LA - Vegas - San Diego - Any tips anyone??

father_ted9t9

Hi All, myself and a few mates are doing the auld LA To Vegas trip next month by car, and was wondering has anyone else done it? Have you any tips or advice for best and cheapes car hire companies? Or is there any cool little towns to stop of in on the way? We are then flying to San Diego and were wondering if there is anything cool to do there?All advice appreciated!

Thanks

Ft9t9

deisemum

A friend's sister visited these places over the christmas holidays and wrote out an itenary for me. I'll have a look for it and she what info I can pass on. I'll get back to you tomorrow

father_ted9t9

deisemum wrote:

A friend's sister visited these places over the christmas holidays and wrote out an itenary for me. I'll have a look for it and she what info I can pass on. I'll get back to you tomorrow

Brilliant Thanks!

Our man in Havana

LA to Vegas Simple! Take I15 the whole way. Should take 4 hours on a good day!

BigCon

Jesus man, you're on the verge of the best opportunity you'll ever get to have the best holiday ever, holiday of a lifetime!
Ok you're going from LA to Vegas, that's fine.
Then you're going from Vegas to San Diego - listen to me, if you do one thing in your life ever then you have to do this:
Go from Vegas to Phoenix (4 hours) and spend a night or two there - ASU (Arizonia State University is there, 64,000 students, 32,000 females?).
I was there with three other blokes for work and it was the best two weeks of our lives.
The women are "really" friendly and can't get enough of the Irish accent.
The other guys were in Ibiza in it's hayday and they said it's much better than that...
Won't go into too many details, but trust me, you won't regret it .

Head on then to San Diego (about 4.5 hours drive).
Let us know how you get on...

gilroyb

I was there (San Diego)on a J1 for the summer. Went to LA/Vegas twice over the time.

LA
9 out of 10 people would say get out of there as fast as you can. City has no character, Hollywood etc is ok but sleezy.

Vegas:
Great city, both times we got there at night and it's the way to see the city. It's amazingly tacky. Really fun place.

San Diego:
Was good place for a J1, but not that much to it as a tourist city. It has a really well regarded Zoo, which was ok but not much fun. Also has Sea World (where I worked ) but that may not be open at the moment. When I was there it was really expensive. I got in free and it was worth the entrance fee. If I'd paid I'd have been disappointed. The Mexican border is very close and you can head down to Tijuana. If you do, make sure to get it sorted with car insurance.

Between these places there are loads of little fun towns, also going along route 66 can bring you to some interesting places. You should go to Hoover Dam (near Vegas) and also the Grand Canyon (not as near Vegas). If you go to the Grand Canyon try and visit Williams or Flagstaff. Both are little towns with quite a bit of rustic charm.

I realise that this discription doesn't sound that fun, but it really is. It's a great part of the States, just try and see as much as you can/meet as many people as you can.

BigCon

gilroyb wrote:

I was there (San Diego)on a J1 for the summer. Went to LA/Vegas twice over the time.

LA
9 out of 10 people would say get out of there as fast as you can. City has no character, Hollywood etc is ok but sleezy.

Vegas:
Great city, both times we got there at night and it's the way to see the city. It's amazingly tacky. Really fun place.

San Diego:
Was good place for a J1, but not that much to it as a tourist city. It has a really well regarded Zoo, which was ok but not much fun. Also has Sea World (where I worked ) but that may not be open at the moment. When I was there it was really expensive. I got in free and it was worth the entrance fee. If I'd paid I'd have been disappointed. The Mexican border is very close and you can head down to Tijuana. If you do, make sure to get it sorted with car insurance.

Between these places there are loads of little fun towns, also going along route 66 can bring you to some interesting places. You should go to Hoover Dam (near Vegas) and also the Grand Canyon (not as near Vegas). If you go to the Grand Canyon try and visit Williams or Flagstaff. Both are little towns with quite a bit of rustic charm.

I realise that this discription doesn't sound that fun, but it really is. It's a great part of the States, just try and see as much as you can/meet as many people as you can.

Yes, yes, yes, agree 100% with this post - don't forget to check out barringer crater (largest asteroid crate in the world) on the way from the grand Canyon to Phoenix!!!

mise_me_fein_V2

I did these 3 cities in 2 weeks last year.

I went without having a hotel to stay in. There was 5 of us and we stayed in a four bedroom apt. One of us slept on the floor every fifth night.
It cost us about $16 a night. Not bad.

Rented out a big Chevrolet at this spot near the San Diego Airport and drove to Vegas. It took a goodwhile. We left at 8 or 9 and arrived in Vegas around half 3 in the morning.

We booked in at a place called Circus Circus, a dump, well it was ok, but compared to the other places it was crap, but once again $16 a night, ya can't go wrong. Stayed there for 3 nights and then drove to LA, didn't know where we were going in LA, so we headed for Santa Monica Blvd coz we knew it couldn't be that bad. It was grand. I liked LA. We stayed in a hotel in West Hollywood. It was a 5 minute walk from Sunset Strip. Once again $16 a night each.

Then we drove back to San Diego for the week.

Have to say, San Diego is boring and too many Irish people are there.
If you're in LA, maybe head into Orange County or up north to Santa Barbara.

You may aswell if you have the car

idontknowmyname

I did that trip back in nov/dec. We found that the best car place to go with was Enterprise Rent A Car, they don't have an extra charge if you're under 24, think it was $500 or something close to that for 13 days with the car. Would highly recommend them

mad m

Just a few things on San Diego,the Zoo is good but too be honest its a Zoo,most interesting thing there was the Panda's.But have to say we went in July/August so animals were undercover alot.Also the plant life in San Diego Zoo are worth more than all the animals.

Seaworld was great I have to say but its for kids and familys but while your there its no harm.Also checkout the Aircraft carrier which is docked in harbour,you can get a tour of the whole ship.

I stayed in Newport beach,Balboa Island(think they film The OC there) in LA lastyear and loved every minute of it,the beaches are lovely.Going back again this year but staying in Vegas for a night and then onto Grand Canyon.Its amazing also while driving through the desert the sheer vastness of it,you cant miss the Joshua trees.

Enjoy yourself.

Saruman

Dont forget while there to go see the grand canyon! Well worth it.
Try www.autoeurope.com for car hire.
If you have not booked a hotel in vegas and want something cheap.. well the cheap places on the strip are circus circus, imperial palace and the stratosphere! HOWEVER i would advise going downtown.. thats the old las vegas you see in movies like honey i blew up the kid. It has a roof now with a light show.. its cool. everything is cheaper.. even drinks! Hell some places will refill your giant coctail glass for a few dollars.

Enii

Re. Accomodation in Vegas: Weekends tend to be way more expensive than mid-week. But it is way cooler on the weekend, much busier and people tend to dress up more.