UKC

Considering a family jaunt to Nevada/California this summer (kids 14/16/17). One idea was to use Las Vegas as a base - for the place itself, but for overland drives & stays at the grand Canyon, maybe Monument Valley and Yosemite.

Any views on this? No chance of serious climbing, tho all game for family-style adventure sports etc

In reply to Greenbanks:

How long are you going to stay?

Vegas is far away from yosemite and monument valley. It is also a good 2-3 hours to Zion or the grand canyon. not much of a base if you intend to return every night.

Personally I would road trip. There are plenty of campsites, an RV and tent would be perfect. You could then drive from national park to national park and expereince more time at a particular place.

http://www.cruiseamerica.com/rent/our_vehicles/standard_rv.aspx

The US is set up for vehicles like this one.

In reply to Greenbanks:

Also, Vegas is plain nasty. If you want your kids to see porno flyers, and the worse of america then visit. Otherwise avoid.

In reply to Greenbanks:

Vegas can be brutally hot in summer: too hot to go outside until the sun goes down and not very teen friendly. I was there in June and it was 46 Centigrade.

It's an amazing place to go for a tradeshow but if I was looking for a base for a family holiday San Francisco, San Diego or Los Angeles would all be ahead of Las Vegas.

In reply to Greenbanks: Monterey.

In reply to Greenbanks:

Thanks for these views. Was going to fly in only to Vegas, stay 1-2 nights only and move on over the next 3 weeks. As intimated, SF looks a friendlier be.

In reply to wilding:


Seconded. Las Vegas is a base for the areas mentioned in the same way that London is a good base for Scandinavia, the Alps and Spain.