It’s funny how some people can’t believe that others don’t own cars. A former GF has a friend who couldn’t believe that I don’t own one. He just couldn’t wrap his head around it. He also couldn’t believe that I rent, I’ve never been married, and I don’t have kids.
In his world, those things are just not done.
Another thing to consider, many if not all of them are going to require photo ID before they let you board.
Yep - nobody walks in L.A. There was a song about it, even. 
tdn, so apparently, you’re the male version of me? I rent, don’t want to get married or have kids or own a car. Do you also happen to have a few cats?
percypercy, I assume you’re talking about airlines and drivers licenses? I have a State ID, issued to non-drivers for the express purpose of being official identification.
To be fair, this doesn’t really have anything to do with California. It has to do with urban vs rural. You could easily vacation in the Bay Area or LA without a car, but Solvang is pretty damned rural. Wouldn’t you have the same problems if you wanted to go to upstate New York for a weekend (and decided to stay in a hotel 8 miles away from an important location)?
No cats, either.
It’s funny, a few months ago I was taking to a woman who has a car and condo, but whose dream it is to someday move into the city, rent, and take the bus.
Actually IME most places off of train/bus routes in the state of NY plan for this kind of thing and have shuttle buses and cabs specifically because of those of us who live in NYC and don’t own cars visiting their part of the state. I went camping upstate last year (it was a horrible experience…from now on camping involves staying in a hotel) and the campgrounds had a special bus that would come out to the train station and pick up everyone going camping that day.
Eep. Yeah. There are some very expensive taxi rides in your future, sorry to say.
Yes, I left that word out of my first post. But like you’re getting, a photo ID doesn’t have to be a DL. I think those photo ID’s are only available in some states.
Time to try on TB’s “breezy” blase attitude on for size, OP. If worse comes to worse and you wind up not making it to the wedding in the end - so what? That’s TB’s problem, not yours.
Don’t shell out for a cab, IMO. Someone else attending the wedding can no doubt give you both a lift.
You have 2 days left to get a DL–is that not enough time there in NY? Here in MO you can take the test and get your license issued to you the same day.
I just want to emphasize, while it’s a lovely area, it really really really isn’t one to not have a vehicle. Shit is spread out. Spread out and hilly. BEAUTIFUL- stunningly so, but not walking in fancy clothes friendly.
Change your focus
Take it as a adventure trip, instead of attending the wedding trip. The goal is to have fun, see new things, if you make the wedding or not is not important, having fun together in this new place is.
Totally back away from any planning, you are going to CA to see what happens and have fun no matter where you are. It might be a lot more fun if/when you both realize that there is no way you will make it and decide to spend the day at the beach (or wherever you are).
Since I had no idea if this was possible or not, I just did a quick Google check. The NYC DMV says normal wait for a driving test appointment is three to five weeks, but in peak months can be as many as ten weeks.
I have just explained my mounting panic to TB and told him he needs to start calling/email/texting around looking for rides immediately. He agreed to do so.
ETA: But that is it for me. Because this is Not My Problem.
Yeah, you can’t get by without a car in Southern California. At all. I know a few people who don’t have licenses, but they have SOs that drive.
Solvang, however, is beautiful and fun to walk through and shop. And there’s GOOD food. If I didn’t have things I have to do this weekend, I’d volunteer to be your chauffeur.
Montreal is a great place to live without a car and consequently I don’t have one.
For me, the problem arises because other than a driver’s licence, there is not a single piece of government-issued ID in Quebec for the general public that has one’s address on it. Consequently, any time I have to do something that requires proof of address, I have to haul around a bill or something of the kind that includes my address.
During the last federal election, for instance, there were lots of people who were unable to vote because they didn’t have the proof of address needed by the new requirements. Young and/or poor people, for example, often live in roommate situations and don’t receive any official letters at their home address, and a lot of people don’t receive official letters because bills and such are all done on line. Since there’s no ID with your address on it, they had nothing to prove their address.
Likewise, the only form of photo ID that I can really routinely carry is my Medicare card, which doesn’t have your address. I’m in Winnipeg visiting a sick friend right now, and I was startled to realize that I would have to carry my passport, because that’s my only other form of government-issued photo ID.
(There are a few other forms of government-issued photo ID, such as an Indian status card, a military ID, or a citizenship or permanent residency card, but none of those are applicable in my case.)
I once wrote to the Quebec government about the idea of providing a non-driver ID card like they have in several US states, with the same info as a driver’s licence but just not one. They cited cost as a reason for not doing so. sigh
Saskatchewan has provincial ID, too, known as the Bar Card (used for proof of age to go drinking).
I don’t know what the requirements are in New York, but in my state you have to be insured in order to get your license. And for new drivers the cost can be astronomical, even if you’re not a teenager. Where I live I think its about $600 to $1,000 every six months for insurance if you’re a new driver. I can imagine that being a big problem for some people.
WI driver’s licenses expire in 8 years. You can also get an ID card if you don’t want/need a driver’s license.
I haven’t had a car in 10 years. I still have a DL and drive, though. Sometimes I have to get out to the 'burbs and it’s a lot easier to have access to an iGo car so I can just grab the car and go, rather than arrange for rides once the train drops me off in BFE. I drive maybe 4-5 times a year any more.
NYC has carsharing, too. TB needs to get that license renewed so you two can get a membership. It’s nice to take big shopping trips for stocking up and furniture sometimes!
OP - I’m on the boat with the others voting to leave it to TB. Keep a book or two with you at all times so you can just break one out and read if you land in a spot where you’ll be stuck for a while. Leave it to him. The last thing you want is for him and his buddy to remember the weekend as the one where the TG kept having meltdowns. Do some deep breathing, and have a beverage whenever possible!