V-Flyer

OK folks, over the past decade I have looked for suggestions for trips and you have never failed to deliver, so here goes.

In July I fly to Las Vegas for a 50th birthday weekend. I'm flying out on July 10th (I won't mention the fact that I am with the dark side :w ) and have a return flight booked for July 18th. The birthday weekend is from the 11th to the 14th when all will scatter to their respective homes leaving me with 4 nights (and days) to fill. It's not my first time there and I have done the Grand Canyon and a few other things besides (which my gin-fuddled brain on a Bank Holiday Sunday can't remember, but I've done lots! ) )

So, your mission, if you choose to accept it, is what do I do with those intervening four days? Palm Springs? San Diego? Somewhere that hasn't entered my thought processes. Please don't suggest LA. Been there, and in the words of Andy Pipkin, "Don't like it" This post will self-destruct in ten seconds. On second thoughts, it won't. This is not the VS website! )

Over to you!

Sorry HL I have nothing to add, but you sure are a funny lady

Palm Springs will be like a furnace in July. Average temps are 108F and even the locals escape.

You could head out to Grand Canyon and then to Monument Valley but you may have left it too late to get accommodation.

Personally I would recommend San Diego, it is the week before a very big convention. So not to busy and lovely weather

We arrive in San Diego on the 18th July

Sharon

HL

Escape to the mountains, and head to Aspen.

NV

If you are ok with vegas in July, you will probably be OK with Palm Springs in July.

I can personally recommend the Desert Riviera hotel http://desertrivierahotel.com/ (Not to be confused with "The Riviera") if you are looking for some quiet R&R time.

For a party hotel, you may need to look elsewhere.

HI HL,

Depends on how you are getting to any locations, as although driving is easy its still nearly a day there and back if flying back from Vegas.

Avoid the pun but Death Valley is 2hours drive and we think is as good as the Grand Canyon, but as the name suggests it will be 125 degrees, they do have a lovely spring fed natural pool (no additives). Zion and Bryce are quite close and are terrific as well. LInda

Both Monument Valley and San Diego are excellent choices, although Monument Valley is not big on fine dining (worst steak ever and it's very hard to mess up steak!). A little further afield is Napa which is my favourite place in the states!

First suggestion - get out of Las Vegas ASAP - personally hate the place, okay for gamblers and a certain Prince H ): otherwise it's just grossly overrated.

Would agree with San Diego, very nice coast line. We loved Zion NP, it was heaven compared with LV

Finally, get a flight to SFO and tour Yosemite NP.

BA = y)

San Diego for sure at that time of year - Have dropped you a PM

Hi HL
I will also be going out on BA's A380 on the 12th to LAX, then on to LAS on the 13th. I have also been many times and while I enjoy Vegas more as a "beach" destination, (love the pools in Bellagio, Caesars and Wynn), I have also been looking for some inspiration to ring the changes a bit.
Day trip to SFO, $110? A few days in Phoenix??? Direct flight to HNL??? Lake Tahoe perhaps or a trip to Seattle??? I'm sure there will be lots of interesting ideas, so if you don't mind, I will watch with a certain amount of interest for my own interest.

And the winner is......

.......San Diego!

Thank you for all your suggestions.

Palm Springs was killed almost instantly by Darren's post as well as Monument Valley, Death Valley and all other places calculated to burn me to a frazzle! After all I am escaping Las Vegas! )

For those who suggested HNL, Tahoe or Seattle, been there, bought the T-shirt and, in the case of Seattle, have a bed already installed there. Plus the cost of HNL and onwards was prohibitive.

Napa has been part of a regular jaunt to NorCal and Phoenix strikes me as being on the same level as Palm Springs in July.

Next question - hotels in San Diego bearing in mind I love 5* service at 1 or 2* prices! )

My Girlfriend drove to Sedona in Arizona from Las Vegas for a couple of days and stayed in the Enchantment resort. It was about a 4 hour drive and its a lovely town if you like walking or hiking .

Well since average highs in July in Las Vegas are 106F I don't think 108F in Palm Springs will be any less or more comfortable. It was 104F here (in Palm Springs now) last weekend and it was perfectly comfortable. In any case, when your day involves a leisurely and martini laden lunch bracketed by pool lounging, perhaps the spa and then a fabulous dinner, 108F can be more than tolerable.

In Palm Springs you have a much lovelier place, great resorts (I'd avoid the Riviera like a plague and look for a smaller place like the Willows), wonderful restaurants, lots of history and fabulous architecture. Here are some pictures I've been taking on my daily bike rides:

Typical residential street:


Leonardo Dicaprio's new house here:


Cool house:


Having said that I can also highly recommend Sedona and you could also look at Paradise Valley in Scottsdale (the Sanctuary is a wonderful hotel).