We want to go to the US but we'd like to see lots of things - maybe in a motorhome?

[Moomin]

Would love to go the the States next year, probably for up to 3 weeks. The dds would love to go to Disneyland which I think we could do, but we'd also like to go places that are a) laid back, beautiful b) not obviously over-touristy c) easy to take the dds who would be nearly 8 and 4 next summer.

I think Florida/California would be great for the girls but I also love the idea of Cape Cod/New England. Any ideas to start us off with our research?

We took a motor-home around the western US when our DCs were 8 and 4. It was a fantastic holiday.
I would recommend you pick up the motor-home from California, not Florida. Florida's rather flat and uninteresting. The West is definitely the place to be. Pick up the motor home in LA, get Disneyland out of the way then head out to Arizona (Grand Canyon), Utah (Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon) and Colorado (Rocky Mountains), then up to Wyoming (Yellowstone, Grand teton), across Idaho and Oregon and then back to California, driving the coastal highway and visting Sequoia NP and King's Canyon on the way. It'll be an unforgettable holiday.

that's the stuff! Who did you book with - flights? and motor-home? any more info/websites you'd recommend?

We did a nice little tour.

We went to California. first stop was Hollywood, stayed there 2 nights. Drove Las Vegas, stayed there 3 nights. Drove to The Grand Canyon (OH WOW!!!!) stayed there 3 nights. On return journey, stayed 1 night in Lake Havasu City (Where the old London Bridge is) We didn't have a motor home, we just booked bed and breakfasts before we went. It was a fantastic holiday, and the DC still talk about it now. Also we hired a decent size people carrier even though there was only 5 of us, that way it gave us plenty of space.

Forgot to mention that after Lake Havasu City we drove to Disney and had a week there.

Ok its not as big as Florida with all the different parks, but DDs certainly enjoyed themselves!

We did CA a few years ago (pre-kids)

Flew into LA, 1 night there then drove up to Yosemite Valley. had a few days there - it is AWESOME!, then drove north towards SF. Had 3 or 4 days there (Top tip - if you want to go to Alcatraz, you need to book well before you fly out). Had a fab time there. then drove down the coastal highway (Beautiful) to San Diego, which was our fave city. lovely climate even in August, lots to do - zoo/Seaworld/old mexican quarter/beaches etc. Finally drove back up to LA and had a few days stayin in Bev Hills. Good for the gawp factor but prob not great for kids. Went to Universal, the beach at Malibu etc. NB LA is VVVV hot in August - 100 degrees was normal. Inside is a/c, but outside would be tough on kids, I guess.

It was amazing - the hol of a lifetime. And we will go again and take the kids in a few years.

Call for a chat if you want to discuss it more (this is slouchy, under yet another namechange - I'm getting like cod!)

We went with Kuoni, BTW. Excellent service (we did motels but they did do winnebagos IIRC)

Sorry, had an early night and only just seen your question!

We went too long ago for any bookings to be relevant now. We didn't book as a package though, booked flight then just found motor-home rentals in yellow pages (internet didn't exist then!).

BTW, LA isn't always that hot in August as a rule; usually averages about 85F (with the occasional exceptional heatwave).

I went backpacking a few years ago now, pre children and staying in youth hostels. I do really recommend the LA, San Diego, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, then back up round and do the National parks San Fran and back to LA route. Can't make any recommendation about motorhomes though.

I did spend some time on the east coast New York, Washington etc but have been back to California several times since (with my son now age 9 in tow) and would choose the west coast every time.

Gilly

Definitely the west, although it can be very very hot in summer, usually mid 40s in Arizona. If you can stand the heat, I'd recommend Zabriskie (sp?) Point and Golden Canyon, both are in Death Valley I think.

Yeah winn e bayyyy gooooo sounds fab

If you want a package, Virgin's America brochure has motorhomes in it. You could even get that just for a look.

We did California in a campervan with our 4 in 2006. Booked it thru Trailfinders(discounts if you book early!) and I prebooked some of the campsites thru KOA. We picked ours up from San Franciso then went on to Yosemite, Las Vegas (campsite just off the Strip - surreal!) Grand Canyon, San Diego (lovely beaches and sea world - even popped over to Mexico on a tram while we were there) and then ended up in LA ( had various stopovers in the middle of nowhere in between places!). It was a great way to see the country - nights were a bit chilly in Oct. The campervan was huge with quite basic equipment but we got very fond of it over the 20 days we lived in it(think it was Cruise America). Have a great time if you get to go.