Seriousley considering taking the family to Calfornia in September , what is the low down from those that have been , where to stay , what else to see in the vacinity and pitfalls to avoid. Also is it easier enough to hire boards for the races? Not rich so our budget will be a bit above roughing it

Any happy M.day to all you Mums out their
Cheers

So renting a house is the go hey , what does it cost approximately?What about nice hotels in the area? definately wont be taking a board Angie , just want to go for the experience not serious racingDont care what i paddle on just as long as i can get something.. Also we will want to stay a couple of weeks and travel around a bit and see some sights , like Grand Canyon , Las vegas , Oregon Redwood forest? Are they close buy? Just want it to be a once in a lifetime family holiday and go cheer on Jake , and JaydenAnd all the other Aussies

My first post. Been lurking for a while and enjoying. Live in Brissy, started with a 10'6 to surf small waves (boy, was that harder than I thought!) and as you do, now have a 12'6 and 14 (one for the wife and kids of course!). Looking forward to doing some events.
Anyway, teatree, I have been reading the thread on the Zone and thought you might like another Oz perception. We did a similar sort of trip last year (before I discovered SUP, so no advice on that front). You will be hard pressed to drive to all of those places in 2 weeks. It is just too big and too many great places to see and spend time in.
+ 1 on going north from San Fran....the redwoods and Napa are great. Napa needs at least 2-3 days. Wines are excy tho.
Hire a bike in San Fran and ride across the GG bridge to Sausalito. Catch a ferry back. Fantastic.
Yosemite is very special, again a couple of days especially if you like walking. Keep an eye out for black bears, we spotted one. Check out the bear boxes. When parking your car, you are supposed to take all food out and put in these boxes. Otherwise the bears break in to the car.
Do not miss the coast drive - Hwy 1 Big Sur. Amazing.
In LA, take a drive on Mulholland.....there is a great lookout. And the kids (and these adults did as well!) will enjoy a movie studio tour.
Have fun

Hi teatrea you'll have a ball in California I've been 5 times. Book your Vegas accommodation after you land in California it’s bulk cheaper. I’ll be in California August/September my California friends get junk mail that has cheap Vegas accommodation thats the best way to book using the junk mail vouchers. I’m taking Linda to Vegas for 5 days. I’ll be hanging around San Clemente. August is not a great month for the theme parks e.g. Universal Studious, Disneyland and Magic Mountain because it’s summer time best of going to the theme parks in February Winter. If you can just buy a car it’s cheaper than renting check out my Ford LTD has a 450 motor it would pass anything except a petrol station I bought it for $700 sold it for $500. I’m going down to Baja to some nice Right Hand Points with some California friends. I'll come and have a look at the BOP California if I have time.

My Ford LTD with 450 motor styling


Vanesa my California Lady Friend she's an Air Hostess 1985


Me and Marilyn Munro in Vages 1985


Mexico 1995

not sure if those cars will be that cheap any more as California has some of the toughest smog laws etc for cars to be legal....