This is sadly accurate, since we HAVE plans for London, but they're all at the end of the trip. So flying into London in the beginning is pointless, but again goes back to saving some money. Right now, my lady friend and I are leaning towards the direct flight to Paris based now what you all have stated here, plus our own internal discussions of what is best for us.

One final question for everyone. And again, truly from the bottom of my heart, thank you all for the advice. So Air France IF I book to Brussels, saves some money. But its not a flight. Its a flight to Paris, then rail tickets to Brussels. How does that work? Can I skip using the rail tickets? Its round trip so same with coming back do I need to use them? I'm not sure how this works internationally.

There are currently 2 direct Eurostar trains from St Pancras to Amsterdam one in the morning and one in the evening that don't require a change in Brussels and these are cheaper than the eurostar / thalys combo. Not that I have anything against the change in Brussels its very painless but a direct service is better than having to change (which you have to do anyway in the reverse direction but it looks like that won't affect you)

Eurostar are introducing a late morning direct train from the 11th June. Prices currently �35 for economy and �79 for standard premier.

^ it's not a risk I would take either.

Thanks everyone for all the help. I booked last night with Air France. Booked non-stop from LAX to Paris, and then back. No trains, no London, no headaches. Had an option to fly out of London, but was told 1 hour at Charles De Gaulle was not enough to make the connecting flight home. So just decided to take the later Paris flight, and will train to Paris from London in the morning.

I think you made the more rational choice. Although a little more costly you are checking off a bucket list item!

Good plan, but keep your eyes on Brexit. If they crash out without an agreement the train could be affected with border and customs inspections. In that case you would possibly want to go the night before and get a hotel at CDG for the night before your flight home. There is no way to know what will happen so don't waste time worrying about it, just be aware so you aren't caught by surprise.

It's better to land at Heathrow first. Whereas in London the fares were cheap, Go For London first and enjoy the City. Later you can go to Paris and wander over there.
Eurostar is the best way to go from London to Paris. If you need to enjoy Paris city breaks go for travel companions like searchaholiday.co.uk, AirAsia etc.

We have a concert that night before in London. I'm not sure trains will run that late to Paris. Or do they? I haven't checked. I heard about Brexit, but I assumed come June things will be decided upon one way or the other.

As of right now, the plan is to take the first Eurostar at 5:40am out from London, to get to Paris. Our flight isn't until the early afternoon, but prices and potential oddities made us decide to try and get to Paris ASAP that morning.

With what you're telling me.....I'll see about contingency plans due to Brexit. Which again, I never thought would be an issue come June.

Britain is currently scheduled to leave the EU on March 29th, and no plan regarding their post-Brexit relationship is in place. Absent an agreement with the remaining EU, or an ad-hoc open border policy, immigration and customs inspections will have to resume. Given the involved parties' inability to come to an agreement in the nearly two years since the UK triggered the process, there's little reason to think a formal agreement will be signed by June.

Eurostar is owned and headquartered in Europe so I have no doubt they are pressing the EU and French and Belgian Governments in particular (as SNCF owns 55% and Belgian state railways 5% of Eurostar) to ensure it continue to operate normally whether there is a deal or no deal.


If necessary the French immigration officials will revert to the continent and the UK ones back to St Pancras and immigration will take place on arrival rather than departure (as per airline transport)

Over a quarter of all UK-EU trade in goods goes via the tunnel so there is an imperative to sort this - just like there is with ferry traffic.

All of this brexit nonsense that is been spouted is just nonsense and will have little, if any impact on the OP who is now probably worrying unduly rather than planning their holiday.

OP shouldn't worry about the impact of Brexit on Eurostar, but should be aware of the need to check immigration and customs wait times as their travel date approaches.

That is my view, be aware but don't necessarily be alarmed at this time. Anyway here are just a few suggestions hopefully to help the OP.
9 hour time difference between LA and Paris, jet lag is unavoidable. Just try to stay up as long as you can the first day.
2 hours a day extra daylight compared to LA, it should be light till around 10pm in Paris and later in London. It allows for a lot of evening sightseeing.
June is a great time to visit, second only to September in my opinion, but Northern Europe is wet, be ready for rain. The difference is that the rain is usually light compared to rain in the US so people just go about their business more or less as usual. Have a good lightweight rain jacket and a small umbrella, you can go anywhere and do anything.
I highly recommend the Eyewitness Travel Top Ten guide books. They are light, easy to carry in your pocket, cheap and filled with useful information.