Advice if poss -Las Vegas, San Francisco, Pacific Highway, LA and San Diego

[dramaqueen]

i think i was looking at an old water park as i couldn't seem to find it. However i did come across an article promising a new Las Vegas waterpark by Memorial Day 2012....BUT... it won't be open while we're there!

http://www.8newsnow.com/story/152195...-for-las-vegas

[dramaqueen]

We've booked our flights! YEA. We land in SFO 27th March and return from SFO 17th April.

As you suggested, a round trip is what we're planning. SFO, LOS ANGELES,SANDIEGO, LAS VEGAS, GRAND CANYON, YOSEMITE, SFO

Suggestions for places the kids would remember appreciated (wacky/strange??). Monterey aquarium is on our list as is San Diego Zoo and of course Disney Land

Can you tell me what time it becomes dark in SFO in March/April? (so that we can plan our day accordingly).

We're going to stay in SFO for three nights. Do you have suggestions as to best places to stay to see all sights? We'll then hire a car for the rest of the stay.

Also, any recommendations of an online package for storing all our trip information?

Thanks in advance, yet again!

[Southwest Dave]

Great news, exciting times ahead !!

In SF you will be looking at sunrise at around 7am and sunset around 7.30pm at he end of March, beginning of April.

The 'best ' place to stay has a few factors and one is cost. The more central you are [near Union square] the higher the prices generally speaking. We found reasonable priced Motels near Lombard and Gough street which is close enough to stroll towards Fishermans Wharf where you can pick up the cable cars into the City, although we chose to walk. It's a good idea to rent the car after your few day's in the City, as it is compact and easy to get around without one and parking is expensive.

To get an idea of costs take a look at the RTA reservations centre to the top right of this page.

I have always used a note pad to jot notes down when I pick up new ideas and then sometime prior to leaving, I put them in some kind of 'daily' order along with my paper maps.

[glc]

As you suggested, a round trip is what we're planning. SFO, LOS ANGELES,SANDIEGO, LAS VEGAS, GRAND CANYON, YOSEMITE, SFO

Are you going from SD to the GC, then LV? That would be the most efficient way.

Is the Safari Park in Escondido (run by the SD Zoo) on your list? Legoland in Carlsbad?

[dramaqueen]

Are you going from SD to the GC, then LV? That would be the most efficient way.

Is the Safari Park in Escondido (run by the SD Zoo) on your list? Legoland in Carlsbad?

1) we were hoping to go from San diego but we may have to do SD then back to LA as staying with friends in LA and they may not be available until 6th April (we may be staying a few days in LA and a few in Santa Barbara with them). Little worried that we may run out of time for the Las Vegas stretch if going from SD as we would want to be stay over in SD. The finer details need to be finalised and am waiting for confirmation from our friends.

2) We'll certainly add the Safari Park onto our list - Legoland was "kind of" on there. Need to find a waterpark though for my son (that's his request). I belive the have one in Legoland but not sure if it will be open - all these things need to be checked

thanks for the input glc & southwest dave

[Southwest Dave]

Unless you are planning on a lengthy stay with your friends you will be able to fit it all in quite comfortably. Georges [glc] point was that you had listed SD to Vegas to GC, where it would be slightly more economical to head direct to the GC and then back to Las Vegas, plus you won't have to back track along I40. Starting from LA, it would make no real difference in which order you visited Vegas or GC as the Tioga pass is closed - Unless you are hoping to squeeze a visit to Death valley into the equation [recommended] then you should definitely head to the Grand canyon before Vegas.

[dramaqueen]

Hi there, we're looking to book accommodation for three nights.
First night basically a write off after our flight. Any suggestions as the best/safest place to stay for family with 2 kids?
There's so much out there. Also we're finding not many offer breakfast in their costings - is this the norm?
Is there a "traditional" san franciscian breakfast we need to try while we're out there?
cheers

[DonnaR57]

Waterparks:

In San Diego, down in the Chula Vista area, Knott's runs a waterpark called Soak City. There's another one in the Vista area. I'm not sure if these are year-round, though.

In the Los Angeles area, there is one near the intersection of I-10 and I-210, called Raging Waters. There are others, too, but that's the only one I can remember the name of, at the moment!

I haven't been to any of these ... we aren't water park lovers. However, one of my daughters has tried all 3 of these and likes them all!


Donna

[dramaqueen]

thanks donnar57 for the waterpark info. we'll check them out
;)

[Southwest Dave]

With regards to breakfast, it's just a case of some do, some don't. Some do a full breakfast menu where others just have coffee and pastries. After the long flight you might consider staying at an airport hotel depending on arrival time. It can be a good choice if it is getting late as many have a free shuttle bus service. We stayed at the Best Western Grosvenor for a couple of nights and caught the shuttle bus back to the airport and took the BART rail system downtown which is a 20 min or so ride away. It's a good system but I'm not sure this would be ideal for a longer stay, we used the hotel to get one full day in SF before picking up our RV early next day. On returning we stayed at the Buena Vista motor Inn on Lombard/Gough that was good value for what it is. They both have mixed reviews but we were OK with both considering the cost and that we just wanted a place that was clean and comfy to sleep, although this was 4 years ago and things change quickly. The Best western provided a good breakfast, the Buena Vista 'breakfast' is not worth a mention, but it had a nice roof terrace to sit out on in the evening.

As I mentioned in my previous post, 'best' comes down to what suits your needs and budget and with few regular contributors to the forums and thousands of lodging options, you might just have to go on your instincts. The main thing I would be wary of is unusually cheap centrally located Motels because 'Central' and 'Cheap' are two words that are not associated with each other.

Parking is very expensive in SF and can be even at Motels you are staying at. Are you collecting your car after your stay ? That was one of the other advantages of the Buena vista, [as well as cost and location] free parking.