Southern California & Arizona

fricatus

Evening all... We're planning on spending two weeks in the USA next March, and the idea is to spend around 5-6 days relaxing by the pool and then the rest of the time driving through the desert to the Grand Canyon, Vegas, Flagstaff and Monument Valley.

Any ideas on where would be a good place for the "chilling out" part of the break? Presumably SoCal has places like Europe's Costas or the Algarve where the Americans go. How would we go about booking such places?

Any other comments or recommendations gratefully received! Thanks in advance.

rossie1977

probably the best pools in america are in vegas and pools in vegas are a million times quieter in march than in july/august http://www.mandalaybay.com/thingstodo/Beach.aspx http://www.mgmgrand.com/amenities/grand-pool-complex.aspx

JohnHenry

san diego is the bee's knees man, miles of great beaches, lots of great restuarants, unbelievable mexican food, great bars, it has the lot.
U Cant go to far wrong with the pools in any of the big name hotels in vegas, it is unbelievable hot though, cant explain that heat till u get there so if your are a pale paddy, beware, 10-20 mins in that sun and you are toast!!!

mcgrate

Did a similar trip recently. Into LA - few days there seeing the sights, down to san diego, up to six flags, drove through mojave to vegas, grand canyon then home from phoenix.

Defo san diego for chilling out. Or you could try palm springs? I've never been there but read a l lot about it.
If your going to the canyon, make sure you stay On the rim (south rim). Its amazing. wake up and walk 10 yards and youre on the rim. We stayed at angel lodge and it was excellent.
Also, look up the colorado river discovery http://www.coriverdiscovery.com/ half day float trip down the colorado river & glen canyon. I think its one of the most amazing trips I've ever done.

Staph

You are gonna have a ball! I would recommend the Drury Inn when staying in Flagstaff -it's clean and reasonably priced. Have a nice breakfast and an 'evening reception' with a few free drinks and nibbles. We found it a nice place.
It's not too far from the canyon either so it could be a base far a day or two while you explore that. Enjoy!

Ponster

bump - (so I can find it when I reply later)

blue4ever

if you are driving to Vegas (great spot) try and stop in barstow - honest mad spot - Hunter Thompson and "a fear and loathing in Las vegas" and all that.

Serious point - mind yourself in the sun in the deserts - unreal - and nasty!! But i would do it again in a heartbeat - drove through Cal and Nevada one year followed by Dallas to Atlanta two years later - both amazing trips, absolutely great skit

atgate

+1 on chillin in San Diego. Check out the Sé Hotel - if you can get a deal - it's the best hotel I've ever stayed in.