Summer holidays...

[Gary the Enfield]

Just go directly from San Francisco to LA and the job's a goodun.

Just stay in San Francisco... Take a trip down the Camino Real...

Go camping in Redwoods...

Avoid LA...

Never been to Vegas (have avoided tbh, and don't really do gambling...)

Whoa there wordsmith!

LA is one of the most amazing places on earth. I'm not talking downtown but to miss LA is to miss Sunset Strip, Hollywood Boulevard and the Chinese Theatre, Universal Studios and (a little further out) Disney at Anaheim, Venice Beach (Muscle Beach) and Santa Monica (Baywatch Country). Not forgetting the star tours around Bel-Air, West Hollywood and Rodeo Drive.

No,No,No. If you're doing the West Coast you MUST visit LA. It's cultural Marmite!

By the way if you're going to 'Frisco take a jumper.

Someone once said ''the coldest winter I ever spent was a Summer in San Francisco''

Enjoy!

[Bruce Rioja]

For the love of God,man. Don't!

You'll hate the place even more than I did.

[Lofthouse Lower]

It's a shithole

[Gary the Enfield]

As I said, cultural Marmite. Love it or hate it, it has to be ticked off.

[jimbo]

We're only planning on 2 nights in LA. Would rather spend more time on the coast up to San Francisco. We've got a few nights in Vegas booked, and a few nights camping in Yosemite as well.

[CrazyHorse]

We're only planning on 2 nights in LA. Would rather spend more time on the coast up to San Francisco. We've got a few nights in Vegas booked, and a few nights camping in Yosemite as well.

As I've mentioned before, I'm with Bruce re:Vegas. Hated it. Just like Blackpool 'cept the sand is cleaner.
That said, it's there, it's an experience and I don't regret going.
Plus some people love it so yeah, hope you enjoy it. I'll never set foot in the god-forsaken place again though.

[TANGODANCER]

Never had the slightest yearning for Las Vegas, but L.A was great. Based in Simi Valley we did Venice Beach, Santa Monica, an overnight at Santa Barbara, Malibu, and a couple of days out on Catalina Island which was glorious. Add a couple of superb golf courses ( we ducked out whilst the women did Rodeo drive etc) and our stay in L.A. was terrific.

[William the White]

We're only planning on 2 nights in LA. Would rather spend more time on the coast up to San Francisco. We've got a few nights in Vegas booked, and a few nights camping in Yosemite as well.

Brilliant... decrease nights in LA and Vegas... And when it absolutely pisses down in Yosemite (as it did with us)... rent a 35 dollar log cabin and enjoy...

[Wandering Willy]

We're only planning on 2 nights in LA. Would rather spend more time on the coast up to San Francisco. We've got a few nights in Vegas booked, and a few nights camping in Yosemite as well.

Brilliant... decrease nights in LA and Vegas... And when it absolutely pisses down in Yosemite (as it did with us)... rent a 35 dollar log cabin and enjoy...

Have to agree. Did a similar trip a few years ago with a week in San Fran which wasn't enough!

I assume you are hiring a car Jimbo - the drive on PCH between LA and San Fran is stunning and you can see the ocean for much of the journey. Saw whales heading North when I did it. (January). Plenty of places to stop and enjoy.

My favourite - The opulence of Hearst Castle.

Edit: Link here (with virtual tours) for those who haven't been and are interested. Or just want to see it again.

http://www.hearstcastle.com/

[William the White]

We're only planning on 2 nights in LA. Would rather spend more time on the coast up to San Francisco. We've got a few nights in Vegas booked, and a few nights camping in Yosemite as well.

Brilliant... decrease nights in LA and Vegas... And when it absolutely pisses down in Yosemite (as it did with us)... rent a 35 dollar log cabin and enjoy...

Have to agree. Did a similar trip a few years ago with a week in San Fran which wasn't enough!

I assume you are hiring a car Jimbo - the drive on PCH between LA and San Fran is stunning and you can see the ocean for much of the journey. Saw wales heading North when I did it. (January). Plenty of places to stop and enjoy.

My favourite - The opulence of Hearst Castle.

Edit: Link here (with virtual tours) for those who haven't been and are interested. Or just want to see it again.

http://www.hearstcastle.com/

Yep - good advice WW - and, jimbo, watch Citizen Kane first if you are going to hearst castle... Double your fun... triple your understanding...

[Wandering Willy]

Aye - a viewing of Citizen Kane in the private cinema at Hearst Castle followed by an evening meal by the pool (with ketchup of course).

What a splendid evening that would be.

[William the White]

Aye - a viewing of Citizen Kane in the private cinema at Hearst Castle followed by an evening meal by the pool (with ketchup of course).

What a splendid evening that would be.

Would cost a hundred million dollars' worth of diamonds, of looted art, of failed opera singers...

Or maybe just a hundred lost friends...

Or, perhaps, a single little toboggan called...

What a great movie...

[Worthy4England]

Saw wales heading North when I did it.

Wouldn't want to go on holiday anywhere, where seeing wales was even a remote possibility.

[Wandering Willy]

b*stard.

[William the White]

Saw wales heading North when I did it.

Wouldn't want to go on holiday anywhere, where seeing wales was even a remote possibility.

In Cardiff (California) a shopkeeper asked me if I'd ever been to Cardiff, England...

This is the land where Wales is everywhere...

Obviously, you should avoid...

[bobo the clown]

Saw wales heading North when I did it.

Wouldn't want to go on holiday anywhere where seeing wales was even a remote possibility.

Try fckg living there !! (you tee 'em up Worthy, I'll hit 'em)

I am with the anti-LA brigade but accept the view of "at least, having been there, I know that's the case).

I thought Venice Beach was an absolute tradgedy. A dream idea overcome by finance running out and now populated by posing fck-wits.

Clearly you won't get down to San Diego .... but if you ever get the chance it is, simply, the best !!

[Gary the Enfield]

Saw wales heading North when I did it.

Wouldn't want to go on holiday anywhere where seeing wales was even a remote possibility.

Try fckg living there !! (you tee 'em up Worthy, I'll hit 'em)

I am with the anti-LA brigade but accept the view of "at least, having been there, I know that's the case).

I thought Venice Beach was an absolute tradgedy. A dream idea overcome by finance running out and now populated by posing fck-wits.

Clearly you won't get down to San Diego .... but if you ever get the chance it is, simply, the best !!

We drove down to Sea World in San Diego. Fantastic park!

Venice Beach is a bit of a 'drop out' zone. Like Camden sur Mer.

This guy lives there and is an absolute scream. A rollerskatin' guitar playin' Rastafarian who serenades passers by with reggae classics.

[Harry Genshaw]

San Francisco is great but I wouldn't bother going to Vegas or LA again. The coastal drive along Big Sur is pretty spectacular and if you have the time, dont miss Yosemite or the Grand Canyon.

One word of caution though, if you're struggling to find somewhere to stay in SF do not make the mistake we made. We opted to stay at a town near one of the ferry terminals so we could travel into the city every day. Hotels.com booked us a place in Oakland. It was like driving onto the set of The Wire and the wifes face when the sat nav said "You have reached your destination" was priceless Imagine an American coming to Manchester and overnighting in Openshaw.

[Gooner Girl]

So, is it worth the Gooner family braving 'up north' for a holiday next year? And if so what part of 'up north' do people recomend? In the last 15 years the only time i have been north of the midlands was to York for a long weekend. There must be other places worthy of a visit? The lakes? The dales? Which is best? Is it always cold?

[Hoboh]

So, is it worth the Gooner family braving 'up north' for a holiday next year? And if so what part of 'up north' do people recomend? In the last 15 years the only time i have been north of the midlands was to York for a long weekend. There must be other places worthy of a visit? The lakes? The dales? Which is best? Is it always cold?

Does London really smell every high tide?