LA + Vegas, need tips and recommendations!

andycarmi

Murphy_The_Cat wrote:

The Luxor was great for us - and we went on an inclinator for the first & last time of our lives.

WWW.luxor.com promises to have the best prices for the hotel (don't know if it's true or not), but the prices do fluctuate a lot (in Las Vegas) if a conference is on.

Also, a helicoptor ride to the Grand Canyon (with a ranch stop off) and a flight back along the strip is worth every $.

MTC

We spent our time in the Luxor too. Fantastic. 10/10

keepthereceipt

Back now after a fantastic trip.

After Zion we drove up to Bryce, staying at Tropic because it was a Friday night and quite busy at Ruby's in Bryce.
Drove the famous Route 12 up to Torrey. This really is a wonderful route.
Torry was an interesting stopover. Nice feel here - very Bohemian. There was a Music festival on so lucky to catch some bluegrass.
http://www.torreymusicfestival.com/

Drove through Capitol Reef. Was recommended to stop at Goblin Valley on the 24 but didn't.
Drove up to Green Valley and then down the 191 to Moab
Again a great place with a nice feel. Visited Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Moab Brewery - great place for food and beer.
Down the 191 and stayed at Blanding overnight.Down to Bluff and through Monument Valley on the 163.
Tuba City interesting - have you seen lassoos for sale in the local supermarket?
Stayed at Cameron Trading Post.
Short hop from there to South Rim.
Down to Williams and then drove Route 66 to Kingman - good place to stay.

Then onto San Diego - Sea World etc.

Please feel free to pm me if you want specifics or have any quesions.

It was a lot of driving but didn't feel like that, apart from Kingman to San Diego which was easy driving but a long way.

Regards

Martin

fatboyonadiet

Cheers for that, will be a lot of use to me and several other posters. Just generally how did you find the driving, I'm sure I'll be fine but just a bit paranoid at the moment about it! Also what was the traffic like? I've heard it is horrendous.

Just a thank you to blindman (and all others) too for all his help with using priceline, managed to save myself some money, get some better located and better rating hotels. Actually decided with booking 3 different hotels in LA so I can see different parts more easily and of course saved some money!

Murphy_The_Cat

fatboyonadiet wrote:

Cheers for that, will be a lot of use to me and several other posters. Just generally how did you find the driving, I'm sure I'll be fine but just a bit paranoid at the moment about it! Also what was the traffic like? I've heard it is horrendous.

Driving in California (for me) was one of the nicest motoring experiences that I have ever had - go for it, you won't regret a minute of it (& it goes against everyone elses Money saving advice, but get the biggest most luxo car that you can get - its something that you will appreciate every time you get into it).

Only 2 negatives from my California driving holiday.

1) LA can be very, very congested and not much fun at all - avoid rush hour.
2) San Fransisco is very car unfriendly with parking spaces being few & far between and paid car parking VERY dear.

But overall, a great experience.

MTC

fatboyonadiet

True was going to get a cheap and cheerful but thought I'd rather getting something which is much nicer to drive and rates aren't as expensive as here so I might as well while I can!

keepthereceipt

Driving was generally very easy. In LA the roads were quite busy and you have to be wary of those who swop lanes quickly and don't indicate. Some of the trucks are massive so the visibility is limited.

They don't seem to have any laws about using mobiles whilst driving so this seems common. Indicating is therefore optional. Mind you it is becoming that way here too.

On main roads and freeways it is accepted to stick to your lane and get passed or pass on either side. On freeways be careful of sliproads if you are in the right lane. Although the onus should be on those joiing the freeway from the sliproad to raise their speed and find a gap to slot in, my general experience was that they didn't. I had to brake several times.

When it is less busy, particularly away from the main cities, driving is very easy. A decent car with cruise makes it easy. We had a Toyota Camry and it was smooth and quiet. Some of the roads can be tedious when you are out in the desert so be careful of dropping off to sleep. We drove along some roads which were 20-30 miles in a straight line with not much to look at.

Parts of Route 66 between Seligman and Kingman were very straight.

Gas prices vary quite a lot. I saw prices from 2.95 to 3.45 but mainly was paying around 3.15 to 3.20.

edda

keepthereceipt:

How was the flight back from the US? Did you fly during the recent security scare?

We've had news about flying out - but not back from America.

Thanks for all the updates during your trip.

keepthereceipt

Fligt back from US on Monday morning.

We had a stop over at Cincinatti.

LAX to Cincinatti - internal so although security was tight at LAX there were no searching of carry on luggage at the gate. We had already removed all liquids because of instructions on the Delta web site.

Second leg from Cincinatti to Gatwick, we did have the search at the gate. This was done pretty quickly and efficiently as we were called up by zone to board. It didn't hold things up.

So overall I would say it went well and I was impressed with Delta.

I think flying out of the UK is different, particularly to the US. However, it seems there are lots of potential holes and they should ban liquids in carry ons for ALL flights.

Regards

Martin

blindman

fatboyonadiet wrote:

True was going to get a cheap and cheerful but thought I'd rather getting something which is much nicer to drive and rates aren't as expensive as here so I might as well while I can!

Even the economy cars are easy and comfortable to drive, just obviously less luggage room.

I always book the cheapest\smallest car that I know I'd be happy with (just usually two travelling) and then resists the 'upgrade' chat at the car-hire desk.
Invariably I'm then given a more superior car at no extra cost, as not may places have the small economy cars.

Best free uprade I've ever got was from economy to delux at Boston Airport.

Be aware that if you usually drive a very small car in UK then you may feel a bit uncomfortable driving a 'monster' in US.

LA freeway can be 8 lanes wide.....:eek:

bommer

Hi looking to go to LA/Las Vegas in May have found a flight heathrow to LA direct for £1349.20 in total for 2 adults and 2 children do you think this is good value - should I book or wait?

Any tips