Hi all,

The family and I are planning our first trip overseas later this year, going to the USA. I was just wondering what VW places you would recommend.

Just to clarify, we are going to be doing the West coast, probably from down South in San Diego up and into Canada and any surrounding states along the way.

So if you have a great place to visit, please let me know.

Thanks, Kev

P.S. No shopping orders please

Kev

Check out the timings in Hot VWs and Dune Buggies. You may link up with a show thats on in LA or similar.
I managed to time a visit and get to the Hot VW Drags a few years ago and it was a good day there.

Aside from that sort of thing I would want you to have a very very very understanding wife (I have one) if I was to suggest going to any of the shops etc.

Without getting into the 'car stuff', I would suggest Yosemite National Park, Seattle [ an interesting place, and the Indian Island is worth avisit], Vancouver and Vancouver Island, to name a few places. The north west is full of beautiful sights. You and the family will have a ball.

Cheers, Greg

If you are going to be in SD, you should also trek south of the border into Mexico, but you defo need to go further then Tijuana. And don't forget LA, Hollywood, Santa Monica and all of that area.

San francisco... alcatraz! golden gate bridge! My favourite place on the west coast was san francisco. Las Vegas was great also... maybe try to get out to the grand canyon. I found hollywood to be a bit of a dive, not really what i expected.

as far as vw things, we went to gene berg enterprises. i think it was near orange, CA. They were nice enough to show us around the buisness, had a look at how they made everything...

Quote:

Originally posted by Camo Hi all, The family and I are planning our first trip overseas later this year, going to the USA. I was just wondering what VW places you would recommend. Just to clarify, we are going to be doing the West coast, probably from down South in San Diego up and into Canada and any surrounding states along the way. So if you have a great place to visit, please let me know. Thanks, Kev P.S. No shopping orders please

You and the family could pick up nice accents Kev...

Lee

Ahhh sorry,
misunderstood it as a car request rather than a family request.

San Fransisco
I'd second Alcatraz, as well as (very touristy) Pier 39 on the horbour- catch the trams around and just look out from there.
I also went for a tour of the Presido under the bridge - but not sure if it still runs. Its a part of the National park so should still be there. The Army base there shut down years ago.

L.A.
Universal Studios is a good day trip - lots of rides and behind the movie set tour sort of thing.
Disneyland is good (or was when we went years ago) but very expensive.
Just to tick the box - go to Hollywod and walk along - look at the stars in the footpath. If thats your sort of thing.

In between both of these cities is a lot of smaller beautiful places, San Loius Obispo, Solvang, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara etc.

Las Vegas is not as child unfriendly as many people think - but still take care there.

I'd suggest taking minimal clothes if you want to get any over there as its cheap in their shops compared to here.
I got two pairs of Levis two years ago for less than $50.
Also suggest you take at least two good sized memory cards with you and buy some more over there (Best Buys or Curcuit City were shops I liked for electrics).

Never got up to Washington State but a few of the others did and they suggested looking at the Redwood forest up north California/Washington way.


Enjoy, I am jealous!

I'm jealous too! people on here going to the states, my friends going back to europe/UK! All these places i have been and am hanging to go back to! it's a long way off i think....

If you can, while you are over there i would strongly reccomend to shoot across to the east coast and vist New york... It was my favourite place over there. Manhatten is absolutly mind blowing, buildings just dissapear into the sky and into the horizon, do a hop on hop off bus tour and you'll be sweet!

Kev, plan ahead, if there is stuff you find online, order it and have it sent to your hotel. Places like CIP1 will freight free if your order exceeds a certain value. Suggest a hotel near the end of your trip so you don't have to lug it around.

Also check out your baggage limits. The US carriers like United/Delta often allow 2x50lb bags per person which is handy for bringing stuff back.

Hi all,

thanks for all the input, looks like a I now have a fair bit of research to do on the old internet looking up all these places.

Penguin - I was mainly looking for VW places per your first post, but also mentioned if people had suggestions for places to see. So thank you for your input and it was for me (not the family) I wanted (car) places to see.

You have all given me great tips for things to see and 1916baja, we would like to go to New York (relatives there) but the majority of what we want to do is on the West coast. have to see what also works out best for our money.

cam070, good bloody idea about buying and getting it over there but may cost a bit for excess weight in luggage on the way home. That is providing I can get a pauter or scat complete engine in one suitcase

Cheers, Kev

A local bought a pair of aluminium alloy running boards over there about 10 years ago, and they let Him take them on board as personal luggage...

the good old days... lol

when you could go and have a chat with the pilots ....

LEE

Thanks Cam,

we are flying Qantas, if they are still in business then.

Will have to stuff my daughter bag full of car parts

Kev

Learn from my mistake. If you are ordering from cip1, get it organized early and you might get free shipping or at least cheaper shipping .

Also check with your hotel if they can receive deliveries. The place I stayed in Orlando last week didn't get deliveries from USPS.

Just watched man vs food on TV... his adventures look interesting, and delicious! :-)

Classic show.

Btw kev I think qantas has 20kg bag limits per person........based on flying cattle as is my MO. But well worth checking before you stock up.

American carriers (read united/continental) use 50lb which is about 23kg. Australian airlines use 20kg from my experience.

You do get more if you fly business.

But again, I strongly suggest checking yourself.

Wear every pair of clothes on the way home to free up a few kgs and space