If you’re planning a drive from California to Vegas then you are about to experience the trip of a lifetime! There is a huge amount to see and experience on the way through this part of America, with legendary landmarks like the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam positioned along the way and the glitz of Las Vegas waiting for you at the end of the journey. If you’re not entirely sure exactly how to make this trip then here is an idea for a drive from California to Vegas – an itinerary.

The Hollywood Sign

Start your trip in Los Angeles, City of Angels, Hollywood and all things celeb. Before you set off be sure to take in the famous Hollywood sign, flex your credit cards in the shops and boutiques of Rodeo Drive, surf the Venice Breakwater and take a stroll down Santa Monica Pier. If you have time, have dinner at one of the city’s legendary vegan restaurants – such as Leaf Organics – and prepare for your road trip the Californian way with some energising raw food.

Palm Springs Wind Mills

From Los Angeles, head for Palm Springs. Dubbed ‘Hollywood’s playground,’ Palm Springs has provided a getaway for celebs needing a quick escape from the intensity of Los Angeles. Dean Martin, Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra all had holiday homes here and it was a famous spot for couples looking for somewhere for an elicit rendezvous. More recently, it has become the location for the legendary annual event ‘Spring Break’ when thousands of students use their reading week to drink and be merry (and usually end up being sick on themselves and sleeping in a hedge).

Hoover Dam

Once you have partied on in Palm Springs, move on to Laughlin, a haven for golfers, shoppers, water sports enthusiasts and anyone who wants to be completely pampered in some of the US’s most luxurious spas. If you have time, stop and take in a cruise on the Colorado River on one of the paddlewheel steamship replicas that ply up and down the waters or head out to the Hoover Dam,which sits an awe-inspiring 70 stories high and is considered one of the wonders of the industrial world.

From Laughlin, head on to the Grand Canyon, another infamous landmark in the US (and one of the seven wonders of the natural world). The canyon is 277 miles long and more than 18 miles wide and is an awe inspiring sight, whatever the weather. You can take the Grand Canyon Skywalk for some really stunning views, but this is not one for anyone with a fear of heights!

Lake Powell

The beautiful reservoir of Lake Powell is the next stop on the itinerary, the second largest man made reservoir in the US. The lake is fantastic for fishing, swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling and you can even take an atmospheric plane ride over the impressive stretch of water. Head on from here to Bryce Canyon, a giant, natural amphitheatre of incredible red orange and white rocks with a fascinating, otherworldly feel. You can go canyoneering here, sign up for an aerial tour of the area, go biking or off-roading or simply explore the thousands of delicately carved spires that make up the amphitheatre on foot.

Finally, drive on to Las Vegas, the last stop on the itinerary and the best place to spend all of the rest of your holiday money. You’ll find no shortage of things to do once you get here!

Las Vegas Strip

These ideas for a trip from California to Vegas are just suggestions and it’s very easy to miss out any of the sights that you are not that keen on, or add in additional stop offs like Zion or Death Valley. Just make sure you leave plenty of time for your trip so you can really get to know this fascinating part of America. We recommend Alamo for cheap car hire in the USA – they have pickup locations at lots of locations in California and you can drop off at Vegas airport.

As celebrity chefs and enterprising newcomers flock to the luxury resorts of Las Vegas, the city has become known as destination for fine dining. As befits a city in the American west, steakhouses are among the most popular restaurants in town. The following are a few of our favourites.

Prime at the Bellagio

Hung with light blue velvet draperies and commissioned artworks, Prime at the Bellagio is the most beautiful and elegant steakhouse in Las Vegas. One of the few fine-dining establishments in the city with outdoor seating, Prime features a beautiful and private garden patio. Complementing the striking atmosphere, Prime offers a menu that includes seafood, lamb and a variety of aged beef. Steaks are paired with sensational sauces and a selection of robust California red wines.

Dinner Service: Daily, 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Reservations: Recommended.
Attire: Business casual. No shorts for gentlemen or ladies; no children under five years of age, please.
Select Steak Offerings: Filet Mignon; Rib Eye; Porterhouse; $48 – $70
Side Dishes: $10 – $18

Craftsteak at the MGM Grand

In addition to prime cuts of aged beef – the Kobe skirt steak is the speciality of the house – the menu at Craftsteak features an extensive seafood selection. Known for offering both vegetarian and vegan meals, Chef Tom Seeber pairs his steaks with exquisitely prepared farm-fresh vegetables. The décor is comfortable and rustic. Along with an extensive wine list, connoisseurs can choose from 200 scotch and bourbon labels.

Dinner Service: Sunday – Thursday, $5:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Friday – Saturday, 5:00pm – 10:30pm
Reservations: Highly recommended.
Attire: Business casual.
Select Steak Offerings: Dry-Aged T-Bone; Filet Mignon; Grilled Kobe Skirt Steak
Prix Fixe: Three course menus beginning at $115

Delmonico Steakhouse at the Venetian

Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse puts a more casual spin on the updated Las Vegas steakhouse with his signature restaurant, named after the New Orleans institution. Elegant yet informal, Delmonico serves traditional American fare with a Cajun twist. Sides include Anson Mills grits with cheddar and bacon and New Orleans creamed spinach. Happy hour and game day specials are available in the attached bar.

Dinner Service: Sunday – Thursday, 5:00pm – 10:00pm; Friday – Saturday, 5:00pm – 10:30pm
Reservations: Recommended; Walk-ins welcome.
Attire: Business casual; smart casual welcome. No sleeveless shirts for gentlemen.
Select Steak Offerings: Rib Eye; Filet Mignon; NY Strip; $46 – $50
Side Dishes: $9

Stripsteak at the Mandalay Bay

Sleekly modern in design, Michael Mina’s Las Vegas steakhouse offers a wide variety of both Angus and American Kobe beef. The unique cooking process in which the cuts are gently vacuum poached before they are grilled produces an exceptionally tender result. Stripsteak is known for its creative side dishes including duck spring rolls and Hamachi sashimi. A relaxed atmosphere, attached lounge and later operating hours make Stripsteak popular with the younger set.

Dinner Service: Daily, 5:30pm – 11:00pm
Reservations: Highly recommended.
Attire: Dressy.
Select Steak Offerings: Angus Dry-Aged Rib Eye; 30 oz. Porterhouse; American Kobe Filet $36 – $85
Side Dishes: $9 – $16

Most people are surprised to learn that it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to really enjoy a fun holiday getaway in Las Vegas. Sure, there are lots of ways to spend (or lose) your money here, but there are also endless ways to entertain yourself without spending a dime. The trick to a memorable, low-cost Las Vegas holiday is to pick one or two things a day to splash out on and spend the rest of the time just soaking in the amazing spectacle of the Strip.

With hotel room rates averaging at US$125 a night for most of the mid-range resorts along the Las Vegas Strip, accommodation here is actually pretty good value considering the wealth of amenities you get with your hotel. But to save even more on lodging, simply stay off-Strip at chain hotels like the Travelodge or Downtown hotels around Fremont Street. The Strip is just five minutes away by bus or taxi. If you have a thing for clowns, the family-friendly Circus Circus resort has the cheapest rooms on the Strip, although it’s located at the very northern end of the boulevard, far from any real action.

Most visitors are more than willing to pay a few bucks more to stay right in the heart of the glittering action of the Strip. Some of the best mid-range resorts like Rio, Bally’s and the Flamingo have very affordable room rates and are located just minutes from the really flash resorts like the Bellagio, the Venetian and Caesar’s. Unless you plan on spending time in your room, there’s little reason to pay a lot for it. Mid-range resorts all have excellent rooms and facilities like pools and game rooms.

The Strip is where virtually all of Sin City’s attractions are found. Every resort has a theme and at least one attraction worth checking out. Anyone can wander around any of the resorts, even the posh ones like Wynn Las Vegas. The dancing musical water fountains of the Bellagio and the erupting volcano at the Mirage are free for anyone willing to stop and take a look. There are even a couple of free shows, like the Mardi-Gras themed Show in the Sky at Rio and Treasure Island’s rather cheesy sexy pirate regale (main image).

For many visitors, just witnessing the over-the-top opulence of resorts like City Center, Wynn Encore and the Palazzo is good fun. Put aside a little cash to enjoy one of the star-studded restaurants or bars inside to make the experience more complete. There are gondolas cruising canals at the Venetian and a stunning indoor botanical garden in the Bellagio’s Conservatory to enjoy.

If you’re on a budget, you probably won’t want to splash out at any of the luxury retailers, but window shopping is free. The shopping arcades at Caesar’s Palace, the Grand Canal Shoppes of the Venetian and the classy boutiques of the Palazzo are absolutely stunning. Every big name in the world is here, from Tiffany’s to Prada.

A staple of the cheap Las Vegas experience is the all-you-can-eat hotel buffet. Resorts at the lower end of the price scale have reasonably-priced buffets, enabling guests to fill up once a day then supplement their hunger with cheap steak and eggs or a dash to McDonalds. Naturally, food quality and selection are reflected in the buffet fee. The buffet at Wynn Las Vegas is as fine dining as any restaurant, but you pay for the quality.

You can even catch a top-flight Vegas show at half price if you’re flexible with the selection and willing to wait until the last minute. There are agents that sells off unsold seats at half the face value on the day of the show. Listings are posted at 09:30 every morning and there are eight kiosks selling such tickets around the Strip. There are even similar discounts on dining and attractions as well.

Happy hour is easy to find in all but the most exclusive bars, ranging from two-for-one drinks and free snacks to all-you-can-drink deals like the one of the Stratosphere’s C Bar. Keep in mind that Vegas doesn’t have open container laws, so it’s okay to wander around the Strip with your beverage in hand.

Everyone wants to try their luck in the casinos while in Vegas but few, if any, games on the Strip are cheap. Budget punters will have to forego the card tables and stick to the penny slots, which have made a welcome return to most casinos in recent years. Sports betting is also readily available, with low minimum bets.

The world economy may be in the gutter but that isn’t stopping Las Vegas from pushing ahead with dozens of new projects and attractions in 2012, aimed at luring back the tourists that keep Sin City in business. Visitors can expect everything from new restaurants to new casino entertainment in Las Vegas 2012. Best of all, with the recession hanging on like a lingering head cold, hotel rates remain at their lowest in years so you’ll have more money to spend on fun.

Circus Circus will have its newest interactive attraction, the Chuck Jones Experience, open by the end of the year. Part workshop and part cartoon immersion, this kid-friendly venue allows voice over and hands-on work with some of the greatest cartoon characters of all time, like Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny. Another winner for kids and adults alike is the new and as yet unnamed water park slated to open by Memorial Day 2012.

The legendary Nobu Japanese sushi chain will soon be entrenched in Caesar’s Palace as a novel hotel dining concept. The casino’s ageing Centurion Tower will get a complete makeover, transforming itself into a Japanese-style mini-hotel with a Nobu restaurant and lounge in the lobby. Also in Caesar’s, singer Rod Stewart begins a two-year engagement in the Colosseum Lounge that will run throughout 2012.

At the southern end of the Strip, across from Mandalay Bay, a new development, Skyvue Las Vegas, looks set to open its doors for New Year’s Eve 2012. The retail, entertainment and restaurant complex will feature a roller coaster and a 467-foot observation wheel akin to the London Eye that’s sure to be a hit.

The mobster roots of Las Vegas are also finally being put on display with a new interactive attraction in the Tropicana. The Mob Experience showcases a fascinating collection of mobster memorabilia as well as videos of famous mod figures talking about the early days of Sin City.

If you need a break from the Strip, Vegas has a new development in the western part of the city that harks back to Old Europe. Tivoli Village is a beautiful European style village filled with retail shops, restaurants, cinemas and other entertainment venues. There’s no casino, which means Tivoli is refreshingly calm and quiet. Shopping and eating al fresco are the orders of the day.

As if Vegas needed another place to gamble. The latest addition to the city’s many casinos is the Magaritaville Casino in the Flamingo. Fans of American singer Jimmy Buffet will undoubtedly be thrilled by the chance to revel in all things beach bum while gambling at the tables and dining at his signature Margaritaville restaurant.

More of an adrenalin rush can be found at the X Scream, the Strip’s newest thrill ride at the Stratosphere. Playing on your fear of falling several hundred feet onto the pavement below, X Scream is like a roller coaster that totters and swivels. It’s extremely scary and guaranteed to get the blood pumping.

If miniature golf always felt a little tame, then the new KISS-themed Rock’n Mini Golf is sure to impress. The legendary hard rock band, KISS, is adding their touch of excessive make-up and rowdy music to the Vegas Strip by opening a coffee shop to complement their new indoor mini-golf course. Apparently, Gene Simmons is a big coffee geek.

One part of Las Vegas that has been enjoying loads up sprucing up in the past year is the Downtown core around Fremont Street. The original strip back in the early days of Vegas, Fremont at one time decayed into a dirty, dangerous place that was best avoided as all the business moved to the new Strip. Restored and cleaned up, Glitter Gulch today gives visitors a whole new area of old-school casinos and hotels to explore. It’s a refreshingly authentic side of Vegas, where local punters outnumber wide-eyed tourists and everything is a lot cheaper and more tranquil.

A dark note along the Strip for 2012 will be the demolition of MGM’s Harmon Tower. Located right in the heart of the Strip, next to City Center, this incomplete high-rise is slated to come down next year, creating a big, noisy and unsightly mess and disrupting the flow of people around this pivotal block.

Also set for the chopping block after decades in the spotlight is the Sahara. Already closed, this iconic casino hotel is scheduled to be imploded sometime around the end of 2012. Vegas implosions are surrounded by a lot of fanfare, so there will certainly be a big event planned around this spectacle.