On your way to Monteray, make a stop in Pismo Beach.
A small town with a lot of charm.
San fransico.
We stayed here last year as a stopover en route to Hawaii, we stayed at the Marriott Fishermans Wharf which was very good for us as we wanted to see Pier 29 etc, and it was easy for the Alcatraz tour which was fantastic, also was very close to the cable cars that took us to Union Square. We did the Yosemite Tour which again we loved but it was in March and due to the snow we couldnt do the redwoods.
On our return we stopped off in Los Angeles and stayed at the Viceroy in Santa Monica which was a fantastic Hotel just one block from the beach and 10 mins from Santa Monica Pier, we were able to walk along the beach to Venice beach and as it was a sunday there was loads going on.
Las Vegas,
Have stayed at the Bellagio and the Luxor and we did prefer the Luxor as there seemed more going on but of course its at the south end of the strip so we did have to get cabs or face a long walk upto the Venitian etc. You can get the monorail which is right outside. Have done the hoover dam and the grand canyon tours and think its a must if your staying in Vegas.
You're welcome [msnwink]
The Old Town trolley tour is a great way to see San Diego, hop on hop off and you can check out the places you want to return to.
If you plan to visit Hearst Castle on your costal drive you need to book in advance, when we turned up the next available tour was 3 days away!
Alcatraz would be a must for us but book in advance or you probably won't get a place on the tour and you cant just get a ferry over, they are all full!
We have walked the Grand Canyon, south and north rims and hiked down to plateau point as well....when I was younger and fitter [msnwink]
We also took the helicopter from Las Vegas and landed in the canyon but in my opinion you just don't get any impression of the size and majesty of the place, you need to be up on the rim looking down, it was very disappointing.
We have stayed at MGM and NY NY, MGM would be my preference of the 2, but I would give Excaliber a wide berth. We have stayed at Caesars and didn't feel it lived up to it's reputation but Bellagio was fantastic with a bathroom to die for !!
You will have a fantastic time, have fun[msnsmile2]
Liz
[clap]Thanks for the replies so far, I will respond to them in detail later. Some useful information already, keep it coming the more the merrier.
If you haven't been to Las Vegas before, don't even think about staying anywhere off the Strip. You'll miss everything that Las Vegas is ... and should be!!!
It's a massive place. You can easily spend an hour getting from one side to the other, more if the traffic is bad ... and it often is.
If you stay about central on the Strip you'll soon get the hang of getting north and south using the assorted monorails, conveyor belts and little cut-throughs. If you're there in August you'll also find out that you want to be getting back in the air conditioning at every possible opportunity.
My own personal recommendation - look at The Mirage. It's a beautiful place to stay. Not quite in the league of Bellagio, The Venetian or Wynn but in terms of value for money I still think you struggle to beat it. I haven't stayed at Paris (mentioned earlier) but it's always looked nice whenever I've been through there; as has Ballys. Caesars Palace is great, but for my money I'd sooner stay next door at The Mirage and just get the conveyors into Caesars. If you want to look a bit more budget, take a look at the Monte Carlo, where I've had many a great stay. If you don't mind the theming, Treasure Island is worth a look as well. Don't be too put off by the theming - it's not too intrusive when you are staying there.
What to see? OMG! See everything!! See Cirque du Soleil (take your pick). Watch the Volcano erupt at The Mirage. Watch the fountains at Bellagio (I love those fountains!!) Grab an evening flight in a helicopter up and down the Strip. If Penn and Teller are in town don't miss them - they're usually at the Rio when they are on. Even if you aren't staying there, the reception area at Bellagio is spectacular. There's a great little piano bar just across from it that does fantastic margaritas and mojitos. Wander through the Forum Shoppes on the way in to Caesars, and then spend an hour trying to find your way out.
If you want to play some blackjack while you are there, learn the Basic Strategy before you go. You'll still lose, but you'll lose gracefully and come away having had a great night's entertainment. Same for [bad language filtered out]s.
If you want somewhere good to eat, head for the brew pub at the Monte Carlo. The chicken wings are to die for and the beer is great. They often have some great bands on there too. The buffets are fantastic but IMHO are now getting a tad expensive. You can only eat so much after all. But you should experience at least one of them. If you're staying at The Mirage, The Roasted Bean does fantastic coffee and cakes.
Personally, I'd give the Grand Canyon a miss. I know that sounds like sacrilege but unless you fly there it's a hugely long day and you won't get very long at all at the canyon itself. It's also such a massive thing that if you are a bit rushed it's a little difficult to take in the full grandeur of it. If you want a canyon and countryside experience, treat this trip as a bit of a fact finder for Las Vegas and then come back asking about Utah ... fly to Salt Lake and then drive Salt Lake -> Moab (Arches and Canyonlands) -> Mt. Carmel Jn (Bryce and Zion) -> Grand Canyon -> Las Vegas. By then you'll know the full SP for Las Vegas and can put together another amazing trip out that way.
Oh boy - what a simply beautiful part of the world you are heading for. Enjoy every minute of it! [msnsmile2]
Steve
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Snapper
Personally, I'd give the Grand Canyon a miss. I know that sounds like sacrilege but unless you fly there it's a hugely long day and you won't get very long at all at the canyon itself. It's also such a massive thing that if you are a bit rushed it's a little difficult to take in the full grandeur of it. If you want a canyon and countryside experience, treat this trip as a bit of a fact finder for Las Vegas and then come back asking about Utah ... fly to Salt Lake and then drive Salt Lake -> Moab (Arches and Canyonlands) -> Mt. Carmel Jn (Bryce and Zion) -> Grand Canyon -> Las Vegas. By then you'll know the full SP for Las Vegas and can put together another amazing trip out that way.
Oh boy - what a simply beautiful part of the world you are heading for. Enjoy every minute of it! [msnsmile2]
[/quote]
You are a man after my own heart Steve!
One day we must get together and compare notes[msnwink]
Liz
Eddie McStiffs at Moab it is then Liz - nachos and burritos are on me. Oooo - or the beer and cheese soup at the Moab Brewery with one or two of the microbrews. Mmmmmmmmm. [msnsmile2][msnsmile2]
Steve
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Snapper
Eddie McStiffs at Moab it is then Liz - nachos and burritos are on me. Oooo - or the beer and cheese soup at the Moab Brewery with one or two of the microbrews. Mmmmmmmmm. [msnsmile2][msnsmile2]
[/quote]
I left my handbag in Eddie McStiffs slung over the back of my chair. Hubby had to run all the way back in 106 degrees heat[msnembarrased]
Fortunately it was exactly where I had left it!![msnwink]
Liz
Accommodation is now sorted out in San Francisco at the Chancellor; I got a lower per night price and a 4 nights for the price of 3 offer through Trailfinders. It worked out over £150 less than direct with the hotel or online booking sites. Thanks for the other suggestions some nice looking places, both the St Francis and club Donatello looked good but they were coming in a lot more expensive. Eric you did very well getting the club Donatello for £80 a night [xx(] I was getting over £140 for the club and over £160 for the main hotel.
So in accommodation terms 1 night somewhere between Long Beach and Monterey not decided at which point to stop yet. Anywhere round Santa Maria that looks about half way but the location is flexible.
Then the 4 nights in Las Vegas, the dates are fixed because of flights but its Monday to Thursday which helps the price (5th-9th September): Martin you’re not the first person to make the same observations about the Downtown Area. So looks like with all the comments the strip wins the vote. I have narrowed it down to 3 and the difference in cost is not big enough to be the deciding factor. MGM west wing at £250, New York renovated premium view room at £235, Paris deluxe room at £205.
Once again keep the suggestions coming I am enjoying looking at them and it is helping. I will reply to the what to do when your there section latter.
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