San Francisco/Las Vegas

[Gatehouse77]

Can anyone give me recommendations of specific hotels to stay in either of those towns or a guide to what area would be best to look at?

The plan is a 2 night stopover in SF and 3/4 nights in LV.

Family of 5 - all bar one counts as an adult.

This is likely to be part of our last big family holiday so we're looking at mid to high range but not unlimited.

Also, is there any need to hire cars or will public transport/taxis do?

"Also, is there any need to hire cars or will public transport/taxis do?"

You don't need a car in San Francisco. I have never been to Las Vegas so don't know what the public transport infrastructure is like. How will you get from SF to LV?

Use Uber in SF and LV. SF was disappointing to be honest, very dirty city and didnt feel safe.

Use taxi/uber, dont get a car in SF.
Agree with PP, SF was disappointing very dirty and didnt feel safe.

That's a shame baby. I loved San Fransisco. We went in 1986 though, and stayed away from the dodgy areas. It must have changed a lot.

San Francisco is such a small compact city. No need for a car. Theres buses, trams, cable cars and plenty of taxis. You will be fine getting about with out. Parking is a bit of a nightmare. As most places dont have carparks.

It is a fantastic city. Id educate yourself on some of the social issues the city has before hand. Just so not a total surprise.

The hilton is their biggest one I believe. The views from near the top are amaizing!

I wouldn't get a car for either of those. Use Uber or cabs, and Sf is very walkable.

The number of homeless people sleeping on the streets in SF is really, really bad but it is a fantastic city. Hire bikes and ride across the Golden gate bridge then get the ferry back

I also didnt like SF. We were there in April stopped over 1 night.
Went to fishermans wharf and the cheesecake factory in macys in union square. Public transport is ok, driving would be a nightmare.
We stayed in the Hilton Union Square. Its nice enough, the views from the cityscape bar are impressive.
But I wont be back. The streets are full of weird people and sadly there is homeless people everywhere.

I loved Vegas, we stayed in the cosmopolitan which I would recommend and no need for a car there are cabs and Uber’s everywhere. Agree with everyone else about San Fran, I wouldn’t waste your money. Why not try doing LV followed by Hawaii?

The posts about SF are making me feel sad. We had such a fantastic time there. It was buzzy and vibrant when we went.

I liked San F and L Vegas (different trips) I think my expectations of San F were very high and so I could see why some people were disappointed with the city.
My expectations of L Vegas were very low, but I really enjoyed it despite it being the opposite of what I usually look for in a holiday. That was 20 years ago, mind!

Thank you for the responses.

Each destination is either side of Hawaii - well done Britta1!

Currently debating airbnb/homeaway vs hotel. Advantage of private is 3 bedrooms meaning the kids don't have to be all together. that said, as it's only a couple of nights they will survive and it means we would definitely be more central.

We will also have a rough itinerary of what we'd all like to do at each destination. I am very tempted by www.axemonkeys.com in LV although the video was a let down - my imagination was far more extreme for the rage room!

We did Airbnb & used Ubers a lot, although they will be more restricted with 5 of course. For 4 it was much cheaper than public transport. There is even an Uber pick up lane at the airport. Loved SF, hated LV.

Avoid Airbnb in SF. This has been severely clamped down upon with owners now having to register with the city or facing fines.

We were in San Francisco last week as part of a California trip (currently in Santa Monica). We stayed 3 nights at the Westin St Francis at Union Square and the fourth night at the (significantly cheaper but with very clean, well-equipped and surprisingly spacious rooms) Cow Hollow Inn/Motel in the Marina area. We all agreed that Marina was a more relaxed base for exploring than Union Square, but either way it is easy to get around with Uber. Our room at Cow Hollow Inn faced Chestnut Street which is really nice, (avoid rooms facing Lombard street, v noisy).

Oh, and the highlight of our time in SF was renting bikes (there are loads of bike rentals, we used Blazing Saddles on Beach street) and cycling across the Golden Gate bridge to Sausalito where we had lunch, then ferry back to return bikes. Amazing!

I liked San Francisco too. This was in the early 90's. Went to Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, ride on cable car. Wished I'd gone to see the Painted Ladies. Sorry I can't remember the hotel we stayed in but agree re transport, no need for hire car.

I recommend staying on the strip in Las Vegas, we didn't and felt a bit out of it, saved a good bit by doing that though. Also no need for car hire. Would you have time to do the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon?

The flight to Hawaii is around five hours which was longer than I was expecting but still, well worth it! Which island are you staying on?

I hope you have a wonderful time and enjoy the Las Vegas buffets!

I love SF, like with any city, it's what you make it.

San Francisco is fantastic! We spent 10 days there 2 years ago. Started off at Hotel Zelos in Union Square which was a good base to get our bearings. It's above Old Navy and close to cable car terminal. Rooms not huge but adequate.

We then moved to a fab apartment in Castro which is a great area for eating drinking and wandering around with good public transport back into the city centre.

Finally stayed in Hotel Zephyr at Fisherman's Wharf which was quirky and fun. Again rooms not huge but had a balcony with views across to Alcatraz and great sunsets.

Hope you have a great trip!

Thank you for the comments and recommendations.

In LV we are planning a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon. We're not sure whether to include going to a Native American reservation so will ask the kids their thoughts.

I am going to look up those hotels and other places of interest shortly.

It's starting to feel exciting!!

Native American reservation so will ask the kids their thoughts. Oow I'd love to do that.

My mum and dad did the helicopter to the Grand Canyon but we went by coach, yes it's a longer journey, but it's worth it. Standing on the edge somewhere quiet. Then viewing sunset looking out of the coach on the way back

Mandarin oriental in Vegas. No casino so it's a welcome oasis of calm in a mad mad city.

You could try the Wyndham Grand Desert in Vegas - they do 2 bed suites that sleep 6.

For Vegas, look at signature at mgm, hilton grand vacation behind planet Hollywood, polo towers
These are all condo style while still being on the strip.

Otherwise the venitian and Palazzo resorts are lovely.
Mandalay Bay and Delano have lovely pools.

I’ve enjoyed SF - Uber is easy as are buses. Cable car fun but more tourist than useful.

We went to Baker Beach awesome views of the Golden Gate.

Book Alcatraz in advance already booked up for most of the summer so we didn’t get to do it. Haven’t done too much touristy stuff as came mainly for the rugby.

We've just drove from LV to San Diego! Long way,but certainly worth it for the view:)
Stayed in Bellagio, absolutely will come back!
Beautiful hotel with LV charm but not seedy at all. The pool area is big and suitable for all ages (no infamous pool parties).
We had our brunch at the place called Hexx just opposite, great menu, the bill was $140 for 4 people having meals and me and my wife having bottomless mimosas 🥂😃!