America in July/August

Zascar

Guys I was hoping to do some traveling with a friend for a few weeks in the west coast of America over July/August - however the person I'm traveling with has been told that its not a good idea to travel in America in July August as it is the school holidays - the place is swamped with kids and the prices go twice as expensive since there are so many people around. Is this really true?

We're planning on doing the major cities like SanFrancisco, LA, Vegas etc.
Is it bad idea to go in July/August, or is this just exaggerated that it's that bad?

Scruff101

We went for a month in August 2008 and had the time of our lives no bother anywhere we went...weather was fantastic if a little hot but you get used to it. Our itinerary as far as I can remember was:
Long Beach, LA
Santa Monica, LA
Morro Bay - not worth stayin night but would visit again for couple hours
Monterey
San Fran
Lake Tahoe
Mammoth Lakes - to go visit Yosemite!
Las Vegas
Williams - to visit Grand Canyon
San Diego
Laguna Beach

Fantastic Holiday!!!!!! Worth every dollar!

Pepe LeFrits

I traveled around the States last year for July/August/September and I can't say I ever noticed anywhere being swamped with kids. I was couchsurfing though so I couldn't tell you about accommodation prices, and I didn't reach the west coast until the end of August. I doubt you'll have many worries though... maybe book ahead?

Zascar

Thanks guys, I think we are now going to do it - most likely going to be late June and most of July for 4-5 weeks. We don't really have many specific plans but Scruff thanks for that I'll take a look. I just want to do SanFran, LA, Vegas, San Diego - but not pushed apart from that. Might even take a trip to Mexico

What I'm wondering is, what is the best way to do this? Maybe just hire a car and travel around, finding places to stay as we go? Can this be done? What about kind of package tours where you drive yourself? We don't want to do a pre-organised bus tour type thing we'd prefer more of our own freedom, but when you are out there, what is the best way to do it?

Is it easy to do it as you go or is it better to organise beforehand? We are doing this last minute so don't have much time...

Any advice or tips very much appreciated!
Cheers

ncmc

Can I suggest you consider Yosemite, absolutely stunning, definitely the hightlight of our trip to California in 2008. In fact. I would go as far to say that I had one of the most perfect days of my life in Yosemite and even thinking about it makes me smile . The waterfalls should still be flowing in June, unfortunately they were pretty dry when we were there in August, even so, it was still the most beautiful place I have ever been, It's about a 4 hour drive from SF. It's a nice drive though and very scenic in places.

It's up to you if you want to book ahead or book on the hop. Personally I am a bit of a planner so I like to have my accomodation booked. But I know some people love booking as they go and think it part of the fun. It just depends what kind of person you are! I would be worried I would spend hours every day trying to find a suitable hotel! If you are booking in advance, try www.quikbook.com for hotels, and go into their special offers page. The have some good prices for LA and SF and you don't pay until you get there. If you are going to include Yosemite and want to stay inside the park, you would need to book this asap as there aren't that many accomodation options and they book up quickly.

I don't think you will notice it especially busy during the summer, unless you want to go to one of the theme parks, in which case, they will be busy. Enjoy, sounds like a great trip!

Peadar_85

Looking for somewhere to stay for 1 night in or around Yosemite as a stop-off between San Fran and Vegas. Have noticed a town a couple of hours east called Mammoth Lakes (seems to be a ski resort??) which leaves roughly a 6 hrs drive down to Vegas.

Anybody any thoughts on this town or suggestions on a similar place to rest the head for the night?

Many thanks

ncmc

Peadar_85 wrote: »

Looking for somewhere to stay for 1 night in or around Yosemite as a stop-off between San Fran and Vegas. Have noticed a town a couple of hours east called Mammoth Lakes (seems to be a ski resort??) which leaves roughly a 6 hrs drive down to Vegas.

Anybody any thoughts on this town or suggestions on a similar place to rest the head for the night?

Many thanks

You might be better starting a new thread on this Peadar, you'll probably get more answers. I would also recommend the Yosemite forum on Trip Advisor, they are very knowledgable there and should be able to give you some advise.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g61000-i315-Yosemite_National_Park_California.html

We stayed in the Valley itself, so I can't help you with the towns around. We drove from Vegas to SF stopping in Yosemite, it was 8 hours from Vegas and then about 4 hours from Yosemite to SF.