Hi. I'm trying to decide which Grand Canyon trip to do - at the moment it's looking like the Grand Voyager (don't really fancy the Skywalk!), or the Grand Celebration Helicopter Tour which seems to include views of Hoover Dam (which the Grand Voyager trip doesn't mention?). It's a bit confusing so I'm keen to know what others are planning, or what those who have done the trip think.

Also thinking of the Rat Pack show, the San Franciso Bay cruise and the Universal Studios tour. Decisions decisions!

Annette

Hi Annette,

I'm quite keen on the sound of the Grand Voyager without the Skywalk too, although you see a lot on the Grand Celebration Helicopter trip - it seems a bit short in comparison to the GV...

I'm definitely doing the Universal Studios tour and am undecided on the Vegas show. I'm wondering whether to wait until we are in Vegas before deciding!

Avril

Welcome aboard - Alcatraz looks a good trip and should fit in well after the bay cruise.

Not sure about the shows - haven't booked one yet, neither of them really inspires me.

Have been thinking about the Universal Studio's tour, must do a bit more research

It's a bit difficult to decide which trips to do as its unclear what the itinerary is for each day and how much free time/other organised events are planned

David

I'm also doing this trip and exchanged some posts about it a while back.

Haven't really got round to thinking about the optional trips yet. If we do Alcatraz, does that mean missing out on something else?

I'll probably go with whatever the majority is for the Grand Canyon.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Marion

The time of Alcatraz trip that we've booked on doesn't appear to clash with anything, the optional boat trip around SF bay happens in the morning, so this seems a good time, but as others have said the trips get booked up early so probably best to book earlier - its only $30 (return!) and have heard excellent reports.

David

Regards.

Joyce

Hi Janet

I'm also booked on the October Golden West and was thinking about a trip to Alcatraz as have heard its very good, I'm also doing the harbour tour, so your suggestion about going afterwards so great, perhaps JY Julia could let us know what the itinerary is for the day. Looks like trips go fairly regularly and you need 2-2 1/2 hours and costs $30

David

Thought id replied last wk. Now bought my ticket.see you inoctober

janet

The Alcatraz trip is fantastic and well worth doing but, as has been said, don't wait until you get to SF. It books really quickly. It was one of my favourite things of the whole trip. The island was in sight of my balcony too at the Radisson so that was great.

If you want to go on the street cars (first night might be a good time to find your way around) - don't queue at the terminus just up from the hotel - you could be there an hour! Walk up the hill, one or two stops (follow the cables!) and get on one straight away! Far better.

Universal - I didn't go. It's a theme park. What can be so different? However, when the trip was on there were no plans in place for non-do-ers apart from going back to the hotel. There's not much to do in Sherman Oaks! This may of course have changed now.

Instead, a few of us got dropped off at the Food market in Beverley Hills. That was interesting and good to see but it got better when we went a few blocks up and had coffee at the Beverley Wilshire - in the place 'Pretty Woman' was set. The hotel is gorgeous and just having coffee there an experience not to be missed. After that we mooched around Rodeo Drive which again was a real experience, so much to see, then headed on back uptown (LA). In retrospect, the coach could have met us to take us back - worth asking about - but we used public transport. That was easy enough.

San Luis Obispo is a really lovely boho type town and well worth exploring. It's quite a few blocks walk from the hotel - which was really good - but far better choices to look around in town and to eat in than the few restaurants around the hotel. I would have rather stayed here for another night than Palm Springs later in the trip tbh.

Anyway, have a fab time. Any questions - please ask away.

That's great and looking forward to October....only 6 weeks to go

Not sure about the Universal Studio tour - one theme park is much the same another, but I like the sound of the food market in Beverly Hills - you can't get enough goof food and fine wine - although will need to do some research for some decent places to eat - don't want burgers etc!!

David

Sorry - when I posted my earlier thoughts on the excursions (having done the tour in 2010), I completely forgot to mention Universal. Yes, I agree with Dido that it is a theme park but, it is also still a fully operational film studio. The theme park part, which has the usual rides and side shows, is on the top of the hill.

However, the highlight of the visit for me was the studio tour in the valley below (tip- do this first because there can be queues but it's a great way to get your bearings and learn the history of the place). The tour takes around an hour and takes you through the history of the studio and some of it's most famous sets (the Pyscho House, the Jaws lake etc). On the day we were there, they were filming Desparate Housewives and we also saw the huge sound stages where films like Apollo 11 were/are made. I found it fascinating. There are also static displays and a couple of surprises along the route (tip - don't put bags on the floor of the truck because they will get wet and possibly washed away...)

It's true that the whole place could be described as a theme park, but really that's what Hollywood is. The visit is about 5 hours long and there are plenty of places to eat, either inside the park or in the shopping mall which is along side it.

I can't remember if the Hollywood tour was included but this was also a lot of fun (we had a great step on guide). My only disappointment was that we didn't get to see the legendary Hollywood Bowl (it was closed off by Security because Jack Johnson was sound checking for his show that night), but we did get to use the Hollywood Bowl 'facilities' for a comfort break!

Reliving AGW for you all has brought back some great memories - I think I'll have to get my photo albums out. Which reminds me - my claim to fame for this trip is that I got a great picture of Barry Manilow's eurobins....long story.....

Have a great time!

Mandy

Hi Janet

That's great and looking forward to October....only 6 weeks to go

Not sure about the Universal Studio tour - one theme park is much the same another, but I like the sound of the food market in Beverly Hills - you can't get enough goof food and fine wine - although will need to do some research for some decent places to eat - don't want burgers etc!!

David

You might find burgers but they're not your average, greasy spoon, run of the mill ones! There are foods from all over the world and we found it fascinating as well as tasty :P

Enjoy!

I am also going on the grand celebration helicopter your,it should be good

see you soon

jacky

Hi jycmayne

I am also going on the grand celebration helicopter your,it should be good

see you soon

jacky

Are you booking here or waiting until we get there?

Regards

Joyce

I've booked and paid for the Grand Voyager with skywalk as I wanted to see as much as possible, I know its a bit pricing but......

What other trips have folks booked, I'd like to see a show in Las Vegas but don't fancy the two options offered?

David

Joyce

Hi jycmayne

I am also going on the grand celebration helicopter your,it should be good

see you soon

jacky

Are you booking here or waiting until we get there?

Regards

Joyce

Hi joyce

I am booking this tour before i go but not the shows in las vegas,

i thought i would see what others are doing

cheers

jacky

Hi jycmayne

I am also going on the grand celebration helicopter your,it should be good

see you soon

jacky

Are you booking here or waiting until we get there?

Regards

Joyce

Hi joyce

I am booking this tour before i go but not the shows in las vegas,

i thought i would see what others are doing

cheers

jacky

I will book the grand celebration helicopter ride too before I go. See you soon!

Cheers

Joyce

Joy

Hi there, I am also going on the golden west tour on 6th October and would also like to go to Alcatraz, have you already booked , am I too late

Joy

Hi Joy

if you visit http:/www.alcatrazcruises.com

you can book your ticket in advance,quite a few

of us have booked for the8th oct at 2.10pm

good luck

jacky