Ahh, some really conflicting advice here regarding 'LV-The GC & Yosemite':confused:

Not just the routing and order, also on how best to do it...

Mid week or weekend for LV
Drive or fly to the GC
How to enter Yosemite(& in what car)

One thing is certain though, I am not premature in the planning of this trip -it sounds like even a camping space in Yosemite will need to be booked ASAP. I know what we want to see, it is just structuring it all into a solid itinerary so we can plan and make reservations around it.

I am swinging towards driving back to LA after Vegas now -it does sound like a long drive up to, and back from Yosemite in heat that might not let us appreciate the drive. In saying that though, I would prefer the 'LV-GC-Yosemite-LA' order. Decisions...

That is way too much. And I think that they started limiting the amount of cars going into Yosemite.

LA-LV is only 3:30- 4 hrs drive, Since you might be starting from Downey, you are almost on your way to LV. I would come back to LA then drive north.


And honestly your plan should be rough draft, you might have soo much fun in LV that you'd rather stay another day. Let it be flexible. BTW Ca, ain't going no where, age is. You are young enjoy Ca they way young people do. Some of your trip can be done at an older age. If you get my drift.:D

If I was to skip anything from that trip it would be the Grand Canyon. It will indeed still be there years from now and although the drive from LV is quite beautiful it is a long way to go for a crack in the ground.

Las Vegas is less (!!) fun in the weekends because it gets flooded with people who want to party and oddly enough that spoils that same party. As I said earlier, if you want to party with the young people who work in Vegas (as you should) weekdays are a better bet. Unless you are filthy rich and love to spend thousands on champagne at the clubs. In that case the club at the Venetian (TAO) is pretty good since they employ a lot of scarcely dressed stunners who will pretend to be in love with you all night long. Or at least until the bar closes... :)

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL359.../395953457.jpg

http://94.100.121.181/447050001-4471...20_5__JYJ.jpeg

http://94.100.118.34/447050001-44710...25_5_g2Eu.jpeg

At least I think this was the Tao. Can't quite remember... :D

I agree with Yahwillwe - this is California; relax and enjoy rather than trying to do too much!

I hope you don't remember, because if TAo has the same scene like the one in NY, then SKIP SKIP it. Not fun at all.

HB... he is going to LV, everyone is is scantily dressed expect the nuns ;) and sometimes I am not so sure about those either?

Should I expect scantily dressed nuns? :D :D

That reminds me of the opening scene of episode one of Californication....

Tao I find to be one of the best places in LV but YMMV. It changes every 3 months anyway.

Since it has been more than 25 years since I last set foot in LV I can honestly say that I don't know the city. BUT I asked the daughter of a friend (HB, you remember, the one who was lost all over Europe when the snow fiasco was going on) and she said that TAO can get way too crowded and lots of old men :p. So there you go...Sp pazza are you going to scratch TAO off your list ;)

I guess that is sort of correct since that is where we hung out. :D I believe that the pictures are from LAVO though. Not sure. Wherever you go, make sure you book a table in advance, especially on weekends.

Best places are still the ones where the tourist don't go.

PS: I am still waiting for the friend's daughter's phone number!

Cindy @ 949-555-1212... or is it Candy???

Now you are showing us how to party, the real way. I will make sure that I am going to be on the invite list next time you go for a drink!

Haha just when this thread was bordering on tedious...a taste of Vegas :D

Hi
Did a similar trip 2 years ago with my family (total of 4). Highlights of our trip:

- we hired a Lincoln Towncar for 3 weeks and drove LA -> LV -> LA -> SFO. Last of the great American road barges, so they won't make them like that for too much longer.
- Getty museum.
- Vegas. Especially 'Phantom of the Opera', Bellagio fountains and the dinner buffet at the Wynn!
- Signature at MGM Grand in Vegas was one of the best hotels we stayed in, and if you shop around you can get a great deal (was definetly the best vfm hotel on the whole trip).
- helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon. We went in July - so v hot - but taking the sunset trip meant it was a little cooler and the sun was setting on our trip back. Magical. Did a lot of research on this one as so expensive, but Grand Canyon Helicopters were very good, and their new choppers are very smooth. We had the 6 seater to ourselves, so effectively a private trip.
- PCH was outstanding, and can recommend the Intercontinental at Monterray ('The Clement'). Probably the best hotel, but quite expensive.

I agonised over Yosemite, but in the end couldn't find the time in what was a packed trip...:confused:

Hope that's helpful. PM me if you'd like more detail ^.

Cabbage

Sad they won't make them anymore. Wonder what the livery cars will use now.

Apparently a livery version of the MKT.

Here's my 2 penny's worth:

- Grand Canyon is definitely better from the north rim than the south. It's a good 4-5 hour drive from Vegas, but if you're lucky and you book far enough in advance, you can get a night in a cute log cabin that overlooks the canyon. Well worth the effort to get up at 5.30am to watch the sun rise.

- my favourite Vegas hotel is the MGM Signature towers. Big junior suites, balconies, huge bathtubs, and usually available for less than $150 per night. Takes 10 minutes to get downstairs and into the main MGM, but when you do get there, the first thing you pass is the monorail station, which is vital for getting from one end of the strip to the other. Don't try to walk it, it's way further than you think, hellishly hot, and you'll be pestered the entire way by touts or mexicans trying to sell you hookers.

- Yosemite is definitely worth a trip, and the neighbouring Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks are just as good. From Frisco it's a manageable drive in a day, and plenty of places to stay overnight.

- PCH is better going south than north, but still worth the experience. Make sure you stop at the sea lion beach.

- Ditch the car when you get to San Fran, parking on those hills is scary. In addition to the other stuff recommended, definitely go whale watching. We spent a magical day last summer surrounded by humpbacks, grey whales and dolphins of every description.

I'm hoping to do a roadtrip of either the South or the Great Lakes this year - not with BA sadly as I used up all my miles last year, have just enough miles with AF for a pair of biz class returns...