For those of you who've been to the West Coast of the US

[ali-s]

Originally Posted by Mazzy

Wow, it certainly sounds great for non-drivers! Were you happy with the hotel? Do you remember how much the taxi cost to the zoo and Balboa Park? Thanks

See more...

I have my trusty notebook to hand $18 inc tip on the way there, $15 inc tip to come back.
We liked the hotel, think it was my favourite out of the 4 we stayed in. They do a courtesy bus from the airport to the hotel - handy for non drivers. We had a very large sitting area- dining table seated 6/8 I think !,and a sink , coffee maker and mini fridge, then bathroom with a 3rd sink outside, large bedroom . I think ours was a standard size suite, they do bigger ones. Oh, and of course they do a complimentary breakfast ( essential requirement for me ) good selection of hot and cold, plus snacks and drinks in the evening.
They had a pool as well - but it was indoors and accessed off the lobby- bit strange but it didn't bother us, we made good use of it.

Forgot to add, if you want to do Anaheim as well, then Amtrack goes several times a day ( Pacific Surfliner ) between San Diego and Anaheim ( and L.A ) ( taxi to train station from hotel $6 inc tip ) Amtrack tickets for the 4 of us $72.

[KarenG]

I'm going to enjoy reading about you planning this trip!

[sam_b]

Hi

Not sure if it's feasible for you but we loved Napa Valley (balloon ride, vineyards, the best burger joint in the US etc).
Also one of the highlights of our trip was Safari West in Santa Rosa - especially if you love animals. We had a fabulous safari and spent the night in a luxurious tent (with shower, ensuite loo, deck etc).

Have a great time

[Mazzy]

Originally Posted by ali-s

I have my trusty notebook to hand $18 inc tip on the way there, $15 inc tip to come back.
We liked the hotel, think it was my favourite out of the 4 we stayed in. They do a courtesy bus from the airport to the hotel - handy for non drivers. We had a very large sitting area- dining table seated 6/8 I think !,and a sink , coffee maker and mini fridge, then bathroom with a 3rd sink outside, large bedroom . I think ours was a standard size suite, they do bigger ones. Oh, and of course they do a complimentary breakfast ( essential requirement for me ) good selection of hot and cold, plus snacks and drinks in the evening.
They had a pool as well - but it was indoors and accessed off the lobby- bit strange but it didn't bother us, we made good use of it.

Forgot to add, if you want to do Anaheim as well, then Amtrack goes several times a day ( Pacific Surfliner ) between San Diego and Anaheim ( and L.A ) ( taxi to train station from hotel $6 inc tip ) Amtrack tickets for the 4 of us $72.

See more...

Oooh someone else with a notebook, lol, glad it's not just me! Thanks so much, that hotel sounds a really good location for non-drivers and the taxi fares a brill. Brekky too, that's great as the food always really cuts into our budget.

I hadn't even thought of taking the train, yes we will be going to Anaheim after San Diego. Do you happen to know whereabouts the train station is in Anaheim, ie how far away from disneyland? Thanks

[Mazzy]

Originally Posted by KarenG

I'm going to enjoy reading about you planning this trip!

See more...

Well it's all plans at the moment, lol, but I'll be doing my best to find funds don't you worry!

[Mazzy]

Originally Posted by sam_b

Hi

Not sure if it's feasible for you but we loved Napa Valley (balloon ride, vineyards, the best burger joint in the US etc).
Also one of the highlights of our trip was Safari West in Santa Rosa - especially if you love animals. We had a fabulous safari and spent the night in a luxurious tent (with shower, ensuite loo, deck etc).

Have a great time

See more...

I think we're going to stay in Southern California this trip, but thanks for the idea, we just don't want to spread ourselves too thin, as our last trip went in a blur we moved places that many times.

[KarenG]

Originally Posted by Mazzy

I think we're going to stay in Southern California this trip, but thanks for the idea, we just don't want to spread ourselves too thin, as our last trip went in a blur we moved places that many times.

See more...

What would be your ideal Mazzy? For example, three stops of five nights each, four stops of three nights etc etc?

We kept moving about at Easter and it was great to do & see so much but I did feel we "lost" a little holiday time in travelling and packing / unpacking time. I've never thought that before when we've done it though.

[Mazzy]

Originally Posted by KarenG

What would be your ideal Mazzy? For example, three stops of five nights each, four stops of three nights etc etc?

We kept moving about at Easter and it was great to do & see so much but I did feel we "lost" a little holiday time in travelling and packing / unpacking time. I've never thought that before when we've done it though.

See more...

My ideal would be to go for 3 weeks, with around 5 nights at each place (including Monterey)! Not sure we could stretch to that though!

I really want to fit Monterey in, as I loved the place but we only scratched the surface last time, as Sam did a horseride which took up half a day. I have got to go back and see the sea otters but it's a bit out of the way if we want to do San Diego as well.

So ideally we would fly into LA, spend 3 nights in Hollywood at the Renaissance where we stayed before, they have a rooftop pool to relax and are also smack bang in the middle of the Walk of Fame etc, then fly down to San Diego for 6 nights (would like to stay in a hotel on a beach) then 5 nights in Anaheim, for Disneyland and the beaches.

So that's 14 nights in all, without fitting Monterey in. DS will finish school end of June next year, so we could go early July, San Diego has a country fair over 4 weeks in June/July, and they have fireworks on July 4th, so it would be a fab place to be.

Are you planning another trip?

[ali-s]

Originally Posted by Mazzy

Oooh someone else with a notebook, lol, glad it's not just me! Thanks so much, that hotel sounds a really good location for non-drivers and the taxi fares a brill. Brekky too, that's great as the food always really cuts into our budget.

I hadn't even thought of taking the train, yes we will be going to Anaheim after San Diego. Do you happen to know whereabouts the train station is in Anaheim, ie how far away from disneyland? Thanks

See more...

Well, we missed our stop so didn't get off at Anaheim, carried on to the next station taxi was $25inc tip from there to our hotel ( residence inn maingate) according to my notebook I'd allowed $10 for a taxi from Anaheim to hotel , I know it's not far. Have a look on trip advisors' Anaheim or San Diego forums, that's where I got all my answers from.
Have a look at the last week of my trippie , might give you some ideas.

[Mazzy]

Originally Posted by ali-s

Well, we missed our stop so didn't get off at Anaheim, carried on to the next station taxi was $25inc tip from there to our hotel ( residence inn maingate) according to my notebook I'd allowed $10 for a taxi from Anaheim to hotel , I know it's not far. Have a look on trip advisors' Anaheim or San Diego forums, that's where I got all my answers from.
Have a look at the last week of my trippie , might give you some ideas.

See more...

I've just read your trippy, lol, omg, you've put me off using the train now!