San Francisco and Las Vegas

Sony

Hi people.

Would anyone be able to give advice on what the nightlife is like in San Fran? also has anyone been in Vegas- we are thinking of going here but not sure how long we should stay for - its for a 'lads' weekend so nightlife and entertainment v important - not really in the mood to so see sights apart from grand canyon and alcatraz - just a holiday to blow off steam and enjoy time away from the girlfriends!!:D

Thank you everyone!

BuffyBot

TBH is Alcatraz very over-rated. Wouldn't be bothered, especially on a "lads" weekend.

Sf has it's plus points, but not sure it's a "lads" weekend destination. Vegas, more so

rossie1977

san francisco is a tourist/sights city, i wouldn't go there looking for a good time, just like i wouldn't go to venice or rome on the piss, most of the best bars/nightclubs in san fran are south of market street in very untouristy neighbourhoods i.e. dangerous.... san fran is a beautiful city and it deserves to be seen but not on a drunken weekend

if you are going for a lads weekend forget san fran and just head for vegas; a weekend is too short in vegas though, you would need at least 4-5 days to see anywhere near 75% of the main stuff going on

i gave a ton of recommendations on vegas in this thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055175172

Sony

Hi, sounds great - read the other thread also.I am a little concerned about San Fran to be honest. It's just two of us heading over and we thought it wouldnt matter being just the two of us if we went to vegas as it is supposedly so mad and so much to do.

What do you guys think would be the best way to go about it - Fly in to saf fran for 2 nights and then 5 nights in vegas, return home from san fran??

Appreciate the help I dont know much about this type of trip

keefg

I don't know your sexual orientation OP but I would suggest you do as much research on the different neighbourhood clubs & bars in San Fran - you don't (or maybe you do?) want this to happen to you


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTJMerul33E

I agree with our fellow poster, Vegas is a much better "Lads" destination and you will need more than a weekend there.

rossie1977

you could also fly into los angeles and spend a few days there checking out hollywood, beverly hills and universal studios. 5 days in vegas is a good length, just make sure not to spend friday or saturday night in vegas because hotels rates go up 300%+ on those night, nightclubs are packed too those nights and you won't get in without a VIP reservation

what in particular concerns you about san francisco???

Sony

Ha police acadamy keef? love it!! we are both straight and to be honest I think my mate would be scarred for life was something like that to happen to him-bit homophobic to say the least!!

I'm just a little concerned about San Fran cause we're forking out a fair few quid for the trip and really dont want to be dissappointed with the nightflife mainly - we both want to do the alcatraz trip for one of the days so not worried about what we will do in the daytime. Not sure what the bars / nightclubs / atmosphere / women / craic would be like there really!

Thanks for telling me about the weekend rates I had no idea although it makes perfect sense!! Any recommendations on where to stay? we want something classy thats not $200 a night but has the giant plasma leather couch living room etc ?? does suchj exist..if anyone can remember the film 'very bad things' - something like that!!

rossie1977

the cheapest time of year to go to vegas is the 3 weeks leading up to xmas as there are no conventions in town at that of the year.

you maybe lucky and bag a good deal at one of the classy hotels like the wynn, bellagio, venetian, caesars palace or mandalay bay here http://www.smartervegas.com/promotionaldiscountscodes.aspx or you could try the $20 trick at check-in http://www.thetwentydollartrick.com/

personally i would worry more about location than type of room in vegas, remember vegas is 24hrs so you might only get a few hours in bed. for first timers i would recommend staying near the centre of the strip, there are a few nice 3 stars hotels such as flamingo, monte carlo, excalibur, imperial palace available for less than $100 a night try this website http://www.travelaxe.com

GreenHell

San Fran is a great town, but find places to go out can take a while if you don't know the city. Downtown can seem boring, trust me though it is a savage town.

North Beach, has some great pubs. The place is hopping at the weekends.

The Marinia is another great spot

Mission can be a bit dodgy but there are some great clubs and pubs on that street, just watch yourself. One block up from Mission has some brilliant pubs as well.

Height and Asberry, great bars, all week long.

Kells in the city centre is alright, if you wanna get in on the crazy J1 buzz.

If you wanna do some exploring, there are some great pubs off Geary.

Sunday, monday and tuesday the city is pretty much dead, but you'll always find something going on around Height street.

keefg

Sony,

SFO is a cool place (literaly - bring a jacket!) but I was bored there after a couple of days. I suppose this was my own fault because I didn't research the place enough before I went - just did the usual touristy stuff.

I am a regular visitor to Vegas (looking at buying a house there next year) and I always stay at the Flamingo Hotel.

For the price you just can't beat the location - just make sure you get one of their new "Go" Rooms, it has a 42inch plasma tv & stereo - they also have a private topless pool area which is free for the ladies but 10 bucks for the fellas to enter.
The Flamingo is located in the centre of the strip facing Caesars Palace and they have a monorail station at the back of the hotel.

For a cheap night on the p*ss or somewhere to have a few cheap drinks before you hit the clubs - go to the Dublin bar just inside O'Shea's casino, it's just a couple of doors down from the Flamingo and they have 2 dollar beers - sure beats the 6-10 bucks you will pay in other places.

If you are looking at getting a room like the boys in "Very Bad Things" had, then be prepared to shell out a couple of thousand bucks per night :eek:.

Have fun!

Sony

$2k a night? maybe I could just go for the one night in vegas!!! ha all I want is a little couch so and a plasma screen!!

Thinking of spending Fri and Saturday in San Fran and then onto Vegas for 5 nights..maybe an extra night in either. How much do you reckon would cover us for accomodation...alos is there no such classy room with suite in vegas for $100 a night ??

tinkerbell

Vegas is not as cheap as everybody makes it out to be so I doubt you're gonna get a suite for $100. Also when I was there a few weeks ago I found the food quite expensive but then again we were eating in good steak houses ... still though.

Mandalay Bay has big pimpin' suites apparantly that ain't all expensive. It is at the other end of the strip though so I think you are better off staying in the middle of everything.

Get your breakfast in the Bellagio by the way. It is amazing. The buffet is to die for and only costs $15 + tax each.

keefg

Yep, Tinkerbell is right.

Vegas is not a cheap (or as cheap as it was 5 years ago) destination. My last holiday there in Sept cost me over 15k :eek: and that was without any gambling, just hotel, car hire (trips out of town) shows and nice restuarants and general spending.

Sony,

Forget about the big suite, you won't appreciate it when you are asleep and you will or should be out on the town when you are awake. Get a decent room for as cheap as you can and use the rest of your money for having fun.

By the way, why is a plasma screen so important to you? Have you seen American TV? It is unbearable, full of ads for food, heathcare & lawyers and every now & then they show 5 mins of the programme you were watching :mad:- I can't watch more than 30mins of it before I get annoyed.

Just get a room with a comfy bed, nice shower/bathroom & aircon that works and spend as much time as you can enjoying what Vegas has to offer.

If you are not too bothered about walking distance or using the monorail then you can get some very good deals on rooms at the "ends" of the strip - just be warned, once you go past The Wynn hotel heading north on the strip, it turns into a complete dive. Hotels like The Stratosphere are cheap for a reason - the area around it is like a ghetto. The south end of the strip MGM, Mandalay Bay etc is fine.

Make sure you visit the "Downtown" area (get a cab) one night, it's a little bit rough but well worth the entertainment value - last time I was there it was like an episode of COPS with a gang of lads getting a few digs from the local police for fighting and thrown in the back of a van. There was a film crew there and everything, it was gas, it drew a bigger crowd than the free acrobat show

Five days isn't long in Vegas and you mention you want to see the Grand Canyon as well? That takes the whole day on it's own, the GC is not as close to Vegas as some people think. You can get there by helicoptor but it costs anywhere between 200-300 bucks depending on the tour operator. To drive there takes a minimum of 5 hours each way.

Just do a bit of online research www.vegas.com or buy a travel guide to read through before you go, pick out at least one "must do" for each day and just spend the rest of the time wandering around finding things by accident.

rossie1977

keefg wrote: »

once you go past The Wynn hotel heading north on the strip, it turns into a complete dive. Hotels like The Stratosphere are cheap for a reason - the area around it is like a ghetto. The south end of the strip MGM, Mandalay Bay etc is fine.

i wouldn't go as far as saying a ghetto, its a little bit rougher than mid-strip for sure, but by 2010-2011 it will be THE place in las vegas, $5 billion Fontainebleau already well under construction next to Riveria, Crown a 1150ft tower soon to start next to sahara on the site of the old wet and wild waterpark, circus circus to undergo major renovation, $7 billion Plaza to replace the old Frontier which was just imploded a few weeks ago, $6 Echelon well underway on the site of the old Stardust and finally something is being built on the old lot across from sahara hotel, mgm have proposed an atlantis type resort there.

The north strip will blow everything away in 5 years time, Wynn actually started a mega construction boom in that area with the building of his hotel

Sony

Hi Rossie and Co Im back!

Ok so I booked my flights today and cant wait.

Thinking of driving from San Fran to Vegas for the craic - what you think??

rossie1977

Sony wrote: »

Hi Rossie and Co Im back!

Ok so I booked my flights today and cant wait.

Thinking of driving from San Fran to Vegas for the craic - what you think??

you do realise its 600 miles from SF to vegas don't you, in comparison its just 280 miles from Cork to Derry

i did it on the bus and its a looooooong journey and you travel through some of the most isolated parts of the USA on your journey which for me was cool

if i was driving SF to vegas i would go SF to Reno which is a straight 200 mile journey and spend a few hours around the Reno area. Reno is a poor mans version of vegas but what it lacks in vegas excitement it makes up for in natural beauty, i would also stop at lake tahoe about 30 miles south of Reno in Carson city. From carson city its then nothing but 430 miles of desert to las vegas, nothing but single small roadside casinos which you need to visit at least one because they are cool

BuffyBot

Updated thread title to be more accurate

keefg

Sony wrote: »

Hi Rossie and Co Im back!

Ok so I booked my flights today and cant wait.

Thinking of driving from San Fran to Vegas for the craic - what you think??

If you have the time - do it, it is a fantastic drive.

Few years back I did the "triangle" thing, SFO - LA - VEGAS - SFO in a bright red convertable Mustang, it was amazing.

You get to stop of anywhere you like along the way and see some great/wierd little towns.

Quality

Hey San Francisco is fab,

YOu have to drink the anchor steam beer while you are over there, I didnt find the night life tooo exciting but It is a great place, Lots to see and do.

YOu must take this tour, IT IS HILARIOUS!!!

http://www.fireenginetours.com/

Las Vegas is just mental altogether, I spent four nights there, It just wasnt enough. You would need a month.

The shadow bar and Pure night club in caesars were great.

The people are all a bit crazy over there, you will have no problems interacting!!

All the bars in New York New York were great, I would Recommend you stay there.
I loved getting up in the morning and having a yard long marguerita (9 shots of Tequila) for breakfast.

And a helicopter tour is a must do, Best part of it!!

tampopo

Yeah San Francisco is brillliant. I lived there for about 5 years in the early 90's and went back on holidays in 2004.

Twice, I drove from SF to Reno via Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is very nice. There's a town there called either South Lake Tahoe or Stateline. It changed its name from one to the other after I was there. On one side of the street, a crossroad/junction, a normal street...in California. The other side of the street, in Nevada, floor to ceiling slot machines!

When you go to Reno, take care going through Carson City as the route, Highway 80 I think, is a normal city street and you have to make a slightly hidden or not-properly-marked right hand turn. But if you're used to driving in Ireland, you'll have no bother spotting it!

Reno is nice. I preferred it to LV which I visited once, by flying! I stayed in the Golden Nugget. I saw the Everly Brothers, which was nice. LV has changed utterly since I was there, so can't help you in places to visit.

Check out U2's I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For video. It was shot on the Strip in LV.

Oh, and on the way out of Reno, on the east side, there's The Mustang Ranch. It's a whorehouse, prostitution being legal in Nevada (at that time, at any rate) that went bankrupt for lack of paying taxes. The state took it over...a state run brothel!
Yeah, wiki'd it. 8 miles east of Reno.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustang_Ranch

San Francisco is brilliant, but cold in the evenings. And anchor steam beer was my favourite when living there. Ah, the mexican food. It's like chippers here, on every corner there's a burrito shop! Though try Pancho Villa's on 16th between Mission and Valencia. It's next door to Esta Noche, the tranny bar! I used to live beside The Mother Lode another tranny bar, but it's moved now. It was mad!

Vesuvio's on Columus at Broadway+Grant is very nice, as is The Saloon on Grant at Broadway.

Sony

600 miles get away I thought it was more like 3 or 4 max - what was i thinking - inexperience I tell ya!!

Yeah we really want to drive - I suppose a 600 mile journey including stop offs would take around 9 hours? Jesus thats a hell of a long time - i was hoping we could leave around 9 in the morning and be there for 3pm but we would be looking at late that evening no I suppose....Thats the whole idea though the driving in the middle of nowhere and having the choice to stop off in random places for a bit of craic(once theyre not too dodgy looking)

All in all i think i have picked the right two destinations though San Fran - Vegas as confrimed by you guys here....I have been pricing hotels and they are a little more than I expected to be honest-like the sound of new york new york I know someone that stayed there that had a similar exp to 'quality'

Cheers everyone - by the way we have priced the car already and guess what is was ? A red Ford Mustang convertible!!

rossie1977

tripadvisor is an excellent website that i write reviews for, it contains photos of the hotel rooms, comments etc http://las-vegas-hotels.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g45963-d91904-Reviews-New_York_New_York_Hotel_and_Casino-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html

http://las-vegas-hotels.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g45963-Las_Vegas_Nevada-Hotels.html

NYNY is a great hotel with brilliant nightlife in an ideal location, but expensive as you said. Flamingo, Excalibur, harrahs and Imperial Palace are all half the price and also ideally located and all 3 star hotels, NYNY is a nicer hotel than those mentioned though

Quality

you could always stay in " Hooters hote."
It is not too far off the strip away from ny ny and the mgm!!

Its certainly cheap and cheerful

Keyzer

Vegas is the ultimate lads weekend destination...

SFO is cool too....

Long way to go for a break though....

giddyup

Las Vegas tbh is as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be and thats part of the beauty of the place. Hotel rooms tend to be more expensive at the weekends but if you shop around you should get the price you want and usually you get good value for money (there's 8 gajillion hotel rooms in vegas). Sit at a 5c slot machine and youre on very cheap booze for the night (always tip your waitress!) - it's a fantastic system - you could pay up to $10 for a Jameson at a bar and 10 metres away if you're shelling nickels into a slot you'll get it for a $1-$2 tip.

You can eat cheaply if you want to. The hotel restaurants tend to be on the pricier side. The buffets are great value generally. I paid $19 for the dinner buffet in the Luxor. What I lost on the slots I made up for on the buffet. The nightclub in the hotel you stay in should be free in so try to stay at a hotel with a good club if you're into that.

You can budget 8 - 12 hours for that drive btw. Great drive but I'd do it overnight if possible with a stop on the way.

I could go on and on - it's one of the best places I've been to - it's an assaullt on all senses. There is nowhere else in the world like it. Enjoy!

BurnsCarpenter

Sony wrote: »

Cheers everyone - by the way we have priced the car already and guess what is was ? A red Ford Mustang convertible!!

If you're going to drive DEFINITELY stay off the interstates - secondary roads are decent quality and you'll actually enjoy the drive.
Had an epic journey this summer from British Columbia down the West Coast and over to Vegas.

Sony

Friend of mine now tells us NOT to drive from san fran to vegas..he has been to both and said not only will you waste the most part of a day driving but the weather could be very very bad in feb - it could be even snowing and he has put a serious dent in our hopes to drive to be honest.

I was all set to do it before speaking to this guy as he sounded as though he knew what he was talking about - anyone wish to comment on this? we really think a road triop would be quality!!

Sony

Sorry guys,

Also where would anyone recommend the best place to stay with young peopole/atmosphere?? and how does one find the 'cheapest deal'??

There are so many to pick from i just have no idea EVEN after looking thorugh trip advisor!3

Thanks again everyone!

keefg

Sony wrote: »

Also where would anyone recommend the best place to stay with young peopole/atmosphere??

Where? SFO or Vegas?

If you mean in Vegas then you can try the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. I have gone there for drinks (haven't stayed in the hotel) and it was pretty lively - loads of nice wimmins - but be warned....it's not the cheapest and it is off strip and there isn't anything else to do nearby so you will have to rely on cabs/legs to & from the strip.

Not sure what Hard Rock will be like in Feb though as it is reputed to have a fantastic pool area which probably won't be open/busy in Feb. Check it out online to see what bands/gigs are on when you are there, you may see a band you really like.


I can't comment on weather in Feb as I have only been in Aug/Sept/Oct. If you dont fancy driving you can get cheap flights from SFO to LAS here........http://www.virginamerica.com/va/home.do

But personally I would rather spend a day driving though nice sceanery (not in snow though) than spending a day going through airport security & check in. You can easily got a one way car hire to save money as you won't need a car in Vegas.

Is said friend going with you? If not, just do what you think you will enjoy the most. Like I said, it will take you most/all day to drive to Vegas but you can stop where & when you like in little towns along the way and driving into Vegas at night is pretty cool (much nicer than getting a cab from the airport anyway )

jahalpin

I'm doing this exact trip in just under 5 weeks. I'm flying into SFO and flying to Vegas the next day.

The best thing to do would be to fly Virgin from LHR to SFO and then you could stay somewhere like the Hilton (just off Market Stret = Main Street) or The Argonaught (at Fishermans Wharf). There are a few nightclubs around but there is a good Irish Pub, The Irish Bank, which is well worth a visit.

The best place to get a trip to vegas is expedia.co.uk as they do specials on flight and hotel combinations. I stayed at Hooters Hotel last time I was there and it was very nice and very laid back, the MGM is also supposed to be quite nice. This time I'm staying at Imperial Palace which is right in the centre of the strip and in the middle of all the action.

You could get flights with US Airways and 3 nights in somewhere like the Imperial Palce for around £150. As for nightlife in Vegas, from what I've read the nightclubs are very expensive with $13 drinks quite common.

mcgrate

Hi Sony,
I get the feeling your looking for student hostels rather than the hilton...I stayed at the Green Tortoise link hostel in SanFrancisco. Cheap n cheerful and they organise loads of tours etc as well.
At the moment, im also looking for hotels in Vegas, on: www.citycentrehotels.com rates available from about 60eur just off the strip or golden nugget with pool etc for about Eur80.

Sundy

Circus circus is probably the cheapest hotel on the strip and for a reason too.. Its way up the north end and is a bit shabby, but if you want cheap go for it! 8 of us slept in a two bed room there during the summer on fri and sat nite, a squash but did the job.
Sunday and monday night is ur best bet for cheap rooms.. Try sites like lastminute.com to get cheaper rooms that have bad views etc that the hotels allocate to these sites.. also do call the hotels and ask for deals.. i got $100 free drink on my room card at the mgm on a sunday night with a deluxe double room all for $98 dollars!

Enjoy vegas its great.

quickstitch.ie

+1 for flying Virgin America, flew with them last month from LA to San Fran, booked day the day before and it was €124, plane had a cool white interior with purple uplighting in the cabin and loads of options with in flight entertainment, instead of the normal map showing where you are in the journey it has interactive google maps! journey "flew"! Ahem!

rossie1977

Sony wrote: »

Sorry guys,

Also where would anyone recommend the best place to stay with young peopole/atmosphere?? and how does one find the 'cheapest deal'??

There are so many to pick from i just have no idea EVEN after looking thorugh trip advisor!3

Thanks again everyone!

the hotels with the most young people/atmosphere in vegas are:
the palms, hard rock, treasure island, planet hollywood, Caesars Palace and the Rio. Golden Nugget which is downtown (4 miles from the strip) has a fantastic atmosphere but its nightclub probably won't be open in february.

i still would recommend picking a cheaper hotel like excalibur or flamingo, all the atmosphere you want is then no more than 5 minutes walk away.

ziedth

Hi all,

Long story short i'm taking my brother over to vegas for a sort of half stag half wedding/christmass/birthday present the start of next may and i was just wondering a couple of things and if anyone could help it would be great:

1. Place to stay: we are both pretty big into poker so was looking at onstrip but since i paying for two i was looking for a towards the lower end of the scale, was looking at the imperial palace or something along those lines but does anyone have any reccomendations?

2. flying over i was thinking of flying dublin-la-veags and for anyone who's been in US could i just land in LA and take the next flight to vegas without booking anything online? i heard they go roughly every hour,

3. is there anything that you've done overthere that you would recommend doing? activites etc.

Thanks in advance for any replys and all info will be appreciated

rossie1977

please read from posts from this thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055175172 and this one http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055193435

all questions should be answered there, hotels in vegas charge per room, not per person. Imperial Palace is a fine choice for a budget hotel in a perfect location, similiar type properties include the flamingo, excalibur and tropicana.

you probably could just hop on a flight from lax to mccarran as they do fly roughly ever hour but they will be more expensive i guess than booking a flight a few weeks in advance. I booked flights from LAX to vegas in January an they only cost me $35 each because i booked them a few months in advance.

you other options are dublin to san francisco then sfo-vegas
dub-manchester then manchester - vegas
dub-london gatwick then gatwick -vegas; both of these via Virgin Atlantic

tampopo

Sony wrote: »

Friend of mine now tells us NOT to drive from san fran to vegas..he has been to both and said not only will you waste the most part of a day driving but the weather could be very very bad in feb - it could be even snowing and he has put a serious dent in our hopes to drive to be honest.

I was all set to do it before speaking to this guy as he sounded as though he knew what he was talking about - anyone wish to comment on this? we really think a road triop would be quality!!

OH jesus, yeah, I forgot about this. It's very high. I took a photo of a sign that said '7000 feet'. I was with Swiss friends one time and they all laughed at me. Of course they're all familiar with 10,000 feet mountain peaks, but little old Carrantoohill 3,014' is less than half that.

And that's just one spot. yes it's very very high. You'll need chains. If you don't have chains, you'll either slide the heck off the road, or get a ticket or arrested for attempting to drive without chains. It's a definite no go. In a convertible mustang, you're having a laugh. Yes, it's TOO far in those conditions, in a car like that, to drive it. I totallly missed the bit about you going in Feb. Don't do it!

I think there are regulations that from the end of Sept, to April 30th you need to carry chains at all times, of course in the middle months you'll have them on the wheels, but you're obliged to carry them with you regardless.

If you want a bit of scenery, fly to LV and rent a car in town. Pick a road and drive for 50 miles. A road is a road is a road.

BuffyBot

Merging these two threads due to similar nature

lost_for_words

I was in both San Francisco and Las Vegas earlier this month as part of a larger North America trip and both are well worth the visit.
We stayed at Bill's Gambling Hall & Saloon which is opposite the Bellagio and Caesar's Palace. Really we were looking for somewhere cheap (how much time do you actually spend in your hotel room) but more importantly central. You can't get more reasonable in terms of location and price than this hotel, you're right in the middle of things and we were paying $40 a night for the room midweek, it even had the plasma tv despite being a slightly run down hotel. I didn't go to the club there but a friend said it was fantastic.
Time wise I think 4 days is plenty in Vegas, but I suppose it depends on how much you are into your gambling. Try to avoid eating in buffets you'll get sick of it fairly fast, I'm a fan of the Outback Steakhouse near the Venetian Hotel, can't really go wrong with it.

For San Francisco maybe you should consider staying in a hostel. I stayed in the HI City Center on Ellis St., much nicer than the other HI downtown. They do pub crawls and that sort of thing and seeing as nearly all the staff are young locals they'll point you in the right direction.

Alcatraz is a great experience, we spent 4 hours out there and loved it. It costs about $25 and well worth it in my opinion. Make sure you hang around for the walking tour on escape attempts it's really interesting and gives you a better idea of things before getting up to the main building.

As for car rental it's pretty cheap there (we drove to Yosemite and Sequoia National parks). A friend of mine drove from Vegas to San Fran in late January last year and had massive problems with detours because of snow blocking highways in some parts of California. Personally I think flying is the way to go, we got a $60 one way flight with Virgin America between LV and SFO and it was one of the best airlines I've used in my year over there. If you are going on a 'lads holiday' you may as well just save yourself the time, especially if you are only over there for a week.