Going to Las Vegas/California

[Hakkola]

Hey guys, I'm mostly wondering about California, L.A specifically. I'm going to vegas from the 24th-30th and we're probably going to drive down to Cali, maybe L.A, haven't decided yet.

My buddy lives in Vegas so I've got every thing figured out for down there, but I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas where we should go when we drive to Cali and what hotels to stay in if we go do L.A, I'm looking to spend about $100 a night for a hotel.

Any restaurants, stores, and landmarks to check out in California, or any place within about 5 or 6 hours of Las Vegas would be great. :thumbsup:

[Thaco]

Originally posted by Hakkola
Hey guys, I'm mostly wondering about California, L.A specifically. I'm going to vegas from the 24th-30th and we're probably going to drive down to Cali, maybe L.A, haven't decided yet.

My buddy lives in Vegas so I've got every thing figured out for down there, but I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas where we should go when we drive to Cali and what hotels to stay in if we go do L.A, I'm looking to spend about $100 a night for a hotel.

Any restaurants, stores, and landmarks to check out in California, or any place within about 5 or 6 hours of Las Vegas would be great. :thumbsup:

The grand canyon is something that everybody needs to see once in thier lives, we drove from vegas to the canyon, took us about 4 hours each way, but it was well worth the trip, (i wouldn't do it again, but you have to do it once).

reguardless of all the pictures and stuff that you see of it, you never understand the sheer magnitude of it untill you stand 2 feet from the edge!

[Godfuader]

Just copying from my reply to Max_boost' thread


I was in Hollywood last week and managed to get all my deals relatively last minute. Have you used priceline.com Basically how this works is that you pick a destination, pick the part of town (Hollywood, Downtown, LAX, etc.), pick the star rating, and choose a price you would like to pay. They get your credit card and bill you immediately if they find something that meets your requests. catch: you dont know the hotels name till you get it. They dont really have shitty hotels, i got the Hilton and the Crowne Plaza both under $75.
Cheat Sheet: "biddingfortravel.com" is a forum that tells you how to bid on priceline and what type of hotel to expect.
In LA you have to check out Hollywood, I can tell you how to park directly under the kodak theatre (oscar central) for $2/4hrs. Drive thru Beverly hills on Sunset blvd. Check out Santa Monica Beach, Venice beach, and cruise down Malibu. If you like the arts, check out the Getty Museum (best views of the city) and Walt Disney Concert hall.
If you need specifics on other things like car rentals, accomodations, theme park discounts, i have all the research done. let me know

Update from that...2 weeks I was once again back in LA, Vegas, San Diego, and Tijuana (just 2 hrs south of LA) This time I ended up getting the Westin Bonaventure (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=1004) for $55/night vs. $279 - $319
Anything specific you need to know about LA?

[benyl]

Originally posted by Thaco


The grand canyon is something that everybody needs to see once in thier lives, we drove from vegas to the canyon, took us about 4 hours each way, but it was well worth the trip, (i wouldn't do it again, but you have to do it once).

reguardless of all the pictures and stuff that you see of it, you never understand the sheer magnitude of it untill you stand 2 feet from the edge!

The grand canyon is not in the same direction as LA.

There is an outlet mall on the way to LA on the I15. Can't remember, but it is maybe 30 minutes to 1 hour outside of Vegas. Might even be in California, not Nevada.

If you go toward Palm Springs, there is a town called Cabazon. They have some high end outlets like Gucci, Cole Haan, Tag Heuer, Movado, Prada, Hugo Boss etc...

http://premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=6

There is also another big outlet at the intersection of the I15 and the I10 called Ontario Mills. They have a Puma store.

If you want new high end stuff and don't want to go all the way to Beverly Hills and want to go somewhere near the beach, go to South Coast Plaza in Coasta Mesa: http://www.southcoastplaza.com/

This place has Louis Vuitton, etc... but the latest shit at full price (the old shit at discount go to the outlet above).

Fuck, I sound like a girl... I know where all the shopping is.


I haven't done this in a while, but cruising down Sunset Blvd is kinda cool and checking out the walk of fame. Don't bother with Disneyland, go to Magic Mountain (north of LA) if you decided on an amusement park.

Remember, you are basically going to spend an entire day driving there and back. Bank on at least 5 hours there and 5 hours back... that is driving at 90 mph sometimes. I have done it in 4 hours, but we were doing triple digits most of the way. It will be worse if you hit traffic.

It takes at least an hour to get from San Bernardino (what looks like LA but isn't yet) to anywhere near LA.

[szw]

Take off a few more days, go to san francisco!

[max_boost]

As godfauder suggested, go to priceline.com and biddingfortravel.com to bid on hotels (make sure you read the guidelines first as it might get a bit confusing) :D

July must be the high season because I couldn't get anything in the 3 star range in the Hollywood/Beverly Hills area despite bidding $150! Anyway, I'm staying at the Hollywood Walk of Fame Holiday Inn. I don't know why but my gf kept on saying she wanted to stay in that area so I just picked it.

Is L/A surrounding area difficult to navigate around? I wanted to play it safe so I decided to rent a portable gps along with the car from National. The unit itself looks so ghetto but as long as it works, doesn't matter to me.

[Hakkola]

How far ahead of time should I be placing my bids? Does it matter? I'm assuming the rooms are sold last minute so is day of or before fine?

Sam are you down there right now?

SZW I can't afford to take anymore time off of work, I only have 1 month left before I go over seas.

[loweg]

I would go to prim valley, its an outlet mall on the way to LA (if I remember correct) we took a bus out there for 10 bucks when we were in Vegas for new years last year.

Got some really crazy deals there...

they have a DC outlet store 2 pairs for like 45-50 bucks American and there are many types they dont have there.

2 fossil watches for like 60 bucks

My girlfriend bought like 5 purses and saved around 80- % on them....

Again, sound like a girl like the guy above one where to shop, but I just thought I would pass along the good deals...

Nate

[Oz-]

Every time we go to LA we make a trip to Tito's Tacos straight out of LAX. It is just around Washington and Sepulveda.

http://www.titostacos.com/

Also check out Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles and if you are a DJ there is a big big record store on Ventura about 5 mins down from Fat Beats (forget the name).

Getty Museum as someone mentioned is great, a bit of a drive especially if you get hit with rush hour.

Also griffith's observatory is another nice place to check out.

Six Flags Magic Mountain if you can avoid traffic is about an hour away near Valencia.

Ontario Mills outlet is good too, but not always the best deals.

[lorenzo]

El Pollo Loco in LA :drool:

[benyl]

Originally posted by max_boost
Anyway, I'm staying at the Hollywood Walk of Fame Holiday Inn.

I can almost guarantee this place will be a hole / roach motel. Holiday Inn does not hold high standards in the states. Especially if you are paying less than $150 in that area.

A 3 star in that part of the US is like a 2 star here.

[Hakkola]

So if I want a stay in a pretty nice hotel how much should I be looking at paying? I don't want to stay in some hole.

[max_boost]

Originally posted by benyl


I can almost guarantee this place will be a hole / roach motel. Holiday Inn does not hold high standards in the states. Especially if you are paying less than $150 in that area.

A 3 star in that part of the US is like a 2 star here.

Just read some reviews, I don't know why I didn't read any in the first place but this place sucks ass.
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/laxhl

And they are charging me $130USD per night! I'm cancelling it. They can try to charge me anyway since there are no refunds but I just got a new card and haven't activated it (I'll just say I lost it) haha

Compared to the Westin godfauder posted up for $55, I'm getting royally screwed. I'm going to bid on another hotel:D

[max_boost]

Originally posted by Hakkola
So if I want a stay in a pretty nice hotel how much should I be looking at paying? I don't want to stay in some hole. It varies. Go to www.priceline.com and www.biddingfortravel.com and do a bit of reading. Specifically you must understand all of this before you bid http://p070.ezboard.com/fpricelineandexpediabiddinghotels.showMessage?topicID=2.topic

Godfauder got the Westin for $55+taxes where it normally goes for over $200.

I'm going in July btw. I think you should book a month in advance :dunno: If you look at the biddingfortravel.com site, it'll give you an idea of how much the rooms are going for.

[elementone]

id just go with a ramada or a holiday inn hotel..
id look up where i want to stay.. get on yellowpages.ca and get some hotels in the area.
Dowtown LA .. is shit.
So somewhere in the outskirts, like Santa MOnica or something.
Driving in LA is so much fun, i miss the 8 lane highways haha
Priceline is a good place for cheap stuff tho.
You should pick me up some good mexican food on the way up, Molcasalsa is sooon good! Super fries are the shit.

[lorenzo]

we were in LA 2 weeks ago. stayed in Westin Hotel at Carston, which was pretty close to Santa Monica, San Pedro, Redondo beach and... north of Compton...WESTSIDE!!! lol...and its only bout half an hour away from Disney.

go on expedia.com. i think we payed around $80/night which wasnt too bad. just keep searching online.

i recommend going to Santa Monica during sunset. :thumbsup: definetely worth seeing. and El pollo loco, their chickens' are the shietz! and shop at Burlingtons and Ross, kinda like our Winners but hell of alot cheaper!:thumbsup:

[Hakkola]

I'm actually hoping Anaheim wins a game in Edmonton so I could go catch a game. :thumbsup:

[lorenzo]

Originally posted by Hakkola
I'm actually hoping Anaheim wins a game in Edmonton so I could go catch a game. :thumbsup:

yah we watched the FLAMES in games 6 at Anaheim. and we got the tickets the day before the game, so you shouldnt have any problems getting them.
at the pond entrance they will give you a little towel with the anaheim mighty duck logo to wave around when the ducks scores, or you could just make better use of it by wiping your ass with it after you take a big dump!...lol

:rofl:

[Hakkola]

I'm an Anaheim fan. :)

[lorenzo]

Originally posted by Hakkola
I'm an Anaheim fan. :)

Yah im a lil bitter... but you do make a point there. i would as well rather have the ducks win than the greasers...

[Hakkola]

Not because I dislike the Oilers, I actually like them, they're an entertaining team, but I like Anaheim better, hopefully they can get their act together and win the cup. :thumbsup:

[Godfuader]

Originally posted by benyl


I can almost guarantee this place will be a hole / roach motel. Holiday Inn does not hold high standards in the states. Especially if you are paying less than $150 in that area.

A 3 star in that part of the US is like a 2 star here.

:werd: US rating systems are messed up. Do not trust any names like Ramada, Holiday Inn, etc there. chances are very high that if you are paying less than $150 reg price, it will be a dump. Its best to check a site like tripadvisor.com before any travels as these are real reviews.


Originally posted by Hakkola
I'm actually hoping Anaheim wins a game in Edmonton so I could go catch a game. :thumbsup:

We went to game 6 vs. Flames in Anaheim. I asked the concierge to get me some playoff hockey tickets. She said that even during playoffs, we can get them at the door. We got 4 tickets together 2 hrs before the game, there were still tons of empty seats. The arena is designed nicely so even the shitty seats get a great view.



Originally posted by lorenzo

at the pond entrance they will give you a little towel with the anaheim mighty duck logo to wave around when the ducks scores, or you could just make better use of it by wiping your ass with it after you take a big dump!...lol

:rofl:

I used it to clean sand off my feet after the beach.:rofl:

[andres_mt]

Originally posted by Hakkola
Hey guys, I'm mostly wondering about California, L.A specifically. I'm going to vegas from the 24th-30th and we're probably going to drive down to Cali, maybe L.A, haven't decided yet.

My buddy lives in Vegas so I've got every thing figured out for down there, but I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas where we should go when we drive to Cali and what hotels to stay in if we go do L.A, I'm looking to spend about $100 a night for a hotel.

Any restaurants, stores, and landmarks to check out in California, or any place within about 5 or 6 hours of Las Vegas would be great. :thumbsup:

Check out one of these restaurants called Ruby Red's. There all over L.A. and Cailfornia. Also be sure to check out Hungtinton Beach and Super Autobacs on Huntington Blvd. which is pretty much like a Home Depot for Car parts. :drool:

[szw]

Originally posted by Godfuader



We went to game 6 vs. Flames in Anaheim. I asked the concierge to get me some playoff hockey tickets. She said that even during playoffs, we can get them at the door. We got 4 tickets together 2 hrs before the game, there were still tons of empty seats. The arena is designed nicely so even the shitty seats get a great view.


Hey I was at game 6 in Anaheim also.

After the game I fought a plastic duck that some other Calgarians found.
I think that might be my blood on the ground. That duck could fight.
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/251/9216146881060alb6pm.jpg

[CRXguy]

Originally posted by benyl
There is an outlet mall on the way to LA on the I15. Can't remember, but it is maybe 30 minutes to 1 hour outside of Vegas. Might even be in California, not Nevada.

If you go toward Palm Springs, there is a town called Cabazon. They have some high end outlets like Gucci, Cole Haan, Tag Heuer, Movado, Prada, Hugo Boss etc...

If you want new high end stuff and don't want to go all the way to Beverly Hills and want to go somewhere near the beach, go to South Coast Plaza in Coasta Mesa: http://www.southcoastplaza.com/

This place has Louis Vuitton, etc... but the latest shit at full price (the old shit at discount go to the outlet above).

Fuck, I sound like a girl... I know where all the shopping is.



:werd:

The first outlet just outside Las Vegas is besides a casino if I remember right. The outside of the building is bright white, so you can't really miss it.

The outlet out in Cabazon is called Desert Hills Premium Outlet. They got some good deals from time to time.

South Coast Plaza has pretty much everything if you don't mind paying full price. Lots of girls and MILF's at all hours! :bigpimp:

Another tip to save on time is to stay off the freeway between 3-6pm. Traffic will be pretty much crawling, so save yourself the trouble and try to plan everything out nicely.

Have fun.

[CRXguy]

Originally posted by andres_mt
Also be sure to check out Hungtinton Beach and Super Autobacs on Huntington Blvd. which is pretty much like a Home Depot for Car parts. :drool:

It's located in Stanton, about 20mins away from Knotts Berry Farm. I can't remember which direction though. LOL

It's insanely overpriced though, but fun to check out. If you have more time, drive down to Newport Beach. More MILFs and exotic cars to look at.

[E36M3]

La Quinta are good cheap hotels in Southern California, but priceline.com and similar sites are great for bargains.. be careful to go four or five star if you use Priceline.

[szw]

Oh and I think the outlet mall outside Vegas is called Primm. At least thats the most popular one that I know of.

[Godfuader]

Originally posted by szw
Oh and I think the outlet mall outside Vegas is called Primm. At least thats the most popular one that I know of.

Thats the one i went to...wasn't as big as i was expecting but there was enough stuff for me to spend a couple hours.

ps. that duck looks funny. There were tons of calgary flames fans eh?

[Hakkola]

quick update, I dont have much time to spend on the internet. :D

The day i came in we went to Tao and met Brad Richards and Vincent Levacalier. Went to Pure last night and picked up some chicks, this club is UNBELIEVEABLE. Clubbed til 5 in the morning.

Did lots of shoppin, goin out again tonight, this place is GREAT.

[dino_martini]

Originally posted by loweg
I would go to prim valley, its an outlet mall on the way to LA (if I remember correct) we took a bus out there for 10 bucks when we were in Vegas for new years last year.



Where did you catch this bus? Going to Vegas probably this summer.:dunno:

[Godfuader]

Originally posted by dino_martini


Where did you catch this bus? Going to Vegas probably this summer.:dunno:

http://www.fashionoutletlasvegas.com/shuttle.htm

[dino_martini]

Originally posted by Godfuader


http://www.fashionoutletlasvegas.com/shuttle.htm

Thanks.

Also is there a puma outlet or a puma store in Vegas?

[lorenzo]

when we decided to drive from LA to Vegas and visited all the outlet mall on the way, man im telling you, it'll take you the whole day.

we left LA at 8am and didnt check in our hotel till about 9pm in Vegas.I think there was about 3 outlet malls before you hit Vegas, and the last one was just north of stratosphere, freeway 15B...where the puma outlet store is, armani exchange and many more...

its only about a good 4 to 5 hour drive, but the shopping part will totally waste the time. although, they do have pretty much the same stores at every outlet malls. but only one puma store if i remember correctly.

[KELSTAR]

Originally posted by dino_martini


Thanks.

Also is there a puma outlet or a puma store in Vegas?
There is a Puma store on the strip near the Quiksilver store. I can't remember what end of the strip in terms of North or South but on the same end as the Fashion Show Mall and Treasure Island.

[Jynx]

Anyone ever stay in the luxor on the strip in vegas?

[TheShotgun]

Originally posted by Jynx
Anyone ever stay in the luxor on the strip in vegas? Yes. Great place. Cool arcade.. some neat internals.. Lotsa good looking hookers too.