USA Cities [to visit during a short stay]

[Cruiser Elite]

I was thinking of Memphis as possible city.

Nope - apart from Gracelands Memphis not a patch on Nashville - well for good time party that is. Tootsies - now that place goes off - Roberts Western World - OMG - so easy to walk around and just do a bar crawl bar to bar. Seriously quality musicians everywhere you go - and the food - OMG the food.

 

[Foreigner]

It seems San Diego is better option.

http://www.rome2rio.com/s/Los-Angeles-Airport-LAX/San-Diego

Looking at the map, it's so very close to Tijuana. Anyone (legally) crossed the border into Mexico for a day trip? Worthwhile?

 

[Renato1]

I'm doing what my friend recommended for the west coast leg of our trip, which is what it transpires is pretty much the standard circuit that lots of people I now know have done.

Hire car and drive,
Spending a few days in LA. then
Spending a few days in San Diego (including trip to the border and bus trip to Tijauna) then
A day or two at the Grand Canyon, then
Several days in Las Vegas, then
drive to San Francisco direct and spend several days there before going back to LA and home.

Alternatively, drive to San Francisco via the Sequoia tree park and via the Yosamite National park and spend days there (I ran out of time and couldn't fit these in).
Regards,
Renato

 

[Foreigner]

I'm doing what my friend recommended for the west coast leg of our trip, which is what it transpires is pretty much the standard circuit that lots of people I now know have done.

Hire car and drive,
Spending a few days in LA. then
Spending a few days in San Diego (including trip to the border and bus trip to Tijauna) then
A day or two at the Grand Canyon, then
Several days in Las Vegas, then
drive to San Francisco direct and spend several days there before going back to LA and home.

Alternatively, drive to San Francisco via the Sequoia tree park and via the Yosamite National park and spend days there (I ran out of time and couldn't fit these in).
Regards,
Renato

Sounds good cover if one has time and company. As solo traveller I am picking a coach from LAX to San Diego - express service will take about 3 hours, más o menos.

The trip south of the border is a bonus for me. (Will brush up my elementary Spanish.)

Air fares seem high to me elsewhere...I would have considered Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans - 3 cities on this link I haven't been to:

The Top 10 BEST CITIES in AMERICA | The Must-See American Cities

 

[earlyriser]

Yosemite National Park

 

[amaroo]

San Antonio - there is a terrific TR on this board. Haven't been (yet) but it looks the goods!

 

[sausagefingers]

I'm doing what my friend recommended for the west coast leg of our trip, which is what it transpires is pretty much the standard circuit that lots of people I now know have done.

Hire car and drive,
Spending a few days in LA. then
Spending a few days in San Diego (including trip to the border and bus trip to Tijauna) then
A day or two at the Grand Canyon, then
Several days in Las Vegas, then
drive to San Francisco direct and spend several days there before going back to LA and home.

Alternatively, drive to San Francisco via the Sequoia tree park and via the Yosamite National park and spend days there (I ran out of time and couldn't fit these in).
Regards,
Renato

Got home Friday from a similar trip,
LA-San Diego-Vegas-Lake Tahoe-San Fran- Cambria-LA
was pretty amazing

 

[cjd600]

It seems San Diego is better option.

Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to San Diego by train, plane, line 9452 bus

Looking at the map, it's so very close to Tijuana. Anyone (legally) crossed the border into Mexico for a day trip? Worthwhile?

Have done it twice.
Wouldn't recommend doing it solo (if you do, stay on the main drag)
Wouldn't recommend doing it with the missus.She hated it.
Would only recommend doing it with a mate. We had a pretty good night!

 

[UP4014]

It seems San Diego is better option.

Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to San Diego by train, plane, line 9452 bus

Looking at the map, it's so very close to Tijuana. Anyone (legally) crossed the border into Mexico for a day trip? Worthwhile?

Crossing into Mexico is easy, it was just a turnstyle in the fence at one crossing I was at with no customs.

However, getting back takes the time, lining up, having every page of your passport turned through........drive down to the fence and look over where the fence goes into the sea, one side is plush grassland and the other is gibber desert, I'm sure you can work out which is which.

Go for a visit to the USS Midway two blocks from the ex Sante Fe Railroad Depot in San Diego instead.

 

[irv]

Vancouver as others have said is a good choice or alternatively Canyon Country out of Utah, spectacular.

 

[turtlemichael]

I came to this late and I think the OP has decided but for me, of the smaller cities, it would be Portland OR, Key West, Savannah, Charleston and San Antonio. I could live in San Antonio.

 

[kenteguy]

Late to the thread but Austin, TX is worth a look.

 

[JohnK]

I booked mistake airfare as well but I am turning around the same night.

Looks like I can get LAX Suites for ~AUD90 (with discount code) and use until ~7:00pm and check out early for flight back. The day rooms at the Hilton are ~AUD150 so that's out of the question.

This hotel is ~4km from airport. What sort of taxi fare should I expect? Is it possible to get there by bus?

 

[Foreigner]

San Diego is most likely for me. 3 nights so i dont want to spend too much time on domestic flights. I was considering coach from LAX and back but I'll be happier to fly. Will allow me to use some lounges...Delta and AA.
I hear the worst of LAX lounges accessed with PP is Korean's in TBIT