[Sinsen]

So... for the first time, I am going to the USA.

Me and my wife will be flying from Oslo to Los Angeles on the 1st of Juy, we'll rent a car, and drive around in the LA-Las Vegas-San Diego area. (I'll be stocking up on Grados on the way).

But, where is the best place in this area to stay on the 4th of July?

Thanks.

 

[episiarch]

How about Disneyland?

If you're visiting the USA, and Southern California, for the first time, then a Disney visit may be part of your tourism itinerary anyway. And because Disney specializes in celebrating Americana, they put on quite a show for July 4th. So if you might visit Disney anyway, and you're looking for a place to be on the 4th, why not Disney?

Now before I get a lot of hate mail from my fellow Americans for saying the above, let me add that I have lots of personal reservations about Disney. Besides the usual complaints about crass overcommercialization and so forth, I am very upset by the positions they've taken and influence they've had over U.S. copyright law, and I'm offended by the privacy implications of the routine fingerprinting and so forth that goes on at the entrance to the parks. I'm highly resistant to going to the parks myself, and try to send as little of my money Disney's way as I can manage (the occasional Pixar film being the major exception).

But despite all that, I have to say in all honesty that if you're looking for a really memorable experience as part of your visit, Disneyland on July 4th is a possibility worth considering.

P.S. Hello, Oslo! My wife's of Norwegian descent, and we visited last summer for the second time. I hope you enjoy our country as much as we enjoy yours.

 

[Sinsen]

Hey, that did not even cross my mind, but not a bad idea at all. We'll put it on our shortlist.

P.S. Oslo says hello! I am sure we will have a great vacation it the US.

 

[TheRobbStory]

Disney is more foreign than American. I'd say avoid it at all costs if you're looking for an America 4th of July.

I HIGHLY recommend San Diego. Anywhere down by the cove (La Jolla) you'll see hours of spectacular fireworks, and you'll be on the beach. It's a great family atmosphere, and absolutely beautiful scenery.

 

[Sinsen]

San Diego was my first choice as well... but how is Las Vegas? Too much of the good thing?

 

[TheRobbStory]

I was in Las Vegas for a few days last month (my 4th time there) and I personally hate it.

Granted, I've never been off the strip, I don't gamble, and I never go to shows, so your mileage may vary. I was there for three days before I moved to DC, and I easily blew $800 on food and drinks (I am a bit of a drinker). One steak dinner for my date and I with two bottles of wine ran just over $200 with tip. I've heard it's cheap if you're gambling, as casinos tend to comp things, but I imagine your gambling losses more than makeup the difference.

San Diego is probably one of my favorite places in the world. Great food, AMAZING weather, beautiful scenery everywhere you look, the people are generally friendly and helpful. I taught at UCSD for a summer, and I've been there maybe 8 times outside of that, so I feel like I've got a pretty good hold on the town and it's outlying areas. There's something for everyone.

I spent a lot of time in LA as well, and find it to be generally depressing, although somewhat entertaining if you can take pleasure in the desperation and dillusion of others. Lot's of trashy folk and failed/failing actors. It's the type of place that really makes you appreciate what you've got. While you're there, take a studio tour of Warner Brothers or Paramount. Those are pretty entertaining and very informative. If you don't mind waiting in line for a few hours, see if you can get tickets to The Jay Leno show, Carson Daley, or Jimmy Kimmel Live. Those are a lot of fun.

 

[Sinsen]

We will be spending time in all those towns, and absolutely San Diego (we will be staying for 17 days), so one does not exclude the other. This is more a question of the "ultimate south California 4th of July location"

But thanks for your opinions, it really makes me look forward to seeing San Diego.

 

[uncletank88]

x2 for avoiding Disneyland on the 4th of July. I am a Los Angeles resident who visits Disneyland often and I can tell you from first hand experience that Disneyland will very, very busy on 4th of July. If you are set on visiting Disneyland it would be best to go on a day during the week and as far away from the 4th as you can manage. You'll have a much more enjoyable Disneyland visit if you go on a slow business day.

If you want to have an American 4th of July your best bet might be visiting fair or a beach pier. San Diego will probably be nice place to spend the 4th as San Diego is host to a whole assortment of places to hang out along the coast. As for Las Vegas, it'll probably only be worth visiting if you are planning to gamble and shop.

 

[Sinsen]

Thanks, seems like San Diego is the best bet for now.

We will probably not be spending a lot of time in Las Vegas. It is more of a place to travel to when we drive around in the desert, and on our way to Grand Canyon.

 

[TheRobbStory]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinsen /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks, seems like San Diego is the best bet for now. We will probably not be spending a lot of time in Las Vegas. It is more of a place to travel to when we drive around in the desert, and on our way to Grand Canyon.

That's probably a good idea. Stop off in Las Vegas for a night or two. It is exciting just to view the complete opulence of the city. You're not likely to experience anything else like it in the US.

I'm not sure what kind of lodging arrangements you've made, but check out the Queen Mary in Long Beach. I stayed there for a night a few years back, and it's very impressive. Also, if you've got time, spend some of it on HWY 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) between LA and San Diego. That'll take you through a bunch of little coastal towns each with their own personality. I think I stayed at a really nice little privately owned hotel called The Laguna Beach Motor Inn for $60 one night. I personally prefer the charm of small hotels/motels over the big Holiday Inn's and Best Westerns.

If you're in San Diego and you enjoy Mexican food, be sure to eat at Pokez on E st and 10th downtown. It's cheap and delicious. Also take your girl up to the La Jolla Soaring club around sunset. The view from the cliffs will blow your mind.

The Gas Lamp district is kind of cool, but it's mostly swarming with out-of towners and convention attendees. so I tend to avoid it. Obviously, some people really enjoy it or it wouldn't be there.

Lastly, check out Balboa Park. There are some great museums there, and the San Diego Zoo is also there. I've never been to it, but it's supposedly one of the best zoos in the world.

 

[Rednamalas1]

Make sure you stop by in-N-out burger.
Universal studios>disneyland

 

[Ingo]

If you're going to the Grand Canyon be sure to check out the North Rim as well as the South. It's a long ways out of the way, but in my opinion it's worth it. There's less happening at the North Rim as far as lodging, gift shops, restaurants, other tourists, ect.

By the way, I live in Arizona and have been to the Canyon dozens of times. I've even hiked all of the main trails through the Canyon rim to rim and oared a 14' raft through it on the Colorado River. Every time I have to leave that place I tear up. It's one of the most breathtaking places on the planet if you ask me.

 

[-=Germania=-]

x100 for San Diego. We rented a house on the ocen for the holidays a 1.5 years ago.

If you go, day other than the 4th, check out this hole in the wall sushi bar that is right next to the pier. Best sushi I have ever had in my life...and also the first time I have been completely surrounded by japanese people.

The whole area is nice!

 

[Fixcinater]

I have fallen in love with San Diego as I have grown to feel at home here over the past 4 years.

No alcohol on the beaches this year, so it should be a very good clean fun day/night. Check out the local hills for better views of fireworks, Mt. Soledad which is north of Pacific Beach (south of La Jolla) has great views about midway up the side. The whole area will be quite busy though, 2 years ago it took my roommate and myself 4 hrs to move 1.2 miles down the road towards home.

I'm subscribing to this thread, let me know if you have any other specific questions about SoCal. My parents live in Beverly Hills, so I've had a decent amount of experience up in LA as well.

 

[strangedaze39]

If you're going to San Francisco Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.

Sorry I couldn't resist. Never been to california but would love to go. Hope you enjoy your trip

-Cody