US Road Trip

[mhcarberrt]

I am planning a road trip from LA to San Diego to Las Vegas to Death Valley to Yosemite to San Francisco - I will set off in September.

Could anyone tell me any particular points of interest, Bars, Restaurants, Nice Hotels, Sights, Things to do etc etc

[AllYourBase]

Don't ignore LA - spend some time there. At least do Hollywood, Santa Monica, a theme park, Beverley Hills etc.
Take the PCH route for the best scenery.

Go to Vegas on a Sunday or Monday as the hotels are begging for custom and do amazing deals. Don't go on a Friday when everyone else does and rooms are more costly. Push the boat uot and take a chopper ride over the grand canyon. there is a fantastic steak restaurant on the strip, where you can eat out among all the lights, can't remember the name but we enjoyed it as it seemed o bethe best quality establishment about.

San Diego is clean, but a bit quiet. The gaslamp quarter is nice in the evening. I found that San Diego to be the least interesting of all the cities you named, but then it is very conservative and military. What about a trip from there via San Ysidrio to Tijuana in Mexico? Bbe warned though, this is not for the faint hearted or nervous traveller - it is sin city after all!

Above all, a good guide book and map are invaluable. Try Time out or lonely planet. Budget more time than you think for rental car collection at LAX though - its a nightmare!

[Clanad]

San Diego may be quiet, but it's a relaxing sort of quiet.  The following link is for one of the best restaurants in the city.  Very picturesqueand really great food.  It's on Harbor Island, directly across the highway from the entrance to Lindbergh International Airport. http://www.boathouserestaurant.com/ When you've finished dinner and strolled through the Marina's supply shop, go just down the road for a Margarita at Tom Ham's Lighthouse. http://www.tomhamslighthouse.com/. Really spectacular view of the harbor... you may see immense US Navy ships entering or leaving. Try to have time to go over the Coronado Bridge to Coronado Island, which you can see from Ham's.

As an airline pilot for many years, always enjoyed overnights in San Diego.  If you have time, don't miss San Diego's Zoo at Balboa Park... one of the largest in the world.  If you go to Sea World, don't miss the Sparklet's show.  Sparklet's is a supplier of bottled water and their show is all done with water effects and lights... really spectacular. September is a nice time of the year, weather wise... but be prepared for cool nights in San Francisco and especially Yosemite... Welcome to the US!