It's time for a Road Trip to California, USA!
We
are fans of Road Trips. Having explored Australia in cars, we decided to take an adventure on another continent.
The USA was our destination for this holiday. We will travel on a road
trip between LA, Las Vegas and San Francisco. It was a fantastic
experience. If you have about 2 to 3 weeks to spare, this will be the ultimate
road trip for families choosing California as their holiday destination.
Ride with us on this Las Vegas - Los Angeles - San Francisco road trip.
The whole journey will take us a whopping 1000 miles or 1600 Km.
It's
a long post ahead, but we are sure that you will find nuggets of helpful
information to help you plan for a similar road trip.
Day 1
Arrival - Los Angeles International Airport
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| PreTrip at Changi Airport - We are heading to the US to see the real deal! |
We took a connecting flight from Singapore to LA ( through Tokyo) that
lasted almost 20 hours, with a stopover in Tokyo.
|
| Premium Economy |
Thankfully, we managed to snag a great deal from Singapore
Airlines for Premium Economy and were comfortable during the flight.
|
| Flight from Singapore to LA - Total 19 hours 30 mins, including a stop at Tokyo |
After being on our butts for almost a day, we touched down at Los Angeles
International Airport.
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| Arrival - Los Angeles International Airport |
Since this was a self-drive holiday, we will collect our cars from
Hertz. Compared to other destinations, collecting a rental car in LAX would require you to take a bus to an offsite location. Hertz
collection centre was about 10 minutes drive from the airport with regular
buses picking you up from the airport.
|
| Bus to Hertz Los Angeles |
We had pre-booked an SUV for the ride, but no SUV was available when
we reached there. Instead, we were given an MPV - Kia Carens, for this
trip. Since it was similar in size, we had no issue with it.
Tip: If you are booking from Hertz, join their complimentary Hertz Gold Plus membership. Collecting a car
under the membership would be much easier and hassle-free from our
experiences.
PS Book an SUV or MPV; you would need the space for luggage.
Do read our Driving tips in the USA here.
Hotel: Country Inn and Suites by Radisson
(Anaheim)
Travel: LAX to Country Inn and Suites -
35 miles 36 minutes
|
| Country Inn and Suites Anaheim |
The drive to the hotel (Country Inn and Suites) took about 1 hour.
Thankfully, we drove during the off-peak period; the time taken could
easily double. When driving in LA, note the traffic condition, as it could get quite bad sometimes.
The decision to stay a night in
LA was wise. At different time zones, we were already comatose due to jet
lag when we reached the hotel. It does not help when we feel a little
queasy during the flight.
|
|
Jet Lag |
Country Inn and Suites is located in Anaheim near Disney Parks. It is
about 3 blocks away from Disneyland. Our room came with complimentary
breakfast and Wifi. We were not too particular about the amenities as we
only stayed for a night. Most importantly, it was a safe area to stay in
and had 2 queen-sized beds.
Tip: If you are travelling in a party of 4, get rooms with Queen
beds and NOT double beds. Double beds are similar to Super Single size
and might be too much of a squeeze to share.
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| Disney theme Lobby |
Day 2
Highlights: Road Trip to Las Vegas, Peggy Sue's Diner, Eddie's World,
Baker's Thermometer, Seven Magic Mountain, Las Vegas South Premium
Outlet
|
| Morning Drive to Vegas |
The next day we had to leave at dawn for Las Vegas. We had planned our
trip during Thanksgiving Week and traffic was notoriously brutal during
this week. To avoid a possible jam, we skipped our breakfast and made a
dash for Vegas via the I-15. This 260 miles trip would take 4 hours
without stops. For us, it will probably take much longer. After all, what
is a road trip without checking out the local attractions?
|
| Source: Google Map |
Tip: It is best to have a GPS Navigation unit if you are travelling out
of town. Instead of renting one that can cost you MORE than the actual
unit, buy a refurbished unit at half the cost.
No time to read; watch our video highlight of the Las Vegas Road Trip
here. Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more!
Attraction: Peggy Sue's 50s Diner
Address: 35654 Yermo Rd, Yermo, CA 92398, USA
Travel: Anaheim to Peggy Sue's Diner - 118 miles, 1 hour 48 Mins
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| Peggy Sue's 50s Diner |
To make up for breakfast, we had a stopover at Peggy Sue's Diner, a 2-hour drive from Anaheim.
|
| Welcome to Peggy Sue |
Peggy Sue's is a Diner that brings you back to the 50s. Filled with many
movies and TV Memorabilia, it will make a tremendous quirky stop on the
way to Vegas.
|
| Inside Peggy Sue's |
We stepped into the Diner and felt transported to the Twilight
Zone!
Everything looks so retro, like we had stepped into a movie
set.
From the Blues Brothers to Elvis to Marilyn to James Dean, every 50s and
60s icon can be found in this nifty Diner.
|
| Elvis |
As for breakfast, they were priced reasonably ( compared to Vegas) at
under $10 for decent bacon, eggs and hash brown set.
|
| Breakfast |
Attraction: Eddie World
Address: 36017 Calico Rd, Yermo, CA 92398, USA
Travel: Peggy
Sue's 50s Diner to Eddie World - 3.2 miles, 5 Mins
|
| Eddie World |
Eddie World is not exactly an attraction. Instead, it is a Petrol Station
with a grocery store. You can grab food, snacks and, more importantly,
drinks. More importantly, the toilets were super clean, making it a good
pit stop to pick up food and gas. Look out for the large sundae landmark
for Eddie World.
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Tip: Grab a couple of bottles of water. Most hotels do not provide
bottled water or facilities to boil water. Getting a small bottle of
water in Vegas will cost a few bucks. Remember, we are in a desert, so
water is necessary. Grab at least a 1-gallon bottle per day. You would
need it!
Attraction: World's Tallest Thermometer
Address: 72157 Baker Blvd, Baker, CA 92309, USA
Travel: Eddie
World to Baker - 52.5 miles 46 mins
|
| World's Tallest Thermometer - Baker |
The next pit stop was the world's giant thermometer. Why do we make
this stop?
Well, why not, as it is on the way to Vegas? It was also
an excellent stop to stretch the legs.
Attraction: Seven Magic Mountains
Address: Off S Las Vegas
Blvd at Terrible's Hotel & Casino exit
Travel: Baker to Seven Magic Mountains - 67.3 miles 1 hour
When we saw the Seven Magic Mountains, we were a little trippy.
|
| Seven Magic Mountain |
Having not been used to long drives, we were puking in the car.
Seeing 7 colourful stones structure made us a little dizzier. Why
were they in the desert?
It was good enough for us to stop and
be in awe.
Tip: Play The Doors Break on Through when driving to the Seven Mountains. The Experience will be
surreal.
|
| So high |
Attraction: Las Vegas South Premium Outlet
Address: 7400 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89123 m, USA
Travel: Seven Magic Mountain to LVS Premium Outlet - 17 miles 20 mins
|
| Las Vegas South Premium Outlets |
Given that we left early, we avoided the Thanksgiving traffic.
By the time we reached Vegas, we still had time before check-in. Since
time was on our side, we stopped at South Las Vegas Premium Outlet. Our
hotel, Luxor Hotel & Casino, was a mere 10-minute drive away,
Tip: Premium outlets are a must-stop if you are heading to the US. The
value-for-money items are the branded goods from Coach, Polo, Tommy
Hilfiger, Michael Kors and more. The savings can be up to 80% off
Singapore's price. Prepare extra empty luggage or two.
Hotel: Luxor Hotel & Casino
Address: 3900 S LAs Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
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| Luxor |
We reached our hotel about 9 hours since we left Anaheim. If you are
planning a road trip, consider pit stops. The hotel itself has an Egyptian
Theme and is even built in the shape of the Pyramid!
|
| Checking in |
We had the newly renovated Tower Rooms. It was a great deal as we booked
it early via Booking.com. It may not be in the centre of the Las Vegas
Strip, but it was close to places we wanted to visit, such as Fun Dungeons
@ Excalibur, M& M World and Hershey Chocolate World in New York, New
York.
|
| Luxor Room |
After a quick bite at the food court, we headed to Fun Dungeons @
Excalibur to cap off the night. We even spotted Youtubers there making a
video. Do you know who they are?
|
| Excalibur Fun Dungeon - Spot the Youtubers |
Day 3
Highlights - Twilight Zone Mini Golf, Circus Circus Midway Games, Las
Vegas North Premium Outlet
|
| Paris @ Vegas |
After a long drive to Vegas, we decided to take things easy and explore
the Strip for today.
|
| Johnny Rockets |
We headed to one of the Food courts at Bally's Las Vegas Hotel and
Casino. The food court was quite typical of food courts in Las
Vegas. There was usually a mix of eateries serving burgers, pizza, Chinese
food and the occasional Fried Chicken. Depending on the location, you can
find Johnny Rockets, Panda Express, KFC or Popeye's in the food court.
Food courts do not serve the best food, but they do their job. At less
than US $10 for most meals, it is much more affordable than restaurants
that charge about US $80 for a family of four.
Tip: Tipping is not necessary for food courts compared to restaurants
where tipping is expected ( Usually 15-20% of the bill)
Attraction: Twilight Zone Mini Golf
Address: 3645 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA
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| Twilight Zone Mini Golf |
We are at Bally's mainly to have a go at the Twilight
Zone Mini Golf. Mini golf was a fun way to spend time as a family. Playing
it at the Twilight Zone brought us to another whole new dimension.
|
| Twilight Zone Mini Golf 2 |
Attraction: Circus Circus Midway Games
Address: 2880 Las Vegas Blvd S, Circus Circus Las Vegas, NV 89109 , USA
|
|
Circus Circus Midway Games |
After the game of golf, our next destination was Circus Circus
Midway Games. After watching countless youtube videos on carnival games,
this destination was a must-do for us. If you are travelling with kids, be
sure to bring them there.
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|
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner |
The carnival games were much more winnable than the Fun Dungeon at
Excalibur. We ended with half a dozen toys to bring home with us.
Attraction: Las Vegas North Premium Outlet
Address: 875 S Grand
Central Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89106, USA
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|
Las Vegas North Premium Outlet Mall |
Next up was time for the grown-ups to have fun. It was
another trip to the premium shopping outlet. This time we headed to the
North Side. Our timing was perfect as it was the week of Black Friday. The
added perks to the already great discounted prices meant our parents
stocking up their wardrobes for the year ahead. Compared to the South, the
Las Vega North Premium Outlet Mall was better as it had more shops than
the former.
Tip: Check the website for extra coupons and savings. Some coupons are
only available online.
Day 4
Highlights - Grand Canyon Day Trip
Today, we left the car behind and decided to take a day tour of the
Grand Canyon. Theoretically, you can make a day trip there on your own.
However, with 10 hours of driving to and fro, it would be
physically demanding for us to do a self-drive. You could consider
spending an additional night at Grand Canyon if you want to make the trip
on your own.
We decided to opt for a tour instead. The tour we
had was privately chartered and cost slightly more expensive than the
standard package. If cost is a concern, consider booking a tour
from Klook. With the money saved, you could even upgrade to a helicopter tour.
Attraction: Las Vegas Sign
Address: 5200 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV89119 , USA
|
| Las Vegas Sign |
The tour started early, at 7 am. Our first stop was a photo op at the
Welcome to Las Vegas Sign. It was a short stop but good enough to take
photos to prove we were in Vegas.
Attraction: Hoover Dam
Address: Nevada 89005, USA
|
| Hoover Dam |
Our itinerary included a stop at Hover Dam. We did not get to explore
the Dam, but it was impressive.
Attraction: Historic Route 66
Address: Seligman, Arizona
86337, USA
|
| Historic Route 66 |
For road trips to the US, one must visit Route 66. Although most of
Route 66 has disappeared, certain parts retain their charms.
|
| Cars |
Our trip included a stopover at Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona. This is a
little town, but it is lined with quirky little shops that have existed
since Route 66 was built. It was part of the original Route 66. Today,
you can still experience what life looks like in the old days.
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| Route 66 |
There was a cool shop there that had everything Route 66 related
merchandise.
|
| The King |
You can also see old American classic cars in their original state
there. Worth a stop for those Instagram photos.
|
| Take a ride |
If you have not followed us on Instagram, do click this link to follow us.
|
| Back to the past |
Attraction: Grand Canyon South Rim
Address: Rim Trail, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023,USA
|
| Look out - Bright Angel Point |
If you are heading to Grand Canyon, the South Rim would be the best
place to go to experience the beauty of nature. The South Rim is billed
as the True Grand Canyon. The West Rim may be nearer to Las Vegas and
boast a glass sky bridge. It is not a part of Grand Canyon Nation
Park.
Another alternative to the South Rim would be the
Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend located at Grand Canyon East. It is
a highly Instagram-able place, but due to the terrains and hikes needed
to reach there, it is not the ideal destination for kids.
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| Bright Angel Lodge - Spot the Lookout studio |
Almost all tours will include a longer stop at Bright Angel Lodge. You
can walk along the trails from the Bright Angel Lodge to the lookout
studio.
|
| Bright Angel Point |
The fact that most official pictures of the Grand Canyon come from
the South Rim is a testimonial to its significance.
|
| Postcard |
If you are lucky, you mean even spot some wildlife there.
|
|
Spot the deer |
Our tour included additional stops at Duck on the Rock and other
locations.
|
| Duck on a Rock |
The best part of the tour was the secret location. We cannot tell
you where it is, but the view was spectacular!
For complete travel options to Grand Canyon, we recommend visiting the Klook website. You have plenty of choices from the basic South Rim Day bus to Helicopter rides.
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Attraction: Las Vegas at Night
|
| Las Vegas strip |
We were back in Vegas by about 7pm. The night was still young, so we
decided to head to the strip for a walk. Since we stayed at Luxor, there
are a few attractions suitable for families within walking distance.
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| M & M World |
We made stops at M & M world to check out the wall of M & M
|
| M & M Chocolate |
Naturally, we could not resist grabbing some for ourselves.
|
| Take your pick |
Our chocolate craving did not stop. Since Hershey's Chocolate World is
directly opposite M & M at New York New York Casino, we decided to
make a trip there too.
|
| Hershey Chocolate Liberty |
You can purchase the world's largest Hershey's bar there. We were
forbidden from doing it as Dad felt it was too much of a sugar rush for
us.
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|
World Largest Hershey's bar |
That did not stop us from getting a Hershey S'more (marshmallow and
chocolate melted between two crackers). Very sinful but worth it!
|
| S'mores |
Las Vegas looked alive at night with its bright neon lights. A
walk in the evening is recommended to soak in the atmosphere.
Tip: At certain parts, it may get rowdy. For safety, walk only on the
main strip where bright lights and plenty of people are around.
|
|
Viva Las Vegas |
Day 5
Highlights - Explore Vegas, Cirque Du Soleil
Attraction: Circus Circus Midway Games
Address: 2880 Las Vegas Blvd S, Circus Circus Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA
|
| Life's a circus |
It's back to Circus Circus to watch the free circus act and have another
go at the carnival.
|
| Free Circus Act |
Attraction: Mystere
Address: Treasure
Island. 3300 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA
|
| Mystere |
After that, we caught the original Cirque Du Soleil show
Mystere at Treasure Island. This was our first Cirque Du Soleil show,
and it did not disappoint.
|
| Mystere |
We had great front-row seats in the house and were impressed with the
set and performance. This was probably the best circus act we have seen
to date.
Tip: We got a great deal from Klook compared to the official
site. Kid's tickets were only available from Klook. We do not have to
pay any extra admin fee compared to the official website. ( Savings of
about 30%)
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|
Mystere |
After the show, we ended the day by exploring Fashion Mall next to
Treasure Island for some Black Friday deals.
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|
Fashion Mall |
Whatever Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas!
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Day 6
Highlights Road Trip - Drive to Anaheim
|
| Ride to LA |
It's time to end our Vegas adventure as we head back to LA. As it was thanksgiving weekend, a regular hours drive took us 8 hours
instead!
Tip: Check the calendar before planning a trip to avoid traffic.
Avoid Holiday Season if possible.
No time to read; check out the video version
Hotel: Residence Inn Anaheim
Travel: Las Vegas to Residence Inn Convention Center hours 259
miles . 4 hours
|
| Residence Inn Anaheim |
By the time we reached the Residence Inn Convention Center, night had
already set in.
|
| Big Size rooms at Residence Inn Convention center |
The good thing was that we were delighted with the vast room at
Residence Inn. They had a separate living and kitchen area from the
bedrooms. We got a great deal at Booking.com as it was even cheaper than
smaller hotels found in the vicinity. Complimentary breakfast and WiFi
are included in the booking,
|
|
Cheesecake Factory |
The location was perfect, as we could simply walk to the nearby mall for
Dinner. Dinner was at the Cheesecake Factory, famous for burgers and
Cheesecakes!
Tip: Choose a hotel within 1 block of Disneyland, so you do not need
to drive and park at Disney.
Day 7
Highlights: Disneyland
|
| Which way to Disney? |
Attraction: Disneyland
Address: 1313
Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA 92802, USA
|
| Goofing with Goofy |
For this leg of our LA stays, the reason why we stayed at Anaheim
was pretty apparent... Disneyland Park. In fact, it was both Disneyland
Park and Disney California Adventure that influenced our decision.
Having been to Disneyland in Tokyo and Hong Kong, we were excited at the
chance to visit the original Disneyland.
Tip: If you are heading to Disneyland, be there early. The queue for
security would be longer than the queue for getting in.
|
| Sleeping Beauty Castle |
With a 2 Day ' 1 Park per Day ' ticket from Klook, we managed to save about 15% from getting it individually. The prices
were also cheaper compared to the official rate from Disney. The
multi-park admission is also a better option as it is the same price
regardless if it is regular or peak season.
Getting in was a
breeze as we simply showed the printed tickets at the gate to change for
official tickets.
|
| Matterhorn Bobsled |
Disney was as magical as it was billed to be. One ride you should not
miss would be the Matterhorn Bobsled, as it is only found in Disneyland,
California.
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|
Mickey |
In terms of the parade, it was good. Although we still think the best
Disney parade experience would be in Disneyland Tokyo, Disneyland
California came in a close second.
|
| Walt Disney |
Disneyland California is the only park where construction was overseen
by Walt Disney. It was amazing how one man's vision can impact
millions.
|
| Fireworks |
Do stay for the fireworks in the evening.
Tip: Stand on the right side facing the castle. The fireworks would
be block from the left due to trees.
|
| Downtown Disney |
We took a quick stroll at Downtown Disney. There are restaurants and
shops there. As we only left Disney at 11 pm, some of the shops are
already closed.
Tip: Disney opens till VERY late on certain days, sometimes even
12pm. Check the Disney website for updates.
Day 8
Highlights Captain Dave Dolphin and Whale Watch Safari
|
| Captain Dave |
Attraction: Captain Dave Dolphin and Whale Watch Safari
Address: 24440 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629, USA
Travel: Country Inn to Dana Point 35 miles. 36 minutes
Rather
than going to theme parks on consecutive days, we decided to take a
break and head to the seas.
|
| What will we see today? |
The family, especially Mom, are fans of Whale Watching. So for this
trip, we decided to arrange for her - a unique whale-watching
experience.
|
| Whale Watch Family |
Mom had been to Captain Dave's Dolphin & Whale watching safari a couple of times. She had always wanted to share the experience with
us, so we decided to fulfil her wish.
|
| Jump |
It was an easy 35 minutes drive from our hotel. Within minutes of
our departure from the docks, we could catch a glimpse of
dolphins out in the sea. They immediately swam up to us and alongside
the boat. Super cool.
|
|
School of Dolphins |
Another plus was that the ship was equipped with underwater viewing pods
where we could see the dolphins eye to eye!
|
| Sei Whale |
Whales are not easily spotted during December as it is not the
migrating season. We were lucky enough to spot a lone Sei Whale. Sea
lions also greeted us on the way back.
|
| Sea Lions |
This whale watch trip was quite different from the ones we experienced
in Australia. It was more dolphins than a whale watch cruise. Swimming
with dolphins was indeed an eye-opener. The opportunity to see so many
different species of animals cap a wonderful day for us.
|
| Sunset at Dana Point |
Day 9
Disney California Adventure
|
|
Disney Pier |
Attraction: Disney California Adventure
Address: 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA 92802, USA
It's
back to the theme park. This time we will visit Disney California
Adventure. We were unsure what to expect as we had not read much
about the place. Armed with our prepaid tickets from Klook, we are about to find out!
|
| Holiday mood |
Learning from our experiences at Disneyland, we arrived 30 minutes
before opening. There was already some queue in front of us. The
entrance to the park may be separated, but it is the same entrance for
security screening.
Disney California Adventure is very much
different from Disneyland. Disneyland is well known for child-friendly
rides and shows. Disney California Adventure is leaning more towards
rides for older kids.
*Bookmark our website, we will be
bringing you a comparison in our future post.
|
| Let's Swing! |
The ride itself was fantastic. The must-ride includes Radiator Springs
Racer, Incredicoaster, soaring around the world and Guardians of the
Galaxy. Note that queues are pretty long, so you must get a
fast pass to sit all of them. On a busy day, you might not sit on all
rides. We went during the off-peak period and managed to sit on 90% of
the rides we wanted. Not too bad, we reckon.
Tip: Get a fast pass to a popular ride the FIRST thing you head to
the park!
|
| Frozen |
There was also a FULL musical - Frozen. This musical lasted one hour.
Still, it was a must-see for fans as Frozen comes alive with an
incredible set and cast. There are also other street performances but at
a smaller scale compared to Disney.
|
| Performance |
There were also carnival games at Pixel Pier. When there is a carnival
game, you are sure The Wackies will make a go for it.
|
| Carnival Games |
We stayed there till dark. Disney Adventure Park closes much
earlier than Disneyland. There is so much to do there that we think a
one-day pass is not enough!
|
| Disney Pier @ night |
Day 10
Highlights: Hollywood Hills, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman's
Chinese Theatre, Dave and Buster, Universal Citywalk
|
| Spot the Hollywood sign |
Attraction: Hollywood Hills
Address: Lake
Hollywood Park 3160 Canyon Lake Dr
Travel: Anaheim to
Hollywood Hills 37 miles, 1 hour
|
| Hollywood |
Today, we will switch hotels. We will be moving into Hollywood for the
next three days. Our first stop was at Lake Hollywood Park to closely
examine the iconic Hollywood sign. It was an exciting drive as we had to
get off the tourist route and drive up residence on a hill to reach
here. Furthermore, some roads were restricted to residents only,
|
|
Lake Hollywood Park |
Tip: Google Lake Hollywood Park instead of Hollywood Sign. The latter
would probably bring you to Griffen Observatory or residential areas
that may be restricted to residents only.
Attraction: Hollywood Walk of Fame
Address: N Highland Ave & Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028
|
|
Grauman's Chinese Theatre |
Before checking in to our hotel, we head to the nearby Hollywood Walk of
Fame to check out landmarks such as Grauman's Chinese Theatre and
Hollywood stars.
Tip: Park your car at Hollywood & Highlands. You can validate
your tickets if you purchase an item from a shop for a lower parking
fee.
|
|
Found: Harry Potter |
We found a Harry Potter hand mould. Given there is a big Potterhead ( he
is into the books) in the family, we were glad to have spotted it.
|
| Hollywood |
At Hollywood & Highland, we headed to Dave and Buster, an
arcade center, for a quick break.
|
| Dave and Buster |
Given that we had time to kill before checking in, we decided to
head in for a quick game. Ultimately, we walked out with a good haul
after spending $20 there.
|
| Win @ Dave and Buster |
Not everything was fine and dandy. When in Hollywood, we were
almost hustled by a guy trying to give his own 'free' CD to the kids.
After signing it, he demanded a tip of US $20 for it. Spotting a hustle,
we quickly walk away. Thankfully, there was some security there and the
man left us alone thereafter.
|
| Hustle |
Tip: When travelling with kids, do stay on the safe side and not be
enticed by unsolicited offers.
Hotel: Sheraton Universal Hollywood
Address: 333 Universal Hollywood Dr, Universal City, CA 91608, USA
|
|
Sheraton Universal Hollywood |
Our hotel for the next 2 days will be Sheraton Universal Hollywood. As
it was located near Universal Studios with a free regular shuttle there,
we thought it was the best place to be for visits to Universal Studios
Hollywood. It may be slightly more expensive, but we save on
parking fees at Universal Studios. Parking fees were from USD 25 to USD
60 for preferred parking!
|
| Universal Citywalk |
With the free shuttle, we rode to Universal Citywalk for
dinner.
|
| Seeing Double |
Dinner was at Johnny Rockets. It was burgers and fries, but it cost
twice as much as Mcdonald's!
Tip: Food is expensive in the USA; remember to budget more for it,
especially in tourist areas.
|
| Johnny Rockets |
Our parents did save a pretty penny by shopping at Abercombie &
Fitch. With sales going on, they managed to snag a few choice items
retailing at a 70% discount off the already discounted price ( 50% off )
in Singapore.
Mind Boggling... If one thing is 'cheap' in the
States, it will be clothing from popular brands originating from the
US.
Tip: For more mileage on shopping, time your holidays to coincide
with Black Friday Week. Sales are ongoing for the WHOLE week instead
of just Black Friday
|
| Shop at A & F |
Day 11
Highlights: Universal Studios
|
| Universal Studios |
Attraction: Universal Studios Hollywood
Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608, USA
Our
last theme stop for the trip would be at Universal Studios Hollywood.
After having an incredible time at Universal Studios Osaka, our hopes
were high for this theme park. Our tickets were pre-booked from Klook,
and the entrance was hassle-free. As per our experiences from Klook,
Universal Studios Tickets are usually cheaper than the official site.
The crowd was pleasantly light since it was a weekday and past
Thanksgiving week. The queues were relatively short for the characters,
so we took the opportunity to take some photos with them.
|
| Hogwarts Express |
It took us less than 15 minutes to wait for The Flight of Hippogriff AND
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey compared to 90 minutes EACH in
Osaka. We managed to take ALL the rides we wanted for Universal
Studios Hollywood without the Express pass.
|
| The Wizardry World of Harry Potter Universal Hollywood |
The Express Pass might be necessary for specific dates depending
on when you are heading there. You can check the crowd calendar here. If it shows that 'It is packed' or 'Forget about it, we think
getting the Express Pass would make more sense.
|
| Hollywood Studio Tour |
The main highlight of Universal Studios Hollywood is not the rides
but the Studio Tour. It was an excellent tour featuring a tour around
the studios, special effects location and 2 incredible virtual reality
screenings of King Kong and Fast and Furious. One of the more dramatic
props is a real aircraft that is still burning, built especially for a
scene in War of the Worlds!
|
| Studio Tour: Plane Wreck |
Krustyland was another one of our favourite locations.
|
| Krustyland |
It was the carnival games that got us excited. We even won some
games here.
Tip: Games cost $5 a pop. However, if you double that, they would
usually give you more chances to win. Instead of playing every game,
focus on the ones that you use skills instead of luck.
|
| Carnival Win |
One of the must eat at Universal Studios Hollywood would be the gigantic
doughnut. One is enough to feed 4 for lunch!
|
|
Big Donut |
We stayed till late to watch The Wizarding World of Harry Potter come
alive with Christmas lights and snow. Year-end visits to theme parks are
usually great as they would be decked up in Christmas colours.
|
| Hogwarts Castle |
Universal Studios shut its doors relatively early compared to
Disneyland. However, with the lesser crowd, we covered almost all the
attractions in a day.
|
| Universal Globe |
Attraction: Universal Citywalk
As the night was
still young, we head to the nearby Universal CityWalk for dinner and
more shopping.
|
| Universal CityWalk |
There are a couple of shops you should visit at Universal CityWalk. The
first is It's Sugar - a shop selling everything related to Sugar. A
nightmare for parents as children get sugar high while they are
there.
|
| It's Sugar |
The nightmare continues with the world's scariest doughnuts - Voodoo
Donuts.
|
| Voodoo Donuts |
Can you say RIP, Donut?
|
| Sugar overload |
Universal CityWalk was a fun place to visit. There were plenty of
food options such as Tony Romas, Bubble Gump Shrimp Company, Johnny
Rockets and Hard Rock Cafe. Spending the night with kids was also
relatively safer compared to the nearby Hollywood. Even Santa was having
a great time there.
|
| Dancing Santa |
We strongly recommend Sheraton or Hilton Universal as your hotels if you
are heading there. The location is perfect for a trip to Universal
Studios Hollywood.
Day 12
Highlights: Road Trip to San Francisco
|
| Only 238 miles to go! |
372 miles (600 km), 6 hours drive.
|
| Source: Google Map |
This was probably the longest drive we have taken on a road trip.
In context, Singapore is only 50 miles from East to West. A drive
from LA to San Francisco would be the equivalent of driving end to end
in Singapore close to 8 times!
|
| The Fog |
The route we chose was the shortest via I-5. There were other 2 routes.
US 101(400 miles) and Highway 1(434 miles). The different routes could
take 10-12 hours to complete with stops. As we were there after the
devastating California Fire, parts of the highway may have a diversion.
Not wanting to take a risk, we decided the shortest way would be our
route.
|
| Aircraft Tyres? |
Honestly, the I-5 does not have much view as you drive through
miles and miles of barren land. The exciting thing we saw was a fog that
threatened to cover the roads and a truck delivering plane tires. That
said, it will make an easy drive to San Francisco from LA within a day
compared to Highway 101 or Highway 1. The last trips are recommended for
at least a 2-day drive with stopovers.
Attraction: Harris Ranch
Address: 24505 W Dorris Ave, Coalinga, CA
93210, USA
Travel: Sheraton Universal to Harris Ranch -
189 miles. 2 Hours 45 mins
|
| Harris Ranch |
Based on our research, taking a break at Harris Ranch Inn for food and
toilets was recommended. We stopped for the facilities but skipped
the food as the restaurant was not open. There was a Mcdonald's close
by, and we decided that it would make a better option as we could pack
and eat on the road. For those driving on the i-5, there are plenty of
stops for petrol and fast food along the way. You would probably need to
make at least one stop for petrol, so do plan ahead for a break.
Attraction: San Francisco Factory Outlet
Address: 2774 Livermore
Outlets Dr, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
Travel: Harris
Ranch to San Francisco Factory Outlet. 146 miles 2 hr
To
break the monotony of the drive, we made a stop at San Francisco Factory
Outlet. This outlet has most of the brands in Las Vegas outlets and
malls. It probably would be the mecca for shoppers looking for a good
deal.
|
We found a couple and picked up a few gifts for Christmas here.
|
| Source: Google Map |
On the last leg to San Francisco via the i-80, there was a toll of
USD 5 per vehicle to cross the bridge into San Francisco. We had not
read about it online, so do prepare spare change for this. The end of
the drive to San Francisco was beautiful as we crossed a tunnel and
emerged on the other side of a bridge towards the city.
Hotel: Pier 2620
Address: 2620 Jones St, San Francisco,
CA 94133, USA
Travel: San Francisco Premier outlet to
Pier 2620 - 40 miles, 1 hour
|
| Pier 2620 |
Our hotel for San Francisco was Pier 2620, Fisherman's Wharf. We chose
this hotel because it was a block from Fisherman's Wharf. This hotel will suit you to a tee if you are into industrial decor.
Day 13
Highlights: Krispy Kreme, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum,
Exploratorium, Aquarium by the Bay, USS Pampanito, Ripley's Believe
it or Not
We had to say goodbye to our trusty ride today. Parking in San
Francisco can cost a bomb. Overnight parking in our hotel was at US 50
++. Add parking charges in other locations for sightseeing, and the
expenses for parking itself will be shocking.
Tip: As we arrived during weekends, the Hertz outlet was closed by the
time we arrived. We made the mistake of parking at the hotel instead
of the car park at Anchorage Square. We ended up paying overnight
parking for that. If you are in a similar situation, park at Anchorage
Square ( it has other car rentals there, too) instead of the hotel to
save on parking charges.
Want a video-friendly version of San Francisco
holidays?
Check out our video here. Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more!
|
| The Crepe Cafe |
We used our other 'Kar' ( Hokkien slang for leg power) to get
around town without a car. Thankfully, Pier 2620 was in a great location
in Fisherman's Wharf. Most of the attractions we visited in the vicinity
take less than 15 mins to get to on foot. Our first stop was The Crepe
Cafe at Anchorage Square for crepes and Clam Chowder.
|
|
Clam Chowder |
Tip: Clam Chowder is a 'must-try' food in Fisherman's Wharf. You can
even see how it was made at Boudin Bakery with a tour on-site.
|
| Boudin Bakery |
Attraction: Krispy Kreme
Address: 353 Jefferson St, San Franciso, CA 94133, USA
|
| Krispy Kreme |
We were still feeling hungry so we made a stop at US largest
Krispy Kreme Stores.
|
| Lots of doughnuts to choose |
Being fans of Krispy Kreme, it was hard to resist a bite.
Tip: Get 3,6, or 12 doughnuts at a go. The doughnuts will be
priced cheaper with this combination,
|
| Not included in the menu. |
Attraction: Madame Tussauds San Francisco (Go San Francisco Card)
Address: 145 Jefferson St #600, San Francisco, CA
94133, USA
|
| Madame Tussauds Wax Museum |
Our first attraction in San Francisco was Madame Tussaud's at
Fishermen's Wharf. Before the trip, we purchased the 2-day Go-San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass from Klook. The pass
allowed us to visit up to 28 attractions on this trip. At Fishermen's
Wharf, there are about 11 things you can do with the card,
including a Hop on, Hop off bus that would bring you around San
Francisco. It was the best decision for San Francisco as we saved
more than 50% in fees compared to purchasing directly from the
attractions. To utilize the pass, just show the printout from Klook for
the entrance.
|
| Cable Car |
Madame Tussaud's was a blast. Plenty of localised themes made it
different from other past Madame Tussaud's we visited. We were taken on
a little history lesson in San Francisco with a glimpse of the Hippie
age and Alcatraz.
|
| Hippies |
Even if you had been to other Madam Tussaud's, we reckon the one in
Fisherman's Wharf is still worth a visit.
|
| Arrested for being Wacky |
Next, we took the Big Bug Hop on Hop off the bus to our next
destination. Our Go San Francisco card allows us to take this ride for 2 consecutive days.
|
| Big Bus Tour |
We took the Big Bus to get to Pier 15 for the Exploratorium. The bus
stopped at the Ferry building, and it was an easy 10-minute walk to the
Exploratorium.
|
| Pier 1 |
You probably have heard travel tales about homeless San Francisco.
During the day, walking in Fishermen's Wharf is relatively safe.
However, there were still sights of the homeless around. They tend to
leave you alone, but there were a few with unsound minds, so stay
alert.
|
|
Homeless in San Francisco |
Tip: Some areas in San Francisco would be dangerous to venture to.
The Tenderloin would be one such area. It would be best to stay
around the tourist area, especially at night.
Attraction: Exploratorium (Go San Francisco Card)
Address: Pier 15, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA
94111, USA
Travel: Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Stop 5
|
| Exploratorium |
The Exploratorium was more than just a museum. It was an interactive
world that allowed visitors to explore the world of science, art and
human perception.
|
| Lots of Gadgets |
There were hundreds of gadgets that we could tinker with. We spent about
2 hours there, and it was not enough.
|
| Bluehead |
The Exploratorium would be among the best of all the attractions we had
been to in San Francisco. If you have time for only one museum in San
Francisco with kids, this would be the one. You can purchase tickets
individually or get the San Francisco Go card for more value.
|
| Interior |
Attraction: Aquarium of the Bay (Go San Francisco Card)
Address: Pier 39, The Embarcadero & Beach St,
San Fransico, CA 94133, United States
|
| Aquarium of the Bay |
A short walk from the Exploratorium was the Aquarium of the Bay located
at Pier 39.
|
| Jellyfish |
It was a relatively small aquarium. Given that it was an attraction on
the GO San Francisco, we decided to pop in to take a look. The aquarium
was typical of most aquariums. Given its size, we breezed through the
exhibit, and the tour took about 1 hour. It may not be worth it if you
are visiting it on its own. However, combining it with the Go San
Francisco card will be a good stop if you are in Pier 39.
|
| Fish Tunnel |
Attraction: Pier 39
Address: The
Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
|
| Pier 39 |
Pier 39 is a bustling Pier and the place to be when you are at
Fisherman's wharf. There are plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops
there. For younger kids, there is the Players Sports Frill & Arcade, as well as a carousel for them to enjoy.
|
| Pier 39 Carousel |
The main star of Pier 39 would be the Sea Lions. The Sea Lions made Pier
39 their home since San Francisco 1989 earthquake and had been a
permanent sight then.
|
| Pier 39 Sea Lions |
Attraction: USS Pampinito (Go San Francisco Card)
Address: 45 Sausalito - San Francisco Pier 41, San
Francisco, CA 94133, USA
|
| USS Pampanito |
The USS Pampanito was a US World War 2 Submarine. It is now docked at
Fisherman's Wharf.
|
|
Submariners |
This was our 2nd exploration of a submarine. The USS Pampanito tour
includes a free audio tour that lasts about 1 hour. For history and
navy buffs, it would be an exciting insight into life in the submarine.
The tour is also included in the Go San Francisco Card.
|
| Gunner |
Attraction: Musee Mecanique
Address: Pier
45, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
|
| Musee Mecanique Fisherman's Wharf |
Next to the USS Pampinto was the Musse Mecanique. If you are a fan
of the arcade, you must visit this old-style arcade with plenty of
20th-century penny arcade games.
Attraction: Ripley's Believe it or Not ( Go San Francisco Card)
Address: 175, Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
|
| Ripley's, believe it or not. |
The last attraction for the day was Ripley's, believe it or not. We
managed to cover 5 attractions from the Go San Francisco Card in one
day. We saved over 50% on admission fees in one day.
|
| Add caption |
For a quirky experience, Ripley's Believe it or not would make a good
stop. We were wacky enough to appreciate the oddities in the museum and
learned some amazing facts about what humans are capable of.
Get the Go - San Francisco card here
|
| Mcdonalds |
Dinner was a simple meal at McDonald's. It was getting late, and we
decided a quick meal would be great; else, the walk back to the hotel
might get daunting later in the night.
Tip: Drinks are refillable in McDonald's and some restaurants. Great
way to refill fluid for the day
|
|
Krispy Kreme |
We did pick up a dozen doughnuts from Krispy Kreme for Supper and
breakfast for the next day.
|
|
Donuts anyone? |
Day 14
Highlights: Hop on Hop-Off Tour, California Science Academy, Golden
Gate Bridge, Chinatown
|
| Hop on Hop Off, San Francisco |
The itinerary of the day is a full tour around San Francisco city. The
City is about 121.4 km² with a population of about 900,000. In terms of
size, it is not as big as LA and getting around on the Hop on Hop off
bus was the perfect way to explore the City.
|
| Transamerica Pyramid |
|
| Union Square |
Taking a Hop Hop off the bus is a great option to explore the city. There
were no worries about parking and the high fees to park. Furthermore,
San Francisco is well known for car robberies, so taking a bus takes
that worry off. The bus routes were interesting, taking you to
popular tourist sites such as Union Square and the city's
underbelly, such as the Tenderloin. On your own, you probably
would not even venture to these dark parts of the cities where
countless homeless roam the street. It was pretty safe on the bus as
you see the different extremes of what San Francisco offers.
|
| Tenderloin |
The Big Bus Hop on Hop off route has 20 stops. It brought us through
the Ferry Building, Union Square, City Hall, Haight Ashbury,
Golden Gate, Palace of Fine Arts, Chinatown, Pier 2620. You could hop
off at any stop to explore and hop on to the next bus. Tickets come with the Go San Francisco Card.
|
| San Francisco City Hall |
Attraction: California Academy of Science (Go San Francisco Card) S
Address: 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA - Stop 11
Big Bus Golden Gate Park
|
| California Academy of Science |
Our first stop was the California Academy of Science. This is one of
the world's largest natural history museums, housing over 26
million species.
|
| Albino Crocodile |
We spotted our first rare albino Crocodile there.
|
| An Aquarium or a forest? |
It had a rainforest, an aquarium and even a planetarium under one
roof. Great for exploration for the young. This attraction was
also included in the Go San Francisco Card. After about 2 hours, we
hop on the big bus to the next destination. If you have time, you
could also explore the Japanese Tea Garden, Shakespeare Garden, de
Young Museum located in the vicinity.
|
| Big Bus Hop On Hop Off |
Attraction: Golden Gate Bridge
Address: North Vista Point - Big Bus Stop 12 North Vista Point/Golden Gate
Bridge
|
| Golden Gate Park |
The next destination was the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The bus drove
past the bridge and dropped us at North Vista Point.
Tip: Sit on the top deck if you want to feel the wind in your hair.
Do warn that it could get pretty chilly during winter!
|
| Golden Gate |
The stop was perfect for taking Instagram photos.
|
| Take a closer look |
We had wanted to stop at the Palace of Fine Arts. Due to traffic, we
had to give it a miss due to the lack of time. In hindsight, it may be
better to get the 3 days all-inclusive Go San Francisco card instead
of 2 so you could spend more time exploring the city.
|
| Palace of Fine Arts |
Attraction: Chinatown
Address: Chinatown San Francisco - Big Bus Stop 17 Chinatown Gate
|
| Chinatown |
Given Fisherman's Wharf's lack of Asian food and cravings for it,
we stopped by Chinatown to have our fill. It was a good move as we
found a Japanese restaurant that sold familiar food at a very
reasonable price.
|
| Enjoying Chow |
Attraction: Pier 39
Address: The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA - Big Bus Stop
20
|
| Giant Claw Game |
Our last stop for the day was back at Pier 39.
|
| Players Arcade |
We had a go at the Giant Claw Machine and the Players arcade and
walked away with wades of cash... replica $100 bills to be
exact.
|
Big win!
|
It was a wonderful day exploring the sights of San Francisco. We were
glad to be car-free and still able to visit all the attractions
safely. We highly recommend the Big Bus Tour if you are heading to San
Francisco.
There are several ways to hop onto the Big Bus Tour. Here are some
options.
Day 15
Highlights: Alcatraz
Attraction : Alcartaz
Address : Pier 33 Alcartaz Landing
|
| Alcatraz |
Alcatraz was one of the main reasons we visited San Francisco.
It was no surprise we dedicated at least half a day there. Heading to
the island was accessible with a boat ride from Pier 33.
|
| Latest inmates |
Tickets to the Alcatraz tour usually sell out early. It would be best
to prebook the tickets. You could opt for the Alcatraz tour only or a
combination ticket from Klook that covers Alcatraz and one other
attraction.
|
| Indians Welcome |
Here are some fun facts about Alcatraz.
It was a lighthouse, a military garrison, a military prison, and a
federal prison and was even occupied by Native Americans during its
history. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1986 and
is now a major tourist magnet in San Francisco.
|
| Solitary |
The allure of Alcatraz would be the famous prisoners that called it
home. The most notorious criminals in American history are Al Capone,
Robert Franklin 'Birdman' Stroud, and George 'Machine Gun' Kelly.
Alvin ' Creepy' Karpis and Rafael Cancel Miranda once walked on these
grounds.
|
| Cellphone Audio Tour |
It was also well known that no known survivors had
escaped from Alcatraz. Hollywood had also taken notice of shows such
as The Rock and Escape from Alcatraz dedicated to this Rock.
|
|
Alcartaz notorious inmates |
The tour included a world-class Cellphone Audio tour. We think it was
one of the best audio tours we have ever had. Alcatraz may have
lost its prisoners, but a crowd will always be waiting to discover its
infamous jailbreaks and riots.
|
|
Warning |
There are more to explore in Alcatraz than the prison itself. Head
outdoors and discover a new side of Alcatraz, where prison guards once
stayed with their spouses and kids. Some other parts of Alcatraz are
open to the public on selective days and times.
Tip: Get the early tour to avoid large crowds on your visit to
Alcatraz
For Alcatraz tickets, you can get them here.
|
| Klook Travel Wifi |
We had fun exploring and double-checking the facts of the audio tour
with searches on the Internet. Thanks to Klook Pocket Wifi, the
connection was a breeze. In fact, this nifty gadget served us well
throughout our trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to San Francisco.
Highly recommended for its reliability. It was also cheaper than its
competitors, making it value for money.
|
| Safeway |
It was time to head back to Fisherman's Wharf after spending 5 hours
in Alcatraz. On our way back stop over at Northpoint Center. There is
a Safeway there that sells groceries at a reasonable price. You could
get 8 fried or grilled chicken at about $10!
In addition, we found the only Chinese food option (Asian Chinese
Food) in Northpoint Center; our only regret was that we had not
discovered this place much earlier.
Tip: If you are in Fisherman's Wharf, head to Safeway to top up water
and snacks. Most hotels do not provide bottles of water for
consumption.
|
| Fisherman at Night |
After a rest at the hotel, it was a trip to Fisherman's Wharf's iHop
for a meal.
|
| ihop |
We snagged a great deal with kids under 12 eating free. Compared to
Denny's, where we ate a few days ago, the food was much better and
cost half the price of Denny's.
|
| Steak |
Day 16
Highlights: Lombart Street, In N Out Burger, Cable Car Turnaround
at Powell Street / Market Street
|
| Spot Alcatraz |
Today marked the last day in USA. Since our flight was in the
evening, we decided to spend the day exploring the areas near
Fisherman's Wharf.
Attraction: Lombard Street
|
| Lombard Street |
After hearing about Lombard Street and catching a glimpse of it on
Antman and The Wasp, we simply have to look at ourselves. Lombard
Street is located about 15 minutes from our hotel at Pier 2620. Be
prepared to hike uphill for this view.
|
| Down the winding road |
This street has 8 hairpin turns and was designed this way to reduce
the speed of traffic heading down the steep slope of Lombard.
Residential areas lined both sides of the street with a fantastic view
of the City from afar. After this trip, we can now proclaim that we
had been on the most crooked road in the world!
|
Lombard Street |
It's a downhill journey back to Fisherman's Wharf for
breakfast.
|
| Fisherman's Wharf |
Throughout the trip, Dad wanted to try the famous California In-N-Out
burger.
|
| In -N- Out |
He finally got this wish on the last day. The selection of burgers.
There were only 3 kinds of burgers at IN-N-Out. Hamburger,
Cheeseburgers and Double-Double. The menu may be basic, but the
burgers were simply good. The best burgers eaten for the trip are
chunky meat on toasted buns.
|
| Delicious Burgers from In-N-out |
Attraction : Fisherman's Wharf Powell Street / Market Street Cable Car
Turnaround.
|
| Fisherman's Wharf cable car |
After a hearty meal, we head off to the Fisherman's Wharf Powell
Street / Market Street Cable Car Turnaround. We were lucky enough to
catch a cable car making a turnaround. The turnaround was done
manually by hand rather than electronically.
|
With that , it marked the end of essential things to see in San
Francisco. We may not been to all the attractions there, but we think
the essentials were covered during this trip.
|
| Ride to the top |
It was time to say Goodbye to San Francisco and Fisherman's
Wharf.
|
| Goodbye Fisherman's Wharf |
Since we had no car, we had initially wanted to uber our way to the
airport. However, we managed to arrange a ride with the concierge.
Talking to the driver, we noted that uber drivers are not tested for
marijuana (Marijuana is legal in San Francisco). There was a
possibility that the Uber driver might be on drugs and driving at the
same time. In hindsight, it was wise to take the offer from the
concierge for the airport transfer.
Tip: If you want a safe ride, ask the hotel concierge to
arrange one. Chances are the drivers recommended are repeated drivers
working with the hotel. They would be more reliable than Uber.
|
| Time to go home |
It's time to head home. This time, we would be taking the nonstop
flight back to Singapore. At 17 hours 30 minutes, it will be a new
record for us in the air!
|
| Nonstop flight to Singapore |
We hope you enjoyed the post and found the itinerary useful.
Activities in this itinerary (or similar) were mainly sourced
from Klook and booked pre-trip. We have attached a list of activities for
easy reference.
If you are heading to LA-Las Vegas - San Francisco and found this
review useful. Do support us by clicking on the links to purchase your
needed activities. It will not cost you a penny more, but it would
help us to keep the lights on.
Enjoy your trip in the USA!
|
Las Vegas
Los Angelas
Disneyland
Disney Adventure Park
Universal Studios Hollywood
San Francisco
San Francisco Go Card
Alcatraz Tour
Big Bus Tour
US Pocket Wifi
Hotels featured in this itinerary
Los Angeles
Residence Inn Convention Center by Marriott
Las Vegas
San Francisco
If you like our work, you can buy us a coffee. Your support will help keep us going!
Disclosure
The post contains affiliated links. If you made a purchase
through the links, you wouldn't pay a penny more, but we will get a
small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Do support us if
you like this review. This review was done at our own expense
with the following exception - Themeparks sponsorship and Wifi
provided by Klook.
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18 comments:
Hi. May I know how much was your total expenses excluding the air tickets?
Hi Cecilia. It was about SGD 16K including airfares, accommodation, food, transport and attractions. It was quite a bit, but worth it for a trip that lasted almost 3 weeks ( including travel time)
Thanks for this blog. Super detailed for references. Thnaks!
You're welcome. Hope it helps in planning your trip if you are heading there ;)
Hi! what a nice blog! planning to visit Las Vegas, LA and San Diego around the first 2 weeks of Dec 2019 with wife and 12 year old child. How was the weather and driving conditions ? any icy roads or lots of rain particularly around Las Vegas? does the sun set early probably around 5pm? Thanks !
The Sun sets early in Dec ( about 5-6pm) , so take note of that while driving. California is the sunshine state in US. Even during winter, it does not get too cold ( about 10 -15 degree during the day) . No show when we are there. Driving condition is good, but plan your timing to drive only during daytime as there are parts of the roads without lights. Watch the speed too. The Speed at 65 miles per hour may sound slow but it is rather fast especially on the highway. Check out our driving tips in USA here https://www.thewackyduo.com/2019/01/16-tips-for-driving-in-usa-california.html
May I know which company did you go with for the day trip to Grand Canyon departing from Las Vegas? How was it?
Thank you
Hi Dan, we took the GC Tour https://gc.tours/grand-canyon-west-rim-express-tour#grand-canyon-west-rim-express-tour-details . A cheaper alternative would be from Klook https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/8355-grand-canyon-south-rim-tour-las-vegas/?krt=s21&krid=adff2566-b316-4ddc-6491-1a8dc5d5929a
Hi, Can I know roughly what's the cab fare from SF to airport and the $16k total expenses is for your family of 4? Thankyouu!
Hi Vivan. Cab fare was about US60 if I can recall. The 16K is inclusive of everything (airfares, lodging, food, transport, entertainment, shopping) for 4. You probably could budget lower if you are not into shopping .
If you exclude airfare and shopping. It's about SG 10K for hotel, car , food and entertainment
Hi, i will be going to Grand Canyon south rim from Las Vegas in the first half of December this year for a day trip. Seems that your family was there around the same time. May I know how was the weather in Grand canyon during your trip? Thanks
Hi there, the weather was cool. Bring a light jacket or sweater. Enjoy the trip!
Hi, how's the parking in Las Vegas? Are they expensive?
Parking could be found around the hotels or at the outlet malls. Reasonable price compared to SF. Overnight at about $18 for the one at Luxor. Best to choose a hotel that has a carpark for convenience.
Hi, thanks for the detail information , very helpful to plan a LA tour. Just curious , why didn't you drove to Grand Canyon , probably stay a night and tour around but a day tour from Las Vegas instead ?
Hi, thanks for the detail information . We are planning our year end. May I know what are the reasons that did not drive from Vegas to grand canyon and stay a night but instead took a day tour from Las vegas? TIA!
Hi there. We decided on a tour as we were not familiar with the mountainous terrain and how long the drive would take for a day trip. We did not stay overnight as we do not wish to switch hotels in Vegas. Hope it helps!
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