Las Vegas is not romantic at all, it's very tacky with a seedy underside. Some lovely places south of Los Angeles on highway 1 down towards San Diego.



As for San Francisco, just don't! Try Carmel, Salinas or the Monterrey peninsular, some lovely scenery.



San Fransisco = Widnes. Cold, damp, foggy, got a bridge, got a prison and the locals are strange.

I went last year to see my sister get married at the Forever Grand wedding chapel, in the MGM Grand, Las Vegas and ended up missing Keighley win a grand final.





I flew to Toronto, which is a fantastic city, for 4 nights. Then travelled by train to Niagara Falls, crossed the border in to the USA and got a taxi to Buffalo Airport to catch an afternoon flight to Vegas.



I had 6 nights there which was enough to be honest. Then I flew to New York for a 4 night stay.

I didn't spend too much time in San Francisco, so I can't really help there, I would agree with the Monterrey peninsula though. Its very nice. Monterrey also has a nice aquarium if you're interested in anything like that. I would feel bad about myself if I didn't recommend you try to get over to Yosemite. I've been lucky enough to see some amazing places around the world and Yosemite is right up there with the best. Cod'ead knows his stuff, the northwest is great. I know dozens of people who say Seattle is one of the nicest cities. Im not much of a city lover and even I liked it there. Oregon is nice too, my girlfriend went to college there a few years ago, she's from Colorado, which is beautiful and she left to go to Oregon, because of the scenery, so it must be outstanding. Anywhere around mt hood would be pretty cool. The trees up there are worth the trip alone. Honestly mate your spoilt for choice, I'd recommend you have a few places you definitely want to see and then get a car and enjoy exploring the places in between too.

NYC and then the mountains or Key West (the latter is very relaxing - nothing much to do but hang around and eat / drink)?

The Outer Banks in North Carolina is very nice. Great beach houses and plenty to do in the area. We've been to Jamestown and Busch Gardens.

I know this isn't the topic of the thread and you may not wish to divulge, but how come you're having a 'secret wedding' then a vowel renewal and telling everyone it's a wedding?

Widnes doesn't have the largest Chinatown outside China.

San Francisco hasn't got into Super League by virtue of a crap bid by Halifax.

Widnes doesn't have streetcars.

San Francisco doesn't smell bad.



I could go on.



I found the locals in SF to be stunningly polite and helpful, not at all what I expected, which was strange.

I found the locals in Widnes to be polite and helpful, not at all what I expected, which was strange.

So we almost agree on that bit.

SF does'nt smell?



Cannery Row and Pier 39 absolutely reek... Granted, The GG bridge is a superb piece of engineering and Alacatraz is fascinating, but, other than that, the place is a let down.



Vegas is fine for 4 days max. Drive across to Yosemite, have a few nights there, then a few nights on Death Valley and the Grand Canyon, then over to Monterrey for a week, and if you have time, a few days in Ventura, but only if the California State Fair is on. Saw shania Twain, the B52s and The Village People there a few years ago.

Absolutely staggering number of tramps in San Francisco.

I'd have to back up what Richie said about Texas. Did Dallas and San Antonio a few years ago and it was really enjoyable with loads more to do than I'd initially thought.

Can also recommend Phoenix and Tucson (flew there from San Antonio) and if you're in that area stop off for a day or so at Sedona. I'm not particularly one for staring at landscapes but even I had to appreciate how beautiful this area is. Not too far from the Grand Canyon there either.



Plus, like Richie says try and get to a sports event if you can. Been a few times, mostly to baseball (Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Florida) and whilst you might not find the sport itself that interesting the sport is only half of the whole thing. The Americans know how to put on a show and look after their spectators!

I was on my stag night that night. The wedding was on the day of the funeral.



Anywhere back to the OP, I think California is very hard to beat. Start at San Fran for 3-4 day then work down the 101. Id highly recommend the spindrift inn on cannery row (fireplaces in every room and views of monterey bay complete with sea otters) then down big sur. Despite its rep LA is fantatsic for a few days then down to sea world at san diego. Perfect fortnight

are you sure you have been? Cannery Row is in Monterey 125 miles south of SF and doesnt smell. The monterey bay aquarium is there. Carmel and the Big Sur coast are incredible. We had a week in SF in November and have been on shorter trips from vegas before. San fran is my favourite US city. We found there was more then enough to fill a week. The ferry building is great as is the entire embercardo. there are world class museums sfmoma the cali academy of science etc. Theres also great shopping including a westfield mall with the best food court I have ever eaten at (the best local restaurants have concessions)



Agree with the comments re the increasing number of homeless though. Apparently SF has the most generous benefits and attracts homeless from across the US