plsflgd

A friend of mine is coming to US (Los Angeles) for 2.5 weeks, for the first time. I would like to show her various aspects of the country - scenery, tourist attractions like Las Vegas and / or Universal Studios, some sea adventures. I was thinking of a 3 part itinerary:

1. Las Vegas / Grand Canyon area
2. Los Angeles and nearby
3. Hawaii (Kauai)

I would appreciate any suggestions for the itinerary, that would minimize the # of internal flights and car rents, and would fit comfortably into 2.5 weeks.

Tomsd

Assuming the drop-off charge isn't too steep - suggest you rent a car in Vegas (unless you are starting in LA)and then turn it in at LAX after you have toured around LA. It's about a 4 hour drive from Vegas to LA.

There are other posts in here about what to see and do in and around Vegas, LA and Kauai.

Have fun.

carolyn

Since this is a first-time visit, I would suggest Oahu rather than Kauai for the Waikiki-Diamond Head-Haunama Bay iconic sights and then a drive around the island for the quiet, scenic beauty of the islands.

Jean

When is this visit?

Where is the friend coming from, and will he/she be up for the long flights to/from Kauai after the long flights from wherever?

Is Las Vegas your idea or your friend's idea?

Does your friend enjoy scuba/snorkeling, hiking, fishing, other active pursuits?

plsflgd

The visit is in the first half of may.

She is coming from Europe, and it would be a good idea to avoid Hawaii flight right after she arrives to LA.

She strongly wanted to see the canyons, and I decided that a short stay in Las Vegas would be a good starting point. But myself, I don't like Las Vegas at all, and would like to avoid it if possible

Both of us enjoy active pursuits, but I am not sure that I want to do scuba; other activities mentioned by you are certainly high on the wish list.

Placename

I would only do Hawaii on your trip if you can devote 7 nights to the trip.

janisj

If it was me and I had a friend flying in long haul, I'd stick to LA, Grand Canyon/Las Vegas, and The California coast/San Francisco.

Jean

I agree with janisj, but I'd include Yosemite (if you can find accommodations) or Zion.

Or forget Vegas, fly in/out Phoenix and see Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, maybe Canyon de Chelly.

plsflgd

I was thinking of driving out of Phoenix, but is it bearable in the mid-May ?

Tomsd

Holy ground pounders. I would recommend you still get to Hawaii to see something different. What - since when is a 5 hour plane flight that bad? Have a couple Mai Tais - listen to the Hawaiian music and kick bak and look forward to seeing Paradise.

And, Kauai is the most beautiful island - called the "Garden Isle" for good reason. It's only a 20 minute flight from the main Hawaiian airport on Oahu.

Tomsd

And Arizona is not that hot in mid-may.

AB18

Question, I am flying to Phoenix, planning to see Sedona, Grand canoyn, Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly and flying back from Las Vegas. I have 7 nights, is it enough time? How many nights / were would you advice? Should I try to fit something else as well?

janisj

AB18: It would be much better if you start your own thread w/ your own questions. plsflgd's thread is about an entirely different trip/itinerary.

Songdoc

I agree with those who suggest including a trip up the coast to SF -- and Yosemite. But Kauai trumps everything for me ;-).

easytraveler

Tomsd: "Holy ground pounders"



What might them be?

plsflgd: I agree that your original idea of including Hawaii is very good. You'll be seeing mainly desert on the mainland, so Hawaii would be a big contrast. If you start your flight to Hawaii very early in the morning, the time usually goes by much faster and you'll have about half a day to get oriented over there.

As for the Las Vegas portion, weigh the differences between driving several hours over desert and a flight of about an hour. Only you can decide if your friend would prefer the long hot drive or the shorter flight - after coming in from Europe. Again, if you are going to drive, suggest you do it early in the day.

Otis_B_Driftwood

Phoenix can be hot in mid-May. Over 100 but you can get out of town pretty quickly into the northern part of the state which is higher and the weather will be cooler. Flagstaff might even be chilly, especially at night.

From LAX, you can fly on American right to Lihue. No need to go through Honolulu.

Tomsd

LOL easytraveler. When I was in the Air Force - that was the term used for the Army/Marine guys on the ground. I was using it for those who seem to be a bit squeamish about these travelers taking a 2nd flight to Hawaii, a little 5 hour jaunt.

As for getting to Vegas - I always recommend you always start early - oh dark thirty (say 5:30 on the road) - especially when leaving from LA to beat the Rush Hour traffic, and again, if you are coming back from Vegas on a Sunday - do it early (say before 10? am) - to beat the return traffic.

And as for AB 18 - I think a week is plenty of time to do what you want to in Arizona. Getting from your furthest destination (Canon de Chelly) over to the Grand Canyon can be done in half a day, and from the GC to Vegas - what 4 plus hours?

Also - just west of Monument Valley - a short drive north from the main road - is the Navajo Monument - which has some good cliff dwellings and a nice visitor's center.

Tomsd

BTW - driving from LA to Vegas is a fun drive (at least the first time)for a bit of different scenery - and when you get to Baker (after about 2 1/2 to 3 hrs) - you can check the temp on the big thermometer, and you are about an hour 15 minutes from Vegas.

Also - since that's a southern "gateway" to Death Valley - you can get an idea of how desolate Death Valley could be. Imagine if you were the early settlers - who came in from the east - and after crossing some very tough (and relatively dry) country - suddenly look out over the parched (well named?) Death Valley.

easytraveler

tomsd: Thanks! Great explanation!

plsflgd: Starting out for Las Vegas at 5:30am is a great suggestion. Bring water and sunscreen. If you must stop in the desert for any reason, try and find an overpass and park in its shade. Makes a world of difference.

Out in Monument Valley, Navajo Nation, there's a great new hotel, The View, that I'd like to try some day. You might want to check into it for an overnight stay:

http://www.monumentvalleyview.com/

plsflgd

Unfortunately, there was a timing change. Originally, we were planning this trip in the end of April - mid May. But because of her work, the friend of mine would have to come around May 20th. My feeling is that it would be already too hot for the Nevada-Uta-Arizona part of the trip, so we will have to change our plans, what do you think ?