I'm going to Vegas (and California), bitches!

[Boogie]

So, my college buddy invited me to go on a trip with him August 7-16.  Fly out to Vegas for a weekend, then rent a car and drive to California.  He got into surfing in BC, so he wants to do some surfing in Cali, and we'll probably head up to San Fran for a day to meet up with another college friend.

I've been to both Vegas and California 4-5 years ago, but those were family trips, so obviously the itinerary should be entirely different this time.

So, any recommendations, evilbore?  hotels?  Best clubs in Vegas?  What to see and do in Cali?

[BlackMage]

come to southern cali and hang out with my and bebpo and circle jerk with a GSP poster in the middle

[Bebpo]

I'm down for that

[OptimoPeach]

I'd hit up both San Francisco and San Diego for sure, especially if you've never been. Skip Sacramento. Oh, and pack light, it's been hot as fuck lately.

[The Fake Shemp]

What part of SoCal are you heading to?  I have some decent recommendations.

Vegas is fantastic.  Has some of the best nightlife in America.  Oddly enough, I had the most fun at the Hard Rock Hotel during my run of the area - its home to Wasted Space and Body English.  Both places were a ton of fun and rather affordable (in comparison).  I had the honor of partying in Vegas with Jack Colton (link included to see what you'll get yourself into) at Pure, Tao and Jet - all were incredible fun.  I had access to top shelf stuff and areas I normally wouldn't, because Jack is something like the Paris Hilton of Las Vegas.

San Francisco has incredible food and some tourist spots.  Everyone always goes to Fisherman's Wharf and I also recommend checking out The Cannery.

You'll have a lot of fun.

[The Fake Shemp]

I'd hit up both San Francisco and San Diego for sure, especially if you've never been. Skip Sacramento. Oh, and pack light, it's been hot as fuck lately.

I second this.  I can give you some advice on San Diego.

[Akala]

I'll be in Vegas the 5th thru the 8th!  

Best club in Vegas from what I've been to is XS in the Encore. It's fucking fantastic. You'll be going on the weekend, so you may want to try the Palms clubs (DJ AM on Friday, Perfecto on Sat). I think you can pay one cover at the Palms and go to like 5 clubs. (disclosure~ I thought the Palms SUCKED. I went on a Thursday though.) Jet at the Mirage was awesome, and there is always Pure at Caesar's. I have heard great things about Tao at the Venetian on weekends. Are you looking for giant megaclubs or smaller digs?

If you are cool going smaller, there is Tabu at the MGM, and also Red Square at Mandalay Bay. There is also an ice bar at MB, but it's only cool if you mob it. The crowd is old and lame.


Where are you staying?

[The Fake Shemp]

Tao is amazing.  I don't think I've ever been to a place as cool as Tao since, in terms of nightclubs.  Tao, Pure and Jet are like my holy trinity of nightclubs.

Steer clear of anything at the Mandalay Bay.  I stayed there last year and there's nothing really worth your time.

[The Fake Shemp]

Also, I don't think I could live in Las Vegas proper and not die of alcohol poisioning.

[Akala]

Tao is amazing.  I don't think I've ever been to a place as cool as Tao since, in terms of nightclubs.  Tao, Pure and Jet are like my holy trinity of nightclubs.

Steer clear of anything at the Mandalay Bay.  I stayed there last year and there's nothing really worth your time.

Red Square is awesome. Everything else (minus the casino and the pool) pretty much sucks.

Willco, go to XS next time you are in. It will explode your trinity

It was opened by the guy who ran Drai's for years.

http://xslasvegas.com/flash/index.php

[Boogie]

What part of SoCal are you heading to?  I have some decent recommendations.

My aunt and uncle live in Chino Hills, so we'll probably stay with them a couple nights to cut down on costs.  Other than that, nothing has really been planned out.

Vegas is fantastic.  Has some of the best nightlife in America.  Oddly enough, I had the most fun at the Hard Rock Hotel during my run of the area - its home to Wasted Space and Body English.  Both places were a ton of fun and rather affordable (in comparison).  I had the honor of partying in Vegas with Jack Colton (link included to see what you'll get yourself into) at Pure, Tao and Jet - all were incredible fun.  I had access to top shelf stuff and areas I normally wouldn't, because Jack is something like the Paris Hilton of Las Vegas.

Ya, the Hard Rock definitely looks appealing.

[Akala]

Wow, Jack Colton is my new hero.

[Boogie]

I'll be in Vegas the 5th thru the 8th!  

Nice.  Perhaps we'll party together for a night. 

Best club in Vegas from what I've been to is XS in the Encore. It's fucking fantastic. You'll be going on the weekend, so you may want to try the Palms clubs (DJ AM on Friday, Perfecto on Sat). I think you can pay one cover at the Palms and go to like 5 clubs. (disclosure~ I thought the Palms SUCKED. I went on a Thursday though.) Jet at the Mirage was awesome, and there is always Pure at Caesar's. I have heard great things about Tao at the Venetian on weekends. Are you looking for giant megaclubs or smaller digs?

If you are cool going smaller, there is Tabu at the MGM, and also Red Square at Mandalay Bay. There is also an ice bar at MB, but it's only cool if you mob it. The crowd is old and lame.

Can't say I have a preference between a small place or a megaclub.  Maybe try both ends of the spectrum over the weekend.

Where are you staying?

Don't know yet.  This plan has literally just come together over the past 48 hours.  

Tao, Pure, Jet, and XS noted.

Probably going to catch the WEC fights on the Sunday night at the Joint.

[CrystalGemini]

Do you like museums, Boogie?  The King Tut exhibit is at the de Young (in SF) till March!  The new California Academy of Science is just across the courtyard too!  They have an albino croc, penguins and all sorts of neat animals and exhibits.  Both have great architecture.  Those would fill a full day but they are literally minutes walk from each other.  The Asian Art Museum has a Lords of the Samuri exhibit going on right now that seems neat.  They're displaying not only artifacts of warfare but the artistic and philosophical sides of the culture so it sounds interesting.  Also fun fact - if you go to the city on a first Tuesday of the month all museums are free of admission though you still have to pay for the special exhibits.

TOTALLY worth it if you're into that sort of thing.   

Wherever you end up staying I recommend using BART and MUNI.  BART takes you around the Bay Area, MUNI takes you around SF.  You can drive too, but driving's a bitch in the city and parking is expensive as fuck.  Not to mention there aren't that many gas stations.

***Bit of tourist information - natives never call San Francisco "San Fran" or "San Francisco".  We call it "the city".  And believe me, everybody notices when you don't.

[Boogie]

Do you like museums, Boogie?  The King Tut exhibit is at the de Young (in SF) till March!  The new California Academy of Science is just across the courtyard too!  They have an albino croc, penguins and all sorts of neat animals and exhibits.  Both have great architecture.  Those would fill a full day but they are literally minutes walk from each other.  The Asian Art Museum has a Lords of the Samuri exhibit going on right now that seems neat.  They're displaying not only artifacts of warfare but the artistic and philosophical sides of the culture so it sounds interesting.  Also fun fact - if you go to the city on a first Tuesday of the month all museums are free of admission though you still have to pay for the special exhibits.

TOTALLY worth it if you're into that sort of thing.   

Ohhhhh.  I'm a history grad, of COURSE I'm a museum geek!

On the other hand, I don't think my travelling companion is.  But still, King Tut.....hmm, I am definitely tempted.

Wherever you end up staying I recommend using BART and MUNI.  BART takes you around the Bay Area, MUNI takes you around SF.  You can drive too, but driving's a bitch in the city and parking is expensive as fuck.  Not to mention there aren't that many gas stations.

Noted. 

***Bit of tourist information - natives never call San Francisco "San Fran" or "San Francisco".  We call it "the city".  And believe me, everybody notices when you don't.

"The city"?  Pfft, I won't conform to such left coast pretension.   

[CrystalGemini]

Ohhhhh.  I'm a history grad, of COURSE I'm a museum geek!

On the other hand, I don't think my travelling companion is.  But still, King Tut.....hmm, I am definitely tempted.

Can you really say "no" to http://www.kingtut.org/home ?!  Everybody loves King Tut!

"The city"?  Pfft, I won't conform to such left coast pretension.   

San Francisco!?! Pretentious!?! 

[brawndolicious]

Fisherman's wharf and Jack london Square (in Oakland) are fun tourist strolls.

Also fun fact - if you go to the city on a first Tuesday of the month all museums are free of admission though you still have to pay for the special exhibits.

I'm pretty sure that applies only to SF residents, at least it does at the SF Zoo.

If you have a car, the best plan would be to park at a Bart station and just use public transport as everything worth seeing is very spread apart.

Edit: Is NOT very spread apart.

[The Fake Shemp]

Go visit the Castro and tell them Tauntaun sent you.

[drew]

san fag sisqo

im so clever

[lennedsay]

san fag sisqo

im so clever

In "the city," do they sing The Thong Song or The Schlong Song?

[Kara]

"The city"?  Pfft, I won't conform to such left coast pretension.   

The worst are all the transplants in SoCal that carry over their shitty vernacular. When I talk about South Bay in Los Angeles I don't mean South Bay, San Francisco, morons.

[etiolate]

Sacramento has a lot of MMA and russian chicks, but is not really a tourist town at all

San Fran stuff has been listed, Monterey is nice. San Diego has some good hangouts for young people, but I haven't been there in a decade. If you were into music, I'd say check out Rasputins and such in SF/Berkeley.

And Vegas... hmm.. I am not sure I have a fave Hotel. I recall the Belagio somewhat fondly. I had a cigar, mai tai and a massage there.

[max_cool]

Shit man, hit up the Grand Canyon. Pictures don't really do anything for it. It's just a day trip and then you can get back to Vegas that night.

[CrystalGemini]

Also fun fact - if you go to the city on a first Tuesday of the month all museums are free of admission though you still have to pay for the special exhibits.

I'm pretty sure that applies only to SF residents, at least it does at the SF Zoo.

I am positive it's free the first Tuesday of every month for everybody.  I am not an SF resident.  I go all the time.  Just check their websites.  The SF Zoo has a free day specifically for SF residents (first Wednesday of the month) but that is not the same as free first Tuesdays of the month which ONLY applies to museums.  The zoo is not a museum. 

The Exploratorium is also free the first Wednesday of the month and is not limited to the city residents.  That place is AWESOME.  They are planning on moving the Exploratorium to one of the piers on the Embarcadero so you may want to check it out at its current location at the Palace of Fine Arts before they make the change.

If you have a car, the best plan would be to park at a Bart station and just use public transport as everything worth seeing is very spread apart.

Edit: Is NOT very spread apart.

Notes on parking at BART station parking lots: some of them charge a fee (not too bad between $1-$5/day).  If you park on a weekday, be prepared to have a very difficult time finding parking after 8am.  Most stations in the city do NOT have parking lots.

[brawndolicious]

I see.  Apparently the Legion of Honor is also free on the first Tuesday and that place is pretty awesome before you even walk in.

If you want to spend a few days in the area, you definitely have to risk getting shot/smelling hippies and go around the UC Berkeley area.  Some cool stores like etiolate said and lots of good food.  Plus there's the Lawrence Hall of Science if you want to be nerdy and take a picture with the whale.

[OptimoPeach]

Sacramento has a lot of MMA and russian chicks, but is not really a tourist town at all

lmao

[tiesto]

***Bit of tourist information - natives never call San Francisco "San Fran" or "San Francisco".  We call it "the city".  And believe me, everybody notices when you don't.

"The city"?  Pfft, I won't conform to such left coast pretension.   

Heh, yeah, there is only one place that can be called "the city"... NYC.

[Saint Cornelius]

I second this.  I can give you some advice on San Diego.

  Or Boogie could get advice from, I don't know... someone who has lived here for 18 years

but actually Boogie, were I you... I wouldn't go out of your way to see San Diego. Really. DEFINITELY hit San Francisco, maybe Los Angeles... the only reason to come to S.D. is to visit the Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, or maybe go to the beach. But you could go to Venice Beach in L.A. and that's way cooler than S.D.

[tehjaybo]

One day I'll make a trip like this.

[ManaByte]

[tehjaybo]

(Image removed from quote.)

GOD FUCK YES THIS.

In-n-out... I miss it so much.  I used to stay in Cali for a month over the summer when I was younger, and my aunt would take me there two or three times a week.  So freaking pro.

[The Fake Shemp]

I second this.  I can give you some advice on San Diego.

  Or Boogie could get advice from, I don't know... someone who has lived here for 18 years

but actually Boogie, were I you... I wouldn't go out of your way to see San Diego. Really. DEFINITELY hit San Francisco, maybe Los Angeles... the only reason to come to S.D. is to visit the Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, or maybe go to the beach. But you could go to Venice Beach in L.A. and that's way cooler than S.D.

Ugh. Geriatric people should never give advice.

[Saint Cornelius]

Ugh. Geriatric people should never give advice.

Seriously, being in my thirties makes me geriatric?? Get off my lawn.

[etiolate]

Sacramento has a lot of MMA and russian chicks, but is not really a tourist town at all

lmao

it's a slavic runway up in here

[Boogie]

Looking forward to the stories (and pics please!)

Oh, there will be pics.

Sacramento has a lot of MMA and russian chicks, but is not really a tourist town at all

lmao

it's a slavic runway up in here

mmm, slavic women... 

[chronovore]

Ugh. Geriatric people should never give advice.

Seriously, being in my thirties makes me geriatric?? Get off my lawn.

Kids these days. They've got it easy, and don't appreciate what they've got. When I was a kid, the only portable game we had was nose-picking.

*shakes bony fist*

[CrystalGemini]

Also bring some warm clothes for San Francisco.  I was freezing my tits off today.  Warm as hell in the East Bay though.

Pics from Civic Center/UN Plaza:

[chronovore]

Yeah, everyone forgets SF is cold; tourists think "oh, hai, california" and pack nothing but shorts and t-shirts.

[etiolate]

True, but I find it easier to deal with SF's cold summers than the valley's 100+ summers.

[chronovore]

Yes. Absolutely. And now that it's 90º f with 60% humidity (it got up to 95% the other day), I am also missing SF summers big-time.

[tiesto]

Gonna go to Sacramento for my cousin's wedding in Sept... anything interesting to do in the area? How far is SF from there?

[CrystalGemini]

Gonna go to Sacramento for my cousin's wedding in Sept... anything interesting to do in the area? How far is SF from there?

It's about 1hr30min if you drive 80mph, 2hrs if you drive like a little girl.    You'll also have to bring $4 in one dollar bills because you're going to pass through the Bay Bridge by car.  Bring $8 if you plan to go back to Sacramento afterwards through the Carquinez Bridge.

You can always drive down and park at the Richmond, Berkeley, or Oakland stations and take BART but I'd stick to Richmond or Berkeley because Oakland's...well....Oakland....so I don't know if you want to do that.

PLUS, if you park at Berkeley you can take a quick stop and look around there!

[etiolate]

Gonna go to Sacramento for my cousin's wedding in Sept... anything interesting to do in the area? How far is SF from there?

Downtown Sacramento has shops, clubs and bars. Old Sacramento is a touristy area with the California Railroad Museum(which is actually pretty cool) and lots of tourist shops. Evangeline's might have their costume shop open by then, but I'm not sure. If so, it's kind of neat to at least check out. For Halloween they open up their second and third floor, and both floors are packed full of costumes.

This is where I work/go on Friday nights: http://www.midtownstomp.com/

This is my fave tea place: http://www.hinastea.com/

They show classic films on Sunday or Monday night, which it is they keep changing and so I forget. but walking in and seeing a Rashomon being played is not an uncommon thing.

This is where Cake is love: http://www.ricksdessertdiner.com/

All three of these places are up the street from each other and constitute my Friday nights.

On the second Saturday of each month is Art Walk day, and all the downtown galleries offer free admission and many shoppes show local art as well. There is usually some vendors and street entertainment wandering around the streets.

Nearby is also Davis, which is full of college kids and college bars/coffee shops.

The thing about Sacramento is that there is little to no night life. Everything closes up too soon.

[Boogie]

Okay, Vegas is looking set.

Still need LA-area nightlife ideas though, people.

[Boogie]

come to sf.  i'll sell you wine.

Unfortunately sf is no longer on the table.  Not enough time.  Sorry.

[Brehvolution]

come to sf.  i'll sell you wine.

How's that gig going? Are you pouring for tastings and talking up the product? Is that where you've been all this time?

[Saint Cornelius]

Still need LA-area nightlife ideas though, people.

If you're there on Wednesday night, "Low End Theory" at The Airliner Club is the business 

[The Fake Shemp]

Only nightlife you need to experience is a night with Will Federman.

[Akala]

YEAH!

off of work till next monday!

nonstop from NO to vegas tomorrow. leaving at 4, getting there at 5:30. gogo timezones~~

not sure about logistics of it all...gonna be a fairly low key trip (closing on house next friday *fingers crossed*), but shoot me an IM Boogie. if we're around the same area around the same time, I'll buy you a beer!