Vegas

tinkerbell

Hey all,

Going to Vegas this year for a wedding. We won't be spending all our time in Vegas with the wedding party (probably 3 or 4 days in Vegas) as we'd like to make the most of our trip over there (my bf and I have never been to the western coast).

Any tips on what exactly we should do? I was thinking fly into San Francisco, stay there for a while, then get a flight for Vegas and then fly home ... or is that too little to do? Would it be worth going to LA as well? We will probably be able to go for 2 weeks or so.

Also, what are the shops like in San Francisco vs LA? I myself have never even been to the states before (my bf has) so I'll be like a kid in a candy store there, and wanna make the most of it.

Thanks all, I appreciate all help

Tom Dunne

There is no comparison between LA and San Francisco. LA is big, ugly and unfriendly, San Francisco is the polar opposite.

There is so much to see and do in SF, I would highly recommend spending a few days there.

You could make a road trip of it. Fly into SF, take a couple of days there, drive to Las Vegas (allow a day or two, it's a long drive, but over spectacular scenery). You might also consider driving from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Again, a lot of driving, but worth it.

Or maybe just fly from San Francisco to Las Vegas and drive from there to the Grand Canyon.

tinkerbell

How far away from Las Vegas is the Grand Canyon? I'd prefer to just do internal flights rather than drive. I don't want to come back from the holiday exhausted so would prefer to just take it easy Are internal flights expensive?

Is it worth our while going for a few days to LA to just see what tiz like? I'll defo be spending a good while in SF, maybe five nights or so. Probably four nights in Las Vegas and then the rest wherever. Or how about San Diego?

Thanks again

Darren

tom dunne wrote:

There is no comparison between LA and San Francisco. LA is big, ugly and unfriendly, San Francisco is the polar opposite.

There is so much to see and do in SF, I would highly recommend spending a few days there.

You could make a road trip of it. Fly into SF, take a couple of days there, drive to Las Vegas (allow a day or two, it's a long drive, but over spectacular scenery). You might also consider driving from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Again, a lot of driving, but worth it.

Or maybe just fly from San Francisco to Las Vegas and drive from there to the Grand Canyon.

The SF - LAX road trip is a cracker. If you don't want to drive, How about a flight up to Seattle??

LostinBlanch

You don't have to drive to the canyon. There are tours to the canyon. I went on one that picked you up from the hotel and went via lake meade, the Hoover Dam and then on through the desert to the Hualapai Indian reservation at the north end of the Canyon.

A brilliant day, I much preferred it to Vegas. The driver was very funny in a droll, laid back cowboy kind of way. I got to meet a lot of people I normally wouldn't have and even see some Joshua Trees.

As for the canyon itself, words can't describe it, so I won't even try. All I can say is that everyones jaw drops to the ground when they see it for the first time.

If you're flying to Seattle on Southwestern Airlines be prepared to stop off in a couple of places like Salt Lake City for dropping and collecting people. It is the airline that ryanair were modelled on, but it is much different. The head stewardess got tired of saying the safety instructions so she amde up a little song and sang them instead!! :eek: Then she sang a song thanking everyone for flying Southwestern to the tune of the Beverly Hillbillies

Haven't been to LA so can't comment, but San Francisco and Seattle have much the same atmosphere. SF is closer obviously. Anyway good luck with whatever you choose; and when you're in Vegas you have to blow some money on playing craps. Just remember to buy the line, it'll increase your odds of winning.

brettmirl

Hey Tinkerbell. How long you going for in total?

There is actually more to do in Vegas than you would think. Plenty of shows to see (go see The Blue Man Group!) and you can do full day tours or helicopter tours to the grand canyon.

Internal flights work out very reasonably once you are prepared to be flexible. We flew LAS - SFO with Ted before http://www.flyted.com/index.html I've not been to LA myself, but heard that you probably would need a car to get around. Shopping in SF is good as are the touristy things to do. Go see Alcatraz.

Don't forget that because of the good weather in Vegas, you can pretty much spend a few days relaxing by the pool (if your hotel has one). The shopping is good too. All the major stores have a presence and there are some outlet places too.

tinkerbell

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies!

We are going for 2 weeks, maybe 2.5 weeks. This helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon sounds deadly, I'd love that.

I wouldn't mind renting a car for the LA part, just so long as I don't have to drive to San Francisco or anything!

What's the weather like in November?