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California / Las Vegas Information



 
 
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  #21  
Old September 23rd, 2006, 01:39 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
- Bobb -[_2_]
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Posts: 550
Default California / Las Vegas Information


wrote in message ...
Hello

We are two Aussie girls travelling to the US in early January. We will be
flying into LAX and want to visit tourist areas of Los Angeles, Hollywood,
Anaheim and San Diego. We want to visit the theme parks and zoos such as
Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott's Berry Farm, Seaworld, San Diego Zoo
and Wild Life Park. We also want to see the famous Hollywood sign, the
Stars Walk of Fame (or whatever it is called), Rodeo Drive and a shopping
trip to Tijuana, Mexico. Can someone please help us with the following
questions:

1. how long should we be spending in each destination?


First - what are you gonna do ? One day at each park, but depending upon what else you like, you could spend 2 weeks just in LA. I loved San Diego and could spend a week there too. ( I'll add some pointers below.You should search for trip reports here about items on your list too). I'm sure you know, but January here is THE coldest month, so you will NOT be able to easily drive to and enjoy some of the mountains ( which you could do from ~ May to October ).

2. what is the weather like in CA - I've read it's 20C, however does it
rain a lot? I'm hoping it's similar to Qld, Aus in winter - "beautiful one
day, perfect the next".


It's a BIG state:
http://www.weather.com/common/drilld...ml?from=search

3. would you recommend hiring a car or catching public transport?


4. are there any other destinations that we should see while in CA?


You're kidding, right ? Here's a few hundred:
http://www.caldrive.com/guide.html
http://travel2.nytimes.com/top/featu...nia/index.html
http://www.earthflix.com/stories/bigsur.php
http://www.laughingplace.com/default.asp
http://thingsyoushoulddo.blogspot.com/
http://www.travelersdigest.com/california_2.htm click on map
http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/scenicdrives/ pick your choice
http://www.visitcalifornia.com/state...r_homepage.jsp
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/de...National_Park/
http://www.bestofcaliforniatv.com/ge.../story_262.php
http://www.seeing-stars.com/Location...ocations.shtml
http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt...ada/index.html
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguid...QsuNGoPIgnFmoL
If you have the time for the drive: this is the most beautiful part of the state (country?)
http://jrabold.net/bigsur/intro.htm

Also - and more important - where NOT to go:
Los Angeles Warnings or Dangers
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...es-TG-C-1.html

Get a final list of places then map them out so you're not backtracking and THEN ask how long for each on your list.


We also want to visit Las Vegas to experience the lights and sights and take
a trip to the Grand Canyon. How long should we stay in Las Vegas for? We
obviously want to see the Strip and catch a show (any recommendations?).
What else is there to do in Vegas that you would recommend?



Comedians ? Acrobatics? Dancers ? Here's a few pointers:
http://www.visitlasvegas.com/vegas/play/shows/index.jsp
http://www.vegastripping.com/trippies2005/
http://www.ilovevegas.com/
http://www.bigempire.com/vegas/images/stmap.gif
Check in " alt.vacation.las-vegas" newsgroup as january approaches : lots of info - updated daily.Browse a bit then ask specific questions - about shows , grand canyon trips etc. Check he http://www.reviewjournal.com/neon/ and you'll see them categorized by show type. They have ongoing shows that are there for years and then headliners for 1,2,3 nights. As January nears - revisit there and choose your dates from the drop-downs to see what headliners are in town during that period. What type of show ? I love the Cirque de Soleil shows - but you might want to see Folies Bergere : http://www.tropicanalv.com/ent_folies.asp : click on " show video". It's the longest running show in town. As for the Grand Cnayon, when you get there, you'll see tours in all the hotels, on all the flyers/busses etc. Do you want a bus trip or to fly over it... etc lots of options - not tough to find the info when you get there.


All up, we are spending 5-6 weeks in the US and want to see as much as we
can but not to the point where we are exhausted from our trip.


Just a thought , BUT in 5 or 6 weeks you could see a LOT of the US. Have you considered something such as this:
http://www.oneworld.com/ow/air-trave...-north-america.
Pick where in the US you'd like to go and skip the driving. It would definitely be more efficient. THEN you could go to : San Francisco , then NY, then Miami, then LA, then San Diego etc. If you haven't bought airfare I would think it over. Where do you REALLY want to visit and forget the traveltime restrictions. I know 2 people that do this every few years. In fact one of them is in Africa right now via NY ( for the US Open tennis matches) then Italy (for the soccer finals). The only thing is - after you decide WHERE you want to go then you must estimate the travel dates between cities. If this is the only time you're gonna do it, I would consider flying around the US: it's a pretty big country compared to Australia.
Thnk about it.


Bobb


We need all the help we can get - travel brochures and travel agents just
don't have 'all' the answers - I've learnt that local input is the key !

Thank you very much in advance !!!

  #22  
Old September 23rd, 2006, 02:16 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Rita[_1_]
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Posts: 108
Default California / Las Vegas Information

On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:44:47 -0400, JN wrote:


1. I would play it by ear since you are there for a few weeks, see what
the weather is like first before deciding.

2. Not too sure, don't live there just visit every year. I have never
gone in jan though.

3. Get a car for sure, LA and area is very large.

4. I enjoy driving up the coast on hwy 1 up to pismo beach and big sur area.

las Vegas:

I am not a gambler so I found after 24 hours I was done there. The
canyon is a few hours away and definitely worth the trip. If you are
coming all that way over and going to LV anyways a few more hours won't
hurt. Just remember it is a good 5-6 hour trip from LA to LV (beach to
strip) so take that into consideration when planning days.
There are lots of shows, shopping and food there, other than that I am
not sure what else to do there

have fun


I think with five to six weeks, that it would be a shame to limit
oneself to Southern California and miss the drive up the coast past
Big Sur and the marvelous city of San Francisco, which is totally
different from the freeway criss crossed LA and can be walked and
enjoyed without hopping in and out of a car. On the way up the
coast, Santa Barbara is a gem of a small city with a walkable downtown
and a beautiful setting. But then I am not a fan of LA overall, and
I would find more than one or two attractions such as theme parks
quite enough. The San Diego Zoo is marvelous and many believe far
superior to the Wild Animal Park. You could easily spend a day at
that world class zoo.

There is a distinct difference between Southern and more Northern
California and with a visit of the length noted it is possible to
experience both in a leisurely fashion.





wrote:
Hello

We are two Aussie girls travelling to the US in early January. We will be
flying into LAX and want to visit tourist areas of Los Angeles, Hollywood,
Anaheim and San Diego. We want to visit the theme parks and zoos such as
Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott's Berry Farm, Seaworld, San Diego Zoo
and Wild Life Park. We also want to see the famous Hollywood sign, the
Stars Walk of Fame (or whatever it is called), Rodeo Drive and a shopping
trip to Tijuana, Mexico. Can someone please help us with the following
questions:

1. how long should we be spending in each destination?
2. what is the weather like in CA - I've read it's 20C, however does it
rain a lot? I'm hoping it's similar to Qld, Aus in winter - "beautiful one
day, perfect the next".
3. would you recommend hiring a car or catching public transport?
4. are there any other destinations that we should see while in CA?

We also want to visit Las Vegas to experience the lights and sights and take
a trip to the Grand Canyon. How long should we stay in Las Vegas for? We
obviously want to see the Strip and catch a show (any recommendations?).
What else is there to do in Vegas that you would recommend?

All up, we are spending 5-6 weeks in the US and want to see as much as we
can but not to the point where we are exhausted from our trip.

We need all the help we can get - travel brochures and travel agents just
don't have 'all' the answers - I've learnt that local input is the key !

Thank you very much in advance !!!



  #23  
Old September 23rd, 2006, 04:50 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Anonymous[_1_]
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Posts: 48
Default California / Las Vegas Information

January is a great time to visit LA and Las Vegas. It's not so great
for the Grand Canyon.

Depending on where you are in the LA area, 70F to 80F days are common
in January. And the air tends to be cleaner... sometimes you can even
see the mountains! September tends to have some of the hottest days
of the year. In September, 90F to 100F highs are common and the
record high where I grew up (10 miles east of downtown LA) was 112 one
September.

BTW, Southern Califnrnia has more people than the whole of Australia.
LA County alone has roughly half the population of Australia.
  #25  
Old September 23rd, 2006, 10:36 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Don Kirkman
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Posts: 75
Default California / Las Vegas Information

It seems to me I heard somewhere that PTravel wrote in article
:

wrote in message
...
Hi Everyone


Thank you for all your help and assistance so far. We have gained some
very
useful information and destinations. We are both over 21, so no problems
with checking out the casinos in Vegas. Sounds like hiring a car is the
best option - just got to remember to drive on the "wrong" side of the
road
:-)


My sister loves theme parks and thrill rides (not my cup of tea), although
I've been wanting to visit Disneyland since a was a little kid. The film
tours (Warner Bros, etc) sound interesting as does checking out a sporting
event and, of course, plenty of shopping!!!! - although Tijuana is off the
itinerary (travel agent recommended it).


On the way down to Anaheim, there is a very large outlet mall that has many
dozens of designer stores. I can't recall the name at the moment, but I'm
sure someone else will know it. You should be able to satisfy some of your
shopping cravings there.


You're probably thinking of the Citadel, in the city of Commerce
alongside I-5 about midway between downtown LA and Disneyland. It is an
old retired tire factory built a predecessor of Uniroyal, in the age of
imaginative architects, and was designed like an Assyrian or Babylonian
fortress. I've never been, so I can't comment on the shopping.
--
Don Kirkman
  #26  
Old September 23rd, 2006, 11:12 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
PTravel[_1_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 219
Default California / Las Vegas Information


"Don Kirkman" wrote in message
...
It seems to me I heard somewhere that PTravel wrote in article
:

wrote in message
...
Hi Everyone


Thank you for all your help and assistance so far. We have gained some
very
useful information and destinations. We are both over 21, so no
problems
with checking out the casinos in Vegas. Sounds like hiring a car is the
best option - just got to remember to drive on the "wrong" side of the
road
:-)


My sister loves theme parks and thrill rides (not my cup of tea),
although
I've been wanting to visit Disneyland since a was a little kid. The
film
tours (Warner Bros, etc) sound interesting as does checking out a
sporting
event and, of course, plenty of shopping!!!! - although Tijuana is off
the
itinerary (travel agent recommended it).


On the way down to Anaheim, there is a very large outlet mall that has
many
dozens of designer stores. I can't recall the name at the moment, but I'm
sure someone else will know it. You should be able to satisfy some of
your
shopping cravings there.


You're probably thinking of the Citadel, in the city of Commerce
alongside I-5 about midway between downtown LA and Disneyland. It is an
old retired tire factory built a predecessor of Uniroyal, in the age of
imaginative architects, and was designed like an Assyrian or Babylonian
fortress. I've never been, so I can't comment on the shopping.


That's the one! Thanks, Don.


--
Don Kirkman



  #27  
Old September 24th, 2006, 06:03 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
[email protected]
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Posts: 124
Default California / Las Vegas Information

In article ,
Don Kirkman wrote:

You're probably thinking of the Citadel, in the city of Commerce
alongside I-5 about midway between downtown LA and Disneyland. It is an
old retired tire factory built a predecessor of Uniroyal, in the age of
imaginative architects, and was designed like an Assyrian or Babylonian
fortress. I've never been, so I can't comment on the shopping.


Don, do you mean it looked like that when it was a tire factory? I just
drove by it the other day and didn't recall ever having seen it before.
I thought it was a not-quite-finished outlet mall. (A friend guessed
Sumerian, but your guesses are probably better!)


Patty


  #28  
Old September 24th, 2006, 07:57 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Don Kirkman
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Posts: 75
Default California / Las Vegas Information

It seems to me I heard somewhere that Patty Winter wrote in article
:

In article ,
Don Kirkman wrote:


You're probably thinking of the Citadel, in the city of Commerce
alongside I-5 about midway between downtown LA and Disneyland. It is an
old retired tire factory built a predecessor of Uniroyal, in the age of
imaginative architects, and was designed like an Assyrian or Babylonian
fortress. I've never been, so I can't comment on the shopping.


Don, do you mean it looked like that when it was a tire factory? I just
drove by it the other day and didn't recall ever having seen it before.
I thought it was a not-quite-finished outlet mall. (A friend guessed
Sumerian, but your guesses are probably better!)


Yep; I used to commute past it twice a day after it stopped making tires
but long before the major remake into a mall. The 1930s, especially,
was a time of adventurous architecture. For instance, few people know
there is (was?) a Coca Cola bottling plant in the shape of an ocean
liner closer to downtown Los Angeles. Most references call the Citadel
"Assyrian".
--
Don Kirkman
  #29  
Old September 25th, 2006, 12:11 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Icono Clast
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Posts: 631
Default California / Las Vegas Information

wrote:
Don Kirkman wrote:
You're probably thinking of the Citadel, in the city of Commerce
. . . It is an old retired tire factory built a predecessor of
Uniroyal, in the age of imaginative architects, and was designed
like an Assyrian or Babylonian fortress. I've never been, so I
can't comment on the shopping.


Don, do you mean it looked like that when it was a tire factory? I
just drove by it the other day and didn't recall ever having seen
it before. I thought it was a not-quite-finished outlet mall. (A
friend guessed Sumerian, but your guesses are probably better!)


It's been a landmark for me since long 'before July 17, 1955. Looked
better than it does now, too, 'cause it was complete. Other than
clean the façade and raze the building, I don't know what they did
but, for æsthetics, they oughtn't've. Nevertheless, I'm delighted
they're preserved what little they have.

-- __________________________________________________ ______________
. . . in L.A., you cannot trust air you cannot see -- Len
http://geocities.com/dancefest/ --- http://geocities.com/iconoc/
ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 ------- IClast at Gmail com


--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

  #30  
Old September 26th, 2006, 12:01 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Icono Clast
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Posts: 631
Default California / Las Vegas Information

Don Kirkman wrote:
The 1930s, especially, was a time of adventurous architecture.
For instance, few people know there is (was?) a Coca Cola bottling
plant in the shape of an ocean liner closer


I remember seeing that! It's no longer there? Where was it?

-- __________________________________________________ ______________
In Los Angeles, "short distances" ARE miles!
http://geocities.com/dancefest/ --- http://geocities.com/iconoc/
ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 ------- IClast at Gmail com

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

 




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