Advice needed on interesting places to visit in America pls

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

I may be going to Santa Barbara, California with work in September for a week. They dont mind people stopping off other places on the way, or the way back if flights arent any more expensive.

For example last year, one bloke did florida for a week on the way back.

I've not been to America much, and I've only been to east coast.

I'm currently thinking maybe hire a car or bike and drive through some national parks. Maybe some camping. I quite like dramatic scenery and being away from it all.

You can fly direct from London to Los Angeles but thats gonna be a long time to be on a plane, so I'm keen to stop off somewhere interesting on the way and the week back.

I have at least 2 weeks of holiday to do my own thing, possibly 3 or 4.

I've heard Seattle is a nice city.

As well as places to go, suggestions of things to do would be good. Particularly anyone with experience of shooting ranges where you dont have to have your own gun.

Maybe a cheap ski resort.

All ideas appreciated.
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

D O G · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Karma :

Fuck, where would you start?

As far as I can gather, the US has some of the most amazing scenery in the world, but fuck all culture.

I like your national park idea, but there are just so many. Personally, I would stick 'US National Parks' in Wiki and go through them.

Ranging from Monument Valley, to Arches National Park, to Yosemite, the Rockies and the national parks with the Redwoods in them.

I will have to take 6 months and go and see that stuff.

Cities are pump, essentially they all just boil down to people doing shit. I don't like people much, but I do like nature's spectacles.

Visitor Q · $25 whore Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Karma :

Departure lounges.
____________________
China traffic/travel bike vid - When I make a sweeping statement, please add the word 'statistically' in to the sentence before you bitch...
From September 2014 to January/February 2015 I will not be using any English, nor reading any. As such, I won't be on here. PM at will, but I won't be checking/posting unless in emergencies. Certainly not for the first couple of months. Please berate me savagely if I break that rule...

nick606 · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Karma :

my mum and dad have just got back from Vegas and went to the grand canyon and did the hole skywalk, helicopter ride down and then stop over thing and said it was absolutely amazing.

Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

Funnily enough I will actually be in California in the first 2 weeks of September, flying into San Francisco.

National Parks are the thing to see, that's mainly what I'll be doing anyway. Yosemite is a must, looks amazing, then there's endless stuff to see out in Arizona, Utah. I've got a list that's longer than I'll achieve, but Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Glen Canyon all unique stuff that's gotta be worth seeing. I'm limited to 2 weeks but driving is easy and progress is good so can get a lot in, I'd like to make it up to Yellowstone via Salt Lake City and Crater Lake in Oregon too but that all depends on how it goes and if I can be bothered driving that much.

Not sure if Los Angeles is my cup of tea really, having to drive in and out is probably more hassle than it's worth for me, nothing I really want to see there, San Francisco I do plan to stop around in.

SlimRick · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Karma :

Los Angeles is shit - some really nice areas, surrounded by some of the worst suburbs in the US. Yosemite is a must, a drive up the coast Hwy 1 to San Francisco in a convertable or on a bike. Stop off in Carmel and definitley Big Sur.
A couple of days in San Fran getting stoned and looking at the freaks. Drive to Yosemite or to Lake Tahoe if you fancy skiiing, or Reno if you want to do the Vegas thing on a smaler scale.
Pop over to Arizona if you want to go cactus shooting from the back of a pickup.

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

If you want easy poon drive through the deep south. The moment you open your mouth you'll be invited into a nice warm bed.

For playing with guns, most pawn shops out there have a shoot range out the back. You pay about $20 for an hour or so of gun hire and then pay for your ammunition. Keep changing guns as much as you want.

They will have a desert eagle. You'll only be allowed to load one round at a time, and you'll see why when you shoot it.

If you plan on renting a harley out there, eaglerider have a pretty big network but seem quite expensive. A lot of harley dealers rent bikes out, and may be cheaper.

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

thanks for the posts, sounds good

it turns out it would be february, not september, so i have quite a bit more time to think about it if it happens

i might rent a cruiser, but having tried a harley in the past, I doubt i'd rent a harley
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

From the sounds of it, September to November and then March to May are the best times to visit, weather wise. Although it's supposed to be temperate throughout the year...but if you are going courtesy of work - lap it up...enjoy it.

After watching Stephen Fry and Billy Connolly journey around parts of Canada and America, it has certainly wetted my appetite for exploring the country. I am a sucker for rocks and mountains and spectacular views (and heat), so plan to do my own little adventure sometime in the future. Thumbs Up

____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

As it turns out, it may not happen, what with economic conditions etc but live in hope.
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

Vin · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Karma :

Joshua Tree is interesting but look out for scorpions.
Oh and 29 Palms is the weirdest place ever!

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I know it's on the opposite coast, but definately don't go to Key West. It's a shitehole full of hispanics intent on ripping you off.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

karen_moomin · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2004 Karma :

I don't rate LA much, but San Fran is well worth an extended stay.

There is so much to see on the east and I can recommend PA and surrounding states, places of interest include Philly, Atlantic City, New York (if you've not been before), DC, Baltimore. I worked in PA for six months and it's got stunning scenery. Last summer we hired a car and dipped into six states in a week. I definitely recommend hiring a car and planning yourself a road trip around that area. Great for getting away from it all but being able to get to some cities for a bit. A little bit of advice though - buy a map before hand and plan your route, where ever you choose to drive.

From non-personal experience I've heard that Colorado is worth a visit, and it would be rude to not go to Vagas since you're starting on the west.