A solo introvert US itinerary without car at Yosemite

Overview

I’ve always wanted to explore the North American West Coast, but I was discouraged when I was told—ad nauseam—it could ONLY be done by car. Turns out that’s not wholly true. Perhaps, a car is the most optimum way to see the best of the US, and you cover a lot of ground easily, but if you don’t drive or don’t want to drive, you can still see and do a lot! Here’s a 2-week sample itinerary that I took on. My trip started in Chicago and ended in San Francisco. It was perfect in every way.

So, read on if you want to know how I did a US Mid and West Coast trip without a car and only through flights, buses, trains, and occasionally, a rideshare cab. Importantly, I took a few organized group tours, but they were all small group tours and very fun. I’ve added information about them below. Also, since I’m a notorious introvert, I’ve suggested suitable places to stay and enjoyable things to do for them like me—especially, in an introvert’s nightmare—Vegas!

USA Solo without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveler West coast map
The route I followed: Cities visited as a base: Chicago–> Las Vegas–> Los Angeles–> Sacramento–> San Francisco

USA Solo without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo Traveller. Read on below.

CHICAGO

About

The city of Chicago is located in the state of Illinois, on the shores of Lake Michigan (5th largest freshwater lake in the world), and is the third-most populous city in the United States. It is a major port, a manufacturing hub, and a thriving centre for trading and commerce, especially for commodities. The Chicago Board of Trade (now merged with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to form the CME Group), was one of the world’s oldest futures and options exchanges. Chicago is spread over 234 square miles of land, and has a population of 2.8 million, living in 77 community areas. It is also called the Windy City and Second City.

Solo chicago itinerary with the Bean
With the Bean in Chicago

Where to stay

Hotels in Chicago are expensive. If travelling solo, consider Hostelling International Chicago or the Chicago Getaway Hostel to stay in. Another moderately inexpensive and well-rated stay option is Ray’s Bucktown Bed and Breakfast.

Getting Around

Chicago’s public transport system is not the best but is good enough—better than most in the United States. To travel around, consider purchasing any one of the Unlimited CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) ride passes available for 1-day, 3-day, 7-day or 30-day which are valid on both trains and buses. The electronic fare payment system used is called Ventra. You can get a pass right at the airport. More information here.

Things to Do

There is so much to do for introverts in Chicago you’ll be spoilt for choice. Spend a morning in the company of cute cavorting animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo, watch a movie at Music Box Theatre, and admire the plants at Garfield’s Conservatory or the gorgeous paintings at the Chicago Art Museum.

Check my detailed blog post on Chicago for introverts. It is an easy three-day itinerary which I’ve done myself and enjoyed immensely without feeling rushed.

USA Solo without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveler Cafe Lola
In the charming Southport Ave

Recommended tours

Chicago Greeters

Chicago Greeters is a free program that pairs you with a Chicago local who takes you around certain sections of the city for 3-4 hours. Expect to be shown a mix of touristy sights and regaled with personal anecdotes. I had a great time with Josh who took care to outline the itinerary before we met and took my interests into account. We spent an awesome day roaming around Chicago – starting with the Chicago Cultural Centre, moving to Millennium Park, the Fine Arts Building (and its fab bookstore), and going from one to the next open-air masterpiece. He also introduced me to the Chicano deep-fried pizza which we devoured together. Beats eating alone.

USA Solo without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveler Chicago Riverwalk
The impressive buildings around the Chicago Riverwalk

Free Tours on Foot

Free Tours on Foot is a pay-as-you-like tour. It runs daily tours with various themes during the summer months and fewer tours in winter. Their most famous tour is the Chicago Architecture Tour in which the guide will lead you along the Chicago Riverwalk and tell you about the genesis and significance of the industrial landscape. I took the Pedway tour which moved through Chicago’s series of indoor tunnels, bridges, and paths in the downtown loop and thus, I was happily protected from the cold winds outside. The tour covered a lot about the city too; it was not just about the Pedway System. It was a fun way to see the city.

The Chicago Cultural Centre Tour

The Chicago Cultural Centre, which opened in 1897, is a Chicago Landmark building. It is the city’s official reception venue for the Mayor of Chicago. The centre offers free building tours that take place year-round on Thursdays and Fridays at 1:15 PM. It is worthwhile spending some time here to just gawk at the magnificent Tiffany glass dome, the World’s largest. The tour also talks a lot about Chicago and its history. It’s a good way to orient oneself at the start of the trip.

USA Solo without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveler Chicago Cultural Centre
Inside the Chicago Cultural Centre

USA Solo without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo Traveller. Now to Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS

About

The most populous city in the state of Nevada, Las Vegas, or simply Vegas, is home to everything decadent: gambling, shopping, drinking, gluttony, you name it. When you think of Vegas, you immediately think of gambling, and yes, as soon as you land at the airport you’re welcomed by a dazzling array of slot machines, but gambling is merely the tip of the iceberg. Enter the Wynn, Mandalay, or Bellagio, and you have so much to do! There are themed parks, a variety of restaurants (the best in the world!), shopping, hourly shows (the Bellagio fountain, the Circus Circus Act, the Silverton Hotel Aquarium, Fall of Atlantis at Caesar’s Palace) or just marvel at the creations at the Venetian—replete with gondolas and gondoliers, and a cloudy blue sky. My head reeled at the mind-boggling replicas which seemed to me simultaneously cheesy and magnificent. Not to mention the dazzling neon lights which seeped into my every pore, blinding me even as I panic-shut my eyes. And never have I ever seen so many stretch limos! I did not even know they made them in so many colours.

Vegas, my friend, is quite something else. As an introvert, I was taken aback at first and then learned to dispassionately marvel at the bizarre animal that was in front of me. It takes some getting used to.

Things to do for the introvert

  • Things to do in the New Strip
    • Watch a Cirque du Soleil show: Believe me, it is totally worth the price and the hype. I watched Ka at MGM Grand which was mind-blowing. Other options are O (At Bellagio) and Mystere (At Treasure Island). The good seats cost upwards of USD 100.
    • Shop: All the hotels have several shops—ranging from upscale, affordable, and quirky. The Fashion Mall and Miracle Mile are the other standalone shopping options
    • Eat city-themed food: In Paris Las Vegas for example I had the most delicious crepes at La Creperie. Each hotel has restaurants matching the theme of the hotel but also wildly popular ones such as Hell’s Kitchen (at Caesar’s Palace), Bazaar Meat (The Sahara) and Michael Mina (Bellagio)
    • Watch the hourly shows. For example, do not miss the Bellagio Fountain Show or the Circus Circus hourly act. List of free shows and attractions here.
    • People Watch: Really, it is so much fun. Vegas attracts all sorts of people.
    • Try the roulette. Avoid the slots—I never got the hang of it. Watch what others are doing first and join in for a bit
  •  How to get from one resort to another: It is hard. You’ll find it challenging to cover more than two resorts in a day; they’re just so enormous and overwhelming, and the resorts are quite some distance from one another. I tried to cover the resorts which were next to each other, so I did Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace, Bally’s, Planet Hollywood and Paris Las Vegas. Another day I went to Venetian, Treasure Island and Wynn. Check out the map below to choose your clusters.
    USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller Las vegas map
    Las Vegas Hotels Map
USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller
Outside Bellagio
USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller Paris Las Vegas
Inside the Paris LV WC trying to capture the grandeur
  • Alternately, you can use the Las Vegas Monorail. It runs from 7 am to 2 am most days, starting from Sahara Station and ending at MGM Grand.
  • Fremont Street Experience at Downtown Vegas: I admit, I enjoyed Fremont Street more than I did the New Strip. It was all in one place, more welcoming, and less overwhelming. Fremont Street is essentially Vegas Downtown, the original Vegas, dating back to 1905 when Las Vegas was founded. The Street had Las Vegas’ first hotel (the Hotel Nevada in 1906, present-day Golden Gate), the first telephone (1907), the first paved street (1925), and the first Nevada gaming license. The western end of Fremont Street was the representative scene for Las Vegas that was included in virtually every television show and movie that wanted to depict the glittery lights of Las Vegas. The abundance of neon signs earned the street the nickname Glitter Gulch. Today the Old Strip has been transformed into the Fremont Street Experience which is a pedestrian mall with food, drinks, shopping, gambling, free concerts, and even a SlotZilla zip line! The central attraction is the huge barrel vault canopy which hosts the world’s largest video screen (1,500 feet long and 90 feet wide).

USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller Fremont Street Vegas

How to go

I briefly considered taking a looong but what promised to be an interesting train journey from Chicago to Las Vegas (Look for California Zephyr under the Sacramento section below) but ultimately took a flight from Chicago.

I took Spirit Airlines, which though panned by friends and travellers, did reasonably well by me. I took two of their flights (Chicago-Las Vegas and Las Vegas-Los Angeles. The latter was delayed by 4 hours). They offer the cheapest fares (but do check with full-fare rivals such as United and Southwest who have luggage fees included) and have flights plying at various times during the day. Just keep the following in mind while taking Spirit Airlines:

  • Pre-pay for extra luggage. The standard fare is applicable only for a free carry-on which is the size of a normal college backpack. If you have anything bigger, you’ll need to pay an extra fee which is cheaper if you prepay online
  • Do not pre-pay to select a seat. Go for auto check-in which triggers an auto seat-select. Both times I did that I was allocated excellent seats. Thus, there is no need to pay extra to seat-select
  • Flights get frequently delayed. Therefore, do not plan a neck-to-neck itinerary or connecting flights on the same day. Keep some buffer. And check for any delays before leaving for the airport
  • Download the app and check in online

Where to stay

You can get really good last-minute deals on Vegas hotels on Hotwire.com. It would make sense to stay inside a hotel if you’re planning to spend time at the hotel’s casino. Room costs range upwards of USD 200 for the premium resorts. The Strat, Circus Circus and Excalibur are cheaper options in the New Strip. You can also opt to stay in the Old Strip (USD 10-15 Lyft ride away). Room costs hover around USD 100. Golden Nugget is a good option in the Old Strip.

Recommended tours

Fun Las Vegas: I was looking for a tour that covered a lot of ground in one day. There are so many places to visit near Vegas. On my long list were the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Death Valley, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Joshua Tree National Parks. I was looking to combine a few in a single trip. In the end, Fun Las Vegas gave me the perfect option of combining Horseshoe Bend, Grand Canyon, and Antelope Canyon. It was a small group tour which did a fantastic job of showing all the places efficiently. It never felt too much. And all the sights were WOW.

Tour cost: USD 285. Pick up: 1:30 AM and ends at 6 PM. There is a lot of driving but you simply catch up on your sleep. There are plenty of bathroom breaks and the van is super comfortable. It was a great trip.

USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller Antelope Canyon X
Antelope Canyon X
USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller Grand Canyon
At the Grand Canyon
USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller Horseshoe bend
Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River

A visit to Hoover Dam is another activity that is a must-do. Hoover Dam is a concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the U.S. states of Nevada and Arizona. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression. Many movies have been shot here such as Transformers (2007), Superman (1978), San Andreas (2015), and Into the Wild (2007).  Hoover Dam is located only an hour away from Vegas and is easy to visit. Use this Small Group Tour to get the best out of your visit.

USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam

USA Solo without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo Traveller. Now to LA.

LOS ANGELES

About

Located in Southern California, Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the US and California’s most populous city (with 17 million people!). Known simply as LA most times, it is the centre of the country’s film and television industry. LA is a sprawling city, spread across several districts and impossible to see without a car or a bus tour. Its most well-known neighbourhoods are Beverly Hills, Downtown, Hollywood, Long Beach, Melrose, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Universal City.

How to go

I took a Spirit Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. However, it takes only about 3-4 hours by road. You can take a Greyhound or Flixbus to get there.
728x90 - Los Angeles to Las Vegas

Where to stay

Samesun Hostel at Hollywood Boulevard was central, among the thick of things. The hostel was also fantastic with excellent amenities. Staying at a place for under USD 30 a bed in LA is not something you will find easily. And next of all, if you stay on Hollywood Boulevard, you can spend a lot of time checking out the iconic locations around.

Recommended tours

A Day in LA Tours: I had very little time in Los Angeles and there was so much ground to cover. The tour I took was fabulous and helped me do so much in a day. I recommend that you do something similar. Book early. They sell out fast. And let me tell you, LA is huge and it takes time to go from one side to the other. In the end, I realized even a few days wouldn’t be enough to get to this city. Not only is it huge, but there’s just so much contemporary history on every lane, every house, literally on every turn. It was utter madness. The grungy Melrose Avenue and Venice Beach turned out to be my favourite of all the stops. Melrose Avenue is next to the lovely LA Farmer’s Market (it’s the first in the world) in the Fairfax district. Tour cost: USD 105. Starts at 9 AM (post picks-ups) and ends at 6 PM.

USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller Beverly Hills
At Beverly Hills
USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller Santa Monica Pier
At Santa Monica Pier

Other fun things to do

  • Watch a movie at El Capitan on Hollywood Boulevard. The theatre and adjacent Hollywood Masonic Temple are owned by The Walt Disney Company and serve as the venue for a majority of the Walt Disney Studios’ film premieres.
  • Watch a movie at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre (also called Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and operating since 1927) on Hollywood Boulevard. All the major movie premieres are held here. You can also take a tour of the interiors and admire the Forecourt of the Stars, with nearly 200 celebrity handprints, footprints, and autographs immortalized in the concrete outside. The TCL Chinese Theatre boasts the single largest IMAX auditorium in the world and the third-largest commercial movie screen in North America.
  • There are other great theatres you can watch a movie at as well. I mean you are in LA! Might as well watch a movie here
  • Go to Disneyland
  • Go to Universal Studios.

 

USA Solo without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo Traveller. Now to Sacramento

SACRAMENTO

About

Sacramento is the quiet unassuming capital of the State of California, the seat of the California Legislature and the Governor of California. It is the sixth-largest city in California and the ninth-largest capital in the United States. Believe me, when I say, many long-timers of California haven’t been here either. I wanted to take a breather between my whirlwind travels, and this turned out to be the perfect place. The city is quaint, cosy, and slow-paced, just what I needed.

How to go

Here I want to side-track a little and talk of two Amtrak journeys I’ve been lusting after for ages, one of which I could successfully take. These are long long journeys, but if plan them well, totally worth it.

California Coast Starlight: This train runs along the coast daily between Los Angeles and Seattle, and takes 35 hours end to end. It has about 28 stops in between. I took this train from Los Angeles Union Station (A gorgeous station, by the way) to Sacramento Valley. Cost me USD 61 and every penny was well worth it. ​The morning half of the day-long trip was eased by watching the Pacific Ocean in all its glory. Holidaying families, excitable waving children, surfers, summer cottages, lush fields, flowers, seagulls, and a bright sun; they were all there. The rest of the time it was rolling fields, farms, grazing animals, and majestic mountains. Not a moment of boredom. Stock up on food, drinks and a good book and make it a picnic. The train has an excellent cafe as well as a sightseer’s lounge. ​There’s no WiFi though, so half the time I struggled to know which incredible place I was at. Link to the train. Pro tip: Take the upper berth on the left side of the direction of the train’s journey for ocean views.

California Zephyr: I toyed with the idea of taking this iconic train between Chicago and Las Vegas but gave up last minute when the journey appeared just too long (38 hours) for me to be in coach on a train. From end to end, this train runs from Chicago to Emeryville (San Francisco) which is a 51-hour journey. You can do this trip with stops and upgrade to a Roomette for more comfort if the budget allows. Scenic highlights include the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevadas, Moffat Tunnel, Colorado’s Gore, Byers and Glenwood Canyons, Winter Park, Truckee River, Donner Lake, San Pablo Bay and the Carquinez Strait. Link to more on the train.

My Amtrak Coast Starlight train was before schedule, the attendants were beyond nice, I had so much leg space, the toilets were sparkling clean, and the café served the most delicious food. It was perfect in every way.

USA Solo without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveler Amtrak Coast Starlight
Amtrak Coast Starlight’s sightseer lounge

The Amtrak website is here. The next time I might get the California Rail Pass. Sounds interesting.

Recommended tours

 

Inside the City

In 1848, when gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill on the Sacramento River, Sacramento became a Gold Rush hub. Old Sacramento State Historic Park still retains many 19th-century brick buildings and will transport you to how things must have looked during the Gold Rush Era. It is easy enough to walk around yourself. On weekends, there are also a surprising number of residents out with their vintage cars. What’s up with that?

Next, walk over to the Sacramento Waterfront and hang around in one of the many waterfront restaurants, bars, cafes and stores. Note Delta King – a historic riverboat that once shuttled travellers from Sacramento. It is now a waterfront hotel and restaurant.

USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller
Old Sacramento – By the waterfront
USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller Sacramento bridge
Sacramento’s Tower Bridge
USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller
You can take pony rides in Old Sacramento

The California State Railroad Museum is a great place to spend a couple of hours learning about the history and evolution of rail transport in California. Timings: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fee: $12 for adults, $6 for youths, and free for children five and under.

The California State Capitol is the seat of the Government of California. Join the State Capitol Park and Museum’s free tours which will tell you about the architecture, history, and development of the Capitol over 150 years of its existence.

USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller Sacramento Capitol Building
At California’s State Capitol Building

Day Trips

Just 2-4 hours from the city are magnificent lakes and viewpoints. Donner Lake is a freshwater lake on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada about 1:30 hours (98 miles, 158 km) from Sacramento. The historic route of the Lincoln Highway, the first automobile road across America and US 40 follows the northern shoreline, then climbs to Donner Pass from where one can see the entire lake. The lake and the pass were named after the ill-fated Donner Party, which on the way to Sacramento during the California Gold Rush was trapped in a snowstorm and starved to death. Lake Tahoe is about 2 hours away (113 miles, 181 km) from Sacramento. Greyhound runs buses along the route after which you will need to take the TLR (Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit). Use the TLR link to plan your trip.

USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller Donner Lake
At Donner Lake

Where to stay

The Holiday Inn has a river view but is pricey (~USD200). Rodeway Inn is a cheaper option (~USD 100).

USA Solo without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo Traveller. Now to San Fransisco

SAN FRANCISCO

About

San Francisco was the reason I was taking this trip in the first place. The idea was to visit my friends living here and see what all the fuss was about. It was my favourite of all the places I visited on the West Coast. Worth the hype. So many young people, so much energy, and a true melting pot of dreams and cultures. Located in Northern California, San Francisco is the 17th most populous city in the United States, and the fourth most populous in California, with over 800,000 residents. It is not a large city: it is only about 7 miles wide and 7 miles long. It is called Hill City because it is built on 50 hills! There is a lot of up-and-down walking for sure, especially around Cow Hollow and Lombard Hill, two of my favourite parts of town. The city is home to more than 200 historic landmark buildings, 11 historical districts and 14,000 Victorian homes. The median household income in San Francisco is $98,710 — around 63% more than the national median household income of $60,336 (source: Business Insider). Tourism is its biggest money grosser followed by manufacturing and IT. The who’s who among software companies have their headquarters in SFO or near-about in Palo Alto.

USA Solo without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo travel Golden Gate Bridge
At SFO’s Golden Gate Bridge

What was disturbing to me was the number of homeless I saw in the city, especially pitched next to the city hall. The homeless don’t hassle you, yet it’s disconcerting to see.

How to go

There are several options to go from Sacramento (or other US cities) to San Francisco. San Francisco does not have an Amtrak station but you can get down at the Emeryville stop after which you will need to take an Amtrak Thruway bus to 555 Mission Street (which takes 30 min).  This journey is covered by the Amtrak ticket cost.

Direct buses run too—Flixbus and Greyhound. Airlines fly-the usual suspects.

Where to stay

Samesun Hostel is not only located in the lovely quiet and historic Lombard Street, only a 20 min walk from the piers, but it is also a modern and newish accommodation. It is sparkling clean, very quiet and has plenty of stay options. I opted for the 4-bed hybrid dorm and was pleased. It was cleaned every day, my roommates were quiet, and the amenities were great. I was prepared to upgrade to the queen room option (which they have too) and I found no reason to do so. Highly recommend. It came at USD 35 a night per bed in the 4-bed mixed dorm.

For a more upscale choice, look at Hotel Griffon.

 

Recommended tours


—San Francisco can be experienced through some truly fun and unique tours—


Big Bus San Francisco: I am not normally a Big Bus fan—I prefer walking tours—but in SFO, Big Bus is the way to go. If you don’t know the format of Big Bus, let me explain. It is a hop-on hop-off bus which runs a certain route throughout the day. Several buses run the route throughout the day, so you can get off in a place of your choice, and get up the bus again once you’re done seeing it. They provide earphones and give you city trivia as they take you along the roads.

My tips for taking an effective Big Bus tour in San Francisco are:

  • Take the “two days and one-night” tour ticket (the Deluxe Ticket) which I thought was value for money (It cost about USD 65)
  • Go to the main office at Pier 41 to get a discount. They usually give 15-20% on the listed ticket price and more if it’s a big group. Do not buy online or through an agent
  • Queue at least 30 minutes before departure time if you want a good spot on the bus, which is usually upstairs (It is a double-decker bus)
  • Take the full circuit this first time without getting off and then get off the bus the second time around
  • Download the app to see where the bus is at any moment. Like me, you do not want to get lost and struggle to locate where the bus dropped you off. The app is quite buggy though, but the photos of the stop locations helped
  • Lastly, when they tell you it gets windy on the Golden Gate Bridge, it gets REALLY windy. Do not think they’re exaggerating. My hat almost flew off
  • Stops I recommend getting off at and can be done together i.e. get down at one walk to the next and get the bus from there: (1) North Beach and China Town (2) Haight Ashbury – Painted Ladies – Golden Gate Park (3) Pier 39 which is also a good place to have lunch, buy souvenirs, ogle at the sea lions, and get your first glimpse of Alcatraz, and (4) Lombard street (where I also stayed)
  • The walking tour of Chinatown was suspended during Covid. This is usually free with the Deluxe ticket
  • There was an option to select a Blazing Saddles bike hire or admission to the USS Pampanito (a World War II submarine) with my ticket. I chose the latter which was an enjoyable experience. The options may vary from time to time
  • The night tour starts at a fixed time (6:30 PM) and is provided only in English. There is no hop on hop off.
USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller San Fransisco streets
San Fransisco streets

Alcatraz tour: Okay, I’ll be honest, I thought this was a bit hyped. Apparently, tickets get sold out months in advance and a visit to Alcatraz was to die for. It was an interesting enough visit—what with the prison island being in the middle of the sea—but it did not blow my mind. Buy the tickets directly from the website Alcatraz City Cruises. Do not use an agent. I paid USD 48 for the night tour. The tour starts from Pier 33 and queues start at least 30 minutes before.

USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveller Alactraz
Alcatraz from Pier 39

Must eat

Sourdough Clam Chowder at Boudin

When travelling solo I am not one to seek out delicacies or eat at a restaurant but I could not pass up the opportunity to have the famous San Francisco clam chowder which is basically a creamy clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl. Its creator Boudin Bakery has several outlets across the city. I ate in the Fisherman’s Wharf outlet. It was as good as promised.

Another one to try along Fishermen’s Wharf is In-N-Out Burgers. Delicious and filling! But the queues can get long!

US solo itinerary no car sourdough clam chowder
Sourdough Clam Chowder

Classic Hot Fudge Sundae at Ghirardelli

Ghirardelli is another San Francisco institution one should not miss. It is two scoops of vanilla ice cream blended with ice and handmade hot fudge and topped with semisweet chocolate. My sweet tooth and I had a heady party. Worth every cent of the 12 dollars I paid. But the place gets crowded, especially on a good weather day.

Day Trips

Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is one of America’s prettiest national parks, just hours away from San Francisco, in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. Points of interest are the Bridalveil Fall, the towering granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome, and the giant centuries-old sequoia trees. The best time to visit Yosemite is spring when the snow is melting and the waterfalls are lush with water.

I visited Yosemite on this fantastic tour. It cost me USD 180 and the tour spans about 12 hours with about 5-6 hours in the park itself; enough to give one a teaser but perhaps, not enough to enjoy its true beauty and take a few hikes. We did spend some time (and it was fun) catching rock climbers on El Capitan through a telescope. The short hike to see the giant sequoias (though they are very few) was cool too. The tour packs in a lot and is well worth the price.

If you want to reach here yourself without a tour bus or a car, you can first take an Amtrak (bus + train) to reach the city of Merced, and then take a YARTS bus that runs from Merced to Yosemite. After that, you can use the free shuttle buses to get around Yosemite Valley. Greyhound and Extranomical can arrange transportation to certain hotels. You can stay overnight at the Yosemite Valley Lodge. There are also hostels such as The Bug in Midpines which is also a stop on that YARTS route. The Ahwahnee is another good (albeit expensive) hotel option.

For a day-long visit and with only a few hours in hand, you could probably do the Bridalveil Fall hike, the Mirror Lake and Tenaya Canyon trail, or the Lower Yosemite Falls trail. Check out the most common hikes in Yosemite.

USA Travel without a Car Yosemite - falls| Itinerary for the Solo traveller
Yosemite – Falls

Napa Valley

Napa Valley can be done on a tour (such as this on Viator). A tour would cost you around USD 150 and would include a visit to three wineries and a wine tasting.

Muir Woods

A visit to Muir Woods can be done through a tour (such as this on Viator)
Los Angeles

 

My Recommended Travel Sites
This is how I plan all my trips quickly, efficiently, and economically. Below are my go-to recommended travel planning sites.
  • First, I go to TripAdvisor and check out top things to do, top places, and experiences. I use this to make a rough itinerary.
  • From TripAdvisor I often go to Viator to book day tours. I love their user friendly platform and flexible cancellation policies. Compare their offers with GetYourGuide, which is great too.
  • I book my accommodations in Booking because of their flexibility and that the bookings are easily cancellable. The mobile app is great and the genius discounts are on point.
  • I recommend getting the Priority Pass. It gives you access to airport lounges and has helped me through many long waits. It’s definitely well worth the money.
  • And I am literally always on Skyscanner. I get to see the best airfares, and the airline / third party providers offering them. Try the “From: origin city” to “To: Everywhere” option to ignite your imagination on where to travel to next.

2 thoughts on “USA Travel without a Car | Itinerary for the Solo traveler”

  1.  
  2. Hi Smita!
    I am planning on going on a solo trip to the US for 10 days in November without a car. I chanced upon your post here and this is exactly what i’m looking for! Thank you for sharing this, it is really helpful (:
    Do you happen to have a day-by-day breakdown of the itinerary and cost of your trip? Will you be able to share with me if possible? Once again I really appreciate your help here and hope to visit these amazing attractions as you did.

    Cheers,
    Kylie

    1. Hi Kylie
      Glad to be of help:)
      I don’t have a day by day itinerary, whatever I did in the city – I have tried to capture in the blog. In most of the cities, I stayed with friends and family (which saved me a lot of money – but there are viable and cheap alternatives I’ve given – hotels I’ve checked out), and in some (like SFO, LA) I stayed in city-center hostels. I am very thrifty and I wouldn’t have spent more than 80-100 dollars a day even when I stayed in a hostel (dorms were around USD30/night). I buy takeaways from 7/11 or equivalent. Took bus passes or walked. The only real large expenses were the tours: To Yosemite, Grand Canyon, etc. but they were every bit worth it.

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