Heading to Las Vegas in Dec. Any tips?

F

freezergeezer

Joined
Oct 29, 1999
Messages
539
Hi all

My wife & I are taking a long week in the USA in December over my birthday.

The plan is to fly into San Francisco, and drive down the coast a ways, then back to San F. & fly to Las Vegas for 4 days, back to San F. again for 2 days sightseeing & shopping before coming home.

We were looking to go to Yosemite, but expecting snowy conditions it seemed like the drive from there to Las. V. would take too much out of the time we have, so that's been shelved.

So, any tips? Where's good to eat, and what's available for us crochety old knife nuts in these places? Anything that's a must do / see?

I hope to pick up one or 2 nice slippies while we're there. There's little if any chance of seeing before you buy over here.

And what are the carry laws please? Is a slippie ok everywhere?
 
Frisco is a neat place to visit. Karen and I were there several years ago, and we took the bus tour of the city. The tour guide was a native and we learned alot before venturing out on our own.

Of course you have to have dinner out at Fishermans Warf, some of the best seafood I've had.

If its still there, The San Fransisco Gun Exchange has lots of knives as well as firearms.

The Chinese Gardens are beautifull.

You have to ride the cable cars.

If you're going down the coast check out the Monterray Sea Aquirium, and a little farthe down the coast is Carmel California. We decieded if we ever hit the lotto ticket big time we're moving to Carmel. Very nice rustic little town. Have dinner at Clint Eastwoods place, The Hogs Breath Saloon, great burgers named after his charaters. May even catch sight of Clint himself, he like to play the piano in the lounge.

Don't be in Golden Gate Park after sundown.

If you run into an agressive pan handler dressed up like the tin man in The Wizzard Of Oz, just him him a wack with your blackthorn stick.

Be prepared for weird sights.

A slippy can be carried anyplace.

Have fun!:thumbup:
 
While you are in Las Vegas visit Red Rock. It is a beautiful place with desert scenery that you won't find in Europe. You might also visit Howard Hughes's home in the mountains west of Las Vegas. Lots to do there besides gamble.
 
Lots of great places around Las Vegas. I was fortunate to have a local "tour guide" when I went, a brother-in-law. We stayed clear of the gamblimg B.S., but went downtown for Indian food one night, and Greek food the next. No, I have no idea of the names, sorry. :(

During the days we visited Mojave National Preserve (car tour, ghost towns), Valley of Fire State Park (great day hiking and petrolyphs), Red Rock Canyon BLM area (more day hiking, incredible photography, and supposed to be wild burros), and went dayhiking/hill climbing on some BLM or National Wildlife land that's north of town.
 
I haven't been to Vegas in almost 15 years but I remember eating at the buffets - lots of good food and very inexpensive.
 
My wife and I went to LAs Vegas last year. We planned to stay 3 nights. I was ready to leave after 2.

If you like to gamble, and don't mind crowds, and don't mind walking to your destination, or don't mind taking $20 cab rides everywhere, then you'll enjoy Vegas. Unless you know the backways, or don't mind sitting in bumper to bumper traffic at 11 PM, its a pain to drive a vehicle there.

Gone are the days of cheap Buffets. Expect to pay $15+ per person for a average buffet. The food isn't that good, in my opinion. Lots of nice sit down resturants, but be prepared to pay.

Thought about a side trip to the Grand Canyon? Only the south rim is open at that time of the year, but its still a nice drive. On your way back, take the scenic route north to Utah, and take the scenic drive over to Zion.
 
Been all over the World, been very lucky that way.Lived all over Europe and enjoyed every moment. I am a Native Californian and can honestly say San Francisco (Known as 'The City') is my favorite city in the world. So much to see.Beautiful,great food from every nation,great weather,etc etc.Oh, Dont miss my favorite National Park and where you get to see God's paint brush, Yosemite Natl Park. It will take your breath away. I worked there as a young man and never got bored.Head down PCH (Pacific Coast Hwy 1) from San Fran and you very well may see the most beautiful Coast in the World. (Hana Hwy in Maui Hawaii is in the running)

I have been to Las Vegas(known as 'Lost Wages') a bunch, being a Southern Californian. I wont go there unless I have to for work. It's about as cheesey a tourist trap as a city can get. Miserable. Skip Vegas.Go there for a day if you must. Eat the Prime Rib, prolly the only good memory I have of Vegas is cheap yet excellent food. Dont gamble, really. House Rules. They always win.How do you think they can afford the light bills? The place is also dirty. Weather sucks as well. Hot Hot or freezing cold.
Vegas? It's a suckers bet.
 
Depending on your scene, you will find anything you want.

THe Double Down Salloon is the only place in the world that has a bacon martini.

Also check out my friend Zamora The Torture King and the Haunted Las Vegas Tours, and I'm sure by now the Orginised Crime Tour and museum is up.

The Art Bar is a really cool place to hit as well, and you will run into some of the supercool locals that will also tell you about a few good hidden parts to hit.


AND NEVER EVER EVER EAT THE CIRCUS CIRCUS BUFFET! It is ranked as the worst in vegas but they don't change because where will the kiddies go?
 
Bob W said:
Lots of great places around Las Vegas. I was fortunate to have a local "tour guide" when I went, a brother-in-law. We stayed clear of the gamblimg B.S., but went downtown for Indian food one night, and Greek food the next. No, I have no idea of the names, sorry. :(

During the days we visited Mojave National Preserve (car tour, ghost towns), Valley of Fire State Park (great day hiking and petrolyphs), Red Rock Canyon BLM area (more day hiking, incredible photography, and supposed to be wild burros), and went dayhiking/hill climbing on some BLM or National Wildlife land that's north of town.
Click to expand...
Similar experience here...I hiked at Red Rock Canyon with my brother-in-law and 2 sons. A good hat, sun screen and extra water were essential. We didn't see any burros, but brought back lots of pictures. My BIL and son hiked in Valley of Fire last year...again great pictures. We splurged one night and ate at the RIO. The view of Las Vegas at night from the Voodoo Lounge Deck was fantastic. Oh yeah, we spent some time in the casinos too.
Jim
 
My advice - screw Vegas. It used to be that the town offered various levels of amenities based on your income level. Nowadays it seems that everything in the middle has been squeezed out leaving only the extremes at the upper and lower end. For my money, fighting to make a reservation at a Bellagio restaurant for the privilege of paying $60 for a Kobe beef hamburger is no more attractive an option than standing in line for two hours at Bob's Country Bunker Buffet with legions of mulleted, flip flop wearing inbreds from Little Rock or Riverside.

If you think you'd be even halfway interested in seeing Yosemite, I say get yourself a nice rental car and make the drive from San Fran. It's only 200 miles, gas costs half of what it does in England, and with the exchange rate you'll be getting here in the States, you're gonna think that we're paying you to drive the damn car. It's true that the high country roads up in Tuolumne Meadows and the like will be closed, and that's a shame, but 90% of the picture postcard landmarks are easily viewable from Yosemite Valley which is only at about 4000' elevation and will very likely be open. It's not likely that you'll be able to secure really nice lodging close to the park at this late date, but you may still find something adequate. Check out what's available in the little town of El Portal on Route 140 outside the West entrance to the park. This provides the easiest access to Yosemite Valley and is at the same low elevation. Sometimes you can even catch a cancellation on a nearby cabin rental: http://sunsetinn-yosemitecabins.com/location.html (just one example of many)

And while you're in San Francisco, if you've ever been a fan of cioppino (an Italian style seafood stew, for those who are unfamiliar) you absolutely must go to Scoma's down on Fisherman's Wharf. Yes, the surrounding area is very touristy, but trust me when I tell you that Scoma's is worth the hassle. It's only a few steps off the main drag, but nonetheless remains surprisingly well tucked away for being in such a busy area. All the cabbies know it well, and any local will be able to point it out with no problem. Enjoy your stay.
 
My advice , be careful of where you go and what nieghborhoods you happen into and watch your perimeters.

There are areas in both SF and LV you do not want to be in under any circumstances , stick to the tourist areas and you should do good.

Expect bums in both cities.

Not trying to make you paranoid , just offering some friendly advice :)

Have fun ! If you can get to Yosemite , do it ! It is beyond beautiful. :)
 
If you do get to Yosemite (and it's well worth the trouble), dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Expect to dress formally. Don't expect it to be inexpensive, but it's not outrageous, either. If you're going to stay there, I'd recommend a cabin, rather than the main hotel.

As a caveat, my experience is slightly over 20 years old. I loved it.
 
I just came back from vegas. Went to the SEMA car specialty products convention. Go to all the natural desert stuff everybody mentioned. Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon. There's several museums in town also. best buffet in town is at the Parisian or is it Paris Hotel/casino. See a couple of good shows, the BLUE MAN GROUP has a VERY good musical-funny different kind of show. Check the web for shows that interest you. If you are into cars go out to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Shelby Cobra Factory is there. Call for free tour times. Don't stay in vegas too long its big and expensive but there is a lot of things to do there. San Francisco is fun. Go to the wharf lots of sea food. Giradellis Chocolate. Alcatraz island. There are shows there and great food. Have fun ! :)
 
I suggest if you fly to San Francisco, take a rental car and drive to Las Vegas and back in a great circle. You can visit Yosemite and Death Valley. Highway 120 across Yosemite is probably closed for the winter. The ghost town districts offer great photography. Highway 95 in Nevada from Vegas to Reno in winter is spectacular empty desert. It is also brutally cold, but if you keep the gas tank full it is well worth the trip.
The buildings of Goldfield, Nevada and the Mozart Club there are a piece of 1900 Americana. In S.F. the Cliff House and Empress of China Restaurant are always nice to visit.
 
Vegas is like Disneyland for adults! It's incredible the magnitude of the structures they create to convince you to spend money, and it works. Expect to spend a lot of money, but as long as that isn't a problem, you can have a lot of fun there. You could enjoy a few days just wandering through the lobbies of the hotels on the Strip.

San Francisco has lots to do in every price range. Lots of great food from all over the world. Since I'm sure you'll make it to Fisherman's Wharf, check out We Be Knives there - the prices are retail, but they've got a good selection. And, even though it's out of the way, TAD (http://www.tadgear.com/) is definitely worth seeing.
 
If you get a chance take a trip to Zion National Park in Utah, its about two hrs from Vegas, but it is well worth it. Spent 7 days in Vegas there is tons to do there, fine dining, shows, and of course loseing money.

Have a blast

goat
 
The guys have pretty well covered Vegas. I was just there and did find a real gem for food. The Palm at Caesars has a lunch special for $19.50. 8 oz Fillet Mignon, bowl of Lobster Bisque and cottage fries. Delicious!

Zion is doable from Vegas, figure three hours driving there. We did the drive in 2001 and I ended up living outside Zion.
Let me know if you decide to do this.

Win
 
Skip Vegas altogether and check out Southern Utah... Zion, Arches and the North Rim. I personally think your time would be much better spent there then wandering around a dozen casinos that all look the same...

SF is a great city, second in my heart only to Seattle. Be sure to check out China Town. There is an Irish Bar called the Irish Bank that I particularly enjoy getting pints in.
 
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