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Post by johnb on Nov 5, 2023 12:35:01 GMT -5
Planning our flights to Aulani next May/June. We're flying out of PHL and I don't want to fly to Oahu in one long day, so we're going to stop/stay somewhere west that has nonstop flights to Oahu, then fly the following day to Oahu. We have Amex points that I'll convert to Hawaiian Airlines points, so it looks like our nonstop options on Hawaiian are San Diego, LA, SF, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix.
Phoenix, SF and Portland are out for various reasons (primarily been there, done that), which leaves Las Vegas, San Diego, LA and Seattle. I'm leaning heavily toward San Diego because we've never been there and the airport is a short drive to what we'd want to see/do (zoo, Padres game, good food). Vegas is attractive to me because although we don't really gamble, the food and entertainment options are great. LA seems like you really have to know where to go or not go and traffic is bad.
Thoughts?
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Post by brp on Nov 5, 2023 13:07:24 GMT -5
We've been to all of these being west coast folks (as well as Phoenix, SF and Portland). LA is, IMO, not interesting. Vegas is, well, Vegas.
Tough call between San Diego and Seattle. I gave Seattle a nod for all the cool stuff there.
On behalf of SF though, there's a lot that the Bay Area has to offer outside of SF in the area of hiking, wine tasting and sightseeing.
Cheers.
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Post by TexasChick on Nov 5, 2023 13:56:05 GMT -5
I voted for San Diego, but I just went to Seattle this summer and really loved it. We didn't know much about Seattle, even though we thought we did. It's a VERY cool city. San Diego is better for a short stop IMO. There was so much to see and do in Seattle that I wouldn't like it to be a short stop. It deserves to be its own trip.
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Post by applegrcoug on Nov 6, 2023 0:51:42 GMT -5
San Diego I suppose...
Seattle is a PITA if you're only there for a stop over. The airport is wedged between Seattle and Tacoma along I-5 and the traffic can be absolutely horrid. The Museum of Flight at Boeing Field is pretty close, so if you're into aviation, then that is an easy one, but other than that....everything is kinda far when ya gotta go along I-5. For example, NW Trek, which is a sort of NW free range wildlife park which is quite unique, is south of Tacoma and before you get to Tacoma, you'll grind to a halt in Fife. But if a zoo is what you want to see, then San Diego beats both Woodland Park and Point Defiance. If mountains are what you want, mountains we got.....but they are really far for any sort of quick trip. Not only that, but like stuff at Mt. Rainier may still be closed due to snow. Memorial Day is usually the target for getting things open.
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Post by brp on Nov 6, 2023 10:02:36 GMT -5
Reading these, I changed my vote to San Diego as well given that this is a short stopover. As mentioned, Seattle likely has more of interest in some ways, but there are more distance logistics due to the aforementioned location of the airport. SAN is in the downtown area (which makes for interesting landing scenarios  ). Cheers. |
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Post by johnb on Nov 6, 2023 11:13:30 GMT -5
Reading these, I changed my vote to San Diego as well given that this is a short stopover. As mentioned, Seattle likely has more of interest in some ways, but there are more distance logistics due to the aforementioned location of the airport. SAN is in the downtown area (which makes for interesting landing scenarios  ). Cheers. It's the heavy favorite right now, and I can use my Chase points, transferring them to BA, to book PHL to SAN on AA. And we can use those Chase points to book a Hyatt in the downtown area. Gaslamp in SD, good or touristy?? |
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Post by brp on Nov 6, 2023 11:23:28 GMT -5
Reading these, I changed my vote to San Diego as well given that this is a short stopover. As mentioned, Seattle likely has more of interest in some ways, but there are more distance logistics due to the aforementioned location of the airport. SAN is in the downtown area (which makes for interesting landing scenarios ). Cheers. It's the heavy favorite right now, and I can use my Chase points, transferring them to BA, to book PHL to SAN on AA. And we can use those Chase points to book a Hyatt in the downtown area. Gaslamp in SD, good or touristy?? The Gaslamp is pretty nice. Some touristy elements, but nice shops and such.
We've not stayed at the Andaz, but the location is good. We've stayed several times at the Manchester Grand Hyatt a few times and the location on the waterfront, as well as the views, is great. We generally stay in La Jolla as mrs/ brp's mom lives nearby and we visit a lot, but that's out of the way. The Manchester is fewer points than the Andaz.
Cheers.
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Post by starry_solo on Nov 6, 2023 20:59:06 GMT -5
I voted for San Diego since it's so close to interesting things in the area, rather than the long drive.
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Post by Cali10 on Nov 7, 2023 1:10:55 GMT -5
Reading these, I changed my vote to San Diego as well given that this is a short stopover. As mentioned, Seattle likely has more of interest in some ways, but there are more distance logistics due to the aforementioned location of the airport. SAN is in the downtown area (which makes for interesting landing scenarios ). Cheers. It's the heavy favorite right now, and I can use my Chase points, transferring them to BA, to book PHL to SAN on AA. And we can use those Chase points to book a Hyatt in the downtown area. Gaslamp in SD, good or touristy?? Come to San Diego! Airport is easy to navigate and literally next to the waterfront. Gaslamp is a combination of both, nice-not too touristy. Since your trip is not during Comic-Con week, I second the Manchester Grand Hyatt. |
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Post by Eli's Nana on Nov 7, 2023 10:55:57 GMT -5
I also voted for San Diego. For a quick visit there is a a lot to see/do near the airport. I like Seattle as well, but as brp said the logistics are not friendly for a quick visit.
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Post by tomandrobin on Nov 7, 2023 11:55:23 GMT -5
We have flown from Phila to Hawaii twice. Both times we had a layover in Phoenix. For me, I rather suck it up and get my traveling from point A to point B as quick as possible. We have talked that for our next "unplanned" Hawaii trip, we are going to fly to LA, spend a few days at Disneyland, then fly to Hawaii.
Good luck with the planning.....East trips to Hawaii are tough anyway slice it .
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Post by johnb on Nov 7, 2023 13:08:12 GMT -5
We have flown from Phila to Hawaii twice. Both times we had a layover in Phoenix. For me, I rather suck it up and get my traveling from point A to point B as quick as possible. We have talked that for our next "unplanned" Hawaii trip, we are going to fly to LA, spend a few days at Disneyland, then fly to Hawaii. Good luck with the planning.....East trips to Hawaii are tough anyway slice it . I have a really difficult time adjusting to time zone changes, so I'm hoping that stopping for a day will help. We're stopping in Phoenix on the way home to visit family, arriving Wednesday, departing Saturday. |
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Post by brp on Nov 7, 2023 14:24:22 GMT -5
Good luck with the planning.....East trips to Hawaii are tough anyway slice it . Similar to west coast to Europe. One advantage we have is that we can fly LAX-LHR non-stop, so that makes it less onerous than a stopover.
Cheers.
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Post by TexasChick on Nov 7, 2023 23:35:14 GMT -5
We have flown from Phila to Hawaii twice. Both times we had a layover in Phoenix. For me, I rather suck it up and get my traveling from point A to point B as quick as possible. We have talked that for our next "unplanned" Hawaii trip, we are going to fly to LA, spend a few days at Disneyland, then fly to Hawaii. Good luck with the planning.....East trips to Hawaii are tough anyway slice it . I have a really difficult time adjusting to time zone changes, so I'm hoping that stopping for a day will help. We're stopping in Phoenix on the way home to visit family, arriving Wednesday, departing Saturday. I get that. It’s tough for me too. It’s always nice to kind of hop home and adjust a little on the way. You’re time difference is a pretty big one, so I definitely think the stopovers will help. |
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