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llawjm
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Joined: 23 Feb 2010
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Location: London, UK
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 Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:58 pm Post subject: Planning suggestions with our Californian trip |
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Hi all!
My German g/f and I (Aussie) are heading to California in June for about 10 days to attend a friends wedding. Having never been to the West Coast before we're trying to work out what we should be seeing and where we should spend our time. We'd like a relaxing break, whilst making sure we see some of the highlights.
Having done my own research, I am leaning towards staying in Santa Monica rather than Hollywood/Beverly Hills/Downtown LA. Does this sound sensible? Any suggestions for accomodation in Santa Monica that won't break the budget (don't wanna really pay more than $150pn). We'll have a hire car, so location shouldn't be a problem.
Looking forward to Vegas. Recommend any "must stay at" hotels? Should we do the chopper flight to the Grand Canyon? Boat trip too?
You can see our rough itinerary below. Any suggestions what to do on the final Sun-Tue would be grateful.
Thanks to you all for any suggestions!
Safe travels!
Itinerary
Fri
Pick up hire car. Chill out in Santa Monica.
Accom in Santa Monica.
Sat
Arrive in LA, chillin Santa Monica, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Venice Beach.
Accom in Santa Monica.
Mon
Day @ Disneyland!
Accom near Disneyland.
Tue
Drive to Vegas / Chill
Accom in Vegas.
Wed
Chopper flight to Grand Canyon. Brians stag party Wed night.
Accom in Vegas.
Thur
Recovery / Chill in Vegas
Accom in Vegas.
Fri
Drive to Ojai, Californa for wedding rehersal dinner etc.
Accom in Ojai *Booked*
Sat 26 : Day in Ojai and the Wedding of course!
Accom in Ojai *Booked*
Sun 27
Brunch/Recovery in Ojai! Where should we go/visit?!
Accom??
Mon 28
Day @ Universal Studios?
Accom??
Tue 29
Shopping in L.A.?
Flight at 8pm from LAX. |
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Dawn Patrol
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Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Posts: 2547
Location: LA, the land of swimming pools, movie stars and crowded freeways
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: Planning suggestions with our Californian trip |
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Hi llajm , nice itinerary, although you ddi miss a day in there. 
| llawjm wrote: |
Itinerary
Fri
Pick up hire car. Chill out in Santa Monica.
Accom in Santa Monica.
Sat
Arrive in LA, chillin Santa Monica, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Venice Beach.
Accom in Santa Monica.
Mon
Day @ Disneyland!
Accom near Disneyland.
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Santa Monica is a great choice, beach, pier and the Thrid Street Promenade.
As far as hotels, you first have to decide if you want to say on the beach, or are willing to walk or take the bus. Hotels on the beach- are gorgeous,expenisive have the great views and charge for eveything- parking, internet. On the hand if you're willing to take a bus you can have a nice/OK hotel with free parking and internet & breakfast. It just depends on what your willing to sacrifice..
Luxury
I have friends that stayed at Shutters http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com/ expensive yes, but they got a pkg that included a convertible Benz for their stay. They thought it worth it.
Good location- Loews Santa Moncia Beach Hotel http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Hotels/Santa-Monica-Beach-Hotel/Overview.aspx
Bus/ Walk, if you call 2 miles a walk to beach. Comfort Inn http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-santa_monica-california-CA430
FYI - check pokgs, Many Santa Monica Hotels charge for parking and internet. AAA member rates.
Universal Studios - my guests really like the Universal Sheraton-. has a free shuttle to the theme park & citywalk, however you can walk to both; it's just a little hill.
http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/sheratonuniversal/so.htm?PS=PS_aa_SoCal_Google_universal_studios_sheraton_080906_NAD_FM
A helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon is great, expensive- but great. I have friends that have done this and loved it, but me, I drove. 
Vegas- has lots and lots of great hotels and with the econmy not that expenisve. I like the Mandalay Bay, Caesar's, but I have some friends that love the Hard Rock Hotel.
FYI--The Hard Rock, located off the strip, is geared toward 20 somethings- loud rock music blarrng in the common areas, an in-house tatoo parlor and pole dancers (G rated) in the middle of the casino. But great music in the "joint" I just saw Santana there-he was fantastic . But I stayed at Mandalay Bay.
inactive map of the strip http://www.coolvegasmap.com/
If you have more questions , drop a line,
gotta go
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DONTK
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Joined: 24 Apr 2008
Posts: 56
Location: SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA US
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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You might be a little disappointed In Santa Monica. in June. It 's the one month of the year that the get heavy fog. Maybe you'll get lucky and miss it.
The Rio is my Favert Hotel in Las Vegas. It's a city in a city. restaurants one at the top 50 stories up. Free entertainment , Shops and a hole lot more.
Even if you don't stay there you need to go there.
www.riolasvegas.com
I hope you have a great trip
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Dawn Patrol
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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DONTK, you live in San Francisco and you're talking about the fog in Santa Monica....
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DONTK
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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It's true we get fog.
after living in southern CAL for twenty years I move to SF but June is the worst month for the beach cities when it come to fog..
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llawjm
Baggage Handler
Joined: 23 Feb 2010
Posts: 6
Location: London, UK
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:36 am Post subject: Public Transport or Car? |
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Wow thank you so much for your many hints, tips, ideas and suggestions! Very much appreciated!
We're still narrowing down where we will stay (think we're certain it shall be in Santa Monica).
I have one more question, that being the subject of Transport!
A friend of mine has suggested we tackle LA using the public bus & train system. I'm leaning towards the same idea as I don't think we'll really need a car if we are commuting from Santa MOnica into town for the day and back, and then getting to Universal Studios for a day. I'll hire a car and drive out to Disney though, continuing to Las Vegas.
Agree?
Thanks a million! Matt |
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Dawn Patrol
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Location: LA, the land of swimming pools, movie stars and crowded freeways
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 5:12 pm Post subject: Re: Public Transport or Car? |
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| llawjm wrote: | A friend of mine has suggested we tackle LA using the public bus & train system. I'm leaning towards the same idea as I don't think we'll really need a car if we are commuting from Santa MOnica into town for the day and back, and then getting to Universal Studios for a day. I'll hire a car and drive out to Disney though, continuing to Las Vegas.
Agree?
Thanks a million! Matt |
LA is really spread out; you'll need a car. Besides don't you want to return home and tell everybody how you drove PCH, wind in your hair, movie star style? 
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DONTK
Flight Steward
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| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:09 pm Post subject: |
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I don't think it's to your best interest to take LA public transportation. It's not the best and could get scary in part of LA. Stick to the car.
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Lancer786
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| Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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You may can have some good fun in Vegas if you do the following...
The Sundance Helicopters ffers a unique opportunity to the tourists to see the city from air, the Desert Fox Tours are meant for those who are interested in venturing into the Red Rock Canyon Area for the fun of rock hunting and seeking out the local discovery of petrified wood. there is an exact replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Richard Petty Driving Experience is meant for speed lovers in which the interested individual is given an opportunity to drive solo in a 600 horse power race car on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway at 160 miles an hour.
you may can take help from the following page...
http://www.thingstodoinlasvegasnv.com/
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Dawn Patrol
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| Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Lancer786 wrote: | | there is an exact replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. |
Not exactly Lancer. The Eiffel Tower at the Paris is a half scale replica. BTW, three of the Tower's legs are on the Paris casino floor - slot machines under the Eiffel Tower, where else but Vegas.
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Lancer786
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| Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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I am not sure but i have read some where that its exact replica 50 storeys and 540 feet high.
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Dawn Patrol
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| Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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Lancer you are correct the replica Eiffiel Tower in Vegas is about 540 ft, however the Eiffiel Tower in France is over 1,000 ft. Trust me, the Eiffiel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe in Vegas are beautiful scaled down replicas.
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briggl
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llawjm
Baggage Handler
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Location: London, UK
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| Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 11:56 am Post subject: Thanks for your replies! |
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Hi all,
Just a big thank you to you all on suggestions for our trip! We just got back from California and had such a wonderful time!
We stayed 3 nights in Santa Monica and visited Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Venice Beach, and did a fantastic food tour with Melting Pot Tours in downtown LA - check em out! Then spent a day at Disneyland, followed by a road trip to Vegas. Spent 3 nights in Vegas @ the Palazzo (amazing) and then a long drive via LA, up to Ojai for a wedding. Ojai is such a cute quaint town. The Ojai Country Club Inn was just bliss! Our final night was spent in Santa Barbara - can't recommend it more highly!
Anyways, I am about to post again about BC, Canada and get some ideas for our 3 week trip!
Take care, keep travelling and thanks again for your feedback!
Matt & Mel. |
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briggl
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