I'm going to the US (yaaaaaay!!!) Tips?

[Bianca]

Hi all!!

I'm going to the US in January and my bf and I are going to San Francisco, Las Vegas and L.A., we both haven't been there before so what do we really need to see? And off course I want to go to a Mac pro store!!!! I'm really excited about it! Only thing I'm not happy with is the flight...I'm afraid of flying and I have to fly for 15 hours :-( first to Chicago and then from Chicago to San Francisco.

I also want to thank Sanne because she gave me the idea to make this post and ask you people what I really need to see.

Thanks in advance lovelies!!!

 

[amoona]

Ok so San Francisco has a lot to do, plus there's stuff to do in surrounding cities like San Jose, Palo Alto, Burlingame and stuff. But assuming you don't have a rental car to drive places you can still have fun staying in the city. Be careful though because it's FREEZING right now. FYI: 50 degrees is freezing to me haha.

You have to go to Union Square, that's the downtown shopping area and down the street is the San Francisco Shopping Center. Then there's North Beach which is really beautiful in the summer, it's the lil Italian district in SF. Dinner there is nice, be careful though because there are a bunch of strip clubs popping up near that area so it gets kinda crazy late at night.

There's also Pier 39 which is a big attraction, you can go to Alcatraz down there but honestly don't waste your time at Alcatraz. I don't know why anyone would want to go there. When you're at the pier if you get a chance ask where they sell tickets for the boat ride to Saulsalito, it's gorgeous and very romantic.

The Pro store is on Union St. which is gorgeous!!! Go there around 4ish, shopping there is really nice at night. It's very expensive though but still nice.

You could check out Golden Gate Park but I personally don't find it a big deal, I'm not a park person I guess lol. OH and I forgot that when you're in North Beach you can head to Coit Towers (famous for Bill O'Riely wanted to fly a plane into it lol) and go up top for a view of the city. Or if you want a free view of the city you can go to Twin Peaks.

If by chance you do get a car and want to drive outside of San Francisco there is Burlingame Ave which is nice. then you can go to University Ave in Palo Alto and Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto.

As for night life, when that depends on what you like. Just make sure to dress warm because it is really cold and winding here right now. I had the wind bitch slap me yesterday morning haha it almost knocked me over. Oh and I also forgot a major SF attraction is the cable cars ... if u do want to ride one be prepaired to wait in a really long line. When my cousins came from the Middle East they were dieing to go on them and we waited 3 hours for a 30 min ride that I could have driven myself.

Never been to LA ... Vegas is fun but it's all there right on the strip. Hey when you coming to SF exactly?! If you have any questions let me know. There's also some great measumes ... I just don't know what you're into. Hope some of this helped.

 

[Bianca]

Hey thank you very much!!! I'm leaving Holland on January 20th. My bf and I are going to rent a car and we are driving to LA and Vegas ourselves (with navigation). We also want to go to Yosemite park and such, my bf also wants to go to Alcatraz. I'm really curious about the Mac store, we have on in Holland but it's very small compared to the USA stores I see in pics. How does it work when you park your car? My bf told me that it's very expensive, is that true?

 

[Raerae]

LA you might wanna check out the Bevery Center, it's an amazing Mall, with all your high end brands, Gucci etc. Even if you just wanna window shop. They have a Pro Store there as well.

Hollywood and Vine is always popular. If your planning on going to any clubs, be prepared to wait in lines. Especially for thursday-sat nights.

Santa Monica/Beverly hills are beautiful. If indoor malls (like the Beverly Center) aren't your thing, there is great outdoor shopping in Beverly Hills as well.

Make dinner reservations at any popular restaraunts well in Advance. Dress to impress. Etc.

The Garment District is neat as well, there are all sorts of different things in the different districts for shopping at low prices.

 

[amoona]

Well it depends on what you think expensive is and it also depends on how long you park your car for. If it's street parking then make sure to have lots of quarters with you and be careful because a lot of street parking have time limits of only 30 mins or some 1 hour.

 

[chocula]

Welcome to the US!
So much to do in Vegas! All of the casinos/hotels have cool and fun themes and are fun just to go look through.
Check out the MAC Pro store at Caesar's Palace Forum shops and the Sephora at the Venetian. The Dessert Passage Shops (Aladdin) and Caesar's Forum shops are spectacular. The Venetian also has the Grand Canal shops (and gondola rides) that are fun to visit, and the Fashion Show mall is on the strip also.

Catch the Bellagio fountain shows in the late afternoon and evening in front of the Bellagio hotel. It's spectacular. Also go inside and see their seasonal garden and the permanent Dale Chihuly glass installation in the lobby ceiling. Watch the movie Ocean's 11 for more views of the Bellagio. The light canopy shows (Freemont Street Experience) in the evening in downtown Vegas are awesome too.

For clubs, I like Ghost Bar at the Palms (excellent view of Vegas from their balcony as the club is on the 55th floor on the Palms casino), Rain and/or Skin (Palms), Pure at Caesars, Drai's Afterhours at Barbary Coast, and the Hard Rock always has something fun. My favorite strip club (if you are into that sort of thing) is Olympic Garden. They have both male and female dancers.

Wow, I didn't mean to ramble on... but I would be glad to tell you more about Vegas if you like. What sort of things are you interested in doing?

 

[Bianca]

Thanks everyone! I'm really excited! I'm going to the US in April again because of bf's work, we are going to Florida but I will ask again in April. I'm preparing for this trip first. I put all of your stories in a document which I'm taking with me, you have been a great help! I also looked up the addresses of Mac and Sephora LOL.

 

[caffn8me]

To me, LA seems a little disappointing compared to either San Francisco or Las Vegas but the Hollywood Farmers Market is definitely worth checking out.

I'm sure you'll have an absolutely amazing time

 

[lemurian]

If SF is going to be at the end of your trip, you may want to relax a bit and head across the bay to Berkeley. There is great shopping (MAC, Bare Escentuals, Aveda, Restoration Hardware(!), etc., etc.) and really great little restaurants on Fourth Street (BART to Downtown Berkeley, AC Transit 51). Or if you're into the organic thing, you can go up Shattuck Avenue and eat at Ches Panisse (they have a cafe above which is less expensive and AMAZING) or get some fresh raw cheese at the Cheese Board. There's also organic pizza and nice shops up there

Very relaxed atmosphere (no tourists).

If you're going to the MAC Pro Store in SF, be sure to check out all the shops on Union Street. Union Sqare (nowhere near Union Street) is great for shopping if you don't mind crowds and TOURISTS GALORE (though there'll be many fewer in January/February). My favorite store in the area is the Container Store (around the corner from Old Navy) and favorite restaurant is Sushi something (I can't remember the name, but it's below some gallery on Geary, I think) which has THE BEST plum wine on Earth (but not necessarily the best sushi -- go to Kirala in Berkeley for that)

You can catch the cable car right there on Powell Street, too!

The Ferry Building market is a must see, especially if you're tuckered and just want to get some fresh goodies and relax in the park or your hotel room, hehe.

I lived in SF/Oakland/Berkeley for five years but never got to see Alcatraz, and I regret it

I'd definitely check it out if you get a day with good weather. I'd absolutely steer clear of Pier 39 -- It's a smelly tourist trap. Better to visit Ghiradelli Square which is not too far, also on the water (with a better view) and has some decent, if overpriced, restaurants (but again, with great views!).

If you're driving down the coast on Highway 1 (which I recommend because it is GORGEOUS, if sometimes treacherous) stop at Moss Beach Distillery. It's haunted and serves an awesome Sunday Brunch!!!! And good food the rest of the time as well (I recommend the Clam Chowder with mashed potatoes - it's the best and cheapest stuff on the menu). Just below the cliffs that the restaurant sits on is an awesome little beach with TIDE POOLS!!! It's my favorite place in the world

HTH! If you need any details regarding how to get some place in the bay area feel free to message me and I'll be happy to help

Have a great trip!!

Marianne

 

[medusalox]

Have fun!
The only thing I can really talk about it Chicago, I live not too far away! It's a really incredibly busy airport (I think I read that it was the busiest in the US). Seriously, don't wander too far away, it is SO easy to get lost in that place!
Anyways, enjoy your trip!

 

[asnbrb]

I just went to SF a few months ago. Here's what I reccommend:

DRIVE TO NAPA VALLEY and GILROY!!

Seriously, I detest wine and we went to Napa Valley. I thought I'd HATE it, but the wine tastings at each locale was excellent. One of them-- a champagne place whose name I can't remember-- is incredible and it offers different cheese platters to go with the different wines.

Oh, and Gilroy- biggest outlet mall that I've ever SEEN. I had been pouting to the BF that we were doing all these touristy things and I wanted to go shopping, so he took us to Gilroy, which is like three malls large.

Oh, and invest in a car with GPS. Honestly. My BF lived in CA for awhile and even he got lost sometimes. His friends from SF got lost in SF. There's so many streets, especially the streets that resemble rollercoasters- and you don't want to worry about how to get there (cause you're going to be worrying about how to park more).
BTW-- carry at least five bucks in quarters at all times.

Eat Clam Chowder. In a sourdough bread bowl.

Ghiradelli Square. You'll DIE if you're a chocoholic.

Union Square. Park somewhere, preferably not in the ghettos like we did and walk. You won't regret the shopping.

Oh, and there are different types of parking meters in SF. Hawaii doesn't have that so I was really surprised. I think green stands for only loading trucks and yellow stands for only 30 minute parking (someone in SF can correct me). There might be a red one too. You really need to watch where you park if you park with a parking meter... and it's hella expensive (hence the 5 bucks in quarters).

Oh, and Chinatown rocks. So does J-town and K-town (maybe cause I'm Japanese, but still).

That might be it. HTH.

 

[macface]

Im from L.A I hope you have fun in your trip Im pretty sure it will be exiciting.

 

[DaizyDeath]

wow your shure going to be driving alot haha well its like a 8 hr drive from san fran to la if im correct and a 3 hr drive from la to vegas then your driving back to san fran to catch your flight back? haha

Ive lived in La and San Fran most of my life plus i lived in vegas for almost a year so im sorta jaded to what people see in those places hahah.

But good luck and try not to get lost the US is a big place haha

 

[amoona]

Quote:

Originally Posted by asnbrb DRIVE TO NAPA VALLEY and GILROY!!

OMG so I don't drink but Napa is beautiful even if you don't drink any wine. They have beautiful spas and stuff. But it is far from SF so idk if you'll have time ... depending on how long you're staying in SF. It's not ridiculously far though hehe it's nice to spend a day up there. Or even Monterey (which isn't too far from Gilroy if you go there). Monterey has a beautiful Aquariame (sp?).

Quote:

Originally Posted by asnbrb Oh, and invest in a car with GPS. Honestly. My BF lived in CA for awhile and even he got lost sometimes. His friends from SF got lost in SF. There's so many streets, especially the streets that resemble rollercoasters- and you don't want to worry about how to get there (cause you're going to be worrying about how to park more). BTW-- carry at least five bucks in quarters at all times.

Oh yea I totally forgot to mention that haha. In SF there are sooo many one way streets and streets where you can't turn left or you can't turn right. It's a pain in the ass. I get lost all the time haha. Luckily my mom is a great GPS haha she knows every single street in SF so she helps me find my way. But unless you live in the city it's very easy to get lost. I always feel bad when tourists asked me where a certain street is and I can't answer haha. I know where stuff is, I just don't know street names or anything like that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by asnbrb Union Square. Park somewhere, preferably not in the ghettos like we did and walk. You won't regret the shopping.

Totall agree! There's a ton of parking garages around Union Square so pay for the parking!!! The tenderloin is like right up the street from Union Square and it's super ghetto and scary. No one will bother you if you drift there, but I wouldn't park my car there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by asnbrb Oh, and there are different types of parking meters in SF. Hawaii doesn't have that so I was really surprised. I think green stands for only loading trucks and yellow stands for only 30 minute parking (someone in SF can correct me). There might be a red one too. You really need to watch where you park if you park with a parking meter... and it's hella expensive (hence the 5 bucks in quarters).

Yea parking is a bitch so if you can just pay to park in a garage. That's what I do. Unless it's a Sunday then you don't have to worry about parking on the street.

I forgot to ask where your hotel is. It maybe easy to take BART (kinda like the subway) depending on where your hotel is.