Kevin, thanks for that info. That's great. I drove down to LA on Friday, hit traffic just south of Magic Mountain because of the fire. They were actually using 5 as the fire barrier and flames were burning on the side of the mountain with lots of firemen and helicopters (around 2pm). A site to see! Then it got really bad near Sunset Blvd, about 5 miles north of 10. So if we can avoid all of that, it will be that much better. Thanks.

If I was coming down from Northern California for a BMW meet I might consider a more scenic route and avoid the LA traffic completely! Perhaps you should come down the 99 to the 58 at Bakersfield. Stay on that all the way to Barsow. There turn south on the 247 towards Yucca Valley and on down to Desert Hot Springs. I suspect it would be a much nicer drive!!!

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How long will that take??

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It's hard to say for sure. It should be fewer miles and less bumper-to-bumper traffic. But the speed limits are lower. It also depends on what time of day you plan to get through LA...in the late afternoon just that part of your trek could add 2 extra hours...

If you are a large convoy you might get held-up by trucks, RV's etc... but the scenery should be much nicer and at least you would be moving and enjoying twisty mountain roads. BMW country for sure!

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Ok Guys and Girls I need some help with LA! Fingers crossed going to book tickets and hotel tomorrow morning.

We are coming to the states for 12 days this is what I have planned if anyone can see any problems with my plans please tell me as I have no idea of distances, and if I am doing anything real stupid.

What I have planned so far

Fly into LAX 26th OCT at 2pm ish
Was thinking of staying at Marriott Downtown LA for that night so can have a look around LA. Will I need a car or is parking a problem ? I think hotel runs a shuttle back and forth to airport.

If answer to the above is don’t get car pick car up Friday AM then drive to palm springs. Is it better to get car from airport or downtown ? i.e. if we pick up car at airport is it easier to get to palm springs from there?

Hopefully get to palm springs to meet up with you guys on Friday evening if I don’t get to lost on the way LOL thinking of staying in Best western palm springs anyone had any experiences with this hotel and how far is this from where West Fest is?

I was thinking of staying in palm springs for a total of 5 days is there enough stuff to do there or should I head back to LA. We don’t mind lazing around the pool for most of this time I take it the weather will be hotter in PS than LA ?

Then back to LA for the next 6 days again staying at the Marriott. Again will be properly answered in the first question do I still need the hire car or can I get around LA on public transport? Is it safe to walk around the tourist part of LA ? I would like to go to 6 theme flags Park is there organised couches that go there.

Many thanks for any help or advice in advance If you can see any problems that we might have even small ones please say now before I book all this as it will be a nightmare to change. Hope to see you all soon.

the peterson automotive museum, the chandler collection, the le brea tar pits are really cool, the magic castle if you know a member.

have fun!!

Good news! I'm so glad you can make it. Here's the best advice I can give you.

Los Angeles/LAX

Hire your car at the airport. There's a better selection and you'll have your own transportation to your hotel. Staying downtown LA is okay but there's not much there. Then again, you don't have much time. I would probably just reserve the LA portion until after you have been in Palm Springs. You'll have 5 or 6 days to take in all of the sights in La La Land.

Pick up the car at LAX since you're going to return it there once you leave. Drive out to the Palm Springs area on Thursday and check in to your hotel. You'll drive about 2 hours from LAX to the desert. It might take you a little longer since you probably won't be in the car and on your way until 3:00. It will be a bit of a drive. As an option you can take your time, drive from the airport to perhaps Pasadena, about 40 minutes away, walk around Old Town Pasadena and have some dinner, then wait for traffic to die down. You could then leave Pasadena at about 7:30 and get to the desert by 9:00 or 9:30. Get to your hotel and allow yourself some time to unwind and adjust to the time change. We're about 9 hours behind you. This part of the trip should be about relaxing so I'd do that. You'll have all day Friday to lounge by the pool. The weather is better than in LA. It's still quite warm and the sun is always shining.

As an alternative, you might spend the night of the 26th in LA since you've had a long flight. You won't see much but if you stay in Pasadena you'll have a nice night with lots to walk around and see, in terms of shops and people watching. (I used to live in Pasadena so I'm biased.) Check out late morning on the 27th and make your way to Palm Springs from there. You'll get in in time for a late lunch or afternoon tea/cocktails.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is actually quite far from the site of where WestFest will be. It's about a 40 minute drive. That's not necessarily bad but I'd prefer to stay at the La Quinta Resort & Club where everyone else is staying. I don't know what the rates are at this point but they were $150 per night. Palm Springs is just a little far and a little "alternative", if you get my meaning.

You could spend 5 days here if you want to just rest and relax. You can venture from here and do a little shopping as you've mentioned you want to do. About 35 minutes away are those outlet shops I told you about. Check the links on the WestFest site and you can find some tourist information. The La Quinta Resort is just the thing if you want to laze about.

Back to LA

I would definitely keep the car. There is no way to get around LA without one. The public transit is not good and taxis are rare and expensive. Everything in LA is very spread out. With a car you can go to Six Flags, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, etc. It's all rather far flung. As for hotels, I don't know much about them in LA but I'm not sure I'd stay downtown. It's all business and after dark, it changes and not in a good way.

After you're done here in the desert, head back to LA and spend the last several days there and return your car to airport.

As for deals, I suggest looking on sites like Priceline.com, Expedia.com, and hotwire.com. There are often good deals on rental cars. I know this is going to be expensive for you but you do want to enjoy it and not have to suffer too much.

That's all I can think of for now. If I think of more I'll e-mail you.

I'm sure others can pitch in with advice. Again, it's absolutely brilliant that you're coming!

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Thank for the advice Kevin!

Just a few more questions I apologise if they sound stupid but I really have no idea about cali.

What is a better place to stay, desert springs or Palm Springs, which has more to do? How far is desert springs from west fest? I think The La Quinta Resort is going to be to expensive for us to stay in as would like to stay for 5 days we are in that area, so not to keep moving around.

Just went to book flights and they have gone up by $300 Agggghhhhhhh back to drawing board.