I am considering joining the great Western Adventure tour in January 2008. I would like to recieve advice from anybody who has been on this tour.

Hi Oliviat

I haven't been on this particular tour but I have travelled around in that region. So I an maybe others can help you.

Tupps

Hi Oliviat,

My husband and I booked to go on this particular tour in Jan 07 (in the middle of an 8 week holiday) and it go cancelled a month before we left on the holiday (2 months before the tour). So just be careful because it's not a guaranteed departure and there was no other tour around that we could tag onto.

We thought it sounded great. I must admit I liked the itinerary better for the 2006 trip, but I'm not into looking around Beverly Hills (in the 2006 version you go to San Diego).

Good luck if you do book to go!

Jess

I am taking my two teenage girls on this tour in December 2010. We are very excited and looking forward to meeting our fellow travellers, as we have only travelled to neighbouring countries in the past(we are Australian). Does anyone have any advice or comments?

Michelem, I had worked in San Francisco for many years (no longer in that area). I see that your tour starts in San Francisco.

San Francisco is my absolute favorite of all American cities. The hotel you will be staying at is on Nob Hill, and is across from the Fairmont Hotel (Tonga Room, expensive but interesting restaurant in the basement of the Fairmont).

Be sure to do a cable car ride, either on California Ave, or the Powell St line. During your free time, you can do the cable car on Powell St heading north to the Fisherman's Wharf area and Pier 39. Touristy, but your girls will probably find the shopping interesting.

Also, if you have the time, and wish some good Italian food, hit the area around North Beach. There are several great restaurants around there. North Beach Link

When you are in the Union Square area, go into the St Francis Hotel, and make your way to the elevators for the towers. When you step into the elevator, it looks like a normal elevator, but when it rises up, suddenly you discover it is OUTSIDE. A great view can be had, and if your daughters are not expecting it, wait for the scream when they suddenly see they elevator is on the outside of the building.

I looked at the itinerary of your tour for the northern California part, and can tell you that the itinerary is fantastic. I love the Napa Valley. It is absolutely beautiful.

Marv

Oh yes, I should have mentioned something about the weather.

In December in Northern California, you can have very variable weather, with it mostly being pretty chilly, although San Francisco rarely gets TOO cold. The Napa and Sonoma Valleys will likely be chillier than SF. However, December can also have some very nice and warm days too, so just be prepared for both nice days and chilly days. There can be some hard rains, as well.

If you go out on a tour boat on the SF Bay, or to Alcatraz Island, dress VERY warmly, as the wind coming off the Bay is incredibly biting.

Best wishes! You will enjoy the tour!

I second the vote for the cable car ride. Better than a ride at the Fair. Best $2 I ever spent. Note: it is a looong time since I rode it and the cost has no doubt gone up. Riding on the outside is the best.

Thanks for those tips-much appreciated. We are also going to be spending three extra days in Las Vegas at the end of the tour, then going to Anaheim as a base for about nine days. In these nine days will be at Disneyland (of course!!!!), Los Angeles and san Diego. Will probably going to Hawaii after this, so any tips on any of these places wouldalso be much appreciated.