HONEYMOONERS, trip of a lifetime, need help!!

[lovegravy]

Hi all

Firstly this site is MINT!
I see all you guys suggesting routes and stops time and time again and I don't want to be a pain but most of them include camping!

Now i'm not shy and don't mind camping, but i'm getting married on 1st July 2006 and want to take my wife on the most amazing trip ever and swap the sleeping in UV's to bathing in Hot tubs.

Now I dont' know anything about Road tripping, all I know is I want to go to Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica and end up in Vegas.
I am planning around 10 - 14 days in July or August for the trip and I need to do it in no more than 4 - 5 stops (the wife wants us to relax not drive all week) ...but there is sooo much to choose from, I dont know which would be the best stops to make and in what order to do them.

Now, I need a car, a fast car...a very fast car..none of this UV stuff, i'm after a Dodge Viper or Covette or similar, so some help here would be appriciated too.

We need to do the trip in good Hotels, preferably with Hot tubs and luxury, but not at $500 a night type thing..

I would like to see the Grand Canyon, but can you stay in a Hotel there?

Please please, help me make our dream. We have no children....yet....so want to make this the best!, we may not be as free next time..:)

I sooo look forward to hearing from you guys!

Speak soon

Jefferson

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

On the face, its seems like this should be a pretty easy trip to pull off. You can spend a few days in the LA area, before spending a day driving out the the Grand Canyon, spend a night or two there, before heading to Vegas.

That of course is assuming that you are flying into LA and then renting a car and driving from there. You didn't say where you are starting from. If you are planning to start your drive from somewhere else, you could be talking about a whole different story.

Yes, there are several very nice hotels and lodges right at the grand canyon, however they do fill up early and reservations should be made as soon as possible for any chance at getting a room this summer. If the places on the rim are booked, you can also try staying at hotels in Flagstaff or Williams about a hour drive from the South Rim.

As far as lodging in LA and Las Vegas there are a million possible choice that fit what you are looking for. You can check out the Travel Reservations section of the RTA website to see what is available during your trip. You should also be able to find a nice sports car or convertable available for rent from this service.

[lovegravy]

Cheers for the tips, sorry, yes I am starting at Los Angeles. To be honest, I have only been told it is easier to start there as I am flying from the UK, is this true?

Other than the Canyon, could you tell me how close and how many days would be suitable to soak up the joys and sights of Hollywood, Beverley Hills and Santa Monica, I also want to visit Universal Studio's on route, is this possible and within a drivable distance?
Also, is it worth going to Santa Monica for a few days or is San Francisco better, as I have not included SF and don't want to miss out...

If you guys can think of something better than what I have said, please fire away, I am only working of hear say anyway, i'm just wide open for options..

Can someone suggest a classic route, tried and tested like...
Vegas and Los Angeles are the start and finish, can you fill in the gaps...remember no more than 5 stops...hehe quiz time!

Speak soon

Jeff

[Midwest Michael]

Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Universal Studios are all in the General LA area, and can easily be enjoyed simply by getting one hotel in a central location. I'd think spending 5 or 6 days there, then a couple days at the Grand Canyon, and then a few more days in Vegas before making the 5-6 hour drive back to LAX would fit your plan about perfectly.

San Francisco is nice, but if you are concerned about spending too much time on the road, I would leave it out for this trip. It would basically add 2 full days of driving to your schedule.

Flying into LAX is probably the cheapest option for you, but if you find a better deal on a flight to Las Vegas, you could always start your trip there and then work backwards.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I see all you guys suggesting routes and stops time and time again...but most of them include camping!

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum. Actually most of us on this board are not campers per se. The first time I have slept in a tent was last Monday night and the previous time was at least a decade or two earlier. We suggest camping as a means of stretching trip budgets. My idea of roadtripping often involves a five-star hotel...

Now I dont' know anything about Road tripping, all I know is I want to go to Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica and end up in Vegas.

Where are you starting from?

I would like to see the Grand Canyon, but can you stay in a Hotel there?

There are a variety of motels and a fancy Inn nearby.

Happy Planning.

Mark

[lovegravy]

Hi all

Right, I'm gonna book this thing up!! Thanks for the help so far, you have been class.

The starting point looks like it depends on the car..
Now, does anyone know any good hotels in Los Angeles, anything a bit different, with Hot tubs or something....same goes for Vegas...can anyone help, otherwise the strat will have to do..

The starting point looks like it depends on the car, i've found an AC Cobra and a Camaro SS, in Vegas but they won't let me leave it in LA. I also tried the links on the site, but it won't give me definate choice of car...the car is the most important bit (to me!)...can anyone suggest any other dealers that might not be listed in google?

If I didn't stay at the Canyon for the middle stop, is there anywhere more populated that might be more fun between LA and Vegas?

Right, I have found this little monster...
http://www.exoticcarrentalslasvegas....onvertible.htm
Now I can pick this up in Vegas and the company have a branch in San Diego I can drop it at, so...Why are all the Hotels in San Diego more expensive than in Vegas and LA??
Also, I never planned going to San, but if I can get this car...is it a worth while visit? Is sea world that good?
So, If you think this is a good idea, the trip will be to fly from UK to Vegas (5 days)..Pick up the Beast! Drive to LA via the Grand Canyon (no stop). Do LA and area (5 Days) then down to San Diego for 2 days(drop off the beast..cry)..fly from San to UK.
As I wrote this I just realised I probably wont need the beast for the 5 days I am in Vegas, am I right in thinking its easy enough to travel without a car there?? This way I can save the dosh and hire the beast for 7 night instead of 12!?

Looking forward to hearing from you... We are making progress here!

Speak soon

Jeff

[Mark Sedenquist]

The starting point looks like it depends on the car..
Now, does anyone know any good hotels in Los Angeles, anything a bit different, with Hot tubs or something....same goes for Vegas...can anyone help, otherwise the strat will have to do..

Just about anything you can envision can be obtained in Las Vegas -- it just takes a little persistance and lots of cash. There are several places that rent high-end performance cars here. If it were me, I think I would wait until you get here and can really see what choices are available.

If I didn't stay at the Canyon for the middle stop, is there anywhere more populated that might be more fun between LA and Vegas?

There are some high-end and budget places in Palm Springs. Personally I like the quality of the water at Sam's, but the tubs/pools are public. If you are seeking some private soaking under the stars -- you might consider Tecopa (it is very rustic) or some of these in Arizona.

Why are all the Hotels in San Diego more expensive than in Vegas and LA?? Also, I never planned going to San, but if I can get this car...is it a worth while visit? Is sea world that good?

Actually, hotel rates in Las Vegas are usually much higher than San Diego, but the rates fluctate daily depending upon what conventions are in town. Sea World is a hoot -- but I like the Wild Animal Park (associated with the SD Zoo) more.

So, If you think this is a good idea, the trip will be to fly from UK to Vegas (5 days)..Pick up the Beast! Drive to LA via the Grand Canyon (no stop)

. Um, you need to look at a map. By the fastest possible route, it is six hours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and ten hours from the Grand Canyon to LA. So, if you spend 1-2 hours looking at the Grand, you will be on the road for nearly twenty hours that day. That doesn't sound very romantic to me!

Mark

[lovegravy]

Hi Mark, thanks for the tips
...
Just an update...the chap with the Mustang won't let me drop it at San Diego, even though he has a branch there.
So...I have also discovered that I can save at least £300 flying from Where I landed - Vegas..
So, it will be much easier all round if I landed in Vegas for a couple of days, hired the car, then do a loop round LA/Santa Monica (5 nights), down to San Diego (2 nights) and back to Vegas for the last 2 nights. I can then get the car I want and return it to Vegas no bother.

I think i'm gonna have to pass on the Canyon..Shame, but I might take a copter ride in Vegas to fill that gap.

I am realy particular about the car, is it realy easy to pick something like a Rouge Mustang, even at last minute, I don't want to find out I can't get one when i'm there you see.

Thanks so much for the help guys!

[Mark Sedenquist]

I am realy particular about the car, is it realy easy to pick something like a Rouge Mustang, even at last minute, I don't want to find out I can't get one when i'm there you see.

In that case, I guess you had better book it before.

Mark

[lovegravy]

Hello again.

I am now at the arrangement stage for my amazing drive to LA.
What sort of timing will I need to drive from Vegas pass through Death Valley and arrive at LA in one day, without a struggle?
Also what would be the best route?

Thanks guys!