Transport Tips
Travel Note
Landing at LAX
Congratulations - after 16 hours, you've landed in Los Angeles! You're tired, grumpy, and you've just entered possibly the most chaotic and poorly-organized airport in the USA. Brent describes LAX as "an assault on the senses." To help you have a nicer experience, we've complied some tips. Getting out of the airport is a nightmare. Public transport is not the way to go. (Gi has done this before when she was Extremely Poor. Do not do this. It is not fun.) You'll want to either catch an Uber, rent a car, or if you're after princess treatment, have a hired driver waiting in the terminal for you. To catch an Uber, follow signs for LAX-it, and hop on the LAX-it bus. This will take you to the Uber pick-up zone, where you can call an Uber from one of the bays (Make sure you have data - check the point below this one). If you're hiring a car, follow signs to the rental car shuttles. If you're waiting for a driver, lucky you! They'll be in the baggage claim area with your name on a sign. We've used booking.com in the past to book airport taxis in the past and they've always been great. Tipping is customary in the US so be prepared to give some cash (20% is standard).
Travel Note
Mobile Data
The easiest option we have found to have mobile data while abroad is by using e-SIMs. We used the app "Airalo." You can download a data package for the USA before you leave Australia. When you land in the USA, log onto the airport wifi and then activate the e-SIM. It's cheaper and easier than buying a SIM card at a kiosk, and you can have it ready to go immediately. You'll want to have this set up so that you can call an Uber. You can top it up as you travel as well.
Train
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Recommended way to get from LA to SD! The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, with portions of the route hugging the Southern California coastline. The Pacific Surfliner route offers 13 daily round-trip services between Los Angeles and San Diego. Stops in San Diego include Oceanside, Solana Beach, Old Town, and Santa Fe Depot. Approx $36 USD each way, book ticket online ahead of time!
Travel Note
Getting Around San Diego
Getting around San Diego is difficult without a car as PT is quite limited, but there are a few options (see below)! Ubers are always an option, but San Diego is a pretty spread out area so the cost can add up quickly. If you want more flexibility, we recommend hiring a car. You can always take the train down from LA and then hire a car once you land in SD :)
Train
San Diego COASTER
Best way to get into Metro San Diego if you're staying in North County San Diego! The COASTER commuter train provides breathtaking coastal scenery as it runs north and south through San Diego County, serving eight stations between Oceanside and downtown San Diego. $5-$6.50 USD each way (depending on zones travelled), purchase tickets at the kiosk before boarding
Train
San Diego Trolley
Light-rail transit around metro San Diego. Stops at UTC Mall, Fashion Valley Mall, UCSD, SDSU, Gaslamp District, Little Italy, Seaport Village, Old Town, and Convention Center (and more!). $2.50 USD for a 2-hour window, or $6 USD for a day pass