aussie families trip of a lifetime

[aussiemum174]

Asking for a little advise. We are a family of five kids aged 15, 13 and 5, planning our trip for April 2008. We have 14 days and want to see and do as much as possible in this time frame. Rough plan of itinery as follows
17th April - Fly in to San Francisco (stay 3 nights)
18th - 19th - Alcatraz and Yosemite NP tour
20th - head to LA, with an overnight stop about half way
21st - drive to Las Vegas stay 3 nights at Circus Circus
22nd - Grand Canyon Tour
24th- head back to Anaheim, stay 8 nights, probably Howard Johnson (although looking at somewhere with complimentary breakfast, with two teenagers!)
- we plan to buy a citypass, and do all the attractions, using Anaheim as our base
2nd May - fly home from LA.
Is this a reasonable plan, not sure if we should forget about San Francisco, and fly in to LA instead, and spend the extra time in LA, as there seems so much to do. Very Excited!!! and appreciate any advise.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I am not a big San Fransico fan, although the coast (Monterey) is breathtaking. I am also not sure April would be a good time of year for the North.
I would look to concentrate more on the South and maybe expand the trip to San Diego. Just around So Cal you can see and do so much, your kids would love Malibu, Rodeo, Beverly Hills etc.

I am also a Vegas fan....I I beg you to spend a little more and stay far away from Circus Circus!

 

[cirquelovers]

I think your plan is a good rough outline.

San Francisco is a fun city with lots around to see and do. Yosemite and Alcatraz are good destinations. You could go to the Redwoods too. I think you should also check out fishermans wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge, the park is pretty too. My mom's old boyfriend, from Australia, really enjoyed walking across the bridge. It is a very, very long bridge though!

Most people don't like Circus circus because it not a very new property and is not very ummm, pretty . But with kids in tow there is a lot to do there for them. They have the giant indoor kids arcade, but it has everything from rides, video games, carnival games, free little shows and much, much more. I would be afraid how much my son could spend in there!! I actually prefer to be more towards the center of the strip. I have heard many with kids love the Excalibur. I know my son had fun at the arcade there when we stayed at the Luxor.

The city pass was a great deal and saved us a lot of money. There seem to be different ones but the one we had last had Seaworld and The zoo on it so we chose to spend one night in San Diego so we didn't have to drive back and forth. Traffic down there is murder!! There is so much to see and do it's best to figure out ahead of time what is most important to you and your family and plan accordingly.
If I had two teenagers I would definitely get someplace with breakfast!! I would probably want a fridge too just to keep snacks, beverages and maybe sandwich supplies or something.

That's all I can think of at the moment but I'm sure I'll come up with more later

 

[aussiemum174]

thanks for the advise, Circus Circus looks great in the travel brochures, I should have known better! Will look at some of the other hotels in Vegas. Thanks again.

 

[topjars]

Stay at the Howard Johnson - its fantastic and Mimmies is just over the road for the very best in food.
Its a 7 minute walk to the gates on CAP and DL.

Where are you from in Oz - Im from Port Pirie South Australia and my family and I made a similar trip this time last year.

I San Francisco go and see Beach Blanket Babylon - fantastic stage show about $ 50 a ticket. no kids though

Hire a bike and do the golden gate bridge to Sausilito - fantastic take your time ride and you can catch the ferry back at your leisure.

You can hire bikes at Yosemite too - great fun to get around quickly if you're limited for time.
There planty to do on Fishermans Wharf - touristy but good seafood restaurants and souveniers ( back one street toward the city is cheaper)

I stayed at the Imperial Palace in Vegas which was clean and cheaper than a lot of others. Its right in the hub of the strip and lets face it you dont spend too much time in the hotel if your'e a party animal

blackcanyon rafting would be a great family adventure - no seasickness (or whitewater) and ideal for kids and adults - do a google search on blackcanyon rafting. Sets sail from the foot of the Hoover Dam - you wont be disappointed.

Well that was a bit of a rant!!
Make sure you use fast pass at CAP and DL
Oh I forgot Universal Studios is great - pay for the VIP pass and stay all day.

Well that was a bit of a rant!!

Give me a ring if you want.

0418574102

Have a great trip....you lucky buggers

Gary

 

[Judy from Boise]

also, for lots of Vegas advice....visit one board down......."Wild West"

 

[Emmo]

We stayed at Circus Circus last year and it is great for a budget hotel! We had no problems whatsoever, the service was good, rooms were clean and drinks were free flowing!! As long as the sheets and bathroom are clean, we don't spend too much time in our rooms in Vegas anyway!