SatNav in LA. Vital?

[clam]

Just been quoted an additional 60 quid to have the GPS package on our car hire in the US!! Probably don't need it for most of the trip (SF > Yosemite > Coast etc..) but what about 4 days in LA? Would we be mad to try without?

Or what alternatives are there? The scrooge in me won't let me pay 60 quid!

We've driven lots in LA without Sat Nav and it's been fine. We are there in three weeks time and won't bother with sat Nav in our hire car.

We get good maps and I map read whilst DH drives . The freeways are incredibly busy at certain times but I don't think it's too hard to find your way around LA.

We're there in 3 weeks too! Which maps do you recommend, and where do you get them from?

The hire companies always provide maps of the freeways etc. More detailed maps I have in various books on LA. I don't think LA is very complicated, just very busy!!

Trouble is we're picking up the car in San Francisco and working our way down south to LA. So they might have maps for that, but surely not LA as well.

I'd get something like this: www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2/275-0539404-9006826?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Los+Angeles+map&x=0&y=0. If you're worried, get it ahead of time, otherwise pick something up on your trip. Thomas Guides are good too.

If you want something to cover the whole state, you might want something like this www.amazon.co.uk/Insight-Travel-Maps-California-GeoGraphic/dp/9812588884/ref=pd_sim_b_1. I prefer atlas-style maps but this would certainly save space in your luggage.

Have you got an iPad? Download one for free!

Thanks all! Very useful. Have been attempting to download things onto my iphone and laptop, but am not clear whether I'll be able to access them all off-line. The phone app is clear, but the laptop stuff not. Not worried about the long straight bits inbetween urban areas, but don't want to get lost in LA looking like tourists!
everlong - I was at University in LA many, many a few years ago, but I guess it's changed a bit.

Do you have one at home? Just bring it, should work. We live in LA, it's pretty obvious and simple to get around, though exits on freeways come up on you pretty damn quick - but then we generally avoid the freeways unless going out of town, you only really have a short middle of the day window when they're not rammed, and satnav always directs you to the freeway!