San Francisco/LA

[coffeecow]

We are looking to travel to San Francisco next Easter school holidays (2021) with our then 9 year old. We thought about 9 or 10 nights, hiring a car and doing San Fran, then LA/Hollywood, then San Diego zoo before driving back to San Francisco and flying home. Does this sound feasible?

We thought we could do air b&bs along the way?

Any advice on when/how best to book flights?

Thanks in advance wise ones!!

We used trailfinders lastvyear for a NZ road trip and their flights were on par with anything on line.Their ap is really good for the trip as well.

Lots of posters seem to gallop around the USA rather than take time to get to know anywhere. San Diego is touristy big time (dusty and grubby in parts) but you will find gems on Highway one if you look. It is an iconic road trip and it’s not Cornwall. With 12 days it’s madness to try and go everywhere.

We stayed in La Jolla. It’s ok but not that great. I much preferred Santa Barbara. I would try and think what your DS enjoys and try and build a holiday around that. Fishermen’s Wharf didn’t appeal to me but families like it. I preferred the giant redwoods of Muir Park. However when travelling with DC their needs matter. I don’t think the extra time needed for SD is worth the effort and nor is LV and the GC. Save all of that for another trip.

There are iconic things to see and do down highway one and you will have time to seek out the more interesting stops. SF is more likely to be foggy in the summer.

DH and I spent a week going from LA to SF and it’s fantastic. Definitely wouldn’t have wanted to double back though. We also did a tour of California with the kids in 2018 and SD was a favourite (we didn’t do the zoo) stop. LA wasn’t! Griffith Observatory, Venice Beach and a Dodgers baseball game were great but so much time in horrendous traffic didn’t justify it - wouldn’t go back.

We stayed here once on our drive down from SF. You will struggle to find a more lovely view for breakfast.
www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g240329-d378428-r260807760-Lucia_Lodge_Restaurant-Big_Sur_California.html

Nepenthe is also a good stop for brunch www.nepenthe.com/

Thank you everyone. This is all so helpful!

I absolutely loved LA! We didn't spend much time in traffic because we made sure we didn't drive anywhere in rush hour. Downtown is interesting (The Broad, City Hall, Angel's Flight); also the LA Farmer's Market, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica, Venice canals, the Max Factor museum, cruising round Rodeo Drive and the Hollywood Hills admiring the houses and views, cool vintage shopping on Melrose Avenue....if you spend your whole time on the freeway you will miss it all.

Agreed Cointreau - plan wisely and April would be ok. We also went to Paramount studios and drove along Mulholland Drive for amazing views. We stayed off the freeways. It’s fairly easy to drive from Santa Monica to sights on back roads. I’m so glad someone else has been to the Max Factor factory. A glimpse into Hollywood of the past.

I would say about LA we did end up staying the wrong side of LA for what we wanted to do. We were next to Disney and got a fantastic view of the Labour Day fireworks, but we wanted Universal and Warner Bros which was a long way from Universal and Warner bros

What we actually managed to fit in was

Labour day Santa Barbara pier and Town Hall in the morning, watched the seals steal the fish form the fishing rods. Had lunch on pier , drove to LA after lunch, saw the paprazi outside Nobos as we drove along.
Arrived in LA and watched the fireworks in Disney.
Next day got up very early drove across town to Warner Bros which we all loved , then onto Hollywood Boulevard walked along to the Chinese Theatre , drove up to the Observatory and watched the sunset and spent a couple of hours up there. Came back dined in restaurant.
Next morning drove to Universal , spent the day there ,sadly Harry Potter ride closed much to DDs disappointment. We set off when it closed to drive to San Diego

@BubblesBuddy - that museum is a hidden treasure, isn't it? DH works for Max Factor, so had a vested interest in seeing it, but it was so lovely, atomspheric, and almost deserted, considering the crowds shuffling along that ghastly strip on Hollywood Boulevard barely metres away.

@bruffin - yes, the area around Disney is not the nicest. I wonder how many people base their sole judgement of LA on that area?

Cointreau: think Lonely Planet might mention it. I will never forget the make up booths and MMs dress. The area is tacky but you can park at the museum and leave after visiting.

Bubbles I disagree about San Diego, to me it wasn't touristy at all. Quite the opposite.

We went there last August and we all loved it, we stayed a week in an Air B&B and I wish we could have stayed longer. Planning to go again next year. We never made it to the zoo, but just loved the general vibe, the Coronado Island, Imperial Beach, visiting farmers market and so on. It doesn't have world famous sights per se (apart from the Top Gun bar ) but I think that's why we loved it as it was so normal, American and not massive tourist groups. One thing I was bit meh about was the Balboa Park, I wish we'd spent that day at the zoo instead. Next time we go I'd love to do a day trip across the border but bit nervous about the long queues coming back.

I liked LA too, we stayed 3 days in the Shore hotel which is right by the Santa Monica pier. It has a small pool and free bikes for the guests. Bike ride along the beach to Venice beach is fun. Be warned though that the area around Venice beach has seemingly morphed into a one big homeless tent city. We didn't feel threatened or were accosted at all but it wasn't a place where I wanted to stop for a drink or lunch.

We only stayed in Anaheim as the travel agent advised. The hotel was ok and if we wanted Disney it was ideal.
But too far away for everything we wanted to do.

The drive from San Fran to San Diego is beautiful, but it is a long way so just do down if you can and fly back from LA

When we went 2 years ago I just booked flights to UK - SFO and LAX - UK easily on the Virgin website. One way car hire is ok as staying within California.

Agree with PP we preferred San Diego (stayed right by the beach) to LA. La Jolla and Santa Barbara worth stops. Snorkelling alongside the sea lions was a highlight snorkelsandiego.com/