From: guthrie@nb.rockwell.com (Karen Guthrie)
Newsgroups: alt.california,bit.listserv.travel-l,rec.travel
Subject: Re: california (without drivers license)
Date: 2 Sep 1992 14:51:59 GMT
Organization: Rockwell International


In article <92241.193155U4400@wvnvm.wvnet.edu>, U4400@wvnvm.wvnet.edu writes:
> In article <1992Aug28.151446.15798@fokus.gmd.de>, mhs@fokus.gmd.de (M.Schmeil)
> says:
> >me and my girlfriend plan to travel somewhere in the south
> >for 3 weeks (in mid-october). california is one of the
> >possible targets, but the problem is that we both have no
> >drivers license. another problem is that i want to see as
> >much as possible and my GF wants to relax as much as possible.
> >this means we could do only a few stops (and travel not to
> >often).
> >
> >i think of SF -> LA -> SD with some bonus stops in yosemite,
> >etc., an empty beach (originally we wanted to fly to cuba or
> >somewhere else in the caribean sea) near san diego (maybe
> >mexico) should be included. city-trips should be short.
> >
> >is it a non-relaxing tour? comments to greyhound-traveling
> >(someone told me that the central station in LA is dangerous
> >for life, health and money)? alternatives to greyhound?
> >sightseeings?
> .
> I have never tried it, so I can't say whether it is good or bad, but I
> have heard some nice things about the train that runs down the coast
> from San Francisco through LA to San Diego.  It would be worthwhile to
> call Amtrak and find out about the trip and how much it costs.  I think
> you can buy packages where they let you make a number of stops along the
> way.  Maybe someone else on the net can help that has been on this
> particular Amtrack route?
> (By the way, Amtrak in general, IMHO, is much nicer than travelling on
> any sort of bus.  The seats are bigger, the ride is smoother, and the
> people are friendlier.  I have ridden it quite often on the east coast.)
> Eric
I can vouch for the LA to SD part of Amtrack.  As far as getting around
while you are here I'd stay on the train through LA and go on to the 
Anaheim station.  It is safer and cleaner than LA then if you stay
in a hotel near disneyland (if previously arranged their shuttle bus
could probably pick you up at the train station as it is only a few
miles from Disneyland).  Then you get Greyline tours to Universal Studios
or Hollywood etc.  Just make sure that your hotel runs a shuttle and that
the tour busses pick up there.  In San Francisco if you spend the money
and stay downtown much of it can be reached by walking and cable cars.
In San Diego I would stay in Old Towne somewhere since it is scenic and
the Cafe de Bandini has such great mexican food.  Then I would take a
getting acquainted around SD trolly (trolly shaped bus).  They just make
a circle through the interesting things to do (save the zoo and sea world
for other days).  The cab fair from Old Towne to the zoo and sea world
should be pretty small as they are very close.  Incidentally I would
never travel by cab in LA it usually takes more than an hour for one to
show up and the distances between things can make it very expensive.  I
think relaxing is a state of mind.  If you travel like missing the smallest
detail of a place is horrible you will be ragged by the end.  If you
decide what you MUST see and what you will fill with if you get the 
time then stay in if you are tired or your feet are sore and swim or go
to the beach you will do much better.

Have a great trip,

Karen (not a california native just a 25 yr resident.)
Newsgroups: alt.california