 · 1 Aug 20, 10:49 PM

So after losing out on Canada and NYC this month we’ve booked to go to NYC and Los Angeles for Easter. Booked with Aer Lingus which includes checked baggage and seats for free which these days seems a good deal and rare! It’s cost £1600 for 4 of us flying from Leeds into NYC and back from LA which seems ok. I will book internal flights nearer the time.
So excited to start planning our trip. No idea what we will do yet we went to California in 2016 and loved it but don’t want to do the same things again so need to think.
We never got to the Grand Canyon last time so that’s a priority and maybe Monument Valley?
Probably 4 nights in NYC but that’s flexible we’ve been twice so seen a lot of the sites but LOVE the city so thrilled to go back. We have NY passes from this year which we can use next year so that’s a saving as I told DH when I pestered him to go

400ixl · 1 Aug 20, 11:29 PM

How long have you got on the west coast side?

The Grand Canyon is a long way from LA. The South rim is the one you will want to go to and it is 4 hours the wrong side of Las Vegas. And Vegas is 4-6 hours drive from LA. Great if you can get there.

If you haven't booked your internal flight then maybe NY to Las Vegas.

Alices Aunt · 2 Aug 20, 12:12 AM

We did a road trip that encompassed LA and monument valley and it’s a heck of a drive. We stopped off at Sedona on the way for a couple of days -monument valley and then Moab before Las Vegas. The scenery is lovely but it can be tiring for the driver. We did that part in 2 weeks I think.

floridafan101 · 2 Aug 20, 09:39 AM

We have 2 weeks in California. We do long drives so not bothered about the distances but agree we will need to have a look and prioritise which to do.

jdouds · 2 Aug 20, 06:56 PM

Hi so what have you done before and then we can all give suggestions.
For a starter have you been to Yosemite or Yellowstone

floridafan101 · 4 Aug 20, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by jdouds

Hi so what have you done before and then we can all give suggestions.
For a starter have you been to Yosemite or Yellowstone

Hi our last trip to west coast we visited LA ( inc Disneyland and Universal), San Diego, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite and San Francisco travelling down the PCH back to LA. Have to say we loved Yosemite but we are going in late March first 2 weeks of April so I don’t think it’s an option or Yellowstone. Saving that one for my next trip to Dakotas, Wyoming And Colorado.

We plan on staying south this time and will have 2 weeks in the southwest to explore landing in either Denver or Las Vegas probably before flying home from LA.
Things to do this time.
Disneyland again subject to it being open properly but no more than 2 days there.
LA want to explore more and DH loves it but we spent 4 days there last time and feel we’ve seen a lot of the highlights
Griffith Park
Hollywood sign
Santa Monica
Venice Beach
Hollywood Hills
Hollywood Boulevard
La Brea tar pits

More national parks for me! But so many to choose from

but will have to include Grand Canyon as others haven’t been there yet.

When I say long drives, we’ve done 500 + miles a day quite often. DH would prefer to do longer drives with fewer stops.

Would love to hear from anyone who has done this area for tips on which parks are a must see and any particular highlights.

jdouds · 4 Aug 20, 03:18 PM

Hi again yes early part of year rules out Yellowstone. If you do Grand Canyon and Vegas then onto Mojave , Joshua and Palm Springs. After this possibly a few days San Diego.

floridafan101 · 4 Aug 20, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by jdouds

Hi again yes early part of year rules out Yellowstone. If you do Grand Canyon and Vegas then onto Mojave , Joshua and Palm Springs. After this possibly a few days San Diego.

Was wondering about Palm Springs seems to be mixed views on whether it’s worth a visit.

jdouds · 5 Aug 20, 08:50 AM

Palm Springs is a good place for an overnight stop as you have the Aerial tramway, some very nice shopping ,pubs restaurants.
It’s maybe not on some people’s radar as it’s primarily a massive sports centre with over 100 golf courses in the area and loads of tennis academies. There can be some great deals on nice resort style accommodation during the summer as winter is there high season.

1 Aug 20, 11:29 PM	#2
	1 Aug 20, 11:29 PM 400ixl Imagineer
400ixl Imagineer Join Date: Mar 12	How long have you got on the west coast side? The Grand Canyon is a long way from LA. The South rim is the one you will want to go to and it is 4 hours the wrong side of Las Vegas. And Vegas is 4-6 hours drive from LA. Great if you can get there. If you haven't booked your internal flight then maybe NY to Las Vegas.