Preparing California

For a long time we had wished to go west. Since we've always been going to New York. It's time to adventure and go west. The Idea started on June 14th when vacation time became available. We had only 10 days to make arrangements. Vacation suppose to start on June 24th. Since we had 7 days only, that eliminated driving to California. It takes 2 days each way that leaves us for 3 days, that are not enough. So it was decided to FLY. No enough time to make 3 weeks advance reservation. Searched Internet for (reduced, bargain, lowest) prices. Still for 3 tickets price was encouraging. It is impossible to make reservation without 3 weeks in advance and stay over Saturday.

Well, continuous search led us to a real low fare company that has reduced airfare at a unique time of the day. This is called "Red Eye". Such flights start after 10:00pm. Price for such a short note was favorable.

We made further adjustment to get full efficiency of limited time, we chose to fly from Dallas (DFW) to Los Angeles (LAX), drive all over and fly back from San Francisco. (SFO). Made reservation on America West, and since we fly late night we arranged to start on June 23rd and come back on June 30th. America West has its hop in Las Vegas, so all flights connect in Las Vegas. Ticket cost from (DFW) to LA $210.00 and to (SFO), $218.00. To fly from (DFW) to (LA) and come back from (SFO) each ticket cost $222.00 total 3 tickets including tax handling etc. came up to $716.14.

Next step is to shop around for car rental. Same travel agency, which made travel arrangements recommended (Alamo Car Rental). Their price was compatible, yet there is a surcharge for " delivering car to a different destination". This because we will pick up car from LA and drop it in (SFO). This surcharge cost $60.00. Other car rental did not have any charges for dropping at different destination, but rate was a little bit higher. I read a lot about Hertz; there were some negative stuff in Internet, but why not shop around. It is just a phone call away. Well best rate and customer service turned to be with Hertz. They delivered what promised. In the beginning I was hesitant to make a reservation, but I did anyhow, it did not require to pay in advance!. Car rental cost $198.00 plus taxes and fuel surcharge.

Every one is excited about the trip and which places we will visit. Searched different sites in internet to select and prioritize different locations. We planned to see San Diego, (LA) and (SFO). Asked friends, and frequent visitors; there was unified advice: limit places you will visit. Either we go to north California or South California. Driving between different cities is exhausting and will ruin any joy of touring CA. So program had been modified to cancel San Diego and Saint Antony Monastery. A friend of mine recommended a nice place that is relaxing for eyes and soul and has very nice scenery, which is Yosemite National Park. That was an excellent suggestion. One of frequent CA visitor who spent around 3 years over there and very familiar recommended to see in our way a nice resort called Monterey.

The initial program where every one agreed on:

LA to see: Universal Studio, browse in city. Then we drive on Hwy 101 to Monterey spend a couple of days. From there we go East towards Fresno to see Yosemite Park spent a couple of days from there we will get to our final destination (SFO). Made some phone call to (SFO) where there is a Coptic Church named St. Antonios Coptic Church. Fr. Metthias welcomed us We planned to spend Sat. and Sun in Hayward, close to Saint Antonios Coptic Church in (SFO). Trip will start Tuesday 23rd and we will be in (SFO) on Sat 27th till Tues 30th.

Most of our friends WARNED US about the weather in CA, and especially in (SFO). Every one encouraged us to have some extra jackets because of winds, and temperature is lower than here in Dallas. It is always warm here, we run air condition day and night, besides we late at the end of month of June, so we thought it will be warm (Big Mistake).

Gathered information, to locate places that we will visit. I found out that staying in LA in airport area has more convenience, because it is close to tourist attractions. It may be cheaper to find better rates if we decide a distant place like Orange County or Pasadena. It just 2 days that we will stay in city. Also avoid getting lost and traffic jam.

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