Itinerary through California and Las Vegas – Tips and what to do in 15 days

Dreaming of that American roadtrip? So check out this post for an itinerary around California and Las Vegas, with tips on the best cities to visit, attractions, restaurants and more!

Visiting the California coast by car is the dream of many Brazilians. Many of them, when they decide to take this trip, still try to fit Las Vegas into their itinerary, since the city of sin is close to the golden state.

The problem is that planning an adventure like this is not the easiest task. There are few flights leaving Brazil to this part of the world, and when they do exist, the prices are exorbitant and the final stop is usually Los Angeles, a destination that is located in the middle of State.

To make matters worse, it is difficult to decide which route to take by car – up or down first? –, how much time to leave for each city, and what to do in each one of them, especially when you have little time available.

In recent years I've visited California a few times, and I've done exactly this route of visiting the coast by car and heading to Las Vegas.

With all this experience, I decided to write this post with the best tricks for traveling the west coast of the United States, with tips on where to start, what order to follow, roads, stops and much more!

Here's everything you need to know about putting together a California and Las Vegas itinerary:

How long will it take to make this trip?

I recommend setting aside at least two weeks for your California and Las Vegas itinerary. This way you have time to see the main attractions in big cities, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, and still drive calmly and make stops along the way.

In what order should you complete your California and Las Vegas itinerary?

The ideal order for this trip is as follows:

• Arriving in San Francisco
• Drive from San Francisco to San Diego with stops along the way such as Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Big Sur
• Driving from San Diego to Las Vegas
• Return to Brazil from Vegas

This way you will be going down the coast, driving on the sea side and having the most beautiful view. You also won't need to repeat any city, meaning you'll drive less.

I walk on Google Maps in the ideal order, around 1440 km of road.

Depending on the season, however, it can be very expensive to buy tickets arriving in SF and returning via Vegas. To save money, you can buy a round trip to Los Angeles, which is usually cheaper.

In this case, the best order is as follows:

• Arrive in Los Angeles and go straight to Las Vegas
• Driving from Vegas to San Diego
• Driving from San Diego to San Francisco with stops along the way (but not stopping in LA)
• Returning from San Francisco to Los Angeles and spending a few days in the city
• Return to Brazil from LA

As Los Angeles is in the middle of the state, you will necessarily have to go there more than once and, consequently, drive more.

Path on Google Maps of the alternative route, approximately 2500 km.

Doing the math, in the first scenario you will spend 18 hours driving, while in the second it is almost 28!

It is easy to see that, if it is a viable price, it is more advantageous to purchase the option for a different round-trip destination. Just to give you an idea, in a quick search to write this post, the difference between flying directly to Los Angeles or doing San Francisco and Las Vegas was less than R$800 in September 2019.

It depends on your budget, time and disposition as to whether the investment is worth it.

When searching, Don't forget to check out the Passagens Promo website. The blog partner has great prices for both national and international flights!

Drive the entire route or use other means of transport?

Most people assume that a roadtrip through California needs to be done entirely by car, but this is not necessarily true.

The big attraction of this car trip is traveling along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), a famous highway on the state's coast. This road follows the Pacific Ocean as you go up or down towards your next destination.

The PCH begins at the Oregon border, following California State Route SR1. It then ends in Orange County, near Los Angeles, and thus leads to San Diego, in theory, is not considered Pacific Coast Highway. However, the city is bypassed by US Route 101, which also borders the Pacific, and many consider this stretch yes do part of the PCH.

In short, what you need to understand from the previous paragraph is this: the path is beautiful from San Francisco to San Diego, and you go along the coast following the ocean. There are even alternative roads within the state, but they are not as beautiful.

Therefore, my suggestion is that you drive for this part of the trip. This way you can enjoy the landscape, stop to take photos, etc.

If you are looking for a well-priced and reliable car rental, then rent with Rentcars. The company is a partner of the blog – that is, tested and approved – and also offers the option to pay in reais, in installments and without the IOF fee! On the Rentcars website you will find the best rental companies in the world (such as Alamo and Hertz) and with the best conditions! Click this link to get a quote.

Another tip (and one that will help you save a bit, since this is a longer trip) is buy an international travel chip. This way, you can use apps like Waze or Google Maps, you don't have to spend on GPS (which can cost up to US$10 per day!) and also have the advantage of being able to use social networks and navigate at will. Read more about the travel chip, all its advantages and how to find the best chip on this page.

Las Vegas is a city where you don't need a car to get around (the main attractions are on the same street), and the road to get there is just sand, as the city is in the middle of the desert. Therefore, if you want to rest and save on car costs, the ideal is not to drive on the days reserved for Las Vegas.

If you are going to do San Diego – Vegas at the end of the trip:

Regardless of the means of transport, you will need to travel close to Los Angeles. The suggestion, then, is to drive to Anaheim, return the car there and then take a bus. This way you will arrive without a car, enjoy a few nights in city ​​that never sleeps and return to Brazil.

If you are going to do Los Angeles – Vegas at the beginning of the trip:

Take the bus from LA and spend your days in Vegas without your car. On the way back you have two options: rent a car and drive to San Diego (around 5 hours) or return by bus to Los Angeles (also 5 hours) and then drive to San Diego (almost 3 hours).

This second option is longer, but some rental companies charge extra fees to pick up the car in one city and return it in another.. As you will also end your trip in LA, it's worth taking a look at the difference in prices for picking up the car in Vegas and returning it to Los Angeles, or picking it up and returning it to LA. At Rentcars the value remained practically the same.

In both cases, I recommend using the company MegaBus to take the route you won't drive. The company's buses are super comfortable, have wifi and great prices – I saw some of these routes for US$5!

Itinerary through California and Las Vegas

In short, the itinerary starting in San Francisco would be as follows:

In the case of the itinerary starting in Los Angeles, the days would look like this:

With the itinerary defined, it’s time to decide what to do in each city. The suggestions below apply to both routes, as I left the same number of days for each location. If you start your trip in Los Angeles, remember that the easiest thing to do is leave LA at the end of the trip.

What to do in San Francisco (2-3 days)

Where to stay in San Francisco

The best areas to stay in San Francisco are Nob Hill, North Beach, Union Square e South of market. As the city is very touristy, there is no shortage of accommodation options. I don't recommend staying too much in the center – like the Civic Center – as, in my experience, it's not a part So safe city.

The best hotels are:

• Nikko Hotel: Recently restored, the hotel has a swimming pool, gym, beauty salon and restaurant on site, in addition to being just five minutes from Union Square, San Fran's iconic square. All rooms have free wifi, flat-screen television and marble bathrooms with bathtubs, so you can enjoy your trip in style! Booking score: 8,8.
• Handlery Union Square Hotel: Also close to Union Square, this hotel has a more affordable price without compromising on comfort. Staying there, you will have access to the swimming pool, gym, sauna, business center and the Daily Grill restaurant. All rooms have TV, minibar and coffee maker! Booking rating: 8,1.

San Francisco is an expensive city, and hotel prices reflect this reality. If you want to save money, my suggestion is to stay at HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel. The property offers both shared and private rooms, they have free Wi-Fi and breakfast included in the rate. The rating on Booking is 8,3.

Arrival in San Francisco

As you will have just taken a long plane trip (or driven for many hours), the ideal is to start with a calmer program. If it's still daylight, my suggestion is to visit one of the most famous places in the city, the Fisherman's Wharf. If you drive there, don't forget to pass by the famous Lombard Street.

In the region the coolest thing is PIER 39, where there are several restaurants and shops. If you're hungry and don't want to think too much, go to Hard Rock Cafe or Bubba Gump. The place is also a great spot to watch the sunset.

To finish, explore the region of Union Square. There are several shops, many of which are open until nine at night, and from there you can have dinner (if you just had lunch or a snack on the pier), and head back to the hotel. At the top of Macy's there is a Cheesecake Factory with great views of the city, and other good options are the Bluestem Brasserie or Bartlett Hall.

Full day in San Francisco

The most famous attraction in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. The problem is that, at many times of the year, the fog in the early morning is so strong that you can't even see a sign of the bridge, even being in her. Therefore, I suggest starting the day with a visit to Alcatraz prison, and leaving the bridge for the afternoon.

This way, start your tour by going to the Pier 33, where the ferry leaves for Alcatraz. Remembering that visiting the island is a paid tour, and You must buy your ticket in advance as it sells out quickly! It is recommended to leave three hours for the tour, so I suggest booking a time at 9 and taking the ferry back for lunch. My tip for this meal is to go to Chinatown try one of the traditional restaurants, such as China Live or Z & Y Restaurant.

After that, go to the Presidio Park (it's a park, not a prison) and park near the visitor center. Appreciate the view points, and when you're ready, cross the Golden Gate Bridge on foot. It's almost 3km long, so decide if you want to go to the end or stop halfway. On your way back, be sure to visit the park's other attractions, such as the Warming Hut Bookstore & Cafe and Walt Disney Family Museum.

At around half past three, go to the Coit Tower to have one of the most incredible views of the city. You can drive close to the tower (and then you can go a little later, but remember that the tower closes at five), or park in the area and walk up the path. This second option is tiring (I gave up halfway through), but the road to get there is beautiful and makes for great photos. Access to the base of the tower is free, and you can also pay to go up to the second floor.

To end the day, stroll through Embarcadero Plaza and delight in the stands of Ferry Building Marketplace. Mention for the famous meat cone from Boccalone and for the burger at Gott's.

Second day in San Francisco

For the second day I have two itinerary suggestions.

The first is to spend a pleasant morning in the region of Crissy Field Beach and Palace of Fine Arts. Have lunch at one of the traditional restaurants in Little Italy, such as Trattoria Pinocchio, and take the opportunity to visit the famous bookstore City Lights Booksellers & Publishers. In the afternoon you can visit some of the city's numerous museums – the most recommended are the Exploratorium, o San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and California Academy of Sciences. Finally, explore a little more about the Union Square (take the opportunity to walk cable car) and have dinner at Japantown. Go to Kui Shin Bo for sushi or Ramen Yamadaya for ramen.

Or, if you love wine, how about taking a trip to Napa Valley e Sonoma? The tours usually take around eight hours, and you visit numerous wineries and even learn about the production of the drink. As this is an alcoholic itinerary, it's best to hire a guided tour so you don't have to drive. Get Your Guide offers a tour who picks you up at the door of your hotel in San Francisco, has a guide throughout the tour (and audio guides in Portuguese) and then drops you back in the city! If you arrive hungry, just follow the previous recommendation for restaurants. Japantown!

Departure from San Francisco

As Big Sur is a region made up of several cities, my suggestion is to leave San Francisco early and start the day exploring. Your first stop should be the city of Monterey, well known for being the setting of the HBO series Big Little Lies.

What to do in Big Sur (1-2 days)

Briefly, the Big Sur area is made up of Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park e Saint Simeon. There are countless beaches, waterfalls, trails and attractions on the way between all these points, and that is what the itinerary will explore in the next few days. My suggestion is to leave San Francisco, visit the first two cities, and then drive to the Pfeiffer Park area to stay there.

First day in the Big Sur region

For the morning, the suggestion is to explore Monterey. Drive through 17 Mile Drive, take a walk along the beach Asilomar, visit the Lovers Point Park and stroll through Cannery Row. For lunch, visit one of the restaurants in Alvarado St., like Alvarado Street Brewery or Poke Lab.

In the afternoon, go to Carmel-by-the-Sea and take the opportunity to get to know Carmel Beach. From there, continue on foot along the Ocean Drive to discover the city center, full of little shops and art galleries. The place is cute, and you can even enjoy a coffee in the Carmel Bakery.

In the mid-afternoon, begin driving toward Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, stopping along the way at Bixby Creek Bridge and Stitch On Lighthouse, until you arrive at your accommodation. For dinner, stay in the area and check out one of the restaurants on Cabrillo Highway or Big Sur Bakery.

Where to stay in Big Sur

To follow the itinerary for this post, the best option is to stay in the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park area. The best options are as follows:

• Big Sur River Inn: With an on-site restaurant, pool and free wifi, this is the best value for money in Big Sur! It is a short distance from the main trails, and has free parking, a bar and all rooms have a private bathroom and amenities. Booking score: 8,2.
• Ventana big sur: This five-star resort is exclusively for adults, and the ideal place if you want to explore nature without giving up luxury and comfort. All rooms offer a flat-screen TV, a balcony with a view and private bathrooms, and some of them even have a fireplace! The property also offers yoga classes, wine tasting, heated pools and free Wi-Fi and parking. Booking rating: 9,3.

Accommodations in Big Sur are not the cheapest. If you want to save money, we suggest renting a cabin at one of the campsites. The rooms are private but the bathrooms are usually shared. One of the best talked about campsites (and the one I would choose) would be Riverside Campground & Cabins.

Full day in Big Sur

So far you have explored the northernmost region of Big Sur. On this day of the itinerary, the suggestion is to explore the region around the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, one of the most beautiful points on the itinerary through California and Las Vegas.

Start the day with coffee at Big Sur Bakery or pick up something at Big Sur Deli. Then, take one or more trails in and around the park. The most recommended is the Buzzards Roost (4,2 km), which can be done by people with any physical condition. A little further north you can follow the paths of Andrew Molera State Park (11 km of trails in total), and further south are the easier trails, in Limekiln State Park (5km in total).

For lunch, the suggestion is to stop again at one of the restaurants on Cabrillo Highway. After that, it's time to visit other popular attractions nearby. Spend time in Pfeiffer Beach and then drive to McWay Falls, at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. It is in this place that you will find the waterfall whose water goes straight into the ocean, as well as other cool trails.

On the way back, stop at nepenthe for an incredible meal with a spectacular view.

Departure from Big Sur

The next day, leave the hotel early and drive to San Simeon, the southern limit of Big Sur. There isn't much in the city, but take the opportunity to do the tour by the Hearst Castle, a castle created by millionaire William Randolph Hearst and a California state historic landmark. After that, head to Santa Barbara.

What to do in Santa Barbara (1 day)

If you want to make stops along the way, between Big Sur and Santa Barbara there are two cool places: Beach letter, with its popular pier, and Morro Bay, a city full of beaches and even dunes.

Where to stay in Santa Barbara

The city is not very big, and as you will be driving, you can't go wrong when choosing a hotel. If you want to do everything on foot, I recommend staying in Downtown or West Beach.

The best hotels are:

• The Presidio: One of the best value for money in the city, this hotel offers free parking and is located in the city center, less than a six-minute drive from the region's main pier. The rooms have television and air conditioning, as well as free wifi. Booking rating: 8,4.
• Harbor View Inn: A slightly more luxurious option in West Beach, it is the perfect hotel if you want to get to the beach without walking too far! The place has an outdoor pool, cafeteria and even a bar with a barbecue, which serves drinks and snacks. Not to mention the gym and gift shop. All rooms have standard amenities, such as internet, air conditioning and TV, some of them also have a balcony with a view and a bathtub. Booking rating: 8,9.

Arrival in Santa Barbara

If you haven't had lunch yet, stop by Santa Barbara Public Market, where several restaurants are located. From there, check in to the hotel and go see the State Street, a street full of shops and an incredible atmosphere. Walk towards the beach until you reach the Stearns Wharf, the city's famous pier.

Next to wharf you can enjoy a bit of the beach and then head to the Funk Zone, super cool neighborhood full of boutiques, photo spots and cafes hispters. Take the opportunity to take a walk and, when you want dinner, go to the Funk Zone Patio.

Departure from Santa Barbara

In the morning, visit Old Mission Santa Barbara, a church that is part of the city’s history. Take advantage of being in the region and visit the Mission Rose Garden, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Botanic Garden. For lunch, my suggestion is California Pasta, small Italian restaurant with great dishes and friendly prices.

In the early afternoon, drive to Los Angeles.

What to do in Los Angeles (2-3 days)

If you are coming from Santa Barbara, before arriving in Los Angeles, stop at the Malibu pier. There isn't much to see in the region other than the beach and very expensive houses, but it's worth a quick break to explore.

Where to stay in Los Angeles

If you are visiting the city for the first time, and you don't want to drive all the time to avoid the chaotic LA traffic, then the ideal is to stay in Hollywood. This way you can get out of the car and walk to the Walk of Fame.

The most recommended hotels are:

• Hollywood Roosevelt: Imagine yourself in the most iconic hotel in the city? The place has a poolside bar, a renowned restaurant serving American cuisine and special drinks, and all rooms have air conditioning, minibar and television. Booking score: 8,3
• Best Western Hollywood Plaza Inn: If you are looking for a great location at an affordable price, this hotel is the best choice. It is an 8-minute walk to the best part of the Walk of Fame and the rooms have a microwave and coffee maker. Booking score: 8,0

Like the rest of California, accommodation in Los Angeles isn't cheap. If you want to save, stay at Walk of Fame Hostel, which also has private rooms and a privileged location, just a few steps from the stars! Booking rating: 8,4.

Arrival in Los Angeles

Arriving in the middle of the afternoon, my suggestion is to do check-in and proceed to the Griffith Observatory, super cool observatory with an amazing view of the city, especially at sunset. End the night at one of the nearby restaurants, such as Little Don's (Italian) or the Mess Hall (American food).

Full day in Los Angeles

There is no way to create an itinerary through California and Las Vegas without going through Hall of Fame! Start your day at the intersection of Hollywood Blvd. and Vine St. and head toward N. La Brea Avenue. This part of walk of fame It's not the best, but you'll be able to find some cool stars.

Arriving at Highland Ave. you will be in the best area, where famous spots such as the Wax Museum of Madame Tussaud and the Chinese Theater. If you want to do some shopping, take advantage of the Hollywood and Highland Center shopping mall.

For lunch you can go to any restaurant in the region. If you want to save money, go down to Sunset Blvd and eat at an In-N-Out, a fast food present only in the California region.

In the afternoon, the suggestion is to go to Beverly Hills see the famous Rodeo Drive. The stores are all luxury, but the atmosphere of the place is super cool and makes you feel like you're in a movie. If you want to walk to see more of the neighborhood, follow 3rd Street to the Beverly Grove Center shopping mall.

For dinner, take advantage of the proximity to La Cienega Blvd and follow the street towards Santa Monica Blvd. You'll find everything from Shake Shack to even a Nobu Sushi. My favorite in the area is Urth Caffé on Melrose Avenue.

Second full day in Los Angeles

Leaving the city a little, this day is reserved for discovering Santa Monica and its surroundings.

Start with Venice canals, full of little boats and houses on the edge. From there, head to the Abbot Kinney Boulevard, a street full of little shops and delicious cafes.

Continue the day in Venice Boardwalk, region close to the beach full of little shops, restaurants, street performances, dance tracks skateboarding and much more. If you haven't had lunch yet, take the opportunity to do so in the area – Sidewalk Cafe is a popular option.

In the afternoon it's time to explore Santa Monica, starting with the famous pier that inspired the Rocket Power cartoon (those from my era will remember, lol). You have to pay to ride the amusement park attractions, but other than that you can ride the stalls, enjoy the view and listen to live music. If you're in the mood for a dessert or afternoon snack, it's worth trying a funnel cake!

When you finish walking along the pier, go to the Third Street Promenade, a street that functions more like an open-air shopping mall with several stores and restaurants. There are a lot of interesting things and it's easy to spend the whole afternoon there. Watch the sunset on the beach and, for dinner, choose one of the places on Third (in the covered part, which is actually a shopping mall, there is a Cheesecake Factory).

Departure from Los Angeles

Since it's a quick trip to San Diego, you can explore a little more of Los Angeles in the morning. My suggestion is to know the LACMA, art Museum. The installations are super interesting, and even include fashion history.

Then hop on the The grove, another open mall with several cool stores. Its most interesting point, however, is the Farmers Market which happens every day, with several cool stalls for lunch. There's even a Brazilian restaurant with a buffet by the kilo!

After lunch, hit the road to San Diego.

Remembering that here on the blog there are countless posts about Los Angeles, including one 7-day itinerary in the city if you have more time on your trip.

What to do in San Diego (2-3 days)

Between San Diego and Los Angeles, be sure to stop by Laguna Beach. The beach is wonderful and makes for great photos!

Where to stay in San Diego

The Gaslamp region is the best area to stay, as it is home to the region's main shopping mall, as well as restaurants and shops. If you have a car, however, you can choose to stay a little further away and save on daily rates.

My hotel suggestions are as follows:

• Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter: If you want to have some comfort in your roadtrip, the best option is to choose amazing hotels to stay in while you're not on the road! The San Diego Hilton, in addition to maintaining the excellence of the network, has a swimming pool, ATM and is in a privileged location, close to everything! Booking score: 9,2.
• Gaslamp Plaza Suites: Can you imagine, in a privileged location in San Diego, but without paying a lot and without giving up comfort? That's what will happen if you stay at the Gaslamp Plaza Suites, a historic European-style hotel with a fondue restaurant! Booking rating: 8,4.

If you want something cheaper, as you will be driving, you can stay in a more remote part of the city. I recommend the Best Western in front of the Fashion Mall.

Arrival in San Diego

As you will arrive mid to late afternoon, my suggestion is to do check-in at the hotel and proceed to the Seaport village. The place is on the seafront and is full of restaurants and shops.

The options for dining there are countless! If you like it, try seafood. If you want something more traditional, you can visit the Cheesecake Factory (which I love, as you can see, as I've mentioned it countless times throughout this post, rs).

Full day in San Diego

No itinerary through California and Las Vegas is complete without stops at the beach! Therefore, the suggestion of the day is to enjoy the best in the region: Coronado Beach and La Jolla.

The first is closer to downtown San Diego and has greater infrastructure. After taking a look at the sea – or spending some time there, if you go in the summer and the weather is pleasant – head to the Vacation Specials, a breathtaking Victorian mansion. The region is reminiscent of Brazilian beach neighborhoods, full of seafood restaurants and small shops. It's worth taking a walk around Orange Avenue and see what you find there.

For lunch, suggestions are the famous Burger Lounge or Bluewater Boathouse.

Then get in the car and head to La jolla cove (the best part of the beach), where again you will find the ocean and the vibe small beach town. If you want to see something different, go down to the La Jolla Cave or walk around Coast Walk Trail. In high season it is often difficult to find parking in the region, so it is best to leave your car on streets a little further away from the beach.

To finish, take a walk around the Prospect Street and enjoy the region's cafes.

Returning to the city center, end the day with a stroll through the Gaslamp Quarter. It is in this region that the main bars and restaurants are located, and where most residents go to do happy hour or dinner. The hottest street is 5th Avenue, where there is even a Fogo de Chão. I recommend the sweet crepes from Chocolate Cremerie.

Second full day in San Diego

On the second day, the morning is reserved for a tour that involves culture and the outdoors: the Balboa Park. The city's largest park is 4,9km² and has more than 15 museums. Take the opportunity to discover the countless gardens, such as the Botanical Building and Japanese friendship garden and visit some of the museums, such as the San Diego Natural History Museum and San Diego Air & Space Museum.

For lunch, you can take advantage of the park's proximity to the neighborhood Little Italy and eat at Italian restaurants like Landini's Pizzeria or Buon Appetito Restaurant.

In the afternoon it's time to visit Old Town San Diego, a historic part of the city known as the birthplace of California. The place has live music, shops, places to eat (including a Tequila Factory), numerous museums and other attractions. It's easy to spend hours admiring the details and learning about the rich American-Mexican history.

To end the night, the suggestion is to visit Westfield in Mission Valley or Fashion Valley, two nearby shopping malls with several restaurants and all the stores that Brazilians love. If you want, you can also go back to 5th Avenue to try another restaurant. I love the Old Spaghetti Factory!

Departure from San Diego

In both itineraries, driving from San Diego to the next city takes around 4 and a half to 5 hours. Therefore, I recommend leaving early and avoiding the traffic that can occur throughout the day in areas close to Los Angeles.

If you have more time in San Diego, a tip is to go to the border, near Tijuana. There is one of the best outlets in California, the Las Americas Premium Outlet.

What to do in Las Vegas (1-2 days)

When putting together an itinerary for California and Las Vegas, I don't think it's worth including attractions in the desert. The journey is quite tedious, and it is much more fun to waste time in hotels in the city. sin City.

Where to stay in Las Vegas

Choosing the location of your accommodation is the easiest part, as the city's best attractions are on the same street, Strip. This way, you only need to choose the ideal hotel. Most of them have a casino, so you don't even need to go out to play, and almost all of them are themed! You can stay in 'Paris', 'New York', 'Venice' and more.

The best options in Strip include:

• Bellagio: Have you ever imagined staying in one of the most luxurious hotels in the city, enjoying all the best it has to offer? To make this vision come true, just stay at the Bellagio. Privileged location in the middle of strip, in addition to having a spa, five swimming pools and even with Cirque du Soleil! Unique experience! Booking score: 8,7.
• Excalibur: Do you want to save money and still be on the street where everything happens? Then make a reservation at Excalibur, a hotel whose theme is medieval times. It has a casino, six on-site restaurants (including a Buca di Beppo), spa and direct connection to the New York, New York hotel. Booking rating: 7,8.

A middle ground between the two, which is not themed and also does not cost as much as the Bellagio, is the Bally's. It was my choice for the first time in the city and I had a great experience. Booking score: 8,2.

Before presenting the itinerary, I need to explain two important points about Las Vegas:

• Most of the attractions are on the same street, called the Las Vegas Strip;
• A big part of visiting Vegas is spending time in the hotels and shopping malls on this street. It sounds boring, but most hotels have their own theme and their interiors are breathtaking. At the Italian-inspired Venetian, for example, there are even canals for you to ride a gondola!

I just wanted to clarify these two points to say that you can follow my script in any order you want. Everything is close by and only the night shows, clubs and pool parties has opening hours. You not You need a car and, if it's your last stop, you can return it upon arrival in the city, to save on daily costs.

It is also worth remembering that only people over 21 can play or even visit casinos.

Arrival in Las Vegas

After driving for five or six hours, you'll probably be tired. My suggestion is to do check-in at the hotel and rest, or take the opportunity to explore it a little. Familiarize yourself with the casino, the restaurants on the property, and if it's too hot (it's a desert, after all), relax by the pool!

In the late afternoon, I recommend visiting the Bellagio, which in my opinion is the most beautiful of the hotels in Las Vegas. The decor is impressive and the property even has its own Botanical Garden. Take the opportunity to watch one of the most famous shows in the city, the “O” by Cirque du Soleil, which is also on site! You can buy your ticket in advance, paying in reais, without IOF and in installments with WePlann.

My recommendation is to watch the first time of the show – at seven o'clock at night – so you still have time to see a little more of the city afterwards. Leave the hotel and see the spectacle of the Bellagio fountains, and then head to the mall The Forum Shops at Caesars. Go shopping if you wish and when you're done, take the opportunity to discover Caesars Palace. The hotel is a great option for dinner, as it has numerous restaurants, including two by Chef Ramsay and a Nobu.

Full day in Las Vegas

To start the day you have two options, the Stratosphere or the Mandalay Bay. The first is a hotel a little further away from the central Strip area, where there are several extreme rides! If you enjoy adrenaline, this is a must-see. If this isn't your thing, start at Mandalay Bay, where the Shark Reef Aquarium.

The second stop could be the hotel Circus Circus if you've been to the Stratosphere – the two are close to each other and, as you can imagine, this second hotel has performances that are reminiscent of the circus. If you are at Mandalay Bay, take advantage of the surroundings and go see the luxor, inspired by the wonders of Egypt.

For lunch, the suggestion is to visit the hotel New York, New York, which in addition to an incredible theme also has a Shake Shack! If you don't feel like eating fast food, try one of the other restaurants on property or stop by MGM, where you can enjoy a more leisurely meal. relaxation No. Cabana Grill or even find one buffet lines with options for all tastes.

To start the afternoon, take advantage of the fact that it's already close and go take a photo at the sign “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas”. Then, if it's hot, the suggestion is to take advantage of one of the beach club of the city. My sister's suggestion (since I've never been to one) is the Day Light Beach Club, which is close to Mandalay Bay.

If it's cold or you don't want to stay in the pool, take the opportunity to visit the Planet Hollywood, Where is the Shopping Miracle Mile, and Paris las vegas, where you can take a photo in front of the “Torre Eiffel“! On the other side of the street is also the ARIA Resort & Casino, with its luxury shopping mall called The Shops at Crystals. There you will find stores like Prada, Versace, Dior, Louis Vuitton and more.

To conclude, after the hotels or the Beach Club, the suggestion is to get to know the Venetian, Italian-inspired hotel. The place is so big that in addition to having its own shopping mall – The Grand Canal Shoppes – it also has canals where you can ride a gondola. When you're there, be sure to try the delicacies of the famous Carlo's Bakery.

For dinner you can cross the street and go to The Mirage,, where there are several restaurants. Not all of them are expensive, and if you want to save money, our suggestion is California Pizza Kitchen. In the end, if you still have energy (I'm tired just imagining doing this entire itinerary, rs), you can enjoy another night show.

The most recommended are the magic show Mat Franco: Magic Reinvented Nightly at the LINQ Hotel or the Absinthe, at Caesars Palace (but you need to understand English for this one). Depending on the time of the show, it may be best to watch first and have dinner later.

This is a day you won't stop for a second. If you think it will be too busy, visit just one hotel before lunch and just one other before going to the Venetian (a must), if you don't go to the beach club.

Half Day in Las Vegas

If Vegas is your last stop, leave the last morning to have a leisurely coffee (or even a brunch) and make your last purchases. If you wish, you can also visit a nearby hotel.

If you are going to San Diego, my suggestion is to leave mid-morning after having a hearty snack. Don't leave it too late to start driving, as the journey takes another five hours by car and may involve traffic.

And there they are… ALL tips for putting together an itinerary around California and Las Vegas! From which cities to visit to the order, where to stay, best attractions, where to eat and more.

Do you have any questions? Do you think there was something missing? Just leave it in the comments!

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