Las vegas and california help

[edh]

I will be going with a friend of mine and his family to Vegas and to California this July for one week. I was wondering about tips for things to see and do. I know already about the rides, so I was wondering about other things. I don't know at the moment what parks we will even do, because my friend's sister is pregnant. Me and my friend want to try and do SFMM, but if we do it, it would be spur of the moment.One thing they wanted to do was the San Diego zoo. Another thing we were going to do is a day trip to the grand canyon. So any tips, and things to see, or places to eat for Vegas, Grand Canyon, and California would be helpful.

[RIP Psyclone]

The Grand Canyon is nice, but very, very out of the way if you just had a day trip in mind. You'd have to spend a night in the area to do it right. SFMM is a must, especially since X2 will be open. I'd recommend visiting between Monday and Thursday. As for the San Diego Zoo, I'd recommend it only if you're into zoos. Las Vegas is always a lot of fun, and it's not hard to get a good room rate at a decent hotel (and usually in a good location) if you know where to look. Excalibur and Tropicana are two examples of reasonably priced rooms in a very, very good location.

 

As always, I'm very happy to offer advice, so I'll check back in this thread to contribute more.

[edh]

My friends family got a free timeshare from one of their friends, so we are not worrying about a hotel. And they wanted to do the zoo, since one of them is pregnant, and she can't really do the amusement parks. And if me and my friend went to SFMM, they would have to drop us off and pick us up that night.

[ECZenith]

I second the comment about the Grand Canyon, it's at least a day to get out there and back but definately beautiful but maybe it should be saved for another trip?

 

If you're going to go to one theme park in Cali, be sure to visit me at "the temple", I'll get you guys front row.

[edh]

I'm not really the one in charge of anything, i am just along for the ride. I think we would leave real early, so I would probably end up sleeping the whole way. And I think they wanted to do the little side things like Route 66, which would be neat to see. I am not sure though which part of the grand canyon they even want to see. I know there is one area that is a lot closer, and thats the one where the giant glass sky walk is. That would be neat to do, but a little pricey.

[hemmy]

Don't ride Manhattan Express no matter how much you want to

 

That is my advice

[Philrad71]

Seligman is worthy of a stop if you are touring on Route 66. They have all of the touristy Rt. 66 retro stuff there and is a nice place to do lunch.

 

I would also recommend Valley of Fire, Mt. Charleston, or Red Rock Canyon (just outside of Vegas) if you are into scenery and nature.

 

There is no shortage of things to do in downtown Vegas and the Strip. You already know about the rides, so my only suggestion would be to just take it all in and enjoy!

[doom1001]

I've done a day bus tour from Vegas to the Grand Canyon.A bus picked us up at our hotel around 7am and then took us to a warehouse/vitamin factory to pay where they gave us a some croissants and juice.At about 9am we left,the drive was about 5 hours there and 5 hours back,we spent a total of like 2.5 hours at the canyon and arrived back at Vegas almost at 10pm.A lot of driving for a small amount of time at the canyon!!!!

[packfanlv]

Yes it is a lot of driving, but if you only have one day it is still worth it to visit the Grand Canyon. It is spectacular. As for Manhattan Express, it is one of the roughest coasters in the world, but the atmosphere is fantastic and riding it an night gives wonderful views. Just keep your head out front to avoid head banging and you shouldn't have too much pain. Ok, what am I thinking. There will be pain either way, but riding it at night is worth it IMO.

[RIP Psyclone]

After a few painful elements that were intended to be fun and thrilling, Manhattan Express meanders pointlessly after the MCBR until the station. It really is one of the worst.

[packfanlv]

Yes but the view at night is incredible and the experience unique albeit painful.

[RIP Psyclone]

^Yes, I did get to ride it at night. I consider Las Vegas my 2nd home, so yeah.

[packfanlv]

Alright man. You are entitled to your opinion. No more going back and forth.

[Token Yankee Guy]

Have fun enjoying the heat in vegas in July.

[winningfreak]

if me and my friend went to SFMM, they would have to drop us off and pick us up that night.

 

With that said, I think Knott's or Disneyland would be a better option because there are alot of neat stores around the area. There is a movie theature up the road from knott's if they where interested while you visit the park.

[socalMAN123]

Have fun enjoying the heat in vegas in July.

Oh yes, haha. Vegas in July basically screams "heat stroke".

---Brent

[cosmic hearse]

The Getty Museum in Los Angeles is really really nice. Nice gardens, very nice art, really nice views of the city and ocean below. And best of all its free!

 

Hollywood Blvd is always cool to walk down. See all the odd balls, the walk of fame. You can watch a tv taping for Jimmy Kimmel if you request the tickets ahead of time. The studio is right in front of Graumens Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Blvd and attatched to the El Capitan,

 

Eat at Pinks Hot Dogs, it's legendary. It's on the corner of La Brea and Melrose.

 

Eat at In'N'Out Burgers you will not regret it! Oh and a little secret that's not on the menu...order your burger "animal style", Animal Style = the meat is cooked and fried with mustard and then pickles are added, extra spread and grilled onions are added.

 

Another local favorite is Tommy's or more formal The Original Tommy's . Keep in mind nearly everything on the menu comes with chilli on it.

 

There's also Melrose Ave but it has since lost a lot of it's cool hip shops. Now its pretty mundane.

 

If you make it down to San Diego you should head down to Old Town San Diego. It's considered the birthplace of California. It's really cool, still has some original buildings that have since become restaurants and shops. There's also a piece that's slightly more modern and there's plenty of great places to eat all over Old Town. There's also what is considered to be 'The Most Haunted House In America" that you can walk through. It's called The Whaley house. It's even been recognized by Congress.

 

The beach. Newport is nice and fairly clean and has some nice places to eat.

 

Venice beach! A lot of fun, a lot of street performers, muscle beach, a lot of cool shops and sights to see. But make sure to do this one during the day, not the greatest place at night.

 

Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade at night is nice. So-so shops, the beach and the Santa Monica pier is about 2 blocks down.

 

That's all I can think of right now. If you need or want any more info on these places send me a private message.

[edh]

That stuff sounds like a lot of fun. I'll have to mention to them some of that stuff. How far is SFMM even from the Los Angeles area? I guess if anything, we could try and go to Knotts instead. And I definitely want to try the In and Out Burgers. Heard those are really good. Any good places to eat in Vegas to recommend? Also, we want to see a show. As of now, I think we were thinking of Cirque Du Soleil Mystere. Anyone seen it, and how is it?

[edh]

Here's a little update. I think they decided against the grand canyon. We are going to vegas for 3 nights, then head to Los Angeles for 2, and then go back to Vegas for 2 more nights. I think we are staying at a hotel right down the street from Disney, so I think my friend and I may lean towards Knotts since its a lot closer.

[RIP Psyclone]

Magic Mountain may be at least an hour away from the Disneyland area, but it's worth it. Knott's may be a lot closer, but it's nowhere near Magic Mountain in terms of quality and value right now.

[ArrowHater]

Ok; i am the vegas expert..Funny thing is; that im in vegas right now!!!

I get wifi in my room at the wynn..Which costs $20 a day.Im staying at the wynn's salon suite.

Do you like nightlife?

 

Well the best clubs are at:

 

Wynn-TrYst

 

Palms-Rain

 

Luxor-LAX

 

The Best Dining:

 

Wynn; they have excellent dining, the first hotel to ever have a "AAA FIVE DIMOND" Award for a restraunt.

 

Bellagio; They have the best breakfest and buffets. At a reasonable price.

 

Cesars Palace; they have a the Average restraunts such as "CheeseCake Factory"

 

 

The best free shows:

 

Hands down the bellagio fointains are the best thing there.Its beautiful; that is a must see for anyone that visits vegas.

 

the other are:

 

Mirage Volcano

 

Sirens at T.I.

 

Watching Manhattan Express "Riders feeling the pain"-Haha

 

The rain storm a tplanet hollywood in the "Miracle Mile" shopping center.

 

Watching the "Wynn" sign. Heres a video and you'll see what I mean. Its the coolest sign i've seen!

 

 

Wynn laser show/Waterfall.

 

Circus Circus- Circus show in the casino.

 

Mardi Gras- The Rio

 

The Fremont Street experience-In old las vegas.

 

The Best pools are at:

 

Hard Rock-They let people in that aren't staying at their hotel on sundays.

 

Mirage

 

MGM Grand

 

Wynn

 

Palazzo.

 

 

The best shopping:

 

The Venetian/Palazzo- Canal Shoppes

 

Cesars Palace- Fourm Shops

 

Planet Hollywood- Miracle Mile

 

Wynn - Wynn Esplanade [its for really rich people"Drop dead celebrity rich"] They have a Maserati Dealership!!

 

Outlets located along the outskirts of the strip are nice too.

 

 

Steve wynn= My inspiration. Without him we wouldn't have bellagio;mirage;wynn;encore;fontainebleu

 

Imagine what the strip would look like without those major hotels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWX-rT-_ank&feature=related

 

 

Best hotel overall:

 

The wynn- hands down best. They treat you like royalty; even if your pissy to the employees. Once you walk in you smell the aroma of like walking into a tropical resort in the air. The rooms are just flawless. Plus the view you get from the rooms "Breathtaking" My grandma cried when she first came here; due to the fact that it is just magnificant everywhere you go in this resort. this resort is more like a city in a building.

This is the first hotel to ever get a "AAA FIVE DIAMON/5 STAR/5 RED PAVILLIONS" rating.

 

www.wynnlasvegas.com

 

[packfanlv]

^You are 14 years old, live in Kansas and a Vegas expert? Wow!

[edh]

Thanks for the info. The Wynn looks really nice. We have 5 nights in vegas, so we have plenty of time to walk around the hotels and see all the sighs. And I think we were hoping to go to SFMM, but we would have to be dropped off and picked up, and that would be a big inconvenience. What about shows? We want to see a Cirque Du Soleil or a magic show.

[BeemerBoy]

Well the best clubs are at:

 

Wynn-TrYst

 

Palms-Rain

 

Luxor-LAX

 

Awesome. I've been waiting for a 14 year old Vegas expert to tell me about the hottest clubs! While we're at it, can you also direct me to the best strip joint? Thanks in advance.

[haiderodes]

^ Very funny indeed.

 

A few posts back someone mentioned In n' Out and Tommy's Original...you don't have to drive all the way to California to try those as we have both of those restaurants here in the Las Vegas Valley.