Don't know about you, but I'm very excited about this trip which is coming up quickly!  I've never been to the USA before so it will all be a new experience.  

I'd be interested to hear what excursions other people are planning - I'm already booked on 'Universal Studios, Night time in LA/San Francisco and Escape from the Rock' and may well do a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.  So many ideas to choose from!  Is anyone else as juvenile as I am, wanting to go to Universal (hope I won't be on my own!)?

Look forward to meeting you all on 4th October 🙂

I did the predecessor of this tour (America's Golden West) which had a shorter itinerary - I would say, do the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon if you can (I did it on the National Parks tour) and it was terrific!  I also visited Universal Studios and it was fun - I spotted the producer JJ Abrams in a golf cart!

Hope you have a brilliant time,

Bob

Hi Bob

Good to hear from someone who's done a very similar trip.  Thanks for the advice re the helicopter, I'll bear that in mind.  I think I'm leaning towards that, rather than a plane flight.

Can't wait to go, I'll make sure I make the most of Universal too :-)

Thanks 🙂

Ali

No you won't be the only one at Universal, I'm also booked on that trip together with Roosters Restaurant and the

Grand Canyon helicopter.

Looking forward to October.

Oh good, I'm pleased to hear that!  Look forward to seeing you soon then, the weeks are flying by.

I did the National Parks tour 3 years ago which included the Grand Canyon and did the helicopter trip. It was a fabulous experience and in US jargon speak it was totally awesome.

Have a great trip

Alan

Thanks for your tip re the helicopter trip - you're the second person to vouch for it so I think that's me decided! There are quite a few other excursions too of course, maybe I'll just book a couple more and see how I feel about anything else when I get there.

Ali

I'm booked on the trip to Alcatraz as part of the 'Universal Studios, Night time in LA/San Francisco and Escape from the Rock' deal ....... really looking forward to it, see you there!

I haven't done this tour, but have spent time in San Francisco.  I'd  really recommend a trip to Alcatraz.   The trip over gives some good views of the city, and the golden gate.  If you can't  get on the Alcatraz trip, the cruise round the bay is a great alternative, taking you right around the Island, and under the bridge.

Thanks Sarah, going to try and book an Alcatraz trip in advance if you or anyone else knows a good link to book one ? 

Ang

We used: http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/  who I think are the 'official' provider for the Island

Alcatraz has timed ticketing and they are very strict about letting you on the boats but once you are there you can take as long as you like and don't have to make a reservation for the return journey (but you have to remember what time the last boat leaves for the night!)

The other option is to let your hotel concierge call and book for you once you get to SF but that could be risky as its really popular and often sell out.

Have a super time and don't forget to go and say hello to the sea lions at the end of Fisherman's Wharf (you'll smell them before you see them but they are adorable!)

Mandy

Looks like I will be joining you all on this trip in October as the November departure was cancelled due to low numbers, never travelled alone before but always wanted to and I am looking forward to it, I am at the rip old age of 38 🙂 and I am looking forward to hanging out with some like minded people. I have a question, spending money I don't know what to take, never been to USA before, all I want to do is buy some food and drink each day and I wont be going on mad shopping spree's except for the odd fridge magnet here and there, how much is enough? hoping someone with experience of this trip can advise? I promise you this I wont have $1000's of dollars to take, losing that extra month makes a slight difference to the tune of losing £450 off my spending money.

Best wishes,

Bob

Hi I've done a couple of US trips and I usually budget $50 a day when lunch and dinner aren't included.  You'll probably find some cheapish places for lunch - depending on the itinerary you may have some stop-offs at a mall or similar so can get something light and quick and then have a more leisurely dinner in the evenings.  Beware, in restaurants the portions are very big!  Hope you have a great trip.

Best wishes,

Bob

thank you Bob, I ma going to take just $2000 (max $2,500) and that will do me i think, all ,y a,erican colleagues have told me if i go over 70 dollers for food a day, they would be impressed. anyhow this is going to awesome.

Hello

Don't know about you, but I'm very excited about this trip which is coming up quickly!  I've never been to the USA before so it will all be a new experience.  

I'd be interested to hear what excursions other people are planning - I'm already booked on 'Universal Studios, Night time in LA/San Francisco and Escape from the Rock' and may well do a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.  So many ideas to choose from!  Is anyone else as juvenile as I am, wanting to go to Universal (hope I won't be on my own!)?

Look forward to meeting you all on 4th October :)

Hey Ali, well I will be joining you to universal studios that's for sure, massive film fan me, so we can be juvenile together and hang out and take some pics 🙂 either i am sure you and me and everyone will have an awesome  time, i look forward to meeting you.

Hi all, I'm booked on his trip too and so excited it's my first trip on my own so a little nervous but my dream is to visit Alcatraz if anyone else is interested on a free day ?? I've also booked a helicopter ride over Grand Canyon

Dont be Angjd ::)ts going to be awesome, looking forward to meeting you.

Hi all, I'm booked on his trip too and so excited it's my first trip on my own so a little nervous but my dream is to visit Alcatraz if anyone else is interested on a free day ?? I've also booked a helicopter ride over Grand Canyon

Hi Angjd, I was booked on the 'Escape from the Rock cruise' but like you think I'd prefer to actually visit Alcatraz itself so have cancelled the cruise, so we could go to Alcatraz together?  Also, others might like to join to! 

I've spoken to JustYou who have advised that it needs to be booked in advance as it gets busy and could be impossible to organise once we're over there.

https://www.alcatrazcruises.com/tour-options#/navigate-ticket-behind-tour  - there are different options though personally I think I'll be restricted to the 2.5 hour 'Day Tour' because of the SF Evening Tour that leaves at 6.30pm, which I'm joining.  You might prefer to do a longer 4.5 hour tour though!

Have a look at the website and see what you think.  JY confirmed the date to go is 15th October and perhaps to make it late morning or early afternoon as there's also stuff going on in the morning I think (not sure what).

If you're happy to go for the Day Tour let me know ...... maybe 1100 booking, or later?  If anyone else would like to go too please add comments so we can hopefully book the same slot!  

See you soon 🙂