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?

She can go to LA herself when she is older, it doesn't have to be on this trip.

YABU, lots of LA is a shit hole and she likely won’t want to go back but this is something you need to learn for yourself.

LA wasn't too bad- we stayed just outside in a lovely hotel, and just caught the tube to Universal Studios and drove to Muscle beach etc. If she's into TV/film, the Warner Brothers studio tour is amazing and not far from LA. We drove to Disneyland California which was amazing, too. Other highlights of the trip included San Fran, Yosemite, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Carmel, Monterey. We ended up in Vegas but they do move you on in casinos if you have a teen!
Best of luck with your trip, have a great time.

And I agree with others, for a child Vegas is much less fun than LA.

I think you just need to discuss it with her first, and explain your reservations as well as potential future trips she might like more instead. Don't just do it as a done deal. She may end up agreeing with you once you lay out all the pros and cons and point out what you're already going to be doing.

I'd say Orlando is better anyway for theme parks, and you could do some beach stuff down the coast from there too.

yABU - she needs to learn for herself.

And Universal is great and if you do Disneyland then that is good too.

But I agree - LA itself was the least favourite part of our trip on the West Coast and we won’t rush back.
Possibly because we stayed in Hollywood Boulevard. Just didn’t feel safe

Vegas isn’t for kids (IMO). It will always be special as it’s where I got married, but not sure I’d go back; just miles of huge hotels, shopping malls, casinos and strip joints. The positives are: it’s hot, it has low humidity so my hair doesn’t go frizzy, you can get married with minimal faff, it’s easy to buy anything, anytime. A friend from school lives there and, as she puts it; “I can get a hooker, laundry done, naked man or a pint of milk at any time of day!”

Orangepear

She can go to LA herself when she is older, it doesn't have to be on this trip.

Or maybe the OP could not go to LA when DD has left home and she hasn’t told her DD they would go and then changed her mind because she thinks it is a “shit hole”...

Vegas is the shithole! LA is awesome! Get yourself a Lonely Planet book and find some things to do there.

And definitely do a celebrity house coach tour, your DD would love that!

We had 2.5 weeks based in Anaheim LA is fab. Baseball, Getty museum, universal studios, downtown LA and old Hollywood, hall of fame, Santa Monica beach. We did Disney too and glamorous hotel in Palm Springs. Kids still talk about trip 3 years later.

Yabu Vegas is a shithole if you put a roof on it it would be an institution. LA over Vegas any day!

YABU, LA is great for teens and if it was on the itinerary until now you should go if she wants to. Much more fun for her than Vegas!

DD has her heart set on LA. Doesn’t that tell you what you should do? If it was a time or priority call, which it doesn’t sound like it is, then that’s a different reason.

Deciding to call 'rank' seems mean

Came back yesterday did LA and Vegas with my niece and nephew 10 & 12. Vegas isn’t boring if you keep it to a couple of days, saw two amazing age appropriate shows. Hotels cheap so they can run around in big suite. I’m not an L.A. lover but the hotel we stayed in made the trip, will give you details if you pm me.

In your position though I would definitely do a couple of days in Disney/Universal over L.A.- she’ll never forget it, and you’ll never forget the look of wonder on her face.

It does seem a shame not to all do the things you all want to do

Universal is a ton of fun. Malibu beaches are beautiful. My favorite is Zuma. Be sure to hit some shops even if just to grab some fruit or something because it is a great place to spot celebrities being normal people. No guarantees, but good odds.

Vegas is the 8th circle of h*ll and I can’t fathom traveling there with minors. Not because the city is inappropriate, it just doesn’t appeal.

I guess we’re all different. I LOVE Vegas been 4 times including as a non gambling/ drinking teen and still thought best thing in world! So much to do. On other hand LA is a shit hole in my experience and Disney world Florida is 700 times better than California one. Also SFran dull dull dull. Try to do San Diego instead, or if going through LA and must stop do Palm Springs.
I also highly recommend Temecula and Sedona.