SFMM and Knotts Berry Farm ??

Ok, so since there's this possibility of Magic Mountain closing, my girlfriend and I are trying to figure out if there's a way that we can get out to California to hit the park. We also figured that since we're going to be there, we may as well use our CP season pass and go to KBF. According to Mapquest, these two parks are about an hour apart. What are the chances of there being a hotel somewhere in the middle that offers a shuttle service to both parks? Both of us are under 25, so it makes renting a car more difficult (and extremely expensive, I might add). Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Dude...sorry to say but with 60 miles and about 90 mins of city driving between both parks...on a good day...the odds of finding a hotel with shuttles to both parks is a tough order but not totally impossible. I would think your best bets are going to be hotels near major airports but I am unable to offer any info.

Here's what I would suggest in this case: find a travel agent [your local automobile club is a good place to start] and ask the agent to find a hotel for you. As someone who has worked in the travel industry for some time [I work for a travel magazine for travel agents] I can attest that travel agents have many sources at their fingertips that we consumers do not. Yes, you may have to pay a small fee but given your unique circumstances it is worth it.

Good luck! If worse comes to worse save Knotts[which, BTW, is near the Disney Resort] for another trip. That park ain't going anywhere ;)

*** Edited 6/24/2006 8:11:51 PM UTC by Mamoosh***

It's about a two hour drive between the Mountain and Knott's. It's unlikely, but go with Mamoosh's suggestion. You'd have to have a travel agent do it for you. Your best bet is to find one around East Los Angeles or Alahambra. That's about in the middle. Good luck.

I'm sure you could find a shuttle service (for a fee) from LAX to Santa Clarita and/or SFMM. I know there are shuttles (again, not free) from LAX to Disney/Knotts.

Burbank airport is actually the closest to SFMM. About 20 miles, I think. LAX is usually cheaper, but you might save some money on shuttle costs. Unfortunately, I don't know of a hotel near SFMM that offers shuttle service into the park.

I've been told that Enterprise Rent-a-car does not charge an "under 25" premium if you get a car at a non-airport location. You may want to poke around their website to see if you can find a pick-up location within a cab ride away from the airport.

If you do go to a travel agent, make sure you find one that actually knows LA. I've met many travelers that ended up miles away from their expected location or in a less than desirable area.

^As for the "under 25 Premium" not being used at locations outside of the airport., It's untrue. I used to work in the rental car industry and all of the one's I worked for (Enterprise, CarTemps USA,Hertz, And Alamo) charge a premium for under 25 and sometimes for under 27 regardless of location. The only time they do not is if your insurance company is paying for the rental (i.e. if your vehicle is being repaired due to an accident) but this is the only time that I've seen this.

I went to LA in March and we used Enterprise. Its "Under 25" premium is not non-exsistenet, but it was very low. I think it was under $10 per day. Plus, they messed up and charged us $100 less than what we were quoted for our 8 day rental. Enterprise has a shuttle from the airport to a pickup location less than 2 miles away.

And if you are thinking of going to Knotts, I suggest driving a few miles down the road and checking out Disney instead if you haven't been there.

You have to get a car if you come to Los Angeles to do what you want to do. It's possible to come spend several days on property at Disney and not have a car, but you're not going to find a hotel half-way between the two parks with shuttles. In fact, very few hotels have shuttles to Six Flags, except those around the immediate park.

Rent a car. There are a number of rental car companies that will rent to under 25.

One last thing. There are lot of undesirable neighborhoods in the middle between Valencia and Buena Park. Trying to pick a half way point could put you in the wrong spot.

Check these guys out, http://www.atwestrentacar.com/

Not sure if you are over the age of 21, but I am not and am traveling to California to visit Knotts and SFMM in July. The rates arn't too extremely bad.

Has anyone had any experience with this company?