Next morning we got en route to LAS via LAX. The AA app was already informing us of an hour delay on the AA2455 from SFO so we didn't rush.
I'd bought a return ticket on the BART. When you first get a ticket at the airport you need to add the correct value to a new ticket from the station list on the ticket machine. Once I'd got my head round it, it was very simple. Almost like a payg Oyster card, but without the RFID.
By the time we got to check-in at SFO the flight was delayed another half hour so they moved us to the later AA952 LAX-LAS flight still in First.
Had a Sam Adams when we got to the Admirals Club also purchased a turkey sandwich. Lovely.
The delay kept stretching, so enjoyed another Sam Adams and the lovely 10 Cane rum they have at the bar. Before long we finally boarded to LAX.
3A/C on this flight, I don't know why I prefer the portside of an aircraft. Must be some psychological reason. I'm sure there's an FT thread somewhere!
We were quickly up to cruising altitude, and I was offered a drink. Asked for a Sam Adams. They don't seem to keep them in the trolley - is that because it's an East Coast drink and it's not popular?
Coming into LAX you really get an impression of how big the greater LA area. Just astonishing.
Now in the LAX Admirals Club and another Sam Adams. Contrary to evidence published here I didn't use all my chits on booze, I exchanged the leftovers for bottles of water.
Had a longer layover due to the flight change. I enjoyed my time in the LAX AC, I love having an apron view.
6D/F on the AA952 LAX-LAS flight, probably lucky there were any seats in F with such a late change. Flight to Vegas was pretty short at 45 mins, but quite bumpy. Is this due to the mountains? The pilot made it sound like it was pretty standard. Great view on approach.
Luggage was off first again, this is getting to be a habit
As stated earlier I had booked flights around picking up a car from Sixt in Vegas. Unfortunately the branch manager emailed me to say the cars hadn't been delivered yet and asked if I wanted something else. Well, nothing else was appealing to me so I cancelled and got a LCAR from Hertz as thought it would be fun to try their Gold Choice service.
When we landed I started checking the website - it had allocated me a 300C - didn't really appeal to me. I tried refreshing the page for a change but the best it could come with were standard gold choice cars like Fusions and Impalas. Once we arrived at the Hertz terminal I walked the lot and in the end upgraded into a brand new Infiniti Q50. Good car, great stereo, 333hp.
We then drove to the Venetian to check-in. All parking at the resorts are free - could get used to this! Being British we didn't use the valet.
We walked through the casino to get to the lobby. I'd like to say I was impressed with the bling of it all, but it really didn't do it for me.
Unfortunately, more than likely due to us being on a Priceline rate we were offered a king, strip facing smoking room in the Venezia tower or a twin non-smoking. In hindsight I should have taken the non-smoking room as an ex-smoker I can smell it from 500 yards. No problem, I got over it.
I came to Vegas with an open mind, but I'm not a gambler and I'm uncomfortable with anywhere that is setup just to try and get you to empty your wallet especially in a captive environment. Don't get me wrong, it was great to see, walk around all the places you've seen on TV a million times, but it just doesn't do it for me.
The first night we just had a wander round the Grand Canal Shops in the Venetian/Palazzo. Even though I don't do much shopping, I was impressed by the spectacle of it all.
Next morning we got an early start and headed for breakfast at IHOP next to the Stratosphere on our way to the Las Vegas Premium Outlets - North. I like IHOP, service is so quick and prices reasonable.
The Outlet Mall was huge, we spent quite a bit of time there. Nearly bought a new suitcase out of Tumi, as our 2 21" cases we'd come with were getting quite bulgy. Decided against it then though.
After lunch we went to the Rio to pick up our tickets for Penn and Teller. My wife has loved them for years, it was the only show we had to do while there. We returned in the evening and thoroughly enjoyed it, even though some of Penn's Libertarian views were certainly lost on us. She got selfies after the show with both of them.
Up with the birds again the next morning, so we checked out put our luggage in the car and went for a walk up and down the strip going into the many casinos my wife wanted to visit - The Luxor, The MGM Grand, Caesars and The Bellagio.
By this time if was after lunch so we decided to start the 280 mile trip to the hotel in California. We stopped at the Las Vegas sign for a picture and got on our way. I'd planned in a rest stop in Baker, CA as it looked interesting from the map. I'm pleased we'd done this as after about an hour we noticed we were getting sticky - due to the pleather seats I hadn't realised the car had equipped.
Once we had arrived in Baker, CA we had a spot of lunch in a diner. I really enjoyed our half hour or so here.
We carried on to LA. Stopped again for a coffee at a gas station on the Cajon Pass. The scenery rivalled anything Europe boasts - It's no wonder a large percentage of Americans don't have passports - what's the point, they have everything here.
Was pleased to see the HOV lanes once we got to the greater LA area. This made driving a breeze to Redondo Beach where we were staying in a Staybridge Suites. Once we arrived I asked for a high room away from the pool/bbq area and was duly allocated a lovely 1 bedroomed suite that we were going to call home for the next 7 nights. I chose the Staybridge for a couple of reasons. 1. It was pretty central for the whole of Southern California 2. It was only 20k IHG points a night with breakfast.
The car averaged 29.5 US mpg on the journey, very impressed in spite of the pleather. The weather was going to heat up for the rest of the week and I wasn't looking forward to more time in that car so I went to Hertz LAX to see about a swap. As I was still meant to be taking the car back to LAS they would only give me a car with out of state plates. In the end I took a Genesis, I was quite impressed with it - huuge too!
I spent that evening pondering the drive back to Vegas. It was a hell of a long way. The AA flight was already booked, and I couldn't change it for any reasonable amount of money.
But now I wasn't renting with Sixt I could just drop the car back at LAX and fly to LAS to pick up the LAS-LAX flight in First. 4500 avios and £1.50 each and we were booked on the outbound AA952 to LAS.
I fancied another change in car and my National Executive level had just come through. I called and cut short the Hertz rental and booked a car at National for the duration. National is quite similar to Hertz - book a standard car and pick any car in the 'Emerald Aisle' section of the lot. Executive status gives a higher selection of vehicles.
When we got there on Saturday afternoon, apparently a quiet time, the lot was stuffed full of cars. Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers, and a lot of nondescript sedans. There was only 1 black Challenger and I really fancied it. For £120 for 6 days it was a bargain! Just got in and drove to the gate, gave licence and drive away. What a great service. Drove back to the hotel that evening feeling pretty pleased with myself.
We did plenty of SoCal things over the next week, beaches, shopping, studio tours, Hollywood, Disneyland etc etc. Needless to say, we absolutely loved California. People are so friendly, the weather is awesome, the way of life is wonderful. Here's a few pics from the week.
