Possible USA trip in January 2008

[Zafiro]

Me and three other friends are thinking of doing a trip to USA in January 2008. If it happens this will be my first time visiting USA. I see a lot of movies and what I see there I want to see in real life

The way it looks now, we are thinking about San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Crand Canyon and Alcatraz prison during my visit in USA.
We will be renting a car so we can travel fast and easy.

So fellow Americans, is there something you guys recommend us to do and visit in those cities mentioned above or anything you would like to tell me?
(I haven't done much researching about those places yet)

 

[donau]

The distances here are pretty long so depending on for how long you are coming for you can also fine tune your plans.

If the final plans will still include San Fransisco, I would recommend North Coast Redwoods in addition to Muir Woods in Marin County.

Instead of going to Las Vegas, you could satisfy your gambling needs at Lake Tahoe and Reno. If you used to watch Bonanza ever, the Ponderosa Ranch is right there on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe near Incline Village. Virginia City for some cowboy action should be nice too in that area.

If you have another day to burn you could also go to Yosemite

Around San Fransisco you'd of course have a the Napa Valley wineries. Just a little south you'll find Clint Eastwood's town Carmel which is pretty nice.

Continuing on south you'll find the Hearst castle in San Simeon although with all the castles in Sweden you might not be interested in that. Going South from San Simeon towards LA and before you get to Santa Barbara you can stop at Solvang for a nice Scandinavian refill.

Once done with California, I'd turn in the rental car, fly up to Seattle and rent another car, take the Ferry to Victoria and drive across the island taking another ferry to BC mainland and go down to Vancouver to see Bruce who I'm sure would by now be familiar with all the hot spots (all the great restaurants, for young nightlife action a place like Roxy would be good and for the usually forbidden stuff there is Br....... well I'll let Bruce fill you in on that ... Vancouver is my #1 favorite city in North America.

Edit: Just remembered that you are doing this in the middle of the winter...summer would be better for the Seattle/Vancouver part of the above.

 

[Zafiro]

Finally someone intrested in my trip.

Isnt Vancouver in Canada? or is it close to US


PS im not going to play in las vegas, just check the place out. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas

 

[donau]

.....Isnt Vancouver in Canada? or is it close US...

It's just across the border. Don't remember too well anymore but I think it's about 1/2 - 1 hour's drive from the border. Of course it will take another couple of hours to get to the border from Seattle. But I seemed to remember about 2.5 hours from Seattle to Vancouver. It's only a little over a 100 miles, maybe 110-120 miles.

PS im not going to play in las vegas, just check the place out. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas

Ok, that sounds good...at least it's a bit less expensive that way But, for that Vancouver would accomplish the same thing

 

[Bruce]

Once done with California, I'd turn in the rental car, fly up to Seattle and rent another car, take the Ferry to Victoria and drive across the island taking another ferry to BC mainland and go down to Vancouver to see Bruce who I'm sure would by now be familiar with all the hot spots (all the great restaurants, for young nightlife action a place like Roxy would be good and for the usually forbidden stuff there is Br....... well I'll let Bruce fill you in on that ... Vancouver is my #1 favorite city in North America.

Thanks for the mention Olli

Andreas, I admittely don't know a whole lot about travel across the United States, but I still very much agree with Donau's suggestions. If you get the chance though, I highly suggest visiting both Vancouver and Seattle; both are truly exciting cities with diverse cultures.

 

[Zafiro]

Vancouver and Seattle, are those more wintercities than summer cities?
Isnt that places were people go to ski?
sorry if sound like stupid prick

 

[MikeJ]

I went to San Francisco in 1996, to visit my uncle who was living there at the time. Of the places mentioned here, I went to Alcatraz and Muir Woods... both were worth the visit IMO. Other places I still remember from the trip were Pebble Beach and Old Sacramento.

How long are you planning to stay?

 

[Zafiro]

I went to San Francisco in 1996, to visit my uncle who was living there at the time. Of the places mentioned here, I went to Alcatraz and Muir Woods... both were worth the visit IMO. Other places I still remember from the trip were Pebble Beach and Old Sacramento.

How long are you planning to stay?

Im not sure how long it is yet. its a trip you order from travel agency and in the price: hotel, car, airplane is included. I think its a minimum of 8 days.

did you went to see the Golden Gate bridge, its big right?

 

[Bruce]

Vancouver and Seattle, are those more wintercities than summer cities?
Isnt that places were people go to ski?
sorry if sound like stupid prick

Lol..

Nor Vancouver or Seattle are subject to heavy snow falls, but rather intense rain; particulary in the winter. In the summer however, they are quite fabulous offering a good balance of actual heat and sunshine.

Neither of these cities are the ideal place to ski, after all, they are sea port cities! Although, if sking is you're thing, you can travel higher up British Columbia to the wonderous and worldly popular Whistler. Whistler offers the tempatures you need and expect for ideal sking conditions.

 

[MikeJ]

did you went to see the Golden Gate bridge, its big right?

Of course, no trip to San Francisco is complete without taking a picture which looks exactly like the pictures a million other tourists have taken...

But it sure is an impressive sight.

The one thing to avoid on a trip like the one you're planning is trying to cram too much into too little time... 8 days sounds like the absolute minimum if you're planning to see several cities.

 

[Gullwing]

Las Vegas is always nice, even when it is cold girls still go around half naked
Some of the Northern California are very nice, (North Coast Redwoods in addition to Muir Woods in Marin County.) but might be closed that time do to snow.
Reno should have lots of snow, so if you want to ski...
If you like wine, go to Napa, Sonoma-Mendocino, then down to Paso Robles, and down to Santa Barbara and Solvang. Those are the four best wine areas in California.

 

[Car Diva]

Is this a West coast only trip?

San Fran, Big Sur and Wine country...

If not.. New York, New YorK!

Florida is a great and beautiful place, and it's much more that the land of Mickey Mouse plus WARM in January

 

[NarutoRamen]

Here is a list.

San Fran: Golden Gate, Union Square, Ghiradelli square, Alcatraz, bars in Marina District and a few others.

Los Angeles: Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Compton (LOL), Chinese Theater, Walk of Fame.

Vegas: All the casinos. Party at Club Pure (lots of celebs), just party your ass off.

It's funny you mention this trip, because last weekend I went to San Francisco (I live 1.5 hours away) for the weekend. Stayed at the Westin St. Francis in a 3room suite at Union square and went to alcatraz...LOL

If you guys come to San Fran, hit me up. I'll be more than glad to show you guys around, plus I can get into most clubs in San Fran VIP style.

 

[Zafiro]

Sounds like fun Naruto. I will try to remember that

 

[NarutoRamen]

Sounds like fun Naruto. I will try to remember that

Remeber what? The places I listed or calling me?

 

[Zafiro]

Remeber what? The places I listed or calling me?

Me getting hooked up with a rich female celebrity J/k