Vegas, Tahoe and San Fran

[Maxf]

I've finally got round to booking my flights for a summer holiday. I fly in to Vegas on 31st May then out of San Fran on 12th June. Not the longest of breaks, but hoping to do a bit.

I've booked vegas accom until 4th (monday) which leaves me until 12th to fill.

We (3 friends going) were thinking of getting from LV to Tahoe for a few nights then onto San Fran for Friday - Monday.

Does anybody have any suggestions for somewhere to stay in Tahoe for 3 mid 30s guys? We are hoping to relax, but also be able to do stuff if we want to - maybe the option of a few bars as well.

Is there an area to definitely stay in San Fran? Any recommendations? We were thinking of hiring a car one day and driving up to see the giant redwoods - worth it?

Thanks in advance

[Roo]

Embassy Suites in South Lake Tahoe.

Fishermans Wharf in San Fran. The Sheraton is quite good.

[S7Paul]

We stayed in the Best Western Station House Inn in South Lake Tahoe (nice rooms, outdoor pool & hot tub, good breakfasts) and the Wharf Inn in SF (not brilliant quality & no eating facilities, but great location & cafe round the corner for breakfast).

[Truckosaurus]

Maxf said:

We were thinking of hiring a car one day and driving up to see the giant redwoods - worth it?

Yes, you have to be an outdoorsy person though.

You get to drive out across the Golden Gate Bridge and it's a pleasant drive through Marin County to the valley where the trees are.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muir_Woods_National_M...

[ViperDave]

in san fran anywhere along a cable car route or market will give you good access to all the downtown areas, if you buy a muni pass then have all the rides you like on buses, cable cars and the F-Train, obviously the latter two being preferable to buses if you can. The F train if you don't know are historic trams that run up market and around the embarcadero to fisherman's wharf etc. I wouldn't stay much west of union square though on market.

2nd vote for the embassy in Tahoe or the marriott next door, they are both in the heavenly gondola area and on the state line so a short walk to restaurants and the casinos if you want that sort of thing.

Have you considered crossing the sierras at yosemite rather than Tahoe, Tahoe is beautiful but yosemite is a must see also

[Rollin]

The Stateline area of South Lake Tahoe is like a low rent Las Vegas. I've stayed there, and also Incline village further north. It was quieter and more picturesque but less bars etc. The main draw for us was the beaches which are rather nice. It would be pretty straightforward to get a cab from north to south if you want more entertainment in the evening.

With regards to San Francisco, I don't like Fishermans Wharf. It is very touristy (think Blackpool). It is well worth exploring over the bridge. I have stayed at a mates in Fairfax which is a nice town. Also have a look at Bolinas which is a hippy village and interesting, if not wild in its nightlife.

Some great roads over the mountain from Fairfax to Bolinas.

[Rollin]

Having said all that, I'd prefer to go Death Valley, Yosemite too if you've not been before