:thumbup: Hi everyone, I have booked my first ever JY trip for November this year, to go to Yosemite, Grand Canyon and California. Sooooo excited especially as I love San Francisco. Has anyone else booked for this trip yet?

Hi,

l'm a newbie as well and going on that trip on Sunday (31st May) I'm really excited! I'll try to remember to post to let you know how I get on!x x

I'm going on this trip, but I've booked for the 30th August departure, so not the same group as yours. It'll be my 5th time away with JustYou.

I've been to Los Angeles before, but not the other places so I'm really looking forward to it. Particularly excited by the thought of visiting Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and San Francisco.

Another group of JustYou travellers are out there right now. I'll bet they're having a fantastic time, hopefully they'll leave some reviews and tips for us.

Dave

I've just come back from this trip (my first JU holiday)

It was fantastic, I enjoyed every bit of it, too many highlights to choose one,

One tip if you want to go to Alcatraz while in San Francisco, you need to book it independently before leaving the UK (it isn't a JU tour) Three of us went on our trip but others missed out because there wasn't any places on the ferry. It is worth a visit.

Have an amazing time..... I'm planning my next trip already... just can't decide where to go!!

Karen

Hi both

I've just come back from this trip (my first JU holiday)

It was fantastic, I enjoyed every bit of it, too many highlights to choose one,

One tip if you want to go to Alcatraz while in San Francisco, you need to book it independently before leaving the UK (it isn't a JU tour) Three of us went on our trip but others missed out because there wasn't any places on the ferry. It is worth a visit.

Have an amazing time..... I'm planning my next trip already... just can't decide where to go!!

Karen

Great to hear you had such a good time Karen! Only about 10 weeks now until I go on this trip!

I was planning to book Alcatraz in advance.... but I was also wondering about the San Francisco Seaplane flight (optional excursion) which JY says is pre-bookable only. Would there be ample time to do both? And what time do the JY travellers go on the Seaplane, can you remember? I wouldn't want to book a trip to Alcatraz for the same time.

Any other tips or advice you can share? How much free time did you get during the trip? How long did you spend on the coach getting from a to b? Were there any very early starts? We need info! 😃

Re Alcatraz

I went to Alcatraz in the morning (9.10) and basically only did the prison audio tour and didn't explore the rest of the Island arriving back in San Francisco at about 12.30. Then went on the trolley bus, explored Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf. I didn't pay very much attention to the timings of the sea plane trip. It was in morning and everyone who went said it was very good. Perhaps check the timings with Julia and you might be able to fit Alcatraz in the afternoon? I'm not sure what time the last ferry is.

The trip is a busy full on trip with early starts to fit everything in and there is a fair amount of sitting on the coach ( plenty of comfort breaks) but you get to see so much. Traffic congestion on the city tours of San Francisco and LA made the days longer but you get to see areas that you wouldn't get to see.

The biggest disappointment was an hour & half journey to San Diego took four and half hours because of traffic and we didn't have time to do a city tour but that was just unfortunate.

It was my first trip so I haven't got anything to compare it but I thought it was

excellent and I had a great time, seeing amazing places and meeting lovely people.

I'm sure you'll have a fantastic trip.

Karen

Hi

Re Alcatraz

I went to Alcatraz in the morning (9.10) and basically only did the prison audio tour and didn't explore the rest of the Island arriving back in San Francisco at about 12.30. Then went on the trolley bus, explored Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf. I didn't pay very much attention to the timings of the sea plane trip. It was in morning and everyone who went said it was very good. Perhaps check the timings with Julia and you might be able to fit Alcatraz in the afternoon? I'm not sure what time the last ferry is.

The trip is a busy full on trip with early starts to fit everything in and there is a fair amount of sitting on the coach ( plenty of comfort breaks) but you get to see so much. Traffic congestion on the city tours of San Francisco and LA made the days longer but you get to see areas that you wouldn't get to see.

The biggest disappointment was an hour & half journey to San Diego took four and half hours because of traffic and we didn't have time to do a city tour but that was just unfortunate.

It was my first trip so I haven't got anything to compare it but I thought it was

excellent and I had a great time, seeing amazing places and meeting lovely people.

I'm sure you'll have a fantastic trip.

Karen

Thanks for the reply and the helpful pointers, Karen.

I suppose I have to ask - how early were the early starts? :s

Dave

The earliest start was suitcases ready for collection from hotel room at 7 am with the coach leaving at 8. To be honest I was waking at 6ish most days so it wasn't a problem. It's all relative to what you're used to.

It was a tiring trip but it was my first one so I have nothing to compare it with. We travelled about 2500miles but saw so much .... I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Hopefully I've been helpful.

Hi Dave

The earliest start was suitcases ready for collection from hotel room at 7 am with the coach leaving at 8. To be honest I was waking at 6ish most days so it wasn't a problem. It's all relative to what you're used to.

It was a tiring trip but it was my first one so I have nothing to compare it with. We travelled about 2500miles but saw so much .... I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Hopefully I've been helpful.

You certainly have been!

That early start time is quite common on JY tours, but I've had some much earlier than that, so that news isn't too bad.

Thanks again Karen!

Dave

I've booked to go on the August trip . I've been to America before but never to California so I'm really looking forward to it. I've booked a few of the extra excursions but any more recommendations would be helpful

Hi everyone

I've booked to go on the August trip . I've been to America before but never to California so I'm really looking forward to it. I've booked a few of the extra excursions but any more recommendations would be helpful

Hi Tricia

I'm going on the August trip too (departing from Manchester). Most of the destinations will be new to me too, although I've been to Los Angeles before.

I've also booked a few of the excursions (Las Vegas by night, Sedona jeep tour, Monterey Bay aquarium...)

There's been a discussion in the 'Ask Your Editor' section of this forum about this holiday and some of the excursions. I don't know if you're interested in visiting Alcatraz Island when you're in San Francisco, but if so you will need to book this yourself at last 2 weeks in advance as it always sell out.

I just hope we aren't dogged by the same problems of heavy traffic as befell the group who did this holiday back in May/June.

I'm really looking forward to it - only a few more weeks to go now!

Dave

Thanks for the advice . I'm also flying from Manchester . I am certainly interested in the Alcatraz tour, everyone seems to recommend . I've posted a reply to see when others are booking the Alcatraz tour as I don't want to go on my own.

I've booked the Grand Canyon and the Hoover dam tours

Did anyone who has booked already enquire about or take up an upgrade flight cost at all? If you did could you say what the cost was as I am trying to find out but it is proving difficult.

Thank you all.

Chris

I live in currently Colorado and will be traveling to Arizona to meet you. I grew up in the Southwest and can not wait to share it all with you.

Let me make some suggestions for our trip:

*Please bring sun cream and a wide brim hat as the temperatures will be around 40 degrees Celsius (it's a dry heat) Thumbs Up.

*Also, please bring some closed toe shoes.

*Most of our hotels have swimming pools so a swim suit is a must.

*Also, you might want to pack a reusable water bottle as there are places you can refill them. You can save money and reduce rubbish.

*Bring a light sweater or jacket with you due to temperature changes on the motor coach and many buildings.

*Please call your bank and credit card company to let them know that you will be traveling in America. Many of my clients have their cards shut down when they try to use them in the States. A short telephone call can save you from having to fix it overseas.

*If you want to use your phone in America, you must have a GSM ready mobile phone/sim card. Most of our hotels have wifi for our use.

I am excited to see so many of you on this community page. I can't wait to meet you all. If you have any questions, please post them here and I will do my best to answer promptly.

Happy Travels!

Eileen Williams, Just You Tour Manager

Hello travelers for 30/8 Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Classic California! My name is Eileen Williams and I am the Tour Manager for your trip. This is my tenth year as a tour manager and my third year leading Just You trips.

I live in currently Colorado and will be traveling to Arizona to meet you. I grew up in the Southwest and can not wait to share it all with you.

Let me make some suggestions for our trip:

*Please bring sun cream and a wide brim hat as the temperatures will be around 40 degrees Celsius (it's a dry heat) Thumbs Up.

*Also, please bring some closed toe shoes.

*Most of our hotels have swimming pools so a swim suit is a must.

*Also, you might want to pack a reusable water bottle as there are places you can refill them. You can save money and reduce rubbish.

*Bring a light sweater or jacket with you due to temperature changes on the motor coach and many buildings.

*Please call your bank and credit card company to let them know that you will be traveling in America. Many of my clients have their cards shut down when they try to use them in the States. A short telephone call can save you from having to fix it overseas.

*If you want to use your phone in America, you must have a GSM ready mobile phone/sim card. Most of our hotels have wifi for our use.

I am excited to see so many of you on this community page. I can't wait to meet you all. If you have any questions, please post them here and I will do my best to answer promptly.

Happy Travels!

Eileen Williams, Just You Tour Manager

Hi Eileen

Thanks for introducing yourself and for the useful tips. I'll be one of your flock in sunny California, I'll make sure I'm on my best behaviour!

Look forward to seeing you

Dave

Hello travelers for 30/8 Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Classic California! My name is Eileen Williams and I am the Tour Manager for your trip. This is my tenth year as a tour manager and my third year leading Just You trips.

I live in currently Colorado and will be traveling to Arizona to meet you. I grew up in the Southwest and can not wait to share it all with you.

Let me make some suggestions for our trip:

*Please bring sun cream and a wide brim hat as the temperatures will be around 40 degrees Celsius (it's a dry heat) Thumbs Up.

*Also, please bring some closed toe shoes.

*Most of our hotels have swimming pools so a swim suit is a must.

*Also, you might want to pack a reusable water bottle as there are places you can refill them. You can save money and reduce rubbish.

*Bring a light sweater or jacket with you due to temperature changes on the motor coach and many buildings.

*Please call your bank and credit card company to let them know that you will be traveling in America. Many of my clients have their cards shut down when they try to use them in the States. A short telephone call can save you from having to fix it overseas.

*If you want to use your phone in America, you must have a GSM ready mobile phone/sim card. Most of our hotels have wifi for our use.

I am excited to see so many of you on this community page. I can't wait to meet you all. If you have any questions, please post them here and I will do my best to answer promptly.

Happy Travels!

Eileen Williams, Just You Tour Manager

Hi Eileen

Thanks for introducing yourself and for the useful tips. I'll be one of your flock in sunny California, I'll make sure I'm on my best behaviour!

Look forward to seeing you

Dave

Hi Dave!

I'm so glad you are going to be coming to the States! I look forward to making this a great trip for you and all who travel with us. I'm not worried about your behaviour, I used to be a high school teacher!

Eileen

Hi both

I've just come back from this trip (my first JU holiday)

It was fantastic, I enjoyed every bit of it, too many highlights to choose one,

One tip if you want to go to Alcatraz while in San Francisco, you need to book it independently before leaving the UK (it isn't a JU tour) Three of us went on our trip but others missed out because there wasn't any places on the ferry. It is worth a visit.

Have an amazing time..... I'm planning my next trip already... just can't decide where to go!!

Karen

Hi Karen,

Great to hear you had a fantastic trip, as I am also booked on this tour.

I want to go on Alcatraz & hoped you wouldn't mind recommending which company you used & which tour you went on?

Thanks

Jennie:)

Hello travelers for 30/8 Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Classic California! My name is Eileen Williams and I am the Tour Manager for your trip. This is my tenth year as a tour manager and my third year leading Just You trips.

I live in currently Colorado and will be traveling to Arizona to meet you. I grew up in the Southwest and can not wait to share it all with you.

Let me make some suggestions for our trip:

*Please bring sun cream and a wide brim hat as the temperatures will be around 40 degrees Celsius (it's a dry heat) Thumbs Up.

*Also, please bring some closed toe shoes.

*Most of our hotels have swimming pools so a swim suit is a must.

*Also, you might want to pack a reusable water bottle as there are places you can refill them. You can save money and reduce rubbish.

*Bring a light sweater or jacket with you due to temperature changes on the motor coach and many buildings.

*Please call your bank and credit card company to let them know that you will be traveling in America. Many of my clients have their cards shut down when they try to use them in the States. A short telephone call can save you from having to fix it overseas.

*If you want to use your phone in America, you must have a GSM ready mobile phone/sim card. Most of our hotels have wifi for our use.

I am excited to see so many of you on this community page. I can't wait to meet you all. If you have any questions, please post them here and I will do my best to answer promptly.

Happy Travels!

Eileen Williams, Just You Tour Manager

Hi Eileen,

Thank you so much for the tips, very helpful. Looking forward to meeting you at the end of the month, it'll be my 1st trip with just you :thumbup:

Jennie

Hello travelers for 30/8 Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Classic California! My name is Eileen Williams and I am the Tour Manager for your trip. This is my tenth year as a tour manager and my third year leading Just You trips.

I live in currently Colorado and will be traveling to Arizona to meet you. I grew up in the Southwest and can not wait to share it all with you.

Let me make some suggestions for our trip:

*Please bring sun cream and a wide brim hat as the temperatures will be around 40 degrees Celsius (it's a dry heat) Thumbs Up.

*Also, please bring some closed toe shoes.

*Most of our hotels have swimming pools so a swim suit is a must.

*Also, you might want to pack a reusable water bottle as there are places you can refill them. You can save money and reduce rubbish.

*Bring a light sweater or jacket with you due to temperature changes on the motor coach and many buildings.

*Please call your bank and credit card company to let them know that you will be traveling in America. Many of my clients have their cards shut down when they try to use them in the States. A short telephone call can save you from having to fix it overseas.

*If you want to use your phone in America, you must have a GSM ready mobile phone/sim card. Most of our hotels have wifi for our use.

I am excited to see so many of you on this community page. I can't wait to meet you all. If you have any questions, please post them here and I will do my best to answer promptly.

Happy Travels!

Eileen Williams, Just You Tour Manager

Hi Eileen

Thanks for introducing yourself and for the useful tips. I'll be one of your flock in sunny California, I'll make sure I'm on my best behaviour!

Look forward to seeing you

Dave

Hi Dave!

I'm so glad you are going to be coming to the States! I look forward to making this a great trip for you and all who travel with us. I'm not worried about your behaviour, I used to be a high school teacher!

Eileen

Hi Eileen,

Thanks for all the useful information, I'm very excited about joining the tour in September :thumbup:

Jennie