Help with my invasion.

[Tony]

Okay, I'm asking for advice, please.

If we decide to drive from L.A. (CA) to the Grand Canyon, how hilly or steep is the drive. Not talking about elevation, but more about the type of road, coz a narrow-windy-on-the-cliff type will put my wife into an early grave.

I know its Route 40 and I've got the distance/time stuff.

Also, besides things like Disney, Nott’s Berry(?spl) & the movie studio tours, any other suggestions/recommendations for our time in L.A.??

Under consideration at the moment is the L.A. County Fair.....um, yep, that's it. Oh, we're hitting there late September.

We're going to Las Vegas as well, but I think I can work what to do there, either pay for the trip or wash dishes!!

[BEB]

I have no personal experience with that route, but I do have a thought. If you don't already have it, install Google Earth and use it to take a gander. By tilting the map and looking you can check out the road's elevation changes, twists and such.

After that, look around at the highlight points other users have added to see what attractions along the road seem the best bets for stops.

[Blue Jacket]

Let's see -it's been awhile-but we took a local tour of the Hollywood star homes-some are just unbelievable,did the Hollywood Star of Fame(my mom was an old movie buff).Holloywood Blvd. Personally it was a huge congested city and was happy to move on-glad I saw it but the coast of California going to Carmel is spectacular(Carmel is the city where Clint Eastwood was mayor-Pebble Beach-the famous golf tournament. Grand Canyon is just breathless. Hmm-not sure if you should leave the car and do a park tour where you can look,enjoy and let someone else do the driving or tell your wife to take a nap!!!!My favorite place--please don't miss it is Bryce Canyon not as well known but I think more spectacular than Grand Canyon.http://www.brycecanyon.com, http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/bryce.htm, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryce_Canyon_National_Park. It is unlike anything I've ever seen and totally different from Grand Canyon.As for Vegas-pick up the coupon books on the street and get a 2 for 1 breakfast at the Mandalay Bay House of Blues Rest., eat the buffet at the Bellagio for late lunch-they close at 3----but lower price than night one-same food-excellent quality. You can PM me for further info since I'm leaving to go there tomorrow for 4 days.

[Sapper_132]

You can go wine tasting, theres the ESPN Resturant and a few other thing behind Disney Land. I can't remember the street and I used to live 10 mins for there lol. Sea World in San Diego if your into fish. Hurst Castle in Central California is a nice tour. More Wine Tasting in Central CA. Tons of stuff to do.

[Illiy]

I beleive it is a straight shot to the G/C.

Check out San Diego too. (Gas Lamp, Old town)
Don't know how far North your going (probably not far if your going to the G/C but San Fran, Monterey, Carmel, Santa Barbar, Big Sur are all beautiful also)

Venice beach is interesting too... well all of out beaches are... but Venice is special...

If you go to the LA fair go in the morning/mid afternoon... the gangsta's come out at night...and check the days... I beleive they are closed monday and tuesday...

CA attractions
Disneyland
Knotts Berry Farm
Magic Mountain
San Diego Zoo
Sea World

Not sure what sports are playing in Sept. but we have
the dodgers
the angels
the ducks
the kings
the lakers
the clippers

We are special, we get two teams for each sport... but can't manage a football team...

[Sapper_132]

We are special, we get two teams for each sport... but can't manage a football team...

What about the Raiders, 49er's and the Chargers?

Also for got about the Padres, Sacromento Kings, Golden State Warriors.

[The Lostralian]

You should go to San Francisco and meet me there

I'll teach ya to surf.

[Willowdared]

The drive to the Grand Canyon is very nice. It's freeway most of the way, and once off the freeway, just straight roads to the Canyon.

Are you staying in the Village, or nearby?

We stayed here:

http://www.grandcanyonsquire.com/

Very nice place, very close to the canyon. It's walking distance to the little airport that does the helicopter tours. The Imax movie is great, and it's also nearby.

Get a 2 park pass for Disney, and see California Adventure. It's more adult oriented, and not as crowded as Disneyland. Soaring Over California is one of my favorite rides.

The Blue Bayou restaurant in Disneyland is inside the Pirates of the Carribean ride, and one of the nicest places to eat. You need to make reservations, but I think you can make them online - it's worth it to make them ahead of time!!!!

Both parks offer Fast Pass on the more popular rides, you can get a ticket for a future ride time on the busy rides. You just come back later, during your assigned time, and enter the Fast Pass line.

Dont' miss the Jungle Cruise!!! It's a hoot!

I'll think of more, and post later.

[Blue Jacket]

Hearst Castle is amazing! Napa Valley is a nice place as well but you may have been to Australian vineyards. I would still try and make the ride of the coast called the "Big Sur".Scenery is breathtaking.

[Tony]

Are you staying in the Village, or nearby?

Dont' miss the Jungle Cruise!!! It's a hoot!

I'll think of more, and post later.

Not sure, we know the time we land at LAX and the time our flight home is, the rest is now up for debate. We have a rough idea of what/where, just trying to narrow it down and if need be, pre-book stuff on the net before we go.

…… Don't know how far North your going ….

Thanks for all that, we're going to Vegas then Yosemite Park then San Francisco then flying home from there, so yes, we're going that far north. She who must be obeyed wants to do the Universal Studio Tour and we might do one day at Disney, we're not ride orientated, but no doubt there's a heap of things to see there. If we get caught at the fair at night I'll make sure I'm wearing pants 10 sizes too big & they're down past my groin with the KC's showing so I'll fit in. *LOL*

[COLOR="Blue"] Napa Valley is a nice place as well but you may have been to Australian vineyards….

You can go wine tasting….

You 2 like your wine I'm guessing!!! *LOL* I've got to drive, so no wine tasting.

You should go to San Francisco and meet me there

I'll teach ya to surf.

Thanks for the offer, you can teach my son as well. I guess you'll have to make do with only a few cans of Toohey's then.

Thanks for all the advice.

[Just KC]

I live here in CA and what everyone has posted is all I can think of too. No twisty windy roads to G/C, so you are good there. Hearst Castle is very neat to see. A drive up the coast when on your way to San Fran....Carmel, Solvang, and Santa Barbara are just beautiful. You can go to Alcatraz too if you wish. Have a terrific time! Sept is a good time to go to Disneyland because all our schools are back in session.

[Willowdared]

Look into getting AAA membership, if you don't have it already. They offer the best hotel discounts, and have really good guide books with restaurants and attractions.

If you are sticking to the north, Monterey Bay Aquarium is very cool too!

[Sapper_132]

Oh yeah Michael Jacksons house (NeverLand) is on the way up. You could stop by and take some pic's if you want! :lol:

[BEB]

Look into getting AAA membership, if you don't have it already. They offer the best hotel discounts, and have really good guide books with restaurants and attractions.

Is AAA just here or is it international?

We probably should be saving these travel tips somewhere. Don't have an idea for where.

[Tony]

Is AAA just here or is it international?

We probably should be saving these travel tips somewhere. Don't have an idea for where.

That's a good idea.

AAA has an reciprocal arrangement with the Auto club here, I think.

[Illiy]

What about the Raiders, 49er's and the Chargers?

Also for got about the Padres, Sacromento Kings, Golden State Warriors.

Nah... I didn't forget.. I was sticking to so cal...

but...in that the case I also forgot

Oakland Athletics
San Francisco Giants

Los Angeles Sparks
Sacramento Monarchs

San Jose Sharks

Chivas USA
Los Angeles Galaxy


and a few more that I am not thinking about at the moment..

[Resident Smart Ass]

California has weird people

[Willowdared]

I have not been here yet, but I've heard it's a great place to visit. It's also near the I-15/I-40 junction, so maybe on the way to or from the Grand Canyon.

http://www.calicotown.com/mapweather/

I linked the map page, because they kind of hid it on the site.

Try to see Hoover Dam when you are in Vegas too, it's pretty amazing.

[Illiy]

I have not been here yet, but I've heard it's a great place to visit. It's also near the I-15/I-40 junction, so maybe on the way to or from the Grand Canyon.

http://www.calicotown.com/mapweather/

I linked the map page, because they kind of hid it on the site.

Try to see Hoover Dam when you are in Vegas too, it's pretty amazing.

Eh...its ok... depending on the time of year you go... I went during the off season... and it was just strange... during their peak season it seems like it would be interesting..

[Tony]

I have not been here yet, but I've heard it's a great place to visit. It's also near the I-15/I-40 junction, so maybe on the way to or from the Grand Canyon.

http://www.calicotown.com/mapweather/

I linked the map page, because they kind of hid it on the site.

Try to see Hoover Dam when you are in Vegas too, it's pretty amazing.

Eh...its ok... depending on the time of year you go... I went during the off season... and it was just strange... during their peak season it seems like it would be interesting..

Okay girls, what are two talking about, PD you haven't been where?

Illiy, what's "ok" and a bit strange??

Thanks all for your tips and advice.