Looking for tips on travelling Western USA - ExplorOz style?

Hi Michelle

On of our most memorable trips in the US was Highway 1 (the winding coastal road from LA to San Fran. If you surf it is even more amazing.

We also loved the Yosemitie National park area.

Di

Michelle Hi,
Currently in early stages of planning similar. My intention is to buy a second hand RV/Motorhome for possibly two trips of 2- 3 months then resell.Can keep you posted and would appreciate any info re websites etc. that you may come up with.
Regards Mike.

Michelle,

I did 4 months in a hire car travelling about 25,000 miles in a loop around the states and into Canada on the east (Across Nova Scotia to PEI) and west coasts. Concentrated on a lot of the National Parks and archaeological sites as well as the touristy bits. It was pre 9-11 though.

Send me a message as to just what you're looking at.

Mick

Hi Michelle,
I just did a quick search and found the following website where you are able to post questions on a forum re: ExplorOz style, it may help you with your USA Trip Planning.

http://www.aardvarktravel.net/chat/viewforum.php?f=9

Cheers, John

Hi D & M

I looked for something a little different and went to a place called Solvang. Even if its not your thing, beautiful countryside.

I spent a year in LA so I may have some other gems as well.
Cheers Wilko

just booked our flights for a trip soon. Working on car hire/RV hire and hotels at the moment. We've used own knowledge (previous trips, things we've seen on tele), guide books (from library), the altas and websites including TravelAdvisor. Forums are good for specific questions but not for general enquiries as the scope of the questions are usually too large for anyone to make a meaningful reply. I haven't come across an exact replica of ExplorOz but there's heaps of area specific ones. So much info I'm sick of it!

Hi Michelle,

I'm an Aussie living in the San Diego area.

Lot depends on what you want to see. Presume the kids will want to do the typical but from there if you want to see something different to Australia and are not into the "historical past" of the USA i would try and plan a a trip say from Arizona north thru the Rockies to the Canadian border and then down alonf the west coast to San Franciso or LA.

You would the desert areas, hit the major national parks, make sure to see Bryce and Zion.

Drop me a note if I can help.

Bruce

Another forum but links to other stuff....
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/index.php

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

Hi Michelle,
Heaps of good info on this site,
Have a squiz

Cheers,
Dennis

Hi Michelle,

I have been in the USA for work for the past ~7 months but return next week. Anyway, we have done as much touring as we could in the time I had off. The USA is such a different place touring wise than the USA that a whole different set of rules apply.

At the risk of stating the obvious, the USA is so built up that our AUS "remote travel" experience is about as useful as a difflocks on bitumen. We found the best way to travel around was fly to a destination, hire a car and stay at hotels.

Flights are so cheap, use sites like travelocity.com and you can find something like Florida to Canada for $79ea one way (we were based in Florida). But note that prices change rapidly, I was booking a few days in advance at one stage and the price was going up by the hour.

We then drove back from Canada to Florida staying at hotels booked only one stop away, there are simply so many to choose from plus you can simply stop somewhere if you find some great attraction. We found that by staying at the same chain you know what you will get, plus you build up points for free nights - or some other offer. Price is not always an indication of quality. Also, parking is not always included, it can be as high as $25/night in crowded places like NY or New Orleans. It pays to check if its included, but the websites are great for that.

We looked at hiring an RV but the cost of it (plus extra gas) worked out no cheaper than a hire car + hotel. While the RV's are great out on the superhighways, get into places like New York and a car was bad enough. There are heaps of RV's over here, but the fact that 99% are also towing a vehicle behind shows their limitations.

Also, be prepared to queue at attractions, we are so spoilt in AUS with our lack of crowds. But by the same token, services are generally a much higher standard.

As for how to pay for things, I have found that a credit card offers by far the best exchange rate. There are several that also have a no foreign currecy change fee, most of the big banks charge 2.95% but even so you still get a better exchange rate than any money exchange by far. And in the USA, there is almost nowhere that you cannot pay by credit card - even many vending machines take CC's. Also, get ready to tip for anything where a person is involved. Fast food is about the only place you don't tip!

Enjoy yourself over here, the kids will have a great time and so will you.

Cheers

Captain

Michelle,

how do you like that? http://www.magazineusa.com/us/states/

Best regards from Germany
Helga

D & M,

I know it is a bit late however,

You cannot go.

You have not arranged for two chaperones. Gone Bush and I volunteer.
Your requisition has not been presented in triplicate and signed by all members.
You have to stay and look after this site !!!!

Have a good time.

Tony