MomDDTravel

Saw this and thought of your trip - you and your family might enjoy this:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...alifornia.html

shanek

Thanks all...More great tips. I've booked and confirmed the Crown at Kings Beach Tahoe North. It looks really well situated. Any thoughts about the surrounding area?

elnap29

I don't know anything about the Crown, but King's Beach was always my kids' favorite spot as teenagers. We had access to all kinds of great beaches, but this one called to them. Lots of activity, young people, paddle boats, parasailing, etc. They'll enjoy it and so will you. There's a big supermarket (Safeway) across the road.

shanek

Sounds like a great place. Is it a built up area with lots of shops and restaraunts? Is it far from Incline Village?

elnap29

Not really. It's an old-time beach area. There are hamburger/pizza/ice cream places. Nothing wonderful. But you can get supplies for breakfast/lunch at the grocery (Safeway). And the drive isn't too far to other restaurants. Others may be able to advise you. We stay at a family cabin near Tahoe City, so I am more familiar with other areas for restaurants. Pick up a cheap ice chest and have picnics, perhaps?

sf7307

There are some "okay" restaurants in Kings Beach, but the better restaurants are along the lake drive toward Tahoe City, in Tahoe City, in Truckee and nearer to Incline Village. Kings Beach itself is a beach town, as elnap said, the kind of place where you can get an ice cream cone at a walk-up window. There is one good breakfast place in Kings Beach and one downright terrible bakery (really, awful -- I'll try to remember the name so you don't waste your time or money).

Driving to Tahoe City, Truckee or Incline is easy ---- none of them is more than 15 or 20 minutes drive from Kings Beach.

sf7307

The decent breakfast place is Log Cabin Cafe, the bad bakery is Brockway Bakery. Down the road toward Tahoe City is the Old Post Office, which is great for breakfast (it's been years since I've been there, but it still gets great reviews on Yelp.com). Jason's in King's Beach is fine, not to-die-for, but good food -- hamburgers, steaks and the like. In Truckee, Moody's is very good (more upscale) and Pacific Crest is also good (a little upscale, but it's part of the Bar of America, so a different ambiance). We've also eaten at the Moody's branch in Northstar, and weren't as impressed, but it was tainted by the fact that our waiter was kind of a jerk. We are not fans of the Coppola restaurant at Northstar either. Lanza's, just outside King's Beach, is pretty good red-sauce Italian. Gar Woods is very pretty, but the food is just okay, a little old-fashioned for my taste. If you drive around the lake, stop for lunch on the deck at Sunnyside - beautiful (I don't remember the food at all, just the experience). We had a fabulous hamburger outside on the deck at the Bridgetender in Tahoe City recently.

hazel1

A wonderful restaurant in Kings Beach with great food in surprising log cabin atmosphere is http://souledomain.com/
Another one that I like that has outstanding fresh seafood is Wild Alaskan Fish Company in the Raley's Market shopping center in Incline Village, about 10 min. up the road from Kings Beach. In Truckee, just 20 min over the hill from KB, there are a number of good places to eat - I like the 50/50 Brewery http://www.fiftyfiftybrewing.com/for great microbrewed beers and casual food.

The Crown Resort is a good choice, and while there are nice beach areas there in Kings Beach, I still think it's worth the 20 min. drive further north to go to Sand Harbor, primarily because you can actually swim in the lake there without freezing your patootey off!

hazel1

Sorry, that link should be http://www.fiftyfiftybrewing.com/

shanek

We will drive around the area and are well armed with restaraunt suggestions thanks to your advice.

The Crown works well for us as we get a bedrooms, a kichenette and lake views for $150 a night which seems like great value for Tahoe in June.

I am still researching where to stay on our first 2 nights. We are divided between Hollywood and Santa Monica. I am currently leaning towards the Best Western Hollywood Hills as it is $150 for the 4 of us per night with free parking. It seems to be walking distance to Hollywood Blvd and a short drive to Santa Monica. It is also not far from Dodger stadium for our Sat night game. Is it a good choice? We prefer convienience to luxury. Is there public transport from there to Dodger stadium if we want to avoid game night traffic?

I want to book something soon and then start working on my Anaheim plan.

For Vegas, there are some amazing deals on deluxe Tower rooms at Circus Circus. $50 a night with free parking. I know it is an older place and on the end of the strip, but the main plan is to have something to entertain the kids and just take in the Vegas atmosphere. There are a few really damning reviews but they seem to be about the Manor rooms.

MomDDTravel

No Circus Circus! Please Promise me ... you can do better.

In looking @ all your plans - I think for 150.00 a night it is a good deal to stay in Hollywood hills - but I hope someone else who knows the area will weigh in - as that is one of those areas that can be spotty within a few blocks. I am sorry I do not know of any public transportation for the game. Hollywood Blvd is not very nice (JMO) - when we go up - we tend not to stay in that area but in Beverly hills (which you can get good rates @ some properties) or Santa Monica. I would rather drive away from Hollywood than stay in it. Do take the kids down to the Pier and 3rd street Promanade if time permits in Santa Monica - you will enjoy it. Walking on the board walk is free entertainment

shanek

Is Circus Circus really THAT bad? Ok, I trust your judgement. I will look elsewhere.

We will definately spend time in Santa Monica but I am finding accomodation there to be extremely expensive. I will look at Beverly Hills. My thoughts are to stay central rather than at one end so that I can access all areas easily and I dont want a long confusing drive home from Dodger stadium late on the Saturday night.

Have looked at the Orlando and the Mosaic in B hills which are both pushing the limits of my budget but they both charge 25 bucks for parking.

MomDDTravel

Yes, Circus Circus is that bad. Try MGM, you can usually get good rates, kids should like it - NYNY has really small rooms, I would stay away from it but kids tend to like it (they have a decent arcade as well).

I know what you mean about SM and the $$ - Hollywood should be fine - just get someone to verify the location of the hotel you are looking at - I looked a little for you in Beverly Hills - there is a court yard marriott that has okay rates but I need to double check the address.

I tend to get confused leaving Dodger stadium - so cannot promise that

shanek

Any thoughts on the Park Plaza Lodge in terms of location?...

elnap29

RE Las Vegas: We had a huge room in New York New York and paid the lowest rate, so check it out anyway to see if it works for you. There is a lot for kids to do downstairs. However, it's near the southern end of the strip and a bit far from other places you want to explore. Too hot to walk in the daytime! We also had an amazingly inexpensive rate at Bally's ($59) with an incredible and large room. It's not the best atmosphere downstairs, but the positive is that it is joined to the Paris hotel. The trick is to ask for a non-smoking room. Then you are away from the partiers. Doing this we've always had a very nice quiet room.
Good luck with Vegas...

MomDDTravel

Elnap - that is good to know about NYNY - I have had friends and family stay and give in bad reviews on room size.

shanek

Back to Vegas....The Southpoint Hotel Casino and Spa looks nice and is reasonably priced. It is a bit removed from the strip but has its own cinema and bowling alley.
Does anybody know of it? Is it too isolated? I want to see and experience "the Strip" but dont think I need to stay right amongst it.

lincasanova

for vegas check out www.smartervegas.com

and this promotion site:

http://www.vegas-promotions.com/index.php?page=1

there are also lots of coupons to be had for 2x1 drinks and meals places if you google "coupons las vegas" or for whatever city you are visiting.

www.travelzoo.com may also have some special on hotels for whatever city you have undecided.

millie2112

what about the Signature Suites at MGM Grand. Not on the main strip, but non-smoking and no gambling.

ltr

In Las Vegas, I would definitely try to stay on the strip. I like Bally's and Paris if you can get good rates at either of them. Traveling with children I think the MGM or NYNY or Excalibur are good choices even though it is at the south end of the strip. (M&M world, some video arcades, etc)

You can purchase tickets for the trams between the hotels. We rarely use our car once we arrive.