Author Topic: California members (Read 7861 times)

Gene · « **Reply #50 on:** July 14, 2015, 10:40:57 AM »

Definitely go through Big Sur - South of Carmel, North of San Luis Obispo. It's stunning. There are also places to camp if they want to haul a tent. Some of the cities are riding Air B & B - they are treating them like hotels so it's possible they could get hit with a "transient occupancy tax" - just be aware.

Our (Southern CA) Hostel network is pretty good - not as good as New Zealand's, but there are places. They're friendly and cheap. Remind them that taxes are not included in pricing of pretty much anything except gasoline. Get to the beaches - San Diego is great as well. To iterate - it can take up to 2 hours just to get across L.A. county - so choose drive time wisely. There are plenty of cheaper places to stay - Motel 6's etc. - and they get cheaper as you get further away from the coast. They should check out Sequoia National Forest if time permits. It costs $ to get into the park (unlike Big Sur) but it is ginormous and stunning - again, more camping opportunities. There are also fees for entering State Beaches - a day-use charge, usually about 20 bucks. Not all beaches are State Parks.

There's so much to see and do, if they're road trippin' it I guess they can only do the highlights but they should be fine in CA, can't speak for NV.

OH! I almost forgot! Come on down to Seal Beach and Sunset Beach and we even have great white sharks! Just like you guys!

754 · « **Reply #51 on:** July 14, 2015, 11:09:43 AM »

If they make it to LA south bay, Hermosa beach is pretty cool, an old friend has a bar there..
Renting bicycle and cruising the Strand to check out a few more beach towns is a lot of fun...

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #52 on:** July 14, 2015, 04:45:29 PM »

Thanks Guys, great info....

Duanob · « **Reply #53 on:** July 17, 2015, 02:14:42 PM »

Don't leave out San Diego that's a fun city to hang out for a few days. I think the whole Cali coast is an awesome place to visit. Too bad they aren't on two wheels!

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #54 on:** July 17, 2015, 05:44:55 PM »

Any links to cheap car hire please, those links weren't that great'''

calj737 · « **Reply #55 on:** July 17, 2015, 05:50:22 PM »

Mick you could encounter a problem there. Some rental companies here don't permit hiring a rental for drivers under 25 years of age. You'll need to check that carefully! Comparing to check out are:
Hertz
Avis
Budget
Enterprise
Thrifty
Alamo
Dollar

These companies all have websites with rental conditions, rates, and options. Probably the insurance rider (temporary policy) will hike the price up due to her international policy. You'll need to check your policy as to whether they provide coverage here, or she's paying for it during the rental term. And both drivers need proof of insurance or will be required to be listed on the rental policy.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #56 on:** July 17, 2015, 05:59:06 PM »

They are over 25 Cal...

, we are having trouble finding local car hire joints, we've been getting pretty high quotes like $US75 dollars a day for cheap hire...? They have Travel insurance , we get it every time we go OS...

calj737 · « **Reply #57 on:** July 17, 2015, 07:23:44 PM »

Sometimes a weekly rate comes out better. Rates also differ regionally. California is higher than many other states due to taxes, surcharges, and tariffs. Days of the week also effect the rate; renting Mon-Thr is more expensive than Fri-Mon.

Lots of variables I'm afraid.

Stev-o · « **Reply #58 on:** July 17, 2015, 07:36:33 PM »

Quote from: calj737 on July 17, 2015, 07:23:44 PM

Sometimes a weekly rate comes out better. Rates also differ regionally. California is higher than many other states due to taxes, surcharges, and tariffs. Days of the week also effect the rate; renting Mon-Thr is more expensive than Fri-Mon.

Lots of variables I'm afraid.

They are renting one way, right? For some reason that is always much more expensive.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #59 on:** July 17, 2015, 08:02:34 PM »

Ok, the cheapest option was to use an international booking agency out side of the USA, all the USA based sites were stupid expensive, the one we went with used the same US rental companies but was much cheaper and all costs were up front, much easier to use.... Thanks for your help guys....

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #60 on:** July 17, 2015, 08:04:04 PM »

Drop off point was in Long beach CA, might have to chat Don up for as lift to Santa Monica....

You can bring the wifey Don...

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #61 on:** July 18, 2015, 07:26:44 AM »

If you pick up and drop off at the airport, you will get cheaper rates, too -- versus one way rentals. Expedia.com shows rates at the low end for economy cars at $28 per day.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #62 on:** July 18, 2015, 03:42:22 PM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on July 18, 2015, 07:26:44 AM

If you pick up and drop off at the airport, you will get cheaper rates, too -- versus one way rentals. Expedia.com shows rates at the low end for economy cars at $28 per day.

Yep, all sorted now Don, {they all show cheaper rates but once you start looking those rates rarely apply},one thing that was a bit strange though, if the girls dropped the car off at LAX it was over $350 dollars for the hire, just by changing to Long Beach it was under $200.....

LAX must have some bullsh1t taxes and or charges...!!!
Whats the best way to get from long beach to Santa Monica..?

Stev-o · « **Reply #63 on:** July 18, 2015, 03:54:45 PM »

Cheapest way would be bus, Mick. Best way, taxi, but expensive.

http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php?place0=Long+beach&place1=Santa+Monica&timecrit0=AR&day0=SAT&hour0=+03&min0=+07&ampm0=P&fare=RG&evaluateButton=+Plan+My+Trip

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #64 on:** July 18, 2015, 04:08:01 PM »

Thanks for that link Steve, thats very handy...

goldarrow · « **Reply #65 on:** July 18, 2015, 08:37:20 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on July 18, 2015, 03:54:45 PM

Cheapest way would be bus, Mick. Best way, taxi, but expensive.

http://socaltransport.org/tm_pub_start.php?place0=Long+beach&place1=Santa+Monica&timecrit0=AR&day0=SAT&hour0=+03&min0=+07&ampm0=P&fare=RG&evaluateButton=+Plan+My+Trip

Yeah, but I would not recommend public transportation here in Los Angeles area.

scottly · « **Reply #66 on:** July 18, 2015, 09:28:13 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on July 18, 2015, 03:42:22 PM

Yep, all sorted now Don, {they all show cheaper rates but once you start looking those rates rarely apply},one thing that was a bit strange though, if the girls dropped the car off at LAX it was over $350 dollars for the hire, just by changing to Long Beach it was under $200..... LAX must have some bullsh1t taxes and or charges...!!!

It's because they have more cars dropped off at LAX than at other locations, so they have to transport the cars back where they came from. It's easier to reduce the rate to have cars dropped off where they are needed.
I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but the girls may want to check out Hearst Castle. They should also check out at least one of the Spanish missions, which is the origin of Highway 1, El Camino Real.
http://hearstcastle.org/

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #67 on:** July 19, 2015, 12:55:26 AM »

Thanks Scott..

Gene · « **Reply #68 on:** July 20, 2015, 11:13:09 AM »

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g32648-i340-k2527376-Getting_to_Santa_Monica_from_LGB_Shuttle_vs_Cab_vs_Transit-Long_Beach_California.html

See # 2 for an option from Long Beach to Santa Monica. And, be aware that once in the People's Republic of Santa Monica, after you've seen the beach and the fish market you're pretty much done for the day. Long Beach, imho, would be way more interesting. You can't swim in the water, but the city is a lot of fun. And if you want to swim, cross the San Gabriel river and go into Seal.

Also - +1 on Hearst Castle - or at least San Simeon. There is a stretch of beach where there is about a mile of Elephant seals hanging out on the sand and rocks. Just south of there is Cambria - which is pretty. Just North is Big Sur. Just East is Paso Robles and Templeton (Central Coast Wine Country).

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #69 on:** July 20, 2015, 12:01:57 PM »

San Simeon, Hearst Castle and Cambria are all beautiful, as is Morro Bay.

I have not taken a large bus from LAX to Long Beach. You can catch a Super Shuttle for approximately $35.

I take the LA Metro Blue Line (light rail) into Downtown LA from Long Beach. I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT FOR TOURISTS OR YOUNG WOMEN especially at night. It runs through Compton and Watts. They will not get mugged, but it might be an experience they'd rather skip. In theory, they could take a bus to the Green Line to the Blue Line and it would be a few dollars.

What day and time are they doing the trip from LAX to Long Beach, Mick. If I can, I will give them a ride.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #70 on:** July 20, 2015, 05:55:37 PM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on July 20, 2015, 12:01:57 PM

San Simeon, Hearst Castle and Cambria are all beautiful, as is Morro Bay.

I have not taken a large bus from LAX to Long Beach. You can catch a Super Shuttle for approximately $35.

I take the LA Metro Blue Line (light rail) into Downtown LA from Long Beach. I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT FOR TOURISTS OR YOUNG WOMEN especially at night. It runs through Compton and Watts. They will not get mugged, but it might be an experience they'd rather skip. In theory, they could take a bus to the Green Line to the Blue Line and it would be a few dollars.

What day and time are they doing the trip from LAX to Long Beach, Mick. If I can, I will give them a ride.

Don, this is at the end of their trip, they are dropping off the rental car that they are driving from San Fransisco, at Long Beach airport, then they were going to go back to Santa Monica for one night before flying home from LAX the next day, they may even stay overnight in Long Beach, then go to LAX the next day. Maybe it would be easier if you could PM me your phone number and i'll give it to Dania {my daughter}, and when they arrive in Long Beach she can give you a call and you could point them in the right direction, Any help would be much appreciated....

faux fiddy · « **Reply #71 on:** July 21, 2015, 06:18:08 AM »

Might throw this out there, it could save the deadhead/dropoff costs by taking a bus south. Depends on how much they need a car an SF.

I always heard you could get super cheap bus here, but never used them. Far in advance reduces the price enourmously is what I heard.

http://us.megabus.com/?SearchAndBuy1_ddlTravellingTo=390&SearchAndBuy1_ddlLeavingFrom=414

For instance If I wanted to book for November to go Dallas to CHicago, I could get the ticket for $1.

http://us.megabus.com/JourneyResults.aspx?originCode=317&destinationCode=100&outboundDepartureDate=11%2f10%2f2015&inboundDepartureDate=&passengerCount=1&transportType=0&concessionCount=0&nusCount=0&outboundWheelchairSeated=0&outboundOtherDisabilityCount=0&inboundWheelchairSeated=0&inboundOtherDisabilityCount=0&outboundPcaCount=0&inboundPcaCount=0&promotionCode=&withReturn=0

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #72 on:** August 16, 2015, 12:54:17 PM »

Hey Mick,

Just dropped off the girls at their hostel in Hermosa Beach. They are staying right off the sand at the hub of all of the fun things to do along the beach.

madmtnmotors · « **Reply #73 on:** August 16, 2015, 01:25:24 PM »

They look like they are having wayyyy too much fun!

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #74 on:** August 16, 2015, 03:22:42 PM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on August 16, 2015, 12:54:17 PM

Hey Mick,

Just dropped off the girls at their hostel in Hermosa Beach. They are staying right off the sand at the hub of all of the fun things to do along the beach.

Thanks heaps Don, I just sent you a PM Did they talk your head off...?

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Author Topic: California members (Read 7861 times)