Things to do in the US during trip

Ahoy all,

Looks like I'm heading to the US for a work conference in April next year and will be taking my other half so we can stay on and have a bit of a holiday. So far we're heading over there at the end of April and leaving very early May (staying for my birthday). We will be in Vegas for the 4 day conference followed by renting a car and driving first to the Grand Canyon, then to LA to see Disneyland and heading up to San Francisco as her course co-ordinator used to live there and said it's pretty nice. I think I'll have around a week left to spend and not really sure where to go from there.

Thinking about experiencing some of the local food in LA and San Fran but neither my partner or I are really huge party people, and would prefer just to go out for a nice burger or something. Other than Disneyland, and taking into account I think its off season for NHL and NFL (both of which I like) is there anything else people can recommend we do while in LA and San Francisco, and where might be nice to go after (flying inside the US is an option, maybe Hawaii too?)

This is my first trip to the US, so not really sure what to expect or look for so any tips are appreciated

Thanks all

 

I can't help on the places to go really. But, if your driving to SF from LA you must take Highway 1 along the coast! It will take you several hours longer to get to SF but the scenery and coast line is beautiful. You will find your burger places and such along the way though.

 

That Griswald guy had a good time at Wally World from memory:smile:

 

+1 on taking HI-way 1 up the coast. There are numerous placed to stop and enjoy California on the way up the coast. You might also consider stopping in Monterrey, CA before San Francisco. There's a huge aquarium and waterfront district that you should like. This is near Carmel, CA as well. Both areas are really nice to visit but expensive to live there.

Disneyland rocks so you must spend at least 3 days exploring both parks. Must be there at night for the fireworks display and water show. In SF, try Fisherman's Wharf. It's good if you've never been there but after you've seen it once you're done with it. The Marin Headlands on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge will make you wish you brought your bike with you but is also a great drive with historic building from the World War II era. There is a bike rental place here that rents VFR's...

Enjoy your trip!

 

I would look into spending a day or two in Napa/Sonoma while you're in the San Fran area, spending as much time visiting the vineyards and world class restuarants as possible. The Laundry comes to mind, but make your reservation weeks ahead of time. The Satui winery is a fun vineyard with an upscale deli; great spot to picnic, drink some wine, and eat some locally grown veggies, cheeses, and meats. There are another 12-15 great wineries within a few miles of there, so you could get a good glimpse (if you're not too drunk) of U.S. viticulture and farming done in a day. The NHL will be in full tilt in April, and catching a live game shouldn't be missed. Hockey is one sport that just can't be properly represented on a television.

 

How about eating a burger in every McDonalds between LA and San Fran. Probably a not before visited category for the Guiness folks.

Bike museums..

 

if you dont go to vega$ you haven't visited the USA. Drive from LA

 

SilverSurfer & GreyVF750F: Yeah, that sounds like a great way to make my way up, cruising the CA coastline in a v8 Dodge Charger (I'm sure that's all very amusingly ironic to Americans, but it's a lot more interesting than li'l ol' Adelaide's scenery )

tinkerin: I'm not too sure on Hawaii as I don't wanna make it look like I'm following a friend of mine around. He was due to go on a cruise for his honeymoon but it got cancelled and is now flying into LA followed by Hawaii!

havcar: I think that sounds like a great way to spend the day with my other half, will add that to the list

betarace: I'm actually starting in Vegas, there's a work conference there, and they're paying for me to go over so I figure I better go and experience the local wildlife

Thanks for the ideas guys!

I'm also going to add iflyhollywood.com in to my itinerary, we don't have that sorta stuff here and still looking for somewhere to go for my birthday. Thinking maybe going the surreal Texas or New Orleans... it'll be a lot different to what I'm used to

 

New Orleans offers a very interesting and unique point of view in terms of American culture. Through their food and the abundant live music scene (blues, jazz), New Orleans redifines what having a good time is all about. Texas, not so much, no offense intended.

Hell, you could come to Colorado for some nice spring skiing or snowboarding.

 

Switch out the dodge with a 1967 Mustang and you've just described pure bliss! Enjoy your trip!