kanski Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 It's been a while since I've last been here (19 years) and I'm bringing my family here for a holiday next year. Kindly share your insights on this state and it's cities (planning to vist 3, maybe 4, cities). Please talk about the must see places/attractions, do's and dont's on travelling/transportation, grat places to eat, etc.. And to people who, like me need info on the topic, this is the place to ask your questions. Quote Link to comment
kanski Posted December 13, 2007 Author Share Posted December 13, 2007 Here are 2 specific questions I have in mind: 1) Would it be possible to drive down to Lake Tahoe from SanFran and go back in a day? 2) What are my chances of catching snow in the lake's mountains in early April? Just talked to balikbayan recently who is based in the Bay City area and posed these questions to him. His reply was it is possible to visit LT from SF in a day if you leave early in the morning and don't mind getting back at night (given that drive time, he says bet. the 2 places is 3.5-4 hrs). Plus, in times when winter starts late like this year daw, it would be possible to catch snow even in mid-May. Anybody mind confirming or refuting this? Due to time constraints, I am deciding against staying a night here. But I would like to set aside a day to travel around this famous vacation spot. Quote Link to comment
trooper1990 Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Here are 2 specific questions I have in mind: 1) Would it be possible to drive down to Lake Tahoe from SanFran and go back in a day? 2) What are my chances of catching snow in the lake's mountains in early April? Just talked to balikbayan recently who is based in the Bay City area and posed these questions to him. His reply was it is possible to visit LT from SF in a day if you leave early in the morning and don't mind getting back at night (given that drive time, he says bet. the 2 places is 3.5-4 hrs). Plus, in times when winter starts late like this year daw, it would be possible to catch snow even in mid-May. Anybody mind confirming or refuting this? Due to time constraints, I am deciding against staying a night here. But I would like to set aside a day to travel around this famous vacation spot. been a silent member here in manila tonight....but I have a little bit of knowledge on where you are going.... I drove from Los Angeles to Reno on a straight 14hrs....spent the night in Reno and then the following morning drove to Lake Tahoe...by the way this is las year November 20.... took us around 3-4hrs to go to lake tahoe....up the mountain and then around half way lake tahoe....nag snow the night before so nung nag drive ako nung umaga up the mountain it is very very very very beautiful may snow the sun was up and may frozen parts ang lake kaya astiig sya, around 5-6pm nung dumudilim na I drove from lake tahoe to Yosemite national park 4-6hrs yun na drive....spent the night in Yosemite and then spent the hul day going around the park...you need atleast three days just to go arond the park...saw the gian sequoia trees which is huge !!! and then drove that evening back to San Francisco around 4-6hrs drive ulet tapus spent the night in San Fracisco woke up late the other day had lunch and then go back to Los Angeles for another 6hr drive es you can drive from SFO to Lake tahoe and then go back but I do suggest leave very very early int he morning tapus leave around 5pm pabalik to SFO but I strongly suggest stay a night in Lake Tahoe find a cheap motel or hotel kasi eventhough it is cheap magaganda motels dun !! I do doubt it that may snow sa May kasi medyo late na yun...pero kahit ala snow it will be a very beautiful and unforgettable trip to you and your family !!! About sa stay ninyo dito where will you stay as in home base para I can tell you what places to go and visit ?? LOS ANGELES: 1.) Quick trip to the famous walk by the stars and sa Chinese Theater, tip for parking: park at the mall behind the theater...buy a soda insidthe mall and then validate the parking para libre...hehehe and then in the afternoon drive going to the Hollywood Sign sa Conservatory...it just re-opened kaya it is possible now again to drive up the mountain tapus picture picture sa sign ng hollywood sa background. Drive also sa rodeo drive to see the signature shops... 2.) Spend the whole day sa Universal Studios in Hollywood....then dinner sa City Walk sa labas lang ng Universal. 3.) Spend the whole day sa Disneyland tapus lakad lakad at dinner sa downtown disney and wait for the fireworks display around 9pm ata or 10pm hindi ko tanda. 4.) after sa Disneyland spend the day sa California Adventure opposite Disneyland. 5.) Go to the famous VANICE BEACH...ok dun picnic kayu with the family walk or bring roller skates or bike...pwede din rent ng bike at roller skates. 6.) Go to Long Beach sa QUEEN MARY libre yan...that ship is the same age as the Titanic and it is now a floating hotel...tapus lakad lakad sa downtown Long BEach. SAN DIEGO CITY Go to downtown San Diego tapus drive dirve kayu...if you want to see a real aircraft carrier merun dun....SEAWORLD para makita si world famous na si shamu... LAS VEGAS !! No need to explain...hehehehe Dami pa pwede puntahan.... Quote Link to comment
kanski Posted December 13, 2007 Author Share Posted December 13, 2007 Ey Trooper, thanks for replying. Eksakto yung cities na binanggit mo bec. those are the ones that I will be going to. We will be staying mostly in motels since I will be borrowing a mini-van to drive for the duration of our holiday. I was mortified to find out that most hotels and even attractions charge so much for parking. $30.00 parking in hotels x 28 days = $840.00 saved. For LA, I found this hotel situated right at the back of Mann's Chinese Theater that offers free parking at that. Sweet! Almost all the attractions you mentioned are on my list of must see places except for Venice Beach. Safe ba dun as I am travelling with my young uns? I can't really stay overnight in Tahoe, just don't have the time to spare. I am still deciding on whether to spend a day here (LT) or up north to sequoia country while in SF. But it has to be either of the two and not both kasi kulang sa araw ang stay ko sa SF.Btw, I'm eyeing a motel near fisherman's wharf that again offers free parking. In SD, Sea World is a must for the kids. Am also spending a day in the beach (for me :thumbsupsmiley: ). Just have to decide on whether to go to the Zoo or Legoland on the other day we are here. Will try to sqeeze in a tour of the aircraft carrier since all travel sights that have reviews of this rave about it. And did I mention the motel and it's free parking? I've posted my queries about LV in the Las Vegas thread para hindi OT. Thanks ulit. Keep the suggestions coming kung may maalala ka. Will appreciate it. Quote Link to comment
shadowspy Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 (edited) i just visited last august so here are some suggestions (yung iba nga lang na-suggest na) 1) long beach - see the queen mary and the aquarium of the pacific 2) LA - hollywood and universal studios 3) san diego - yung aircraft carrier eh USS midway...maraming maganda beach sa san diego...pero the best ang coronado. for gimik...gaslamp district (forgot kung eto yung exact name). if you have time, may outlet store complex sa san diego where you can buy cheap branded clothes. just follow the road going to tijuana, mexico and exit at the last USA exit (nakasulat talaga na LAST USA EXIT) sa freeway. you can see a big mexican flag and tijuana from there. another recommended place is six flags california. kalimutan ko name nung place pero it's about an hour drive from LA. sorry I can't be of much help sa san francisco...haven't been there eh...probably next time! hehehe! Edited December 20, 2007 by shadowspy Quote Link to comment
malaki Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 my advice is not to go to california.. i feel like there's so many pinoys there that it's so cliche. if you have family/friends there then by all means, visit them and let them show you around, but otherwise, there's so much more of america to explore. california to me = driving all day in hot weather.. and i can do that in manila for cheaper. that's just my opinion though.. Quote Link to comment
kanski Posted January 6, 2008 Author Share Posted January 6, 2008 my advice is not to go to california.. i feel like there's so many pinoys there that it's so cliche. if you have family/friends there then by all means, visit them and let them show you around, but otherwise, there's so much more of america to explore. california to me = driving all day in hot weather.. and i can do that in manila for cheaper. that's just my opinion though.. Bro, there's no Disneyland in Manila. Hehe. Seriously though, I think that going around California is a good way to introduce the US to the uninitiated. And this is exactly what I am going to do with my family- bring them to the US for the first time. Problem is, I haven't been there myself in quite a bit and would appreciate feedback from those who know this place better. Would I like to bring my family around the US besides California? You bet! As you've just said, there's so much more on offer. Unfortunately, I have neither the time nor the dinero to do this in one trip. So there. But cmon, you've got to admit, California does offer a little of something for everybody. Amusement parks for the kids, Shopping for the wifey, and all that and more for myself. Now if it weren't for the traffic... Quote Link to comment
id6230 Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 Bro, there's no Disneyland in Manila. Hehe. Seriously though, I think that going around California is a good way to introduce the US to the uninitiated. And this is exactly what I am going to do with my family- bring them to the US for the first time. Problem is, I haven't been there myself in quite a bit and would appreciate feedback from those who know this place better. Would I like to bring my family around the US besides California? You bet! As you've just said, there's so much more on offer. Unfortunately, I have neither the time nor the dinero to do this in one trip. So there. But cmon, you've got to admit, California does offer a little of something for everybody. Amusement parks for the kids, Shopping for the wifey, and all that and more for myself. Now if it weren't for the traffic... California is the most diversed state in the US. It also offers magnificent natural wonders and the man made ones too. From north to south, you can see a lot of very interesting places and people and attractions. Bring your laptop with you so tha you can get good deals wtih food and accomodations. Lots of free public wireless service specifically in libraries. Don't be afraid to asked for information to the locals. Quote Link to comment
id6230 Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 my advice is not to go to california.. i feel like there's so many pinoys there that it's so cliche. if you have family/friends there then by all means, visit them and let them show you around, but otherwise, there's so much more of america to explore. california to me = driving all day in hot weather.. and i can do that in manila for cheaper. that's just my opinion though.. I just wanted to point out that your opinion is in lacking facts and right information. Nothing personal. Quote Link to comment
jojobata Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 i live here in california - norcal actually and there's a lot to see it all depends on the type of person you are - there's places for the everyone Quote Link to comment
igol ays Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 @kanski got your response to my PM...if your sole purpose for going to lake tahoe is for your family to experience snow, then perhaps you can look into going to big bear or lake arrowhead (about 2 hrs drive or so each direction) instead of going all the way to northern cal and then to lake tahoe. this way you save time (drive all day to san francisco) and hotel/motel (2 nights) and then another day to drive back to LA. instead you might want to look into using the "saved" days and hotel/motel costs and drive to las vegas which is only a little over fours drive from LA. Quote Link to comment
kanski Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 ^^ bro, the trip to lake tahoe isn't the reason why we are going to san francisco. we're going to san fran to see san fran. the trip to lake tahoe for a day is just something i've cooked up. besides, no matter where we end up in, we still are going to pay for a hotel room, di ba? i'm not familiar with neither big bear nor lake arrowhead. if it is near las vegas as i suspect it is, i don't think we'd be able to sqeeze it in our stay there (LV is really part of our itenerary). we are scheduled to drive to the south rim of the grand canyon one day while in LV and having more than one road trip per city stop wouldn't be advisable. thanks for the reply. cheers! Quote Link to comment
igol ays Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 ahhh sooo... driving from LA to san fran will take about about 6 hours, depending on how many stops you take via interstate 5. if you leave early enough in the morning (day 1), you could be in san fran a little after lunch, and check in wherever you're staying, this will give you a few hours to see tourist spots close by. you might need to take the rest of the following day (day 2) to go around the city and take in the rest. then head to lake tahoe on the third day. an alternative would be to drive up highway 1/101 along the coast. this trip will take longer but will give you a chance to see big sur, perhaps drop by hearst castle, and also the little city of solvang. you will still get to san fran on the same day, perhaps early evening. just cram the san fran sight seeing the following day. Quote Link to comment
igol ays Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 while in LA, you probably already have plans to visit disneyland and universal studios. you will need a day for each venue. you might also be interested in going to an amusement park, about an hour's drive from LA to the south on I5 called magic mountain. Quote Link to comment
igol ays Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 in san fran, the usual points of interest are the GG bridge, coit tower, fisherman's wharf and pier 39 (you can see alcatraz from here and perhaps take a tour via ferry), lombard street (crookedest), golden gate park, chinatown and the exploratorium. you might also want to take a cable car ride. Quote Link to comment
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