BootsnAll Travel Community

Hey guys,

me and 2 mates are going to meet up with my mate in the us who lives in Dallas. So the trouble we are in is where to spend New Years with our travel schedule.

So far we are flying into LA on the Dec 6th then doing our own thing to San Deigo. Then Flying to Dallas around the 16th (cant go earlier cause mate finishes exmas then).
THen spend Xmas in Dallas and then the plan was fly to Vegas on the 29th and do NYE then leave vegas on the 2nd and go to San Fran and work our way down to fly out on the 10th from LA.

So Vegas sounded cool idea for NYE. but we are all 22 and students so we dont have a massive massive budget. but i hear vegas for NYE is just packed and you cant do anything, clubs surcharge go's through the roof, alot of clubs dont open the days before it.

So does anyone know if vegas would be doable at this time on a budget? or can anyone reccomend somewhere better? what about san fran?

San Francisco is ok for NYE...to go to the clubs you'll usually pay 100-125$ (maybe a little more these days) for open bar and dancing all night. Union Square used to have a big party, but I don't think it does anymore.

In my experience, NYE in SF is a bit of a subdued affair (with lots of drunk suburban kids trying to get home on BART). Someone can feel absolutely free to correct me, as I am old and no longer into the big crowds.

Vegas on NYE is not only packed but very expensive. Those cheap hotels you hear about are triple or more normal. The biggies...ie. anywhere without cockroaches and 15 minute hookers are not only expensive but are booked weeks in advance.

Couple tips for Vegas. CheapoVegas. These guys sound a lot like you. They offer cheap tips to the extreme. One idea which might work with the crowds is two sleep in your car. Dress warm... the desert freezes at night. But the crowds..while noisy.. add a certain security factor. I'd try it in a casino parking lot. If and I doubt anyone would say anything..tell them you felt too drunk to return to your hotel. Lots of stuff going on not just in the clubs. Especially if anyone is blowing up a major hotel (something they often do on NYE) then it's street party time.

San Francisco... where unfortunately they don't blow up large buildings... is going to be the most expensive place on average on your route. Besides... the 29th to the 2nd is a long time in Vegas. That background noise from the slots is enough to drive you crazy. Finding someplace nice on NYE in SF for $100 is going to be really pushing it. If you are old enough to realize it is possible to have a good time without drinking overpriced liquor until you throw up there are some options along your route that are kinda distinctly American.

In the Vegas area (widely speaking) the Grand Canyon or Death Valley are a couple of options. Finding a place in GC without a prior reservation would be tough so you'd have to plan that one. Or just drive down to Winslow and hang on a corner.

Bay Area... head north to the wine country. Go south to San Jose and then start looking around. Tad further south and you hit the Monterey Bay area. This is all presuming you have a car. It's illegal to travel in the US without one. What a lot of foreign tourists don't realize is that while San Francisco is filled with over priced venues and pedofiles on the city council within a 2-3 hours drive in any direction(uh..except west) is some of the nicest parts of the US.

Tahoe is a straight run on the highway. State route 49 turn off from there takes you through the California Mother Lode. This is where the gold rush took place. Scads of towns from population 50-5000 that still celebrate that era. If you were up here now you could visit the jumping frog contest. (Read Twain). I've my place up in the hills here. 20 miles from Yosemite. Kinda interesting in the winter as the side roads into the compounds tend to be shut..but then you, even as Brits probably don't wanna go there. Bears and Bigfoot are in hibernation. You can go skiing... or ride the Hooterville Cannonball... one of the icons of American history. No fancy clubs..but some good saloons and biker bars. One is probably the only place in the US where you can still order a beer and buy a gun at the same bar. (Legally that is).

thanks thats really good informaiton. yeah we are coming for australia. pretty much on NYE its not about getting drunk just want to have a good time. i have plently of NYE where you plan something big and it ends up you just stuck in lines all night and not having fun.

i think at the moment vegas will has to do. considering we are staying in hostels the rest of the time. i think we can afford to atleast hotel there

There is also lots of advice on here about Vegas and the West Coast. A quick search will bring them up and be very helpful for you.

Unless you have a real desire to go to Vegas, an option would be to fly to New Orleans for NYE-they have a spectacular party there and flights RT from Dallas can be less than $150.