Ask Lonely Planet: Hunt for a cheap stay on the Bay

Pre-booking accommodation in San Francisco is advisable. Photo / SF Convention & Visitors Bureau

I've taken advantage of the cheap fares and booked a flight to San Francisco. Can you recommend some accommodation that's well-located, well-priced and safe?
Merrill Stanford

Hotel rates in San Francisco tend to undulate with the seasons, but finding good budget-priced accommodation isn't easy. Wherever you stay, it's always best to book in advance.

Union Square is a convenient hub, close to public transport and many major sights, though it's a bit drab. For more local colour, choose an area away from the centre, such as the Marina or Mission.

Perhaps the cheapest hotel in Union Square is the Dakota (room with shared bathroom from $133), a vintage 1920s property with basic rooms. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for ...

Stepping up a notch, the Golden Gate Hotel (room with shared bathroom $165) has friendly owners and simple rooms inside a classic 1913 Edwardian building.

Over in North Beach, the lovely San Remo Hotel (room with shared bathroom from $110) is one of the best-value hotels, dating back to 1906 with heaps of old-fashioned charm. The 1930s Mediterranean-styled Marina Motel has a lovely courtyard and a great location on Lombard St (rooms from $180) . Nearby, the Coventry Motor Inn has good-quality rooms from $128.

Don't put Nob Hill out of your sights. The Nob Hill Hotel's Encore Express (rooms from $78) is specifically for budget travellers, with shared bathrooms, free wireless internet and some suites with kitchens. Over on Sutter St, the Queen Anne Hotel (rooms from $187) occupies a lovely 1890 Victorian building, with rooms featuring antiques. Finally, Mosser Hotel (rooms from $225) has style and bargain-priced rates, not far from Union Square.

LA stopover full of options
We're planning to go to the States soon and we have a 10-hour stopover in LA. What could we do while we're there?
Robert & Denise Lee

The Super Shuttle leaves from the lower arrivals level and can take you to Beverly Hills ($24), Downtown ($17), Santa Monica ($19) or Hollywood ($24). Go to toandfromtheairport.com/losangeles.html.

You could have a shopping spree along Rodeo Drive followed by lunch at Spago among the rich and famous. You could visit the Museum of Contemporary Art and a walking tour of Downtown LA.

You don't want to miss the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Bowl.

Why not head out to Griffith Park. This has an outdoor theatre, the city zoo, the Griffith Observatory, Batman's caves and the famous Hollywood sign. We can also recommend the Warner Bros tour and Universa Studio's.

First, get your motor running
My partner and I are flying to Los Angeles. We want to buy a van and do a road trip across America to New York for three months. How much should we budget per day for breakfast, lunch, dinner, petrol and accommodation in a camping ground?
Victoria Cook

The most important thing you need to do is research the pros and cons of buying and selling a vehicle while in the US. Bear in mind the red tape involved is going to seriously eat into your travel time.

It's going to be much easier if you have friends or relatives to stay with initially; you'll have an address for the registration and licence papers and a phone to use. To evaluate used car prices, check the Kelley Blue Book website and be sure to buy from a reputable car dealer.

The transfer of ownership papers must be registered with the state's Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days; you'll need the bill of sale, the title (or "pink slip") and proof of insurance.

When budgeting for your trip, allow a minimum of about $50 a day (per person) for groceries, $4.50 a gallon for petrol, and $20 per night in camping grounds and national parks. For more details about campsites, have a look at the US National Park Service website.