I haven't taken vacations in about three years now, and I've finally kicked myself in the arse to force some time off and head out to one of the many destinations I've been meaning to visit for years.
I will be spending 16 days in the state, landing in San Francisco on October 2nd. I'm not staying in the city until the 10th though, as I'm picking up a car and immediately heading for highway 1, all the way down to Cayucos, then Long Beach, and finally San Diego on the 4th. I have two more nights there, and two nights in Vegas. Then I'm spending a full seven days in San Francisco and the greater area,
I've been looking at guides and websites of course, but I was interested in what the locals, or past visitors, might have to suggest. It can be unexpected or touristy, I really don't care. I just want to see some preteh, and have a good time!
All suggestions welcome!
I will be spending 16 days in the state, landing in San Francisco on October 2nd. I'm not staying in the city until the 10th though, as I'm picking up a car and immediately heading for highway 1, all the way down to Cayucos, then Long Beach, and finally San Diego on the 4th. I have two more nights there, and two nights in Vegas. Then I'm spending a full seven days in San Francisco and the greater area,
I've been looking at guides and websites of course, but I was interested in what the locals, or past visitors, might have to suggest. It can be unexpected or touristy, I really don't care. I just want to see some preteh, and have a good time!
All suggestions welcome!
Part-Time Nomad
Wait for me, we'll rent a red convertible and do like Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro in Fear & Loathing..., only without the suitcase full of narcotics!
...beer's fine though.
-Fred
...beer's fine though.
-Fred
Pirates, vampires, zombies, ninjas, ghouls, aliens, goblins, monsters, robots, sorcerers, undead, werewolves, demons, mutated dinosaur-cyborgs and those pesky phone salesmen! The shotgun is a one-size-fits-all solution!
Be sure to look for Bigfoot in Northern California... 
Seriously enjoy your trip... Next time make it out to the Eastern Seaboard and I'll take you to lunch and show you around the Smithsonian...
Seriously enjoy your trip... Next time make it out to the Eastern Seaboard and I'll take you to lunch and show you around the Smithsonian...
The Paved Straight Road, Won't Always Get You Farther Than The Winding Dirt Road...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
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Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
Hey Jim,
I understand the spirit in which your post was made, but Michigan really does have some pretty great stuff to do and see.
Greenfield Village, the Henry Ford Museum, the Great Lakes, Mackinac Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes, the wilderness of the entire U.P., the Russell Industrial Center the Woodward Dream Cruise, hydroplane races on the Detrtoit River and, of course, you and me.
I understand the spirit in which your post was made, but Michigan really does have some pretty great stuff to do and see.
Greenfield Village, the Henry Ford Museum, the Great Lakes, Mackinac Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes, the wilderness of the entire U.P., the Russell Industrial Center the Woodward Dream Cruise, hydroplane races on the Detrtoit River and, of course, you and me.
Muir Woods! I traveled San Fran and the scenic hi-way on the back of a Honda Gold wing, what an experience, and sunburn! 
In San Diego, I highly suggest Coronado. I preferred it over the bustle of the City, but if you go downtown they've got a tall ship anchored there.
I liked Mission Beach with Crystal Pier, but there are lots of pretty beaches.
As far as Vegas goes, the strip is FAR FAR longer than it looks. Wear COMFY shoes. Mandalay Bay and the Luxor are both worth looking at, and they've got a cool monorail, so you don't have to walk as much. (We stayed at the Excaliber.) The fountains and gardens and the glass in the Bellagio is very pretty, and the Treasure Island show at the other end of the strip was fun. The stratsophere roller coaster was rickety and creepy, the New York roller coaster was pretty cool, and it's a fun walk inside. The Star Trek experience is no longer there (SO SAD). If you have time for a show the Cirque du Soleil Mystère is awesome!!!!
In San Diego, I highly suggest Coronado. I preferred it over the bustle of the City, but if you go downtown they've got a tall ship anchored there.
I liked Mission Beach with Crystal Pier, but there are lots of pretty beaches.
As far as Vegas goes, the strip is FAR FAR longer than it looks. Wear COMFY shoes. Mandalay Bay and the Luxor are both worth looking at, and they've got a cool monorail, so you don't have to walk as much. (We stayed at the Excaliber.) The fountains and gardens and the glass in the Bellagio is very pretty, and the Treasure Island show at the other end of the strip was fun. The stratsophere roller coaster was rickety and creepy, the New York roller coaster was pretty cool, and it's a fun walk inside. The Star Trek experience is no longer there (SO SAD). If you have time for a show the Cirque du Soleil Mystère is awesome!!!!
Jen's right about the comfy shoes. I wore my poor little feet out walking the strip in Vegas.
I rode the monorail after they expanded it to the rest of the strip another time I went there. That made things much nicer.
I loved the Star Trek experience. It made the Star Trek convention so much more fun. Sadly no more show and I have not been back for another convention.
Frank if you have a chance can you take a picture of Coit Tower in San Francisco? I've been curious about what the real thing looks like since they used it in UAKM. I used to live in Southern California but only got around to visiting San Diego. I never tried going north.
I rode the monorail after they expanded it to the rest of the strip another time I went there. That made things much nicer.
I loved the Star Trek experience. It made the Star Trek convention so much more fun. Sadly no more show and I have not been back for another convention.
Frank if you have a chance can you take a picture of Coit Tower in San Francisco? I've been curious about what the real thing looks like since they used it in UAKM. I used to live in Southern California but only got around to visiting San Diego. I never tried going north.
Samantha
Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.
Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.
Baf, further exploration of the East Coast is among my plans. No plane required for this one, just many days off!
Jim, closest I've been to Michigan is Chicago. A few friends went to Pontiac for an engineering competetion. The wackiest tale I have heard of the state is their individually-wrapped pickles. Redwood was on the list, thanks for the heads up!
Muir Woods is looking gorgeous from the pics I just checked. Think it can be done from San Fran by private transit? I will be car-less once I settle into the city. Shall look into that.
And yeah, I realised, when reading that the mere walk from the parking to the front door of my hotel is a solid 20 minute ride, the strip sounds quite gigantic. I have two days and nights there, so I'll try to make the most of it. Thanks for the shoes advice! I will be at the MGM. They were running some ridiculous prices, so much so that a suite is cheaper than the most basic hotel in Montreal. Probably figured I'd gamble there and compensate that way, but that is not going to happen!
I'll most likely find some time for Coit Tower. I'll be in town seven days, I can surely fit that in the schedule.
Got a friend in Coronado, but he's left the state for some six months. Still will look it up, and stalk up his place
Jim, closest I've been to Michigan is Chicago. A few friends went to Pontiac for an engineering competetion. The wackiest tale I have heard of the state is their individually-wrapped pickles. Redwood was on the list, thanks for the heads up!
Muir Woods is looking gorgeous from the pics I just checked. Think it can be done from San Fran by private transit? I will be car-less once I settle into the city. Shall look into that.
And yeah, I realised, when reading that the mere walk from the parking to the front door of my hotel is a solid 20 minute ride, the strip sounds quite gigantic. I have two days and nights there, so I'll try to make the most of it. Thanks for the shoes advice! I will be at the MGM. They were running some ridiculous prices, so much so that a suite is cheaper than the most basic hotel in Montreal. Probably figured I'd gamble there and compensate that way, but that is not going to happen!
I'll most likely find some time for Coit Tower. I'll be in town seven days, I can surely fit that in the schedule.
Got a friend in Coronado, but he's left the state for some six months. Still will look it up, and stalk up his place
One day, without warning, I will be at your door, taking you up on that offer. Doubts and regrets will quickly engulf you, upon realisation, too late, that you let the wrong one in.If you drop by Melbourne in your travels i'll put 10% toward a coffee.
The one and only Steve McQueen.What was your avatar before the child photo? I can't remember.
Part-Time Nomad