asimm

Thanks everyone

vegas may add a different experience and feel after visiting LA for city life, Anaheim for rides, Yosemite & Tahoe for natural beauty, SF for tech and big city life, PCH1 for beaches and nice weather and with some shopping in between

I thought maybe Vegas would be a change

what else can be done or achieved

marvelousmouse

So...I can take or leave Vegas, but I’m going to side with everyone else. There’s nothing there that you can’t find in a more interesting, less expensive, and less hot city. I’d understand if you wanted to go to the Grand Canyon and was going to use Vegas as a stop over, but you’re not.


if you want something “different”, I’d go to Santa Fe or somewhere else in the Southwest. Taos, Sedona, etc.



otherwise, you’ve plenty of variety in California.

re: shopping: same prices, same crap in both Vegas and California. Literally identical. Chain heaven, or hell, depending on how you feel about chain stores.

re: Hotels: Vegas Hotels, 1st, suck because of the casino set up. 2nd, they charge so much extra for everything that you could stay in a luxury hotel in any of your other stops too. And have a better time. Vegas lures gamblers in with “freebies” but where they make their money is in hotel fees, parking fees, and obscene food/drink Upcharges.

I completely understand that international travelers have a glamorous fantasy of Vegas. It’s not glamorous. the ones that I’ve talked to who liked it, liked it because of the drinking and gambling scene, and because they went in the WINTER. It can be fun, but not in the summer, and nothing you have told us makes it a good fit for your family.

janisj

It is definitely NOT glamorous unless you want to spend the BIG bucks ($$$$) for suites, dedicated concierge, private cabanas, special seating at the top shows and Michelin starred restaurants . . . which it is pretty clear is not what you plan. As I've explained, I am not a Vegas hater (except in the summer but never mind) and many people do want to see it at least once. BUT -- the experience for regular folk without the BIG bucks mentioned above . . . is basically trudging along loooooong hot sidewalks, window shopping very high end shops where they can't afford even a tiny bauble, sidestepping the weird street characters[, and avoiding sleazy hand bills advertising escorts and Gentlemen's clubs with very graphic photos. Then there are the casinos with penny slots -- which are actually 80¢ or $1 slots which you said you don't want to do. And trying to keep cool when it is too hot to sit out by the pool after about 10:30AM . . . UNLESS you can afford one of the private/misted cabanas.

The bright lights, the Bellagio Fountains, the fake Venice, the High Roller observation wheel are all worth seeing but you could easily do those in one day/one night . . . NOT four nights, and definitely NOT four night with children along.

Now I'll give up - its your trip.

marvelousmouse

I’m not even sure it’s glamorous if you spend the big bucks. I mean, I’m sure it’s more tolerable, but you’d still be in Vegas. Fun in its own tawdry, glittery way, but still Vegas. I actually like window shopping for obscenely expensive stuff, Michelin dining, and shows, but I’d rather do all that in just about any other city.

Never really understood how it ended up on the tourist grand tour...

lynni

Ok, I did a Vegas trip with my kids ten years ago and have been there since. How old is your child and what kinds of things do they like? How far are they able to willingly walk in hot temperatures?

These are my suggestions:

M and M Factory
Hoover Dam
my kids got a kick out of taking pictures of the hotels and seeing whatever they could see... Bellagio Fountains, Pirate Fight Show at Treasure Island, Roller Coaster at New York, New York, you get the idea.
We saw the Lion King Musical... loved it.
We stayed at the Monte Carlo because they had a small lazy river and pool area that was adequate and not too large ( I was traveling as a single parent with three kids and needed to be able to keep an eye on them!) My boys were 4, 7 and 9 at the time.

Good luck!

MichelleY

Skip Las Vegas.

J62

To me, Vegas is one of those places to visit once, but never go back.
I get the excitement factor and while it's not my thing, I do appreciate that many people do love vegas.

For me, it's simply an airport of entry if I'm going to Zion or GC. The only slots I'll see are those in the airport.

janisj

MichelleY and J62 . . . You have posted on one of the OP's old threads (most likely because of the stoopid 'Related Threads' problem. The system related his newest thread to this one and you scrolled to the bottom not realizing you were now on the old thread)

STUPID 'Related threads' have caused something like this several times in the last few days. grrrrr.

lynni

Spend at least two, if not three nights in Carmel/Monterey/Pacific Grove or do at least two nights there and take two other nights in beautiful Santa Barbara or Orange County. ( Pismo Beach is a cold, kinda trashy town with not much to do.) Staying in Santa Barbara or at an orange county beach would be ideal to be in walking distance from the beach and learn to surf, go for a sail, etc.

Jean

lynni, the OP's proposed itinerary has changed.... pacing, order, etc., and the trip is now closer to July 4th.

janisj

lynni: please see my post above yours. There are several other threads since this one. In fact, because of the nutty ''related thread' mess, this thread should probably be closed or people will continue to post to it . . .

lynni

asimm

janisj

asimm . . . this is one of your older threads -- so not sure if this has been mentioned before . . . Mariposa is NOT a good place to base for visiting Yosemite. It is nearly a 90 minute drive into Yosemite Valley. And in Summer it could even take longer due to traffic and delays at the entrance booth. So you'd be spending 3 hours each day just commuting in and out.

Look in El Portal (I'm sure I've recommended staying there before on your treads). The Cedar Lodge is a budget property in El Portal. It will be about a 30 minute drive into the Valley

jamie99

It is Mammoth Lake, with two MMs, not Mamooth. Long drive from there to entrance to Yosemite.

asimm

janisj

asimm

@Janisj - Cedar Lodge at El portal and Americas best value inn at Mariposa - Both booked

If Tioga pass is closed, what should be the Plan B and where else should i book while Travelling from Vegas to Ym

janisj

>>If Tioga pass is closed, what should be the Plan B and where else should i book while Travelling from Vegas to Ym

That was all explained on your later thread . . .

>>Cedar Lodge at El portal and Americas best value inn at Mariposa - Both booked

Then look at Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal -- more expensive but 10000% better than staying in Mariposa. If Yosemite View Lodge is booked up -- then look for a condo in Yosemite West or for a cabin in Foresta. Don't stay in Mariposa if you can at all help it.

asimm