My girlfriend, sister and I are travelling to USA for 3 weeks from mid-October. We are starting to get a decent plan of attack. I would love feedback on our current plans, as well as filling in the blanks or adding things we’ve forgotten. We currently haven’t booked any accommodation or organised car hire. Previous Travel:

Sister and I have done LA / Disneyland and West Coast. However, we’ll still do everything again for the GF to experience.

Length:

Sister 13 days, Girlfriend and I 20 days. All arriving together Mid October. Budget:

Flexible. We all agree to keep it ‘value’ when it comes to accommodation; basic is great, but want to stay near the main areas where possible. We’ll likely crash in the same room to save costs (The GF and I have another week in Vegas once the sister leaves so we can chill till then) Also we don’t want to go cheap when it comes to an background (e.g. we’ll do the Helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon)

Interests:

Food- Who doesn’t love food. We’ll usually just go budget unless the area is known for it. (e.g. Deep Dish Pizza / Gino’s in Chicago, Philly Cheese Steak in… Philly)
Outdoors- We live on the beach in Australia so we always love great views. The scenic route from San Francisco to Los Angeles looks amazing. We are active people, so a Hike here and there could be rad. Other interests: Live Music, Tattoos, Live Sports, Culture / Art.

Other:

I will be driving from SF to LA, most likely in a convertible? Unsure whether or not to hire a car in LA. We plan on getting a coach /bus from LA to Vegas.
We were thinking of doing San Diego after LA (and then onto Vegas) but it may be too much travel/too much going on. Would love your thoughts.

Vegas:

Vegas is a bit tricky. It seems like anything and everything is possible and happening. Not sure where to start, where to stay etc. The GF and I will definitely be doing a day trip and doing a Helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon (South Rim?) Advice on Vegas would be great, thanks. Also… should mention that we aren’t big gamblers. It’ll more be the entertainment side of things.

Itinerary:

Week 1
Sat AM Fly into San Francisco

Sun Alcatraz Night Tour

Mon Golden Gate Bridge / Pier 39

Tue PM Road trip – Stay near Big Sur

Wed Road Trip – Stay near Santa Barbara

Thur Six Flags – Valencia Stay at Hollywood that night

Fri Hollywood Walk Of Fame / Death Museum

Week 2 LA Sat Santa Monica / Venice Beach Boardwalk / Freak Show

Sun Hollywood Hike

Mon Hike Runyon / Griffith Canyon

Tue Disneyland Stay at Disneyland?

Wed California Adventure Park

Thur LACMA, sister Fly’s home that night (from LAX)

Fri day free

Week 3

Either…

Sat – Sun San Diego Mon – Thur Las Vegas. Fly home

Or

Sat – Thur Las Vegas. Fly home.