Greetings,
My wife and I will be celebrating our 5 year anniversary in 2012 and we're taking a trip to Vegas/San Diego. I have been to Vegas many times, as I have family there but this time I want to see San Diego. Our plan is to fly into Vegas and head right for San Diego. I would normally just drive straight through, but after a 4 hour flight, I want to go about halfway and stop overnight in a city.
I work in the travel industry, so I'm able to easily find hotels in cities between Vegas and San Diego. The "logical" halfway point would be Barstow. But, after reading reviews about the crime and how economically depressed the town is, I really don't feel that's a good option.
After researching, there really aren't many cities to choose from. I've looked into these 3 cities:
Victorville
Hesperia
Phelan
I realize were in the desert and there won't be much to see/do. We're simply looking for which one of these cities is the nicest and safest. We just want a place to lay our head for the night and maybe grab a bite to eat.
We're pretty much ruling Barstow out, so it's between these 3 most likely. I need any advice/opinions you guys can give. I've read that Hesperia has some good areas and some bad, I mean I think it would be fine to stay right off of 15 but you guys probably know better than I do.
Also, as far as Barstow goes. I would like to drive the small stretch of route 66 that runs through there. Do you think we'd be okay to do that? I simply think Barstow is not a place to sleep for the night but should be okay to pass through.
Thanks!