Finished planning my trip to the West Coast - check in

[CRAFTY]

I finished planning my trip to the West Coast (summer 2009) about two weeks ago. I was gonna post my entire trip-schedule but forgot all about it.
So here it is. Feel free to give some feedback/suggestions about anything:

DAY 1: arrival at LAX
   at arrival: go pick up our rental car + drive to our hotel
-   walk on Hollywood Blvd. (Kodak Theatre & Walk of Fame) + Sunset Blvd. perhaps

DAY 2: Los Angeles – Universal Studios
-   Studio Tour + Attraction Park

DAY 3: Los Angeles
-   Melrose Avenue
-   Beverly Hills (Rodeo Drive)
-   Hollywood sign
-   Beverly Center

DAY 4: Venice Beach – Santa Monica
-   morning: Venice Beach (Ocean Front Walk)
-   afternoon: Santa Monica (3rd Street Promenade)

DAY 5: Santa Monica
-   beach

DAY 6: Santa Monica – Long Beach – Orange County (Santa Ana)
-   Shopping: CityPlace, LB
-   Lamborghini dealership (Santa Ana, OC)

DAY 7: San Diego
-   Sea World (in the morning)
-   Belmont Park (afternoon)

DAY 8: San Diego
-   Balboa Park (in the morning) (San Diego Zoo)
-   Gaslamp Quarter
-   Restaurant (at night): Bertrand At Mister A’s

DAY 9: San Diego – Grand Canyon National Park (552 miles – 8h drive) (might stop by Palm Springs, not sure yet)
-   arrival at hotel: hotel: http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/el-tovar-409.html

DAY 10: Grand Canyon National Park
-   Grand Canyon National Park
http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

DAY 11: Grand Canyon NP – Bryce Canyon NP (289 miles – 5h30 min. drive)
-   Bryce Canyon NP: http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm
-   Lodging at Bryce Canyon Lodging
-   tour with shuttle bus (route duration: 50 minutes – excluding stops at facilities & overlooks: see website)

DAY 12: Bryce Canyon NP – Las Vegas (261 miles – 4h15 min. drive)
-   arrival athotel (somewhere around noon)
-   hit The Strip
-   visiting hotels/casino's: MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Caesar’s Palace, The Venetian, Bellagio, The Mirage, Treasure Island, Luxor, Wynn Las Vegas
-   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Strip
-   Fremont Street Experience (downtown LV) - at night


DAG 13: Las Vegas – Yosemite NP (380 miles – 7h drive)
-   Hoover Dam (morning)
   Hoover Dam Powerplant Tour ($15)
-   leaving for Yosemite NP in the afternoon

DAG 14: Yosemite Park

DAG 15: Yosemite Park – San Francisco (192 miles – 4h 30 min. drive)
- arrival in SF scheduled around noon
DAG 16: San Francisco
-   Fisherman’s Wharf
-   Chinatown
-   Golden Gate Bridge

DAG 17: San Francisco + departure

Keep in mind that I'm going on this trip with my parents, my brother & my grandmother. So I tried to put something in this trip for all of us.
Btw: I'm likely to skip Day 6 (Long Beach & OC) because the only reason I planned that day was because I wanted to visit the Lambo dealership. However, I sent the dealership an e-mail about two weeks ago in which I asked if it was possible to pay them a visit. I still haven't received an answer. They're probably not too keen on having tourists over there. Understandable, but still a pity.

I was wondering: on Day 9, is it worth it to stop by Palm Springs (grab something to eat perhaps) while we drive from San Diego to Grand Canyon National Park?

One more question: I'd like to stop by a swapmeet to scoop up some cheap Pro Clubs. From what I know swapmeets are located in the 'rougher' areas of LA: Slauson, Compton, etc... Does anyone know of a swapmeet in a relatively 'safe' part of town? Thx!

[Elano]

bel air is full of swampmeets

[LooN3y]

I finished planning my trip to the West Coast (summer 2009) about two weeks ago. I was gonna post my entire trip-schedule but forgot all about it.
So here it is. Feel free to give some feedback/suggestions about anything:

DAY 1: arrival at LAX
   at arrival: go pick up our rental car + drive to our hotel
-   walk on Hollywood Blvd. (Kodak Theatre & Walk of Fame) + Sunset Blvd. perhaps

DAY 2: Los Angeles – Universal Studios
-   Studio Tour + Attraction Park

DAY 3: Los Angeles
-   Melrose Avenue
-   Beverly Hills (Rodeo Drive)
-   Hollywood sign
-   Beverly Center

DAY 4: Venice Beach – Santa Monica
-   morning: Venice Beach (Ocean Front Walk)
-   afternoon: Santa Monica (3rd Street Promenade)

DAY 5: Santa Monica
-   beach

DAY 6: Santa Monica – Long Beach – Orange County (Santa Ana)
-   Shopping: CityPlace, LB
-   Lamborghini dealership (Santa Ana, OC)

DAY 7: San Diego
-   Sea World (in the morning)
-   Belmont Park (afternoon)

DAY 8: San Diego
-   Balboa Park (in the morning) (San Diego Zoo)
-   Gaslamp Quarter
-   Restaurant (at night): Bertrand At Mister A’s

DAY 9: San Diego – Grand Canyon National Park (552 miles – 8h drive) (might stop by Palm Springs, not sure yet)
-   arrival at hotel: hotel: http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/el-tovar-409.html

DAY 10: Grand Canyon National Park
-   Grand Canyon National Park
http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

DAY 11: Grand Canyon NP – Bryce Canyon NP (289 miles – 5h30 min. drive)
-   Bryce Canyon NP: http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm
-   Lodging at Bryce Canyon Lodging
-   tour with shuttle bus (route duration: 50 minutes – excluding stops at facilities & overlooks: see website)

DAY 12: Bryce Canyon NP – Las Vegas (261 miles – 4h15 min. drive)
-   arrival athotel (somewhere around noon)
-   hit The Strip
-   visiting hotels/casino's: MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Caesar’s Palace, The Venetian, Bellagio, The Mirage, Treasure Island, Luxor, Wynn Las Vegas
-   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Strip
-   Fremont Street Experience (downtown LV) - at night


DAG 13: Las Vegas – Yosemite NP (380 miles – 7h drive)
-   Hoover Dam (morning)
   Hoover Dam Powerplant Tour ($15)
-   leaving for Yosemite NP in the afternoon

DAG 14: Yosemite Park

DAG 15: Yosemite Park – San Francisco (192 miles – 4h 30 min. drive)
- arrival in SF scheduled around noon
DAG 16: San Francisco
-   Fisherman’s Wharf
-   Chinatown
-   Golden Gate Bridge

DAG 17: San Francisco + departure

Keep in mind that I'm going on this trip with my parents, my brother & my grandmother. So I tried to put something in this trip for all of us.
Btw: I'm likely to skip Day 6 (Long Beach & OC) because the only reason I planned that day was because I wanted to visit the Lambo dealership. However, I sent the dealership an e-mail about two weeks ago in which I asked if it was possible to pay them a visit. I still haven't received an answer. They're probably not too keen on having tourists over there. Understandable, but still a pity.

I was wondering: on Day 9, is it worth it to stop by Palm Springs (grab something to eat perhaps) while we drive from San Diego to Grand Canyon National Park?

One more question: I'd like to stop by a swapmeet to scoop up some cheap Pro Clubs. From what I know swapmeets are located in the 'rougher' areas of LA: Slauson, Compton, etc... Does anyone know of a swapmeet in a relatively 'safe' part of town? Thx!

theres swap meets every where. doesnt matter u can go to slauson swapmeet i doubt anybodys gonna jack you for swap meet clothes lol, the ones i go to r in the valley and 1 in k-town

theres one in north hollywood, couple in van nuys (biggest one is on parthenia and vannuys), n canoga park n such, the one in k-town (LA) is on western and pico.

[J.D. Wykid, Esq.]

theres a swap meet in West LA, on Lincoln Blvd (sorta near Venice Beach, i forget the exact cross street, but i know its in between Venice Blvd and Rose Blvd)..i forget the name, but its " (something) Fox"  or "Fox (something)"...i havent been there in a long ass time, but its a safe part of town. 

you can also find ProClubs in army surplus stores..and you can find those stores all over LA.

[J.D. Wykid, Esq.]

also, if youre not gonna hit up the Lambo dealership, but want to do something with cars, hit up the Pertersen Automotive Museum, its dope!  i aint been there for a long ass time, ive been meaning to go again.

http://www.petersen.org/

[SEERLOVESKAIN]

DAY 1: arrival at LAX
   at arrival: go pick up our rental car + drive to our hotel
-   walk on Hollywood Blvd. (Kodak Theatre & Walk of Fame) + Sunset Blvd. perhaps

CHEAP/RELIABLE COMPANY I ALWAYS USE.
http://www.foxrentacar.com

GET A HYBRID EVEN IF THAT MEANS YOU PAY A LITTLE EXTRA.
TOYOTA CAMRY/PRIUS HYBRIDS ARE THE BEST.
ASK THEM OVER THE PHONE IF THEY HAVE THE CAMRY

DAY 2: Los Angeles – Universal Studios
-   Studio Tour + Attraction Park
THE BEST PART OF UNIVERSAL STUDIOS BURNED DOWN IN FIRE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
PASS ON IT IF YOU DIDN'T BUY THE TICKETS ALREADY.

DAY 3: Los Angeles
-   Melrose Avenue
-   Beverly Hills (Rodeo Drive)
-   Hollywood sign
-   Beverly Center

DAY 4: Venice Beach – Santa Monica
-   morning: Venice Beach (Ocean Front Walk)
-   afternoon: Santa Monica (3rd Street Promenade)

DAY 5: Santa Monica
-   beach

DAY 6: Santa Monica – Long Beach – Orange County (Santa Ana)
-   Shopping: CityPlace, LB
-   Lamborghini dealership (Santa Ana, OC)

FUCK LA SPEND AN EXTRA DAY IN LAS VEGAS OR SAN FRANCISCO.

[Suga Foot]

There's a lookout point at hollywood & highland to see the hollywood sign, so there's not really any point going out of your way to check it out.  Plus it's just a sign (not really a big deal).

[1234]

Damn yous lucky! You better cop some nice shit while you out there.  Dont forget that Cali kush either.

[daWappla]

Yeah, like someone already pointed out: Not sure how busy you´ll be there but I´d rather plan a day or two more for Las Vegas. It rocks there.

I did a USA trip a couple of years ago for about 5 weeks - coast to coast (sort of at least lol.) We planned like 3 or 4 days for Vegas but ended up being there a week.

Also, while you´re there try seeing some games. I´m no baseball fan but we were watching a game and it was worth it. Or, as in my case, a BB game in MSG etc...

If you´re interested than also check out Alcatraz while being in San Francisco. Interesting place and only takes a couple of hours.
Hmmmmm, what else ? You definitely won´t be disappointed with the National Parks. I suggest, if you have the time, try seeing more parks.

The most impressing thing in the US were the national parks for me. We did like 10-15 parks and it was fucking impressive. Sequoia Park could be an option for you.

Anyways, I´d really highly suggest checking out more parks while you´re there, if you have the time of course.

Also, when you´re in LA, try seeing some talk show. When I was there we were at a Jay Leno taping. Problem with that is, that you´d basically have to order the tickets (free entry) in advance and they only send it to an ameican adress. In my case it was no problem cause a friend had relatives in the US and that´s how we got the tickets, but you can also check the studios in the moring and get your tickets there.

Well, that´s all I can think of right now. Either way sound like a fucking great trip so even though it´s next year I wanna say Have Fun right now.

And don´t forget about open containment while driving. lol




EDIT: WOW, I completely missed that you´re doing Bryce Canyon. Bryce fucking owns. I HIGHLY suggest being there during sunset - on top of the platue that is. YOu can go down and walk around or just stand on top of that "plateu" and enjoy the view like in the link you posted. Bryce is one of the illest parks I´ve been to in the US. There is no comparison being there yourself compared to seeing it on pictures or video. Like I said before, try doing as much Parks as you can. You´won´t be disappointed. I´d suggest seeing "The Wave" (http://www.pervan.de/reiseberichte/u/p613.jpg) but I guess that´s too far away from your planned route. ALso, I bet you did that alreday but look into getting a national park card. YOu can save a lot of money with it depending on how many Parks you visit.

EDIT 2: OKay, lol, I just read that you´re going with your family. I guess that means you won´t spend a couple of days in Vegas drinking and looking for girls. lol That means that you coudl really check more Parks though. I understand that you might have opther interests than your grandmother or your parents but I think everyone loves seeing nice parks etc. Like I said, to me it was the best part and we did a lot of stuff there.

[CRAFTY]

Thanks for posting some locations on where I can find swapmeets.
And thanks for the heads-up about the Universal Studios fire. Just read about it on Wikipedia. Fire broke out June 1st. I planned this trip late May...makes sense why I hadn't heard anything about it. Seems like I will indeed have to skip that day.

So yeah, we might as well take that day to visit another National Park (Sequoia perhaps), I'll see...

And renting a Toyota Prius is not an option: we'll be travelling with 5 persons PLUS we will have to have enough room for our bags.
We might end up renting a SUV (totally agains my principles, but it'll come in handy for a trip like this) or a Chrylser Grand Voyager, Chevrolet Uplander (minivan) or something alike.

Thx for the feedback. Keep it coming

[J Bananas]

rent a ford escape, decent small suv that falls in the economy range i think. it will fit erryone and your shit.

[J.D. Wykid, Esq.]

idk if they have em at any rent a car spot, but they do have hybrid SUVs.  im sure youll be able to find one SOMEWHERE in LA...might be pricey tho, since those are in hot demand..so it might not even offset the price of gas..but you might wanna look into that.

[Elano]

rent a ford escape, decent small suv that falls in the economy range i think. it will fit erryone and your shit.

When i was in l.a. in february i've rented a fuckin DODGE 

[CRAFTY]

I don't think a Ford Escape will do the trick. We're travelling with 5 adults. Each of us will bring a suitcase + we're probably gonna bring an extra suitcase to put all of our bought stuff in...

We might go for the Ford Excursion.

[GENERIK]

dude if you're traveling down south towards LA and you happen to be on the 99 South stop by in Delano and get some gas!!!!! yeeeeeeee