July - Vegas for 4 nights, where to for the next 5?

[Zippee]

I'm taking my wife to Vegas in July for her 40th and we then have a further 5 nights available but have no idea where to go after. Was thinking possibly flying on to San Fran, maybe hiring a car and heading to one of the national parks for a day. I really don't know the US well and would love any advice people have on not only where to go after but also what are the must dos in Vegas itself?

[Nezquick]

San Fran is a definite option.

However, what about hiring a camper van of some description and heading into Yosemite park? It's about a 10hr drive so very do-able.

[Roo]

I'm a big fan of Newport Beach and peninsula but others will be along with loads of ideas.

[David Beer]

Zippee said:

I'm taking my wife to Vegas in July for her 40th and we then have a further 5 nights available but have no idea where to go after. Was thinking possibly flying on to San Fran, maybe hiring a car and heading to one of the national parks for a day. I really don't know the US well and would love any advice people have on not only where to go after but also what are the must dos in Vegas itself?

You can do Zion, Death Valley, Joshua tree, Palm springs, done all many times. Yosemite I really don't like, ok if you get rid of the people, way too many. Did vegas for two nights,only, this summer and doing two nights this new year.

[Hub]

What to do in Vegas is probably the most frequent topic in this forum - have a look at some other recent ones.

As for where else to go, do you prefer the great outdoors or cities? Would the Grand Canyon be included in the Vegas stay?

[pushthebutton]

I wouldn't have a car in San Francisco; I'd only hire it when you're planning to leave. You could head South via Monterey to Big Sur national park which has the added benefit of driving part of the Pacific Coast Highway. If you're going to stay away for the night I'd recommend Monterey.

There's plenty to do around that part of the PCH including the Hearst Mansion and Seal Beach.

[Truckosaurus]

Zippee said:

...what are the must dos in Vegas itself?

Other than marvelling at the lights, just follow Napoleon's Battle Plan. (Turn up, see what happens)

As others have said, there's plenty of road trip options from Vegas. North Eastwards is Utah (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Moab, Arches National Park), NorthWest (Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, SF), Eastwards is Arizona (Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, that big meteor Crater, Route 66), South (not much, Yuma?), East (southern California, Death Valley, Mojave desert).

[anonymous-user]

Yosemite is worth the trip, I would really recommend it actually, Seq NP is quite good to see the Redwood forests too.

San Fran is a nice city, Alcatraz is a good day out, but you need to book in advance.

Unless you really want to go skip L.A., I have been a few times and its really not worth it.