driving distance

[blattajon]

to Linda or any other LA resident.We arrive at John wayne SNA and wonder if we should stay at a hotel nearby the first two nights.How far is it to downtown LA with public transportation(if thats the best).After that we go to LV,then to GC back to the coast (Carmel) down south to Solvang on friday and back to SNA during sunday.Then back to Norway on monday morning.
How does this sound?we know little about distances and time consume n the road.
ps the hotel at SNA is Hyatt regency in Irwine 92614.
appreciate any contributions.
regards Jon in Norway

[fj20spl311]

IMHO, public transportation in LA is a nightmare. I did a google map search to see how long it should take to go to the Petersen Automotive Museum at 6060 Wilshire Blvd Los Angles from the Hyatt Regency Irvine, Jamboree Road, Irvine, CA 92614. (45 miles) 2.5 hours


http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... 20856&z=10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



PS: were is GC Are you renting a car to go to LV or flying?

You might want to go the Disneyland it only 15 miles from the hotel

[Linda]

Forget public transportation anywhere, it takes too much time. Best is to rent a car for a week, being sure that you are not penalized if you turn it in early. You have to work to get a good deal. Priceline is good, but it does lock you in to a rental. With a car and a laptop you can use mapquest to get anywhere by finding hotspots, internet wirelss places, to get online. Unless you want to go to Orange Co airport, either Los Angeles or Burbank is closer. But you are coming from Norway after all.
I don't know the rules for international renters, but should be similar I would think. Again, start early, get a rental that is refundable if you get a better deal then you can keep looking right up to a few days prior to your arrival when cost will be low.
You want to see places, not spend your time waiting for the bus. Seriously.

Linda
Without really checking too much I found Budget Fri4/29 to 5/6 for $206, plus tax, economy car. Probably can do better when checking further.

[dbrick]

I found the best deals were on National Rent a car. Join the emerald club. If you work the deals (or PM me and I'll direct you where and how to find them) you can do very well. As Linda mentioned, I don't know if there is a penalty for international rentals.
You could also contact your embassy, they have an office in San Francisco, they may be of some help.
http://www.norway.org/Embassy/sanfrancisco/

[FergO2k]

GC = Grand Canyon, took me a minute on that one.

Check into how easy it is to get an Intl Drivers License, as that might be the ticket to no hassle with the car companies.
+1 on the inability of public transit to do aything but waste your time, and tour you thru neighborhoods that you'd rather not be seeing.
Most all hotels have airport shuttles, but there really isn't a great savings renting a car "off-site", usually better deals can be found using Dave/Linda's methods.

[Linda]

I would fly to Las Vegas also, flights are pretty cheap, Southwest airlines has sales. Rent a car in Las Vegas for 1 day and drive 4 1/2 hours to the Grand Canyon as Fergus suggested.
I don't know if this would work, but Southwest has a deal for a free round trip ticket anywhere they fly when you sign up for their credit card and make your first purchase. See website for details. Fly to NY, then get on Southwest to either Orange County airport or Los Angeles or Burbank. Rent car, etc etc


Linda
tour guide

[fj20spl311]

I would fly to Las Vegas
Linda
tour guide

LOL

I would suggest ( I don't know what your interests would be, so here are mine)
You rent a car at the air port for 1 week +...and get a GPS (either buy one or rent).
If you get in late, go to the Hotel in Irvine for the night.
Drive to Palm Springs in the morning (ride the tram to the top of the mountain for lunch or ...) in the afternoon head south toward Joshua tree national park (Get a year pass to all the national parks) stay somewhere near.
Next day head to Death Valley National Park.
next day to LV
Second day LV Day.
Head to south GC village.
Next Day GC
If you have time Head to Moab driving along the south rim of the GC toward (Canyons national Park, Arches Nation Park.) optional
Next day late head to Bryce canyon nation park and leave in the moring (after sunrise at the park) to Zion National park. (must do)
If you still have time ( hit lake tahoe on the way to Carmel)
Then off to Carmel...

[Linda]

Phil,
I think he is trying to make it to Solvang!
Don't think he's a long-haul trucker!LOL

Linda

[fj20spl311]

Linda,
One year I drove "straight through" from Shasta, left after the pictures at about 11-12. it was too hot (100+) to drive in the valley, so I took 89 east and then south to Lake Tahoe around the lake and then down 89 to 4. Took 4 west over the mountains and hugged the mountains south (mostly hi-way 49) until about 10 then over to Fresno, Bakersfield and over the grapevine. I was cruising with a fast group (I had to lift for a corner going UP the grapevine, could not hold my lane) I now have better tires. I made it through LA quickly and was home (San Diego) before the sun came up! Now that was a good drive!

[Bruce]

Kinda like the Griswold's vacation without the stop at Wally World?

I've made the Shasta to S.D. trip in a modern car and it was no picnic. Phil is definetly an iron bottom tour guide...