3 weeks LA to NY. Where in between?

Also look at JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines. Spirit charges you for EVERYTHING (first bag, second bag, carry-on bags, food, beverages) but their airfares are rock bottom.

When you have your itinerary more final, and know when you're coming to Washington DC, let me know and I'll be happy to play tourguide or at least give you some pointers of places to go. I can't think of any must-see festivals in DC in September, but if I hear of something that sounds worth visiting, I'll let you know.

On a separate note, I just took the express bus to New York over the weekend. That worked out very well, and was cheap ($30 each way).
 
Kozhe,

You're going to have a great time. With regards to the start of your trip, many people have told me that LA is the California they've seen in movies, but SF is the California they enjoy. If you'll only be here a few days, three places I recommend without any reservations are the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and the Mission District. The city contains dozens of hills, and the views from Coit Tower and Twin Peaks are spectacular. If you have a car, the redwood forest in Muir Woods and the views of SF from the Marin headlands, both just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, are especially worthwhile.

As an added bonus, September is probably the most beautiful month in SF, less chilly and foggy than the summertime. Do consider staying in San Francisco longer - I came here on a whim, and now it's been five years...
 
Good to know about that bus! We'll probably take that oneif we finally make it to Washington. FlyingCamera I'll let you know if we go there.

Furbs thanks for the SF tips. Those hills sound like they worth a visit!
 
Shame you don't drive. Most of the distance could be travelled on Route 66/Interstate 40 with the last bit from St Louis to NY allowing a variety of options. Are there any places / landmarks that are on your bucket list? If so, 3 weeks should be plenty to allow you to get to them.
 
furbs said:
Kozhe,

You're going to have a great time. With regards to the start of your trip, many people have told me that LA is the California they've seen in movies, but SF is the California they enjoy. If you'll only be here a few days, three places I recommend without any reservations are the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and the Mission District. The city contains dozens of hills, and the views from Coit Tower and Twin Peaks are spectacular. If you have a car, the redwood forest in Muir Woods and the views of SF from the Marin headlands, both just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, are especially worthwhile.

As an added bonus, September is probably the most beautiful month in SF, less chilly and foggy than the summertime. Do consider staying in San Francisco longer - I came here on a whim, and now it's been five years...
Click to expand...
Dear Antony,

Of course you're not in the slightest bit biased... But yes, I much prefer SF to LA too, though (at least when I lived on the Central Coast) LA's camera stores were better.

Was it of Oakland that Gertrude Stein wrote, "There is no there, there"? LA always seemed a bit that way to me.

Cheers,

R.
 
Kozhe: Charleston is dying; it was good until a few years ago (it's well off of the Interstate highway and never developed all that much, until Boeing and Google found it and began a boom of modern development surrounding a very nice, genuine old city. I often fly into CHS (Southwest flies there); you can dash into downtown Charleston, then find your way to Savannah (1.5 hr drive).

Savannah has particularly nice hotels and restaurants. It's a quiet, strolling city, an especially nice place to take your lady. I suggest splurging a bit there on a good hotel and restaurant, if that appeals to you. Mansion on Forsythe Park and esp. Sapphire Grill on Congress St. recommended. You can find this quality in SF, NO or NYC, but not with the same atmosphere (or cost).

Charlie
 
America was layed out with cars in mind, all other forms of transportation are secondary, and usually less convenient. Getting around America without a car is like trying to go skiing witout skis. You can do the train/plane routine, but the best of America is not going to be seen within commuting distance from an airport.

I moved to Japan a few years ago, and though I was able to convert my license to a Japanese license, it was not easy to adapt to driving on the "wrong side" of the road, or to figure out what the signs meant. But it was not that hard. In Japan the roads are narrow, congested, and there are pedestrians everywhere. In America, the roads are wide, not so congested, and with very few pedestrians or cyclists (because most people drive).

Do as I did, and rent a car a couple/few times and get in a little practice. America is the easiest country in the world to drive. You may actually enjoy driving there, and you will certainly get to see much more of the country. Car rental costs are reasonable, for what you save on the various tickets and charges, you can rent a very nice car.
 
I totally agree with Frontman.

Wanting to see America without personal transportation (a car) is like wanting to see Europe without using public transportation. (bus, train, or subway)

I imagine that it could be done, but it is just so far from the best way to do it.
 
Well, I guess I´m a really optimistic guy. We´ll be also traveling around China during 2 weeks and Thailand-Camboya-Singapore-Kuala Lumpur during another 3. That besides Istanbul, Dubai and Japan. So by the time we arrive to the USA I don´t think I´ll be in a good shape for driving 🙂

Oh, and forgot to add 10 days in Cuba right after NY, but those are expected to be (a little bit) more relaxed.
 
Kozhe said:
Hi everybody,

This is the first time I´m going to the States and there are so many things I´d love to see that it´s gonna be hard to make a plan. I guess I feel like an american who goes to "Europe" for the first time...

So far, we (lady and me) will arrive to Los Angeles on Sept. 1st and leaving from NY on the 21st. That makes barely 3 weeks to get a feeling of what the americans are. But what to do in between we just can´t decide. The overall route is California (San Francisco´s on the top of the list)-->Las Vegas (maybe a visit to Grand Canyon)-->Texas (where??? I´d love to go to a rodeo and get into the texan mood so to say. Maybe a visit to San Antonio also)-->Deep South (again, where??)-->NY

Walk-pictures-a couple of museums-get to know a lot of people, that´s more or less the plan.

We don´t drive so we´ll move either flying or by bus. What do you think are the places we should NOT miss in our way to the atlantic coast??

Also, I must say this is just a part of a 3 months travel around the world so we´re really on the cheap side if you know what I mean.

You ideas and tips are more than welcome 🙂
Click to expand...

In the US with no car is like no cherry on the cake ! Except if you would stay in the vincinity of NYC.
The US are MADE for cars so I would rent a peanut for cheap if I was tight on money.
Distances between objects are large and you may get disapointed to spend so much time waiting for public transportation.
I am myself going in July and I have reserved a Ford E-350 12 seater wagon V8. This is of course exagerated for a car however it remains cheaper than a V8 SUV and I wanted a spacy machine with a V8.

Like this:

2008_ford_econoline-wagon_passenger-van_e-350-super-duty-xlt_fq_oem_1_500.jpg


Don't you drive because you don't want or just because you cannot ?
The Grand Canyon is a MUST GO I think.
 
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