| Fly Drive is becoming increasingly popular these days, | | | | hotels to stay, after a 5 hour drive I think you'll need it! |
| with people wanting to explore more and more places | | | | Now we are going to be heading back towards the |
| in a short period of time. An easy way to describe a | | | | coast to San Jose. It should take about 3 hours or so. |
| fly drive, is booking a plane ticket to some where, | | | | In San Jose there are many parks to relax and have |
| picking up a car at the airport and off you go. Staying | | | | some coffee and there are also many trails around |
| at hotels on the way because you can't drive for a | | | | the city to enjoy. You must visit Cathedral Basilica of |
| whole week or two non-stop! | | | | St. Joseph, which is the oldest parish in California and |
| There are many different types of fly drives. You can | | | | also Raging Waters, the largest water park in Northern |
| stay in one city and drive to other cities that are close, | | | | California with 23 acres and millions of gallons of |
| or you can start at one city and end at another. This | | | | water. |
| would be particularly good if you are planning on going | | | | Now a nice short drive to San Francisco, you should |
| to the USA, as you can see many more cities on your | | | | be there in under an hour traffic permitting, and there |
| holiday, rather than stay in one. | | | | are many things to do here. Play a round of golf if you |
| A really wonderful fly-drive is the West Coast in the | | | | are on your trip with the lads then head to the River |
| USA. Drive to places starting at San Diego, California | | | | Rock casino or see Fishermans Bay and go to the |
| and finishing at Portland, Oregon. Before you set off, I | | | | Aquarium. A must see is the Golden Gate Bridge and |
| advise reading guides about the different areas within | | | | a tour of the Jelly Bean Factory! There are many |
| this trip and getting hold of some maps and studying | | | | more attractions to see in San Francisco but those I'll |
| them, finding the best routes to take. The guide below | | | | leave you to find, it's part of the fun of a Fly-Drive |
| is a rough guide, so to get the most out of your trip, do | | | | holiday. |
| some studying! | | | | Hit the roads again for an hour or 2 up to Sacramento, |
| Start at San Diego, pick up your hire car and off you | | | | the capital of California. There are many things to see |
| go! I recommend you watch the sunset over this city, | | | | and do in Sacramento, some of these in include wining |
| there are not too many huge skyscrapers, but just | | | | and dining in some fabulous restaurants, visit the many |
| enough to give a wonderful view. There are many | | | | art galleries and museums or simply just have a tour |
| places to stay here too, which is where your guides | | | | of the city. A must see is the Sundial Bridge at Turtle |
| will come in handy as they give information on different | | | | Bay which is a sundial but only 100% accurate on the |
| types of places to stay from budget to luxury. Some | | | | summer solstice on June 21st or 22nd. Also Turtle Bay |
| of the attractions in San Diego are the variety of | | | | Exploration Park, which has 300 acres of peaceful |
| museums such as San Diego Museum of Art, The | | | | gardens. |
| Natural History Museum and The Columbia district | | | | Another 2 hours straight up, passing the border into |
| which has a variety of historic ship exhibits. There is | | | | Oregon you'll stop off into the city of Medford. Here it's |
| also SeaWorld, Legoland and San Diego Zoo to go | | | | time to relax with Alba Park, the oldest in Medford and |
| and visit. | | | | also head to Vogel Plaza to see if you catch one of |
| Your next stop is a wonderful 2 - 3 hour drive along | | | | the many events hosted here. |
| the coast on the No.5 Freeway to Los Angeles. | | | | On the road again, you'll be driving for another 3 hours |
| Before going into the city, if you fancy relaxing along | | | | or so until you reach the city of Eugene. It is host to a |
| Long beach then there are some wonderful stretches | | | | number of cultural organisations so you will have many |
| of beaches along this strip. This is a must-see city. You | | | | different shows that you can enjoy here. From |
| will definitely want to spend a few days here as there | | | | dancing to concerts to the opera, it will cater for |
| is so much to see. Go to Disneyland and Universal | | | | everyone. Here you will be able to meet some outdoor |
| Studios for a family fueled park packed full of fun. Or | | | | enthusiasts as well! |
| go to Beverly Hills and Hollywood Boulevard and see | | | | Off you go again! We are getting closer to our |
| the star filled paths, look inside the Kodak theatre | | | | destination. Drive for just over an hour up to Salem. |
| where the famous Oscars are held and indulge in | | | | Bush's Pasture Park, a 90.5 acre urban public park and |
| some luxury shopping. Just make sure you have | | | | botanical garden located just south of the downtown |
| enough space in your suitcase for your next | | | | area, or the Enchanted Forest, A land of Fairy Tales |
| destination! | | | | where you visit Medieval Castles, walk down wooden |
| Next we are going on a slight detour of the coast, 4 - | | | | sidewalks in the wild, wild West, or maybe bump into a |
| 5 hours in fact, up to Las Vegas, Nevada. Now you will | | | | ghost in the Haunted Mansion. This is small theme park |
| have to cross states, California to Nevada so have all | | | | and has rides for the kids and adults with an Alpine |
| your documents from your car hire company, driving | | | | Roller coaster, bumper cars, trains and more. In one of |
| license and insurance documents in case you get | | | | their many restaurants is a gorgeous water show with |
| stopped and checked. It is also wise to have your | | | | colorful lights bouncing off streams of water. Next |
| passport handy. Now Las Vegas is a sight to see in | | | | door is another attraction, Thrillville. |
| itself. The beautiful lights of the city at night time are | | | | It's only an hour to Portland, which is full of wonderful |
| something to see. Also wine and dine in fine | | | | parks and open spaces. Visit Mt Tabor Park which lies |
| restaurants and stay in some very classy hotels such | | | | on an extinct Volcano, Forest Park which is the largest |
| as the Bellagio, or Ceaser's Palace. Enjoy some of the | | | | wilderness park span over 5000 acres, and also Mill |
| many stage shows such as the Blue Man Group or | | | | End Park which is the smallest park at 2 ft in diameter. |
| you may get a chance to see performances from the | | | | AS well as this, Portland has many cultural attractions. |
| Pussycat Dolls. Las Vegas is a wonderful city and you | | | | Visit the Portland Art Museum and the Museum of |
| can even drive to the outskirts and see the Hoover | | | | Science and History. Also go and see the Opera or |
| Dam. | | | | Ballet. |
| Once your ready to leave Vegas, head up Route 95 | | | | Finally, a wonderful 3 hour drive up to Seattle and you |
| for about 2 - 3 hours, again, crossing the border back | | | | have reached your destination. Here is the birth place |
| into sunny California and you will find yourself in Death | | | | of Grunge Music mostly famous from Nirvana and |
| Valley National Park. Here you can enjoy some hiking | | | | Pearl Jam, also from the heavy coffee drinkers, |
| and trekking. Be warned, it can get really hot so take | | | | Starbucks was born. Seattle is a regional destination |
| lots of water with you! You are also able to camp in | | | | for performing arts. So it is worth going to 5th Avenue |
| some of the may campsites and enjoy some inspiring | | | | to enjoy some of the musicals. Go and see the Jimi |
| views! It's definitely worth staying over night, if you can | | | | Hendrix statue! Here you can lay your head down to |
| hack the heat. | | | | rest before you finally fly home from such a wonderful |
| The next destination is about 5 and half hours away in | | | | fly drive of the entire West-Coast. |
| a lovely city called Fresno. Here there are some | | | | I recommend that you spend a few days in each city |
| wonderful things to do. If you go in season then you | | | | if you can so you can absorb everything and see as |
| can enjoy Fresno Country Blossom Trail which houses | | | | much as you can see, if not then you will be about 7 - |
| some of the finest blossoming peach, nectarine, plum, | | | | 10 days spending a few hours in each city and in a |
| orange, and almond trees in full bloom. Also a must | | | | few cities overnight. |
| see is the Forestiere Underground Gardens which was | | | | It is also a good idea to have more than one driver so |
| built over 40 years and has some mind boggling trees | | | | then you can all alternate between cities. This way, |
| that grow underground. There are also a selection of | | | | one person isn't driving the whole way. |