Cali & LV
- Thread starter Knytestorme_sl
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Stosh
Bronze Knight of the Realm
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Agree with Adam. I've lived in San Diego since 1995, and was part of a gambling team that spent nearly every weekend in LV for about 10 years. First, unless you're on your own in Vegas and just need a room for a bed and shower, avoid Imperial Palace. I would not take my parents there, stick with MGM or some of the more well known, newer hotels. I have low standards for myself, and I've slept in Vegas hotels so nasty that I slept in my clothes and covered the pillow with my own tshirt. Think Fitzgeralds, California Club, and some shithole across from the Mirage that I think has closed that had painted cinder blocks as room walls. I would not subject my wife or parents to any of that or places like IP.
When I have guests that come into town, I always like to take them to theCabillo national MonumentThe lighthouse is an iconic symbol of San Diego, you get a little history about San Diego plus it has some of the best views of the city and bay. You could spent a morning at Cabrillo, lunch at the Hotel Del then some sightseeing downtown such as the aforementioned USS Miday museum or a 2 hour site seeing bay cruise. Then you could spent a day at Balboa Park at the museums there and the Zoo. I'm not much for SeaWorld, you see one Shamu, you've seen them all. SeaWorld in San Diego is not much different than SeaWorld anywhere else.
Yes 101 around LA sucks ass for traffic. If I had time and ability to rent a car, I would get on the Pacific Coast Highway around Malibu, and take it (It becomes part of 101 for a time) north to San Francisco. Yes, it's slow. But it's one of the most beautiful drives you will have. Don't try to do it all in one day. From up the coast from LA to Hearst Castle, spend the night. Visit Hearst Castle, then drive up through Big Sur to Monterry, spent the night. Site-see, then head to San Fran and Sonoma.
I would definitely cut down on the time in Las Vegas. Gambling is ubiquitous nowadays, and if you only visit the US once and pass up on seeing San Francisco to spend more time in a Vegas casino, I think that's silly.
opiate82
Bronze Squire
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I admit to skimming a lot of this thread, but I'll chime in about Vegas really quick. I generally limit my trips to either 3days/2nights or if on business 4days/3nights. Anything more than that I get Vegas'd out in a hurry. Also I personally didn't think the Medieval Times thing was worth it. It wasn't bad but there are so many better shows to see. Usually any of the Cirque Du Soleil shows are worth the price of entry.
Also since you said you would be playing poker, I like playing at the MGM. Good rake rates and the poker room usually has plenty of games going on.
Also since you said you would be playing poker, I like playing at the MGM. Good rake rates and the poker room usually has plenty of games going on.
Asshat Brando
Potato del Grande
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If you're going to be sight seeing in Cali then there is no way you should skip San Fran. Even if the weather is shit it doesn't matter, there is so much to see and do that you can easily use up a couple of days without moving around all that much. I just love that fucking town.
As far as the rest, I think what makes LA special when it comes to food is that it has everything. I would think more about what you want to eat than what are the supposed "best" places to go as whatever you'd like to try you'll end up finding probably the best type of it outside of where it's actually from. I prefer the SD Zoo over the Animal Park unless you want to splurge on the Safari thing where they drive you in on the back of a pick-up, otherwise you just sit on a train and do nothing but look around. Not a big Vegas fan, other than Del Frisco's it insanely overpriced compared to what you can get in LA.
As far as the rest, I think what makes LA special when it comes to food is that it has everything. I would think more about what you want to eat than what are the supposed "best" places to go as whatever you'd like to try you'll end up finding probably the best type of it outside of where it's actually from. I prefer the SD Zoo over the Animal Park unless you want to splurge on the Safari thing where they drive you in on the back of a pick-up, otherwise you just sit on a train and do nothing but look around. Not a big Vegas fan, other than Del Frisco's it insanely overpriced compared to what you can get in LA.
Gravel
Mr. Poopybutthole
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Fuck yes, this. I went a week or two ago at about 4:30 (about a half hour before sunset, and the park closes) and it was pretty awesome. The view over Coronado is pretty sweet, and the sunset over the Pacific.
Man, so many good bits of advice in here I think I'll totally have to change my plans...likely drop LV down to 4-5 days (that's really limited by show times and if can get to more than one on a day..I know they want to see Cher and a Cirque, I want to take them to P&T and Blue Man Group so there's 4 nights at least) and pick up the slack with a couple of nights in SF.
The 3-day pass for Disney is needed I think, last time there in 3 days I didn't get to see everything I wanted to and it also means if they get tired/worn out from the walking we can leave and just go back another day when they are refreshed.
Nobu has always been #1 on my list, likely will be doing that by myself and I also really want to try Rick Moonon's RM Seafood. Main reason I asked about food is that, while I'm a celeb chef whore I also love places that aren't out of place on shows like Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and locals would be able to point me towards the best of those that I'd likely miss otherwise.
Will be taking the express bus from LV to LA/SD but by the sounds of it renting a car for a week or so might be worthwhile as well. I doubt anything is as good as the ocean drives over here but I also get to drive on the wrong side of the road while sitting on the wrong side of the car so worth it just for those lulz
The 3-day pass for Disney is needed I think, last time there in 3 days I didn't get to see everything I wanted to and it also means if they get tired/worn out from the walking we can leave and just go back another day when they are refreshed.
Nobu has always been #1 on my list, likely will be doing that by myself and I also really want to try Rick Moonon's RM Seafood. Main reason I asked about food is that, while I'm a celeb chef whore I also love places that aren't out of place on shows like Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and locals would be able to point me towards the best of those that I'd likely miss otherwise.
Will be taking the express bus from LV to LA/SD but by the sounds of it renting a car for a week or so might be worthwhile as well. I doubt anything is as good as the ocean drives over here but I also get to drive on the wrong side of the road while sitting on the wrong side of the car so worth it just for those lulz
Oblio
Utah
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Regarding Vegas shows ... if you are a Beatles Fan there is no better show in town. If you do not care for the Beatles I recommend Mystere.
Also, for a great meal I recommend Tao. You have to try the Sea Bass, they serve it as an appetizer or and entree. Also, you can stick around after dinner for some clubbing if that is your thing.
I can recommend a ton of shit in Vegas, what are you looking to do while here?
Also, for a great meal I recommend Tao. You have to try the Sea Bass, they serve it as an appetizer or and entree. Also, you can stick around after dinner for some clubbing if that is your thing.
I can recommend a ton of shit in Vegas, what are you looking to do while here?
Alex
Still a Music Elitist
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I agree with this. Probably my favorite poker room in Vegas. The Planet Hollywood poker room is solid, too.
BrutulTM
Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun.
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I agree with this. I stayed there once and it's a dump.
Yes, I would also not recommend trying to drive from LA to SF and see the aquarium on the same day. I love that aquarium though, I've been to it like 6 times and I would go again in a heartbeat, but I'm kind of a fish nerd. If you drove up 101 to Monterrey and checked out the boardwalk and shit that evening, then got up early and saw the aquarium you could drive up highway 1 to SF through Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay which is a pretty sweet drive.
Yeah, other than the 1 North of SF up through Tillamook, OR, the drive from Monterrey to SF is my favorite. Better than even Big Sur for me because I'm always fucking driving and you can't enjoy much when you're dodging 90 yr old's in RV's the entire time.
I agree about the aquarium. If you have the time, it's worth it...probably the best in the world.
I agree about the aquarium. If you have the time, it's worth it...probably the best in the world.
Thirding the aquarium. If you are driving up there I think that it's definitely worth a stop if you've never seen anything like it before. I'm not sure what sort of aquariums you have in Australia or what sort of ocean life you are into but if you've never been to an aquarium or don't spend a lot of time in the water then I would say that it's definitely nice.
There was a short documentary about it on PBS several years ago, here's a clip of it or something similar to give you an idea:
There was a short documentary about it on PBS several years ago, here's a clip of it or something similar to give you an idea:
BrutulTM
Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun.
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If you go to San Francisco you should check out the California Academy of Sciences museum.
http://www.calacademy.org/
It opened like a month before I left California and I never got to see it but it sounds awesome. It's in Golden Gate Park and there is also a nice art museum and a couple of smaller attractions there.
http://www.calacademy.org/
It opened like a month before I left California and I never got to see it but it sounds awesome. It's in Golden Gate Park and there is also a nice art museum and a couple of smaller attractions there.
Alex
Still a Music Elitist
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Gravel
Mr. Poopybutthole
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Just got back from the San Diego zoo. Didn't realize how fucking big it was. Nor did I realize that it'd be quite so much uphill hiking. I did it in 2 hours, but I don't really stop very often. I would say most people would probably need 5+ hours to see everything.
Regime
LOADING, PLEASE WAIT...
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San Diego - I cannot stress the San Diego Zoo enough for the OP which is inside Balboa park. It was fantastic. Very good Mexican food in Old Town and nice history there if you are into that sort of thing. Do that and La Jolla/Pacific Beach and watch the seals and whales. I would skip Seaworld. We stayed at the Lafayette in Hillcrest and it was very nice. Lot's of history with famous people (40s-60s actors, Rat Pack) and it was very cheap. The location was great too.http://www.lafayettehotelsd.com/Underground parking etc for 70 a night and great rooms. lol Elurin we went on Tuesday and you should really go back and spend a few more hours. We steamrolled through the birds (just not really a fan of getting shit on) there is some things that can be easily missed. The Pandas are nice for people with kids or haven't lived in Chengdu but for me personally the big cats and reptiles area rule and was the best zoo I have ever visited.
LA - we did Disneyland and no way you need a 3 day pass for that. Quality Inn I think was $80 and 5 min walk to the park and Denny's. I would use the other day to do Universal Studios which was amazing. The studio tour was excellent and the new Transformers ride was badass. Get there at 10am and ride it like 3 times in a row. Skip weekends if you can and do those during the week. Save weekends for parks or other shit. Getty is very nice as well. Seriously cut off the disney days by 2 and skip California adventures for Universal/Hollywood blvd site seeing. We stayed at the Dunes Inn on sunset for I believe $70 a night. 5 minute walk to Hollywood shops for the ladies and Thai Town for awesome food.
Vegas - Well this is my favorite place to visit bar none and imo the best launching pad for travelling the southwest and beyond. If you have the time I would split vegas into the strip/fremont city stuff and then rent a car. Do either Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Mount Charleston, and of course the Grand Canyon. You could easily do Red Rock during the day and hit Vegas back up at night. Same with Mount C and it's worth going to both. You can also do Death Valley (4-5 ish hours) and Yosemite (If you are heading to san fran this is a must on the way for a scenic trip) and I guess I can agree with Adam that if you are with family you can skip Tourney of the Kings if you are doing SOCAL as well but if you are doing just Vegas I think it's worth it. As for Vegas itself, we stayed at the Wynn (Pricey, MGM decent and Excalibur (cheap and my personal favorite. Much better service then the Luxor and you are staying in a fuckin castle). Get up in the morning and get to those ticket booths (One between MGM/Coke store) in the morning and get yourself a real good deal on buffets and shows. I think we got some Rio Seafood buffet tickets for $15 each once but they average out more to be 20-25 (alot cheaper then full price).
October/November has seemed to be just a perfect time to go to Vegas.
PM if you really do decide to do any of the scenic old route 66 drives or national parks. That is my main interest when I go to Vegas since all I really do is blackjack and bet on teams like West Virginia and lose. Time is very important and you shouldn't even conceive of trying to do 1/5 of what I said because it's a vacation first. I got burned out the first time driving all over the place but you should visit at least one of the parks. If you do drive to San Fran you could drive through Death Valley, travel along the East Sierras and cut through Yosemite. It'll blow your mind.
LA - we did Disneyland and no way you need a 3 day pass for that. Quality Inn I think was $80 and 5 min walk to the park and Denny's. I would use the other day to do Universal Studios which was amazing. The studio tour was excellent and the new Transformers ride was badass. Get there at 10am and ride it like 3 times in a row. Skip weekends if you can and do those during the week. Save weekends for parks or other shit. Getty is very nice as well. Seriously cut off the disney days by 2 and skip California adventures for Universal/Hollywood blvd site seeing. We stayed at the Dunes Inn on sunset for I believe $70 a night. 5 minute walk to Hollywood shops for the ladies and Thai Town for awesome food.
Vegas - Well this is my favorite place to visit bar none and imo the best launching pad for travelling the southwest and beyond. If you have the time I would split vegas into the strip/fremont city stuff and then rent a car. Do either Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Mount Charleston, and of course the Grand Canyon. You could easily do Red Rock during the day and hit Vegas back up at night. Same with Mount C and it's worth going to both. You can also do Death Valley (4-5 ish hours) and Yosemite (If you are heading to san fran this is a must on the way for a scenic trip) and I guess I can agree with Adam that if you are with family you can skip Tourney of the Kings if you are doing SOCAL as well but if you are doing just Vegas I think it's worth it. As for Vegas itself, we stayed at the Wynn (Pricey, MGM decent and Excalibur (cheap and my personal favorite. Much better service then the Luxor and you are staying in a fuckin castle). Get up in the morning and get to those ticket booths (One between MGM/Coke store) in the morning and get yourself a real good deal on buffets and shows. I think we got some Rio Seafood buffet tickets for $15 each once but they average out more to be 20-25 (alot cheaper then full price).
October/November has seemed to be just a perfect time to go to Vegas.
PM if you really do decide to do any of the scenic old route 66 drives or national parks. That is my main interest when I go to Vegas since all I really do is blackjack and bet on teams like West Virginia and lose. Time is very important and you shouldn't even conceive of trying to do 1/5 of what I said because it's a vacation first. I got burned out the first time driving all over the place but you should visit at least one of the parks. If you do drive to San Fran you could drive through Death Valley, travel along the East Sierras and cut through Yosemite. It'll blow your mind.
Gravel
Mr. Poopybutthole
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Oh, I mostly did a short trip because I'm here for work and I had bought a ticket that expires in January. So I just figured I'd get it out of the way. When my wife gets here, I'm sure we'll do a much longer zoo trip (she likes to take pictures). I've been to probably 15-20 zoos, however, and San Diego is definitely near the top. If it were free like say, the St Louis zoo, it'd be far and away the best zoo. I guess that mean it actually is the best I've been to, it just sucks that it costs so much.
Regime
LOADING, PLEASE WAIT...
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yeah the Zoo is pricey and the food is too. Bring a backpack and keep some water in there since it's like $5 or some shit lol. With that said I would still go there over Seaworld lol.
Asshat Brando
Potato del Grande
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SeaWorld blows in comparison to the SD Zoo. Unless you want to do every show you can be in and out of there in about 2 hours and see every exhibit so it's way overpriced. We usually use SD as a getaway weekend and will stay at Loew's on Coronado which is pretty removed from everything. Other than the Zoo the thing I liked the most was the harbor tours with all the Navy ships at anchor there. If you're lucky the Lincoln or whatever carrier it is that is stationed there will be in port.
There are some cool bunkers in San Francisco with probably the best view of the bridge, and towers overlooking the bluffs on the other side. Used to fuck around there as a kid, I think it's the Spencer battery. Looking at some pictures online, it might be all pretty sanitized these days with guard rails and such... maybe the interesting (and dangerous) stuff is all blocked off. Even if you're not into the history of the area, you really can't go wrong with the view.