Hey guys,

Looking for some advice...

Hoping to spend our honeymoon (Jul 2014) on the West Coast taking in Vegas and California. Does anyone have any recommendations for places to visit and stay in the area of surrounding areas?

It's going to be around 2 weeks and we are happy to travel around if anyone has any good recommendations of places to visit.

Thanks in advance!
Dan

_________________
Cpl Dan Callaghan

"On an express elevator to hell...going down!"

Just call me Admiral....

I hear D*con is great!

_________________
Sgt C. Kee-McParlin
A05/TQ1.0.02160E1

13th Regt. 1st Batt. 'Freebooters'

D'Con isn't West Coast, and it's not in July! Maybe San Diego Comic Con, depending on the dates?

_________________
-Spat

Yeah, Duhh!

Maybe my lick for jokes doesn't impact! :S

Anyway, hope you got it, Dan!

_________________
Sgt C. Kee-McParlin
A05/TQ1.0.02160E1

13th Regt. 1st Batt. 'Freebooters'

Ahhh... an in joke! Sorry!

_________________
-Spat

No Problems.

_________________
Sgt C. Kee-McParlin
A05/TQ1.0.02160E1

13th Regt. 1st Batt. 'Freebooters'

we have SDCC in mid July, we have AX at the start of july around the 4th. and i will be at both those in CM armor would be great to meet a Marine from across the pond.

_________________
SGT Chris Kraemer "BIRD"
S/N: A07/TQ0.0.82154G1 Sgt Kraemer

Thanks guys!

Any recommendations for non-con themed places to visit/things to do too?

_________________
Cpl Dan Callaghan

"On an express elevator to hell...going down!"

Just call me Admiral....

Disneyland lol

_________________
SGT Chris Kraemer "BIRD"
S/N: A07/TQ0.0.82154G1 Sgt Kraemer

There are plenty of "Ranches" outside Vegas!

_________________
-Spat

I'm in Northern California- some places to see in our fair state include: Disneyland ( a must!) Universal,San Francisco, Carmel, Lake Tahoe.

Once you get your itinerary sorted out, then we can get you some superb places to eat!

_________________


USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!

California is a big state, with lots to see and do depending on how much time you have and what your interests are.

If you have a few days to spare and don't mind renting a car and covering some distance, I'd recommend driving up Highway 1 (aka Scenic Highway) that basically runs along the coastline all the way up the length of the state. If heading south to north (Pacific Ocean on your left), the changes in scenery while driving up the Pacific Coastal Range are spectacular, if you're into that sort of thing. Lots of beautiful coastline dotted with old Spanish missions, wine country, numerous state parks, not to mention some of the places Rex recommended, any of which you could visit along the way if you were to go as far as San Francisco.

Highway 1 north of San Francisco is probably the most beautiful section of all. I'd personally recommend starting from there and driving up the coast through Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino Counties. Marin has the giant sequoias (redwoods) of Muir Woods, and farther north, Sonoma & Mendocino Counties are in the heart of California's premier wine country (along with Napa County, which is inland). There are some very nice places to stay & dine along the coast, where the seafood is especially good. My wife and I honeymooned along the northern coast and spent many summer holidays there since.

There is much to see if traveling up the eastern border of the state as well. Yosemite National Park is popular and within a day's drive from LA. If you were to follow Highway 49 you'd pass through California's historic gold country, with lots of old mining towns with some nice B&Bs to stay at along the way. If you were to continue north you'd eventually reach the Sierra Nevada Range, and Lake Tahoe. Tahoe's South Shore is on the border of Nevada, where the casinos are in forested country, with a distinctly different atmosphere that is much nicer than Las Vegas in so many ways, at least imho.

There are lots of places to go and things to do if you plan ahead. I know the state intimately, as does Rex, and I'd also be glad to help in any way if you give us an idea of how you'd like to spend your time there.

_________________
GySgt Gustafson, Dru R.
Callsign: Mud Shark
A06/TQ0.0.32122E1

I quite liked Vegas when I went with my mom for our birthdays (and I even had bronchitis!). In addition to the usual strip stuff, we did a sundown horseback riding tour through the desert (I think it was about an hour outside the city, but they picked us up and dropped us off) which included a steak dinner and rounding up calves rodeo-style. They don't have beer at the ranch, but if you harass the driver he'll stop at a gas station for you to pick up a six-pack, and if you're really nice they might teach you to lasso. We stayed in the MGM Grand, which was nice. You can normally find deals on the big hotels since they expect to gain all your money in the casinos. Even if you don't gamble, there's SO MUCH to do. We spent a day just walking the strip (took a cab to the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign and then mosied our way back, walking through the big hotels and interesting shops). A lot of the hotels have other attractions, too, like mini zoos, aquariums, gardens, mini major landmarks, rides & roller coasters, and the Bellagio fountain. There's all the shows, too (including several installments of Cirque du Soleil).

I wish we had taken the time to go to the Hoover Dam, but we were only there for 3 or 4 days so skipped it. Next time!

Just walking the strip in Vegas is cool. In and out of casinos, so many sights to see. Ang and I like staying at the Flamingo. One of the oldies but goodies and right in the heart of it all. And nothing beats the bacon at the Harley Davidson restaurant first thing on a chilly morning. Also, if you're into that kinda thing, the Hustler Club is monumental. It ruins most other strip clubs the way Dragon ruins most other conventions.

_________________

http://www.tentaclechris.com

California is about 150 to 200 miles wide, and 700 to 800 miles tall, depending on how you measure it. In order for California locals to help you, we really need to know a general area or city in Cali you'll be going to.

_________________
BANNED USER

Thanks for the info so far folks!

At the moment we don't have any definite plans for where to stay. But the plan is:

- Land in Vegas (stay for 3-4 nights)
- Drive or Greyhound to LA (possible stop in Barstow)
- spend 7-10 nights in LA or moving around
- travel back to Vegas for return flight


Thanks
Dan

_________________
Cpl Dan Callaghan

"On an express elevator to hell...going down!"

Just call me Admiral....

So good, you have 3 or 4 days to spend at the Hustler Club

_________________

http://www.tentaclechris.com

To give you an ideal of the size of California, it is 1.75 times bigger than the whole of the UK.

http://mapfight.appspot.com/california-vs-gb

_________________
"Kill it before it dies!"
Daniel "Honcho" Kim
President & Founder
SciFiHero.Net & Alchemy Arms

You can visit Apone's armor inside the Planet Hollywood restaurant at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace (NOT in the Plantet Hollywood casino). You MAY want to drive, I can't imagine the Greyhound to be a memorable experience. That said, flights from Vegas to LAX and/or Burbank can be had for less then the cost of gas, so it may be cheaper (and quicker) just to fly.

_________________

Thanks Willie.

I only thought about driving as I'd like to check out a roadside diner and stay in a motel!

_________________
Cpl Dan Callaghan

"On an express elevator to hell...going down!"

Just call me Admiral....

There really isn't too much between LA and Vegas believe it or not, there's Victorville, Barstow, Baker, Middle of Nowhere, and Primm - there *may* be something decent, but once you'll get out there you'll see what I mean. IIRC there are some decent diner type places in Barstow...

_________________

Ha! I read Barstow and about screamed. (booooo) Like he said, in the middle of nowhere. There's been some great advice regarding where and what you want to do. I have to second the PCH (1) drive along the coast. Southern CA, (LA) is better for more 'entertainment' related things, and is just a big concrete city and it sounds like you're going to hit Vegas anyway...It may not be 'pretty' but the Santa Monica/Venice area is fun to puts around for the day. See some of the iconic silliness but you can skate, bike, walk, ride etc around the boardwalk areas. Middle to Northern CA has the real beaches though. Monterrey is awesome and if you do end up in Barstow (rent a car btw..greyhound is a bit shady) then do see the redwoods and go to Yosemite. Especially while you can. Yosemite is one of those breathtaking places and it seems as the years pass by, it's becoming less open to the public because of the ever changing geological state...But to see El Capitan and Half Dome and just spend the day in the 7 mile valley.. It's friggin awesome! So you can pretend your ewoks or jedi in the redwoods (that is where it was filmed ) and see trees big enough you can drive cars through the trunks, or maybe revisit a little Trek at Yosemite.. There's also Agua Ducle in Acton, CA that's about a 50 minute Drive from the LA basin. The Vasquez rocks are huge part of iconic cinema history and it's free and you can go climb on the rocks etc. LA itself IS fun, but again... it all just depends on what you all want to do. If you want to get the full experience, do a little of whatever you can but if you want relaxing...the beach and vineyards ARE lovely. Someone also mentioned flights.. You can fly into LA and then catch a flight to sanfran sometimes for like 40 bucks. Check it out see if it's something you can work with. If you do LA, personally, I like going to Griffith Observatory and going to some of the local prop/makeup/wardrobe and off the wall places, between Hollywood and Burbank. I'm getting ready do this myself in a couple weeks (CA for 5 days, AZ for 4 and NV for day or so then back to TN).. Trying to form my own to-do's as well. Best wishes to ya!

Thanks guys you've been a big help!

_________________
Cpl Dan Callaghan

"On an express elevator to hell...going down!"

Just call me Admiral....

Dude, I live right next to Disneyland and have traveled all over So Cal. I work in Downtown LA as well. Just PM me and I can get you whatever you want. I can help you any way I can and probably through work can get you plenty of discounts for y'all as well. I love playing tour guide in my city!!

BTW, there is nothing really in Barstow. Don't waste your time.

_________________
"It is a pulse rifle, not a purse."

Barstow has the Marine Corps Logistic Base, where I bought my M172A1 and my XM971E1... But other than that, there's next to nothing. It's a small rural desert area with some small businesses, "ranches", and some residential areas.

_________________
BANNED USER