california with kids

hi all, friends and us are hoping to come to ca next july/aud for 3weeks. any suggestions as to if we are better having rv%26#39;s and touring or fly drive and stay in hotels???? there are 4 adults and 4 children....we would like to see la/sfo/grand canyon/vegas/yoesmite.......just trying to see which would be the cheaper option... thanks.

california with kids

Ah, the British circle tour, lol!

To compare costs, first check out some websites for RV rentals. CruisAmerica and El Monte RV are two large companies. Other smaller companies will be a little lower priced, but you can start with them to get an idea of the rental costs.

Most RV%26#39;s will run you about $150-200 USD per day (for each rig) in the summer. Your gasoline costs will be close to double, as opposed to a car. Your overnight camping fees will be about $25-40 USD per night, more in high tourist large cities (LV, SF). It%26#39;s a bit more trouble parking and manuevering an RV.

If you research, you can find decent lodging for about $100-150 USD per night per room (not fancy hotels). We also have Motel 6, which cost much less, but are very plain. Car rental costs vary, you%26#39;d need to check that out. Just pick a couple of the big names to get an idea - Hertz, Budget, Avis. You%26#39;d probably need a van for all of you, which will run more, of course. Eating out here is less expensive than there, except we don%26#39;t have pubs with 2-for-1 specials. Fast food here is very cheap, and we still have inexpensive cafe`s. Many motels include beakfast, although it may be just Continental. You can also buy a cheap ice chest ($20) and buy sandwich makings at a grocery store.

The two travelling styles are very different. You will see and meet more ';real'; Americans with an RV, and people are friendlier and talk to each other more than in an hotel.