To skip LA even though DD has her heart set on it?

[DragonessOfFlagstaff]

We're doing a USA road trip in a few weeks. SanFrancisco to Utah. We were originally going to do San Fran - Vegas and LA and DD had her heart set on LA, universal studios, Malibu etc but honestly, LA is such a shit hole I really don't want to go so we've decided to skip LA and just do San Fran-Vegas-Utah and then back to SF. DD doesn't know yet and my mum thinks im being cruel making DD do a number of "boring" destinations and skipping the biggest thing she was looking forward to but it's such a shit hole I don't think she'd enjoy it anyway! AIBU to just call rank and knock it off the trip?

Your revised itinery doesn't include any beach time (SF beach is tiny) which seems a shame as that is so much of CA culture. I'm no great fan of LA (hated Venice beach) but we had a lovely afternoon on a non-commercialised beach just north of Santa Monica and then as sunset came dolphins came to frolic for ages.

Your DD just wants to see if it is like all the stuff she sees on TV. A couple of days would be kind.

There's so much to see.

I think that Venice Beach was what we found most disappointing-even so it was a pleasant walk, great weather...so not a complete waste!

Getty Museum & Villa-fab! LACMA-for me worth it just for the Pavillion for Japanese Art.

I’ve just read your other thread. You should definitely take her to LA. She needs as many positive experiences as she can get and support.

I did 5 days in LA, staying in Marina del Rey. I loved Santa Monica, Beverley Hills and Venice. Don't be mean!

Very shitty of you OP. So she gets to spend hours in the car and not go to the place she really wants to see. Also glad that our household is largely a democracy and not the dictatorship that some on here seem to favour.

How can you promise something that's become the highlight of her holiday and then take it away from her? It's a great way to ensure she never trusts you again. I find it hard to get my head round you even considering it.

Just a few details, we're only stopping in Vegas for three days which she's looking forward to. We're going to a show, quad bike riding, Area 51 and a few horror experiences, all of which she has chosen. The hotel was also her choice with the huge pool etc.
We're doing pony trekking in Yosemite which is also her idea and one of her highlights. From there we're doing Death Valley and in Utah we're staying in a Native American hogan which she's looking forward to. She's very much the outdoorsy type, loves scenery, horses, natural wonders etc and although we have chosen the destinations, all the activities have been chosen with her in mind, including antelope canyon on horseback.

The only thing she's looking forward to in LA is the theme park. She says she wants to see the beaches but everytime I've taken her to beaches in the past she's bored to death after 5 minutes.

I'm thinking of taking her to Orlando next big year to make up for it.

Our California road trip a few years ago was our dream holiday, unlikely to be able to do it again, so LA was a must...yes its very touristy but theres no way I would travel that far and not visit it, especially if one of my kids was desperate to go. Its very cruel to be even thinking of this, and how miserable do the "We pay for it, we plan the itinerary" posters sound.
As it is we loved doing the touristy things like walk of fame, sign etc, had a lovely day at Santa Monica pier and beach to, a day at Universal studios and did the cheesy stars homes tour.

Just remembered that as we drove to the Griffith Observatory we passed Jay Leno in one of his many cars!

Given your other thread if it is the same daughter surely letting her go to the theme parks and a beach is worth it

(I didnt search I just happened to be on both)

To be fair to Vegas though, there is plenty to do up that way. You've got the Hoover Dam and the Canyon.
I took DC's there when they were about 15 and 11. They loved it despite the fact they could neither drink nor gamble. We went for a wander one night and before we knew it, it was 2am. There is so much to see there.

I got back from a Cali trip a few weeks ago and this time we did San Francisco for a few days instead of Vegas. Kids did complain they missed vegas.

Also glad that our household is largely a democracy and not the dictatorship that some on here seem to favour.

Thats what Im thinking to.

What is in Utah that's more interesting than LA?

Yabvu. To cut out the ONLY leg of the trip they have their heart set on.

Wait you think LA is a shit hole but think Vegas and SF are peachy keen? 🤣🤣🤣

Vegas will be boring as shit for a teen and Utah...really? Really? Utah???

YABVVVVVU.

We did road trip a few years back when DC were 10 and 11. They much preferred LA to LV which was simply too hot. Death Valley was also too hot for them. DC could not stay away from the aircon in the car/hotel for more than about 5 minutes. I would go back to LV but not in July/August.

Your update changes everything.

Why couldn't you put that into your original post?

Have a lovely holiday.

How long do you have? Tbh, the drive from SF to Yosemite IS pretty boring. The drive from Vegas to Yosemite, if you’re going at a time of year where you can through Death Valley and up the Sierra Nevada is amazing. We also skipped la. I’d seriously consider skipping Vegas. There is horse riding and other pursuits up the Sierra Nevada in places like Bishop and Mammoth Lakes. Utah is a big, long drive from Yosemite or indeed Vegas. That was the highlight of the trip for me. We also did Highway 1 - the beaches don’t start looking like California on tv until you get further south. Try posting on the tripadvisor forums - they’re great for advising on local areas and itineraries. Also the road trip America site. Without knowing more, it sounds as though you might end up with some boring long drives when with a tweak you could be seeing some amazing scenery.

What is in Utah that's more interesting than LA?

Mormons.

Utah has some beautiful national parks. Bryce Canyon is amazing.

Don't skip LA! It's brilliant! San Francisco in the other hand...

Have you checked on the Yosemite situation? There are big fires there at the moment and there are lots of road closures and accommodation evacuations going on...

Oh, and have a look at 6 flags magic mountain, which may possibly fit in your itinerary

Let her go to LA. You had the opportunity to go and took it yourself. You think it's a shit hole but lots of people love it. I went and loved it! It's iconic

Pfft LA is NOT a shit hole.

The rest of your holiday sounds fantastic so will DD be that disappointed?

But LA is not a shit hole lol

I absolutely love SF and agree that most of LA is a shithole. However, I think it would be nice to spend a couple of days in Hollywood just so DD can go to Universal and see the sign etc.

FWIW The Californian Universal is really a different experience from Florida. It has a rich history of the amazing films that were made there, and I think the Orlando one is just another theme park.