More questions you might not be able to answer... Living costs/budgeting?
- Thread starter Dizzy
- Start date
I second this. Even though I really enjoyed Disneyland (never been to Disney World), I really felt like the San Diego Zoo was a much better value. The tickets are 1/2 to 1/3rd of the price of Disneyland, and you can actually see and enjoy the entire Zoo in one day. Also Red Pandas! Giant Pandas! An Ocelot! Koalas! Baby sloth!
We just generally fell in love with San Diego over the 3 days we were there. The atmosphere and the culture and the climate... I highly recommend The Neighborhood for food/drink in SD. The fried chicken deviled eggs sound odd but they are one of the best things I have ever put into my mouth. My husband and I both still dream about them.
Just some recommendations for Vegas... I do not recommend the Flamingo. The location is good, but the service is horrible (they double charged us several times and then the manager insisted that they hadn't made a mistake). Also, the ARIA breakfast buffet is a bit on the spendy side ($20/person) but it is also some of the best food in that price range on the strip that I have had. Its not something for every morning if you're on a tight budget, but I highly recommend it if you can afford it. Plus if you go just before 11 am, you won't have to eat for the rest of the day, so really you'll be saving money.
I wouldn't bother going for lunch or dinner though.
Hash House-A-Go-Go is another place to eat at. There's one in Vegas, but I believe there is also one in San Diego. Delicious, and a definite value for money - five of us went for brunch (including 3 hungry men), we ordered 3 plates to share and the 5 of us couldn't finish the food and it wasn't for lack of trying.
Vegas is great because there are lots of things to do for all budgets. Definitely check out the CBS and NBC Television Research Centers (in MGM and Excalibur, respectively), where you can watch/rate up-coming TV shows. The conservatory at the Bellagio is really cool and changes from season to season, and the Bellagio Fountains are really cool.
We just generally fell in love with San Diego over the 3 days we were there. The atmosphere and the culture and the climate... I highly recommend The Neighborhood for food/drink in SD. The fried chicken deviled eggs sound odd but they are one of the best things I have ever put into my mouth. My husband and I both still dream about them.
Just some recommendations for Vegas... I do not recommend the Flamingo. The location is good, but the service is horrible (they double charged us several times and then the manager insisted that they hadn't made a mistake). Also, the ARIA breakfast buffet is a bit on the spendy side ($20/person) but it is also some of the best food in that price range on the strip that I have had. Its not something for every morning if you're on a tight budget, but I highly recommend it if you can afford it. Plus if you go just before 11 am, you won't have to eat for the rest of the day, so really you'll be saving money.
I wouldn't bother going for lunch or dinner though.Hash House-A-Go-Go is another place to eat at. There's one in Vegas, but I believe there is also one in San Diego. Delicious, and a definite value for money - five of us went for brunch (including 3 hungry men), we ordered 3 plates to share and the 5 of us couldn't finish the food and it wasn't for lack of trying.
Vegas is great because there are lots of things to do for all budgets. Definitely check out the CBS and NBC Television Research Centers (in MGM and Excalibur, respectively), where you can watch/rate up-coming TV shows. The conservatory at the Bellagio is really cool and changes from season to season, and the Bellagio Fountains are really cool.
Thank you!!
Katie Lou - recommendations??
I'm sad san Diego is out its just a bit too far out for my planning.... Boo.
Thanks for the Vegas recommendations though! Where is good for Vegas then? I may be solo, depends on my friends schedules, so I want somewhere I can stay and feel involved, friendly but fun. And not too far away from the action or seedy. And I am trying to keep cost down, but not adverse to paying for something if its good value...
Katie Lou - recommendations??
I'm sad san Diego is out
its just a bit too far out for my planning.... Boo.Thanks for the Vegas recommendations though! Where is good for Vegas then? I may be solo, depends on my friends schedules, so I want somewhere I can stay and feel involved, friendly but fun. And not too far away from the action or seedy. And I am trying to keep cost down, but not adverse to paying for something if its good value...
Thank you!!
Katie Lou - recommendations??
I'm sad san Diego is out its just a bit too far out for my planning.... Boo.
Thanks for the Vegas recommendations though! Where is good for Vegas then? I may be solo, depends on my friends schedules, so I want somewhere I can stay and feel involved, friendly but fun. And not too far away from the action or seedy. And I am trying to keep cost down, but not adverse to paying for something if its good value...
Katie Lou - recommendations??
I'm sad san Diego is out
its just a bit too far out for my planning.... Boo.Thanks for the Vegas recommendations though! Where is good for Vegas then? I may be solo, depends on my friends schedules, so I want somewhere I can stay and feel involved, friendly but fun. And not too far away from the action or seedy. And I am trying to keep cost down, but not adverse to paying for something if its good value...
When we got home I shared that story with a friend. He just looked at me incredulously and was like, "You can stay at the Luxor for about that price. They make their money from the casino and have really cheap rooms so people will stay there." *facepalm* It's probably more than $30 now because that was 20 years ago, but still.
Most of the casinos on the strip have really cool shows though. There's one with a pirate ship that does staged pirate fights with cannons and stuff every day. They have music and magic shows, etc.
We stayed in a place called "The Lucky Cuss". It was only $30 a night. TERRIBLE IDEA. I had to sleep on the floor because my parents and siblings took up all the beds. There was a giant hole punched in the wall near my head and at some point in the night a giant spider crawled out and wandered past me.
When we got home I shared that story with a friend. He just looked at me incredulously and was like, "You can stay at the Luxor for about that price. They make their money from the casino and have really cheap rooms so people will stay there." *facepalm* It's probably more than $30 now because that was 20 years ago, but still.
Most of the casinos on the strip have really cool shows though. There's one with a pirate ship that does staged pirate fights with cannons and stuff every day. They have music and magic shows, etc.
When we got home I shared that story with a friend. He just looked at me incredulously and was like, "You can stay at the Luxor for about that price. They make their money from the casino and have really cheap rooms so people will stay there." *facepalm* It's probably more than $30 now because that was 20 years ago, but still.
Most of the casinos on the strip have really cool shows though. There's one with a pirate ship that does staged pirate fights with cannons and stuff every day. They have music and magic shows, etc.
Ooooooh pirate hotel!!!!!
Well, I'm only there 2 nights so I need full on
It is definitely possible to still get hotels for $30/night on the strip in Vegas! Just... a challenge, and doesn't include any taxes or fees. Expect to pay close to $20/night more than what is advertised, since every single hotel on the strip now charges a mandatory "resort fee", which ranges from $11 to $27, depending on the hotel.
The biggest things that determine the price of hotels in Vegas are days of the week (Sunday through Thursday are cheaper) and whether there are any conferences in town. Unless there is a conference in town, the best deals on hotels are 6 months in advance, or a week or so. Signing up for hotel "clubs" is a great way to get better deals than you might be able to find otherwise, since a lot of the really good deals are "members only"; members also usually get discounts other discounts like restaurants and shows. I have also found really awesome deals from this website: http://www.smartervegas.com/ We got a suite at ARIA that regularly goes for $250 for $140, which was $20 less a night than advertised on ARIA's website. (Normally we wouldn't spend that much on a hotel, but it was for our wedding).
All I can say is don't stay at the Flamingo. Excalibur is supposed to be pretty decent now that it is renovated (and has been advertising $30/night rooms). Circus Circus is cheap, but it is at the far end of the strip and not really walking distance to any of the good hotels. Same with the Stratosphere. The Rio and the Gold Coast often have good rates; they're not on the strip but are a 20-30 minute walk (depending on how fast you walk) to Caesar's Palace, which is on the middle of the strip.
The biggest things that determine the price of hotels in Vegas are days of the week (Sunday through Thursday are cheaper) and whether there are any conferences in town. Unless there is a conference in town, the best deals on hotels are 6 months in advance, or a week or so. Signing up for hotel "clubs" is a great way to get better deals than you might be able to find otherwise, since a lot of the really good deals are "members only"; members also usually get discounts other discounts like restaurants and shows. I have also found really awesome deals from this website: http://www.smartervegas.com/ We got a suite at ARIA that regularly goes for $250 for $140, which was $20 less a night than advertised on ARIA's website. (Normally we wouldn't spend that much on a hotel, but it was for our wedding).
All I can say is don't stay at the Flamingo. Excalibur is supposed to be pretty decent now that it is renovated (and has been advertising $30/night rooms). Circus Circus is cheap, but it is at the far end of the strip and not really walking distance to any of the good hotels. Same with the Stratosphere. The Rio and the Gold Coast often have good rates; they're not on the strip but are a 20-30 minute walk (depending on how fast you walk) to Caesar's Palace, which is on the middle of the strip.
I really will listen to any suggestions! I have read a pretty cool day trip itinery for San Fran. Anything you particularly enjoyed or would avoid would be interesting. I particularly like the quirky, the alternative, hippie vibe, but also like interesting museums, art, parks, wildlife etc. I'm pretty open minded. I'm just not a shopper!!! Unless it's stuff I might want for the home, or for cool gifts/unique stuff! I love food..... Food is good.
Same with LA. I'm thinking of whizzing round the Hollywood stuff, then spending the afternoon round the beach areas, Venice/Santa Monica etc.
I really wish I had 2 months to do this in and not 2 weeks!!!! Think I will just get a flavour for most places really!!! I could have done 3 weeks, but would have worked out a lot more expensive!!
Oh, and I have booked treasure island for Vegas
Same with LA. I'm thinking of whizzing round the Hollywood stuff, then spending the afternoon round the beach areas, Venice/Santa Monica etc.
I really wish I had 2 months to do this in and not 2 weeks!!!! Think I will just get a flavour for most places really!!! I could have done 3 weeks, but would have worked out a lot more expensive!!
Oh, and I have booked treasure island for Vegas