LA + Vegas, need tips and recommendations!

Murphy_The_Cat

CCStar wrote:

We did that in a day and it is gruelling - we did it the other way round San Francisco to LA which was far worse than Frisco

Never again!

PS MTC - love the catclaw

Hi ccstar

we had 2 or else 3 nights at Apple Farm in san Luis Obispo (which is even nicer in real life, than its glorious website shows) and then we stayed at Pacific Grove, nr Carmel, before we headed to Calistoga in the Nappa Valley and then returned to San Fran.

Really relaxed motoring, an absolute treat on one of Americas most scenic routes.

MTC

I like the claw as well

pbright

CCStar wrote:

We did that in a day and it is gruelling - we did it the other way round San Francisco to LA which was far worse than Frisco

Never again!

PS MTC - love the catclaw

We did it in 2days..it sure is gruelling, thats why i would not even suggest it to fatboy(some name ). I suggested the Southern PCH route for a day, you get to see a variety of places, but you do miss out on some of the northen spots such as carmel, but Laguna Beach just south of Newpoert beach and right on PCH is very similar to these beutiful european influenced towns you find up north(SLB, Carmel, Monterey etc), if not better. That again is what is great about a visit to LA, it has so much and something for everybody. The pacific beaches of Hawaii in Laguna Beach, The theme parks of Florida, in Anaheim/hollywood, the sights of New York in Hollywood, The city culture of Boston in Downtown LA during the day, & all those other attributes unique to LA). Fatboyisonadiet can one day be at the best theme park on earth acting like a big kid, the next day he can be in hollywood acting like a star, the next day at a california beach acting like a beach bum, the next day driving down PCH on a road trip...and so on. Great Variety, Great Options, Great Climate, Great Environment....the big 4.

wdyw

Murphy_The_Cat wrote:

...before we headed to Calistoga in the Nappa Valley and then returned to San Fran.

We have never ventured north of San Francisco, but have toyed with the idea of doing it later this year/ next year with a few days holed up in a winery in Nappa Valley.

Must be better than a trip to a French/Italian/etc vineyard!

pbright

If thats what into: Wine, Scenic Beuty etc...then holed up in a winery in Nappa or Sonoma is amazing or so accoring to the mother who has went on about it in the past...but i guess this isnt relevent to you fatboyonadiet! This Thread is a great excuse not do my Thesis :-D

malid

wdyw wrote:

We have never ventured north of San Francisco, but have toyed with the idea of doing it later this year/ next year with a few days holed up in a winery in Nappa Valley.

Must be better than a trip to a French/Italian/etc vineyard!

North of San Francisco in the Nappa Valley is really nice with some lovely vineyards. Have stayed near Calistoga. It's more pricey than LA/Vegas etc but a must if you like this west coast as I certainnly do.

We really like Palm Springs area and Scottsdale/Phoenix. Very hot in the Summer but a change from the bustle of LA, Vegas and theme parks. Some lovely canyons in Palm Spring.

Not sure what's going on in some of these posts so have tried to keep to the point.

Horasio

There are many offshoots from these areas and people have a lot to say about them.

There is so much to see in the States and I love hearing about people's opinions and experiences.

I hope to get across there again very soon

Horasio

The pacific drive was great, the doing it in one day is the never again

OH has such stamina

wdyw

malid wrote:

North of San Francisco in the Nappa Valley is really nice with some lovely vineyards. Have stayed near Calistoga. It's more pricey than LA/Vegas etc but a must if you like this west coast as I certainnly do.

We really like Palm Springs area and Scottsdale/Phoenix. Very hot in the Summer but a change from the bustle of LA, Vegas and theme parks. Some lovely canyons in Palm Spring.

Not sure what's going on in some of these posts so have tried to keep to the point.

As the locals say in Phoenix ....."but it's a dry heat". yep ,got to agree with both Phoenix and Palm Springs, two places we usually stop at if in the area.
Never spent any time at Joshua Tree park outside Palm Springs ..Anyone been there to rate it?

Great golf courses, and enough round and about to keep you busy for a few days. Used to always try and take in a few ball games at what used to be Bank1 Ballpark. Under cover, at a sensible temperature and in those days Johnson, Schilling and Gonzalez to look forward to see playing. Can certianly see why LA descends on Palm Springs after the summer temps have dropped.

pbright

Yeah Palm Springs is nice...great to go via if you were driving to Vegas if you took the extended route. However as you are not, and you only have 6-7days in the great city of LA i suggest you miss it, and if heat is an issue definetly miss it....its on the valley floor and factor in the heat and humidity of September...it will cook us pasty brits.

I would also reccommend a dip into Mexico for you both...get another great experience to take from your trip. The drive will take 2.5hours to Rosarita Beach(ill return to why here later!!) from Hollywood and if you are an-anti driver which i do not think you are, then maybe avoid it, however if you dont mind driving(driving in the US is fun i think) then you should do it(maybe the day after or before you do Universal Studios(a day that wont invlove much driving).

Now on to where to go in Mexico...and thats Rosarita Beach for sure. The common destination when doing a California trip is Tijuana(or TJ as its sometimes called) as i am sure you know, yet it had bad reviews...and rightfully so....its a dirty border town...the fact it has almost no hotels tells you this, however a 22mile drive south of here into Mexico will take you to the up-market, beutiful town of Rosarita beach which is very popular with Californians and not many tourists know about it because it isnt the place you think of when doing a trip into mexico for the day. Rosarita beach is safe, and amazing, its not over americanised, yet it caters for tourists. They have great lobster there and its a great mexican experience. It is easy to get here, it is safe, and most car rentals will let you drive here...in fact some might even recommend it. If this is of any interest to you please say, and ill be happy to give you more details.

pbright

Oh really...wow, i am guessing as it is below sea level....thats very interesteg. It is still damn hot then however...easily reach 120, i found it hotter when i was there at the end of August last year than Vegas. The air is really thick there, i guess that why it feels like a high humidity level....it is very sticky....and like i said...it will cook us brits. Thanks Stccg...i also see this is your first point