Los Angeles In January

[Matthew Moore]

Hey guys!

I am planning my first overseas trip and I am in need of some assistance,

when should I book my flights/accommodation?

I have been looking at prices for a few months now, and was recommended by a friend to hold out until november to get a better price.

What would be a good price for a sydney to los angeles return? i am flexible with my days I can leave later in december or later in january etc.


also I am looking to stay in a hotel for the last 2 weeks of my holiday, looking to stay close to the CBD if i can, but looking for somewhere with parking as i would like to rent a car, my budget for the hotel is around $1800, any reccommendations? or should i just stay near LAX?

your help is much appreciated

cheers!

 

[Hvr]

Welcome to AFF, hope you enjoy your time here.

I assume you know that January is school holiday time in Australia and therefore peak travel time? This means that people are already booking their travel and I really cannot see how fares will get any cheaper?

My suggestion is that you find a fare that is acceptable and book it quickly. Be interested to read what others have to say.

 

[dfcatch]

Horrible time of year to be waiting for specials.

The two specials times are:

1/ Oct-Nov (last departure usually 1st week Dec, then the prices jump dramatically).

2/ Feb-Mar.

You may have left it too late for either of these.

This year has not seen the awesome Oct-Nov specials that were offered Sep last year. And you may have left your run too late for Feb-Mar even.

As to your preferred dates - I would find the cheapest fare currently available (good luck), and book immediately.

 

[sergeyvzn]

and don't stay anywhere near LA Downtown (that's what their CBD is called) - not safe, really dodgy. That's one place tourists in LA don't really go to

I'd recommend Santa Monica

 

[stomplad]

Hey guys!

I am planning my first overseas trip and I am in need of some assistance,

when should I book my flights/accommodation?

I have been looking at prices for a few months now, and was recommended by a friend to hold out until november to get a better price.

What would be a good price for a sydney to los angeles return? i am flexible with my days I can leave later in december or later in january etc.


also I am looking to stay in a hotel for the last 2 weeks of my holiday, looking to stay close to the CBD if i can, but looking for somewhere with parking as i would like to rent a car, my budget for the hotel is around $1800, any reccommendations? or should i just stay near LAX?

your help is much appreciated

cheers!

Hi Mathew,
If you book before midnight Qantas has a a sale for flights departing fr 2 Feb 2012 for $1400 which is a great price.
As others said above Dec/January not the cheapest time to fly prices are at a peak fr 10 Dec till end January. Do some research Best Flights and webjet are a good place to start. But move quickly.

ACCOMMODATION - Dont stay at LAX its too far from anything. LA is very spread out with poor public transport, you should research where you want to stay. What is your budget do u want to pamper yourself? I find Oyster.com a great site for hotels in USA. If you want to stay for 2 weeks an apartment is also a great option and can be better value for money, I usually save by staying in an apartement and then lash out at a nice 5 Star hotel. AirBnB.com is a great place to look for apartments.

I have to ask why you would be staying in LA for 2 weeks, IMHO 7 days would be tops for a stay in LA and that's if you wanted to do ALL the sights and events.

Good Luck on your first trip.

 

[Alanslegal]

Make some time and go book yourself into the One World MegaDo event that's happening in late January.

 

[Matthew Moore]

thanks for your help.
so at this point in time what would be a good price to pay for a fare?

 

[cove]

Matthew if you tell us what you want to do in Los Angeles that would help you get some excellent help.
Last year our friends went SYD-LAX-SYD for $1,000 each on Qantas but that was unusual and in a different month.
2 weeks in one spot is unusual seeing you are 1 hour from SFO by plane and 2 hours by car to San Diego.
The actual city central is nothing brilliant but there is tons to see and do if you post more info.

 

[stomplad]

thanks for your help.
so at this point in time what would be a good price to pay for a fare?

Matthew, if you can give duration of your trip, approx departure dates and the travel class you want to fly in then it would help to advise you on price. ie depart 20 Dec - 30 January, away for 5-6 weeks, have to be back by no later than 15 March. Fly economy

 

[dfcatch]

Matthew if you tell us what you want to do in Los Angeles that would help you get some excellent help.
Last year our friends went SYD-LAX-SYD for $1,000 each on Qantas but that was unusual and in a different month.
2 weeks in one spot is unusual seeing you are 1 hour from SFO by plane and 2 hours by car to San Diego.
The actual city central is nothing brilliant but there is tons to see and do if you post more info.

2010 - Oct-Nov departures were $1000 (approx) SYD-LAX-SYD. Sale was announced late Sep.

As another poster said - if you can be more specific with dates, someone may be able to help you.

Otherwise - I suggest your best options may be United, or ANA via Japan.

You will pay premium (double premium) prices if you want to fly QF during those two months.

 

[Matthew Moore]

hey guys thanks for the help

basically i have the 30th December till the 4th Feb annual leave from work, so i am going to the west coast

so basically my departure dates can be within those times.

for the first two weeks of the holiday i will be i san diego visiting relatives, so no need for accommodation

for the final 2/3 weeks i want to stay in los angeles, during this time i am looking to spend a day in san fransisco and a day in portland,
i am looking to watch a few NBA games while i am there.
i would like to hire a car while i am in LA so i am looking for accommodation around 1800 that includes parking, which isnt too far from everything,
so far i have found the hilton double tree at rosemeade, which is within my budget.

 

[dfcatch]

You'll just have to cop it sweet with the airfare if you are restricted to those dates.

Try alternatives such as ANA/UA or even DL/NZ/VA..... Basically anyone but QF if you want to try and save money.

IMHO - once you finish in San Diego, make a list of the specific things you want to do in LA, then go and spend the bulk of your remainder in San Francisco.

Most members here will probably agree that all things being equal - thy would reverse your plan (eg. Base in San Francisco, and do the side trip to LA at the end of your trip just before flying back to Australia).

 

[BVT]

You'll just have to cop it sweet with the airfare if you are restricted to those dates.

Try alternatives such as ANA/UA or even DL/NZ/VA..... Basically anyone but QF if you want to try and save money.

IMHO - once you finish in San Diego, make a list of the specific things you want to do in LA, then go and spend the bulk of your remainder in San Francisco.

Most members here will probably agree that all things being equal - thy would reverse your plan (eg. Base in San Francisco, and do the side trip to LA at the end of your trip just before flying back to Australia).

I agree.

Recently had three days in LA. That was more than enough to do the necessary. It was not my first visit, but it was for +1. At the end of the three days we all agreed that three days was long enough. Obvioulsy it depends on what you want to do and see.

SFO is a far better option.

Have a great trip!

 

[gwilli1]

Matthew , agree with all comments here . Your just going to have to take what is available in regards to airfare. From my own personal experience I have travelled both QF & V Australia across the the Pacific . Whilst I love travelling on the QF A380 , V's 777 service is a damn good experience . V FA's actually make the trip pleasurable.

If you have 2 weeks available, I , like the AFF's , suggest you limit your time in LA ( 4days) & head to San Fran . I have been to San Fran on 3 occasions & can't get enough of this city . (Still can't understand why QF dumped San Fran as a direct destination...sore talking point with me ) .If you have a hire car I suggest you take a few days & take the drive up the coast road from LA up to San Fran .

Another alternative I would suggest, is to head out to Las Vegas for a few days . It doesn't matter if your not into gambling , you just need to experience Vegas to believe a place like this exists.

Good luck with your trip . I love the USA West Coast & Im sure you will have a great time.

hey guys thanks for the help

basically i have the 30th December till the 4th Feb annual leave from work, so i am going to the west coast

so basically my departure dates can be within those times.

for the first two weeks of the holiday i will be i san diego visiting relatives, so no need for accommodation

for the final 2/3 weeks i want to stay in los angeles, during this time i am looking to spend a day in san fransisco and a day in portland,
i am looking to watch a few NBA games while i am there.
i would like to hire a car while i am in LA so i am looking for accommodation around 1800 that includes parking, which isnt too far from everything,
so far i have found the hilton double tree at rosemeade, which is within my budget.

 

[Matthew Moore]

i am starting to think that i may spend some time in san fransisco!

what do you reccommened some things i can do/see while in san fran?

 

[BVT]

i am starting to think that i may spend some time in san fransisco!

what do you reccommened some things i can do/see while in san fran?

what stuff do you like?

 

[Matthew Moore]

well im 21, sports, shopping, music etc!

 

[drewbles]

and don't stay anywhere near LA Downtown (that's what their CBD is called) - not safe, really dodgy. That's one place tourists in LA don't really go to

I'd recommend Santa Monica

Having stayed in both, i'd rather Santa Monica any day, but downtown is perfectly safe (I Usually stay at The Standard on the corner of South Flower and 6th, or the Westin Bonaventure, but there's sfa to do down there, I only go there when i'm in town for work).

Just don't go down around the Fashion District or down around the Staples Stadium end, and you're pretty right (I've often walked around late at night after midnight on my way back to the hotel from work and it's been fine, even with laptop).

San Francisco is my favourite place in the USA (Not been to New York yet so that may well change). Stay around Union Square if you can, and take the BART around. Embarcadero is also nice. Fishermans Wharf is touristy but a must-see (go see the Ghiardeli Chocolate Factory as well). If you can, get to Alcatraz, not just one of the boats that go around "the rock". Go on and have a look it's great.

 

[Fantic125]

Hi Matthew,

If you're visiting rellies in SD for a couple of weeks, then I'm sure they'll have all the good stuff sorted there.
(Although if they don't take you to the Yard House on the cnr of Broadway & 4th, or the Gas Lamp Tavern on the cnr of E & 5th they're doing you a disservice!)
Even though it is a pale shadow of it's previous self, I'd still recommend catching the trolley bus down to Tijuana, crossing the border and having a walk down Revolution Avenue (Avenida Revolucion) and surrounding areas. You will be amazed at the difference in people, lifestyle and wealth!

You've already been bombarded with LA avoidance - I can only reiterate what has previously been said. Avoid most of the Hotels around LAX - especially the Hacienda Hotel on N Sepulveda Blvd! Santa Monica's good, so is Manhattan Beach.

I also recommend San Francisco. It's a city you can just explore at your own pace. Lots of Bar's, Club's, sights and stuff to do.
A daughter of a friend (daughter being similar age to you, not the friend!) recently spent some time in SF and may be able to give you some pointers - pm me if you want further info.


And for dewbles benefit - NY is great! You need to go there!

 

[Dawn1004]

2 weeks in LA is a long time, we are for 4 nights and I think that will be enough.

Have u thought about staying at Anaheim? We have picked up 7 nights accomm at Homewood Hilton Suites in a self contained unit, with free breaky, and free dinner most nights (not Fri, Sat, Sun).

They can do a shop for u, or there is a Target nearby, their Targets sell food items, there is also a Vonns nearby (handy as u said u'll have a car)

Just a thought, enjoy your trip.