Advantages: Advantageous exchange rates mean it's a total steal! Disadvantages: Can't think of any off-hand, unless you don't like flying...or Americans I suppose.
Can there ever have been a better time for Brits to visit the USA? The dollar is in the doldrums, so everything is even more inexpensive for us European types than ever! It would be a crime not to take advantage…so I did, and here’s the result of my recent – and first non-business – trip to the wonderful land of Murky.
Things to do in Southern California:
i) All the usual tourist stuff like Universal Studios and Disneyland, San Diego Zoo and Sea ... ...but which can be really good fun.
Details of all those jolly good things which come under part 1 can be found in a squillion places, so I won’t bore you further here…besides, I didn’t do any of them, so I can’t really help…sorry.
I can, however, offer a suggestion or two regarding part 2. I should point out that this will be not be in any way comprehensive, as Southern California is a big place…a VERY big place! In conscience, I should also advise ...
stevethesleeve 20.01.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: California
Advantages: absolutely breathtaking scenery in National Parks! Disadvantages: cities can be very expensive!
Heres a very different review.....the following review was written by me in 2002 (when i was 15) for a local magazine for our Duke of Edinburgh Award. Its more like a travelogue of what my family did on our annual vacation to West Coast USA! Remember: it was when i was 15 and i think its great to read kids comments on destinations they have explored! Here goes....
"My summer in 2002 was spent in California! When my friends go on holiday they usually ... ...We spent 2 weeks travelling non-stop around California and other parts of America near there (like Utah, Arizona and Nevada). EXPLORING THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO:
My holiday started in the beautiful, quaint city of San Francisco. This is definately one of the nicest cities in the World but i was suprised tio find that temperatures rarely exceed the 70s and can drop much lower! It is also home to one of the greatest landmarks in California; the ...
smilerutd 31.03.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: California
Advantages: Saves loads of Money Disadvantages: Takes a bit of time
Do you fancy saving Money , serious Money ? How many people out there reading this Opinion have been to America previously and specifically California , hired a Car with Full Insurance and thought OH MY GOD THAT HAS JUST COST US A FORTUNE ? The vast majority of you will have either hired a Car through your Travel Company or Alternatively via a stand alone Company such as Autos Abroad. What I am suggesting works I've done it before but what I am doing ... ...you book Car Insurance with Dollar since they will not let you take Insurance from elsewhere. For the purposes of this Opinion , I have used Air Tickets Direct as a UK provider of Car Hire and Alamo.com as an actual Car Hire Company. Let me firstly give you a worst case scenario for Car Hire , one which many of you can easily relate to. I am going to base it on the Reservation I have just made for a 4 week Hire but it works easily aswell irrespective ...
richardandkaye 05.08.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: California
Advantages: all year round climate {except for this year 2005} Disadvantages: first impressions were a bit iffy to say the least
We stayed in Santa Monica for the first few days of January 2005,
using it as a last stop before heading to LAX {Los Angeles Airport} its about a thirty minute car journey away.
We travelled up to Santa Monica from San Diego and this coast had suffered some of the worst winter rain storms for quite along time.
So when we arrived in Santa Monica it all looked a bit wind-strewn with lots of palm debris on the prom and a lot of liquid in the street.
... ...the resort.
What can I say we headed for the beach,having to cross a busy road you first come to a strip {we would call it a promonade} which looks like a park,however the place is full of tramps {bums-americanism} either camping on the grass or occupying whatever public seating there is.
Its all a bit intimidating although they appear to cause no problem,infact many seem to be artists of some sort selling their pictures on make do easels.
Not ...
crhawk100 11.04.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: California
Advantages: A brush with the good life Disadvantages: A lot of driving.
My wife and I have undertaken two fly/drive holidays centred on California, and this is a digest of what we would recommend. Try to get an "open-jawed flight", i.e. two single tickets for the price of a return - this saves you retracing your steps in the hire car, just to come home. One way car-hire in CA is not a problem. We prefer to fly to San Francisco, cool off there for a few days, taking in the restaurant scene in this very easy going city. ... ...big deal. You won't need it all the time you're there anyway, what with buses, trolleybuses, MUNI (Metro), Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), CALTrain (commuter network) and of course those cable cars. Its also on a similar scale to Paris, but HILLY! So bring some walking shoes. The waterfront around Pier 39 has become very "Covent Garden" if you know what I mean, but eating clam chowder out of a scooped-out sourdough roll is fun - it's the equivalent ...
BNibbles 16.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: California
Advantages: El Capitan and Half-dome are sites to check out Disadvantages: Can be crowded at times
Days before the family's trip to Yosemite, a good friend of mine offered me an opportunity to whet my appetite. It was one of these great opportunities to be part of something western you can't turn down. My friend owns three horses and two dogs. His dream is to recreate some of the most famous western movies characters with his look. He invested in his attire which consisted of faded, ragged blue Jeans, cowboy boots, a pipe which he keeps on the ... ...fact, he is a non-smoker. But he told me that he had to have this long cigar or pipe just to be authentic in the back country. While we were going up there, he could not stop telling from his large repertoire. He has been doing this type of back country expeditions for more than 15 years now. Being a free-spirit type of guy who will travel at the drop of a hat, I thought this was the greatest fellow to have around. His only rewards are to set loose ...
digitalshare 11.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: California
Advantages: Everything Disadvantages: Jet lag, reliance on car may limit alcohol consumtion
1. Drive on the freeways, a crazy madcap experience. It's the real version of one of those video driving games children adore. Not for the nervous.
2. Drive up the Pacific Coast Highway between LA and San Francisco - sheer beauty. Allow two days each way and make you sure you book a stop over motel in advance.
3. Go to the Joshua Tree National Park and enjoy the silence.
4. Watch the world go by from a Santa Barbara Cafe.
5. See a TV show being ... ...or Venice Beach.
6. Wander round the canals near to Venice beach.
7. Sit in a San Francisco bar and enjoy a lively chat with the unbelievably friendly locals.
8. Watch the surfers at Huntington Beach (LA).
9. Drive from LA to Big Bear Lake over the 'Rim of the World Pass' at 7000 foot up the views are spectacular (later pull finger nail marks out of the dashboard).
10. Enjoy some mexican food at LA's Central Market.
PS - Hope you end up having ...
Hextor 10.11.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: California
One of the first things you notice when driving around Los Angelos is the brownish tinge in the air from all the pollution. This city is surrounded by rather undramatic mountains and although next to the coast on one side, pollution gets trapped over the city due to prevailing weather conditions. You are likely to experience many traffic jams whilst here and quite abit of frustration. The original Disneyland is in the area and certainly worth a visit ... ...NOT as glamorous as Baywatch, the sand is great but the oil rigs just off the coast and the proximity to city don't make for the best beach experience. There is certainly plenty of sunshine which is a definite plus. You may have heard of the series Beverley Hills 90210 - the 90210 part is the zip code for the area - this area and Bel-Air have some spectacular houses worth driving around to get jealous over - Rodeo Drive with all its fine shopping ...
aforest 17.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of General: California
Advantages: A brilliant state with tons to do Disadvantages: None
Here's my top five tips for California.
One. Los Angeles - fantastic, sprawling, freeway-dominated metropolis which is buzzing with excitement. Take a car and drive through the neighbourhoods - strangely quiet downtown, smart homes in Beverley Hills, the faux-glamour of Hollywood. Universal Studios is a must (see my top 5 tips on Universal Studios elsewhere . . .)
Two. Hearst Castle - fasincating mountain top retreat of newspaper baron Randolph ... ...Definitely to visit
Three. San Francisco. Hip, happeneing and very hilly. A breath of fresh air compared to smoggy LA with lovely sea breezes, beautiful houses and plenty to do. Make sure you visit Alcatraz.
Four. Yosemite. Beautiful, stunning national park. Can get a bit crowded but the views are magnificent. The huge grantie peaks and carpet of trees and waterfall make it an idyllic place. Nearby King's Canyon and Sequoia are quieter and worth ...
pxs 27.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of General: California
The Orange county, Southern California was our destination for our first family holiday abroad last year what a great choice we made.
The first thing I noticed about California was it was so clean no litter anywhere, no cigarette ends at the edge of the pavements, and the second most recognisable thing was the people, the people there are so friendly, strangers came up to us and started conversations. The air was so clear and clean, the sun was ... ...so much to do here we did'nt have time to fit everything in, we stayed for 3 weeks but you do need longer.
Our first sight seeing trip was of course the the original Disneyland then we went onto San Diego Zoo, we saw the pandas there, then onto universal studios, science museums,shopping, lots of eating out and plenty of sunbathing on the beautiful sandy beaches there.
What I liked best about California was the fact that no-one stared at me, I ...
ALLIECAT1 15.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of General: California
I would recommend flying straight to San Francisco and start there - a stunningly beautiful city, friendly and safe. Stay in a good, basic, reasonably priced hotel only a few minutes walk from Fisherman's Wharf (wonderful place!) - the San Remo Hotel on Mason Street (only £50 per night for a single room). After spending a few nights sampling the wonders that San Francisco has to offer, you can get on the 101 Freeway and either head south to Monterey ... ...then head east to Yosemite National Park (the size of the Midlands!), where you can stay in log cabins by the lakes and wonder at the massive Redwood trees and the mountains. After that head up to the beautiful Napa Valley, sampling the wine at the superb vineries along the way (there is even a Wine Train to take you along the route), and on up to Calistoga, heart of the Hot Springs area. You can bathe in the hot springs and marvel at the geysers, ...
christine000 20.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of General: California
Advantages: Cheap Food, Amazing Sights, Always Something To Do Disadvantages: Strict on Proof of Age, Huge Streets
My friend was studying out in San Francisco so me and some other mates went over to see him. However when were due to get there he was in Hawai so we had to make our own fun for 4 days. I will write a short diary of each day and the sorts of prices we paid for things.
Total list of Destinations: San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, San Diego, Hollywood,
Santa Barbara.
IN the Beginning - We bought tickets ... ...was an awesome price, if you can get cheaper youd be very lucky. However it was from Heathrow so we had to travel down there from Derby. Which we didnt mind as parking was £80 and there were 4 of us so it was only 20 each
Flight took 11 hours and seemed to be for ages.
When we got to San Francisco was headed straight for the youth hostel we had seen on the internet it was $27 a night so was about £14. When we got to the hostel it wasnt really up ...
Stuart1984 13.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of General: California
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