Best Trip in March

[Se7en]

Hey

My Japanese fiance's family (mother and sister) is coming to CA for the first time from March 14-26. We have not seen each other for a year now, and don't know when we will meet again.

I want to make this the experience of a lifetime, while still being affordable (I am a college senior with 3 jobs and 6 classes right now).

I want to take them to SD (2 days, where I live), LA (2 days), Las Vegas (4 days), and the Bay Area (San Fran (4 days) in these 12 days.

I plan to drive around, so if there's any spots I should hit on the way, please let me know!

Any recommendations on how to get the best deals for the hotels, shows, restaurants, attractions, etc. would be much appreciated!

I am fine with staying in a nice suite (share with 4 person) for half the time, and the other half with 2 rooms (so me and her can have alone time).

Thank you so much.

For Vegas, I plan to just use the half of ticket deal since we will stay there for 4 days.

I welcome all your help and hints and tips.

Best,

[ftuley]

Well if SD stands for South Dakota then you have the beautiful Black Hills of SD!
Also scenic South Dakota has numerous attractions, including entertainment, shows, plays, music events, shopping, Deadwood gambling, and Sturgis Bike Week and bike rally.
You can visit the awe-inspiring Mount Rushmore or view the magnificent carving of Crazy Horse. Take a trip through Custer State Park, in the heart of the Black Hills (where the buffalo roam) or the unique beauty of the Badlands. If you meant San Diego-The USS Midway is a fantastic experience to anyone, the hands on feel of being on an actual Navy Aircraft Carrier will excite even the dullest of individuals, and the truly hands on nature of the tour and the ship itself will bring out your explorative child at heart. This would make a great destination for the entire family as there is something for everyone. Cabrillo National Monument-Stately monument honoring Cabrillo, discoverer of San Diego Bay, is located in Point Loma that overlooks the city and the Bay. Don't miss the tide pools and the walk where you can experience the flora of San Diego before San Diego existed. A great place to relax and chill. The views are incredible. For five dollars you can go as many times as you want for a week. San Diego Zoo is also a nice place to visit, considered one of America's best, this famous zoo is home to some of the rarest animals in the world including giant pandas and koalas. Visitors explore animal habitats organized into 10 bioclimatic zones, from arctic tundra to rainforest.
In LA you have the California Science Center formerly known as the California Museum of Science and Industry, this interactive museum includes these exhibits: World of Life, Creative World, World of the Pacific and Worlds Beyond. And if you're travelling to L.A. with your fiance's sister and she is young , you have to check out this place, she would love it! The facility is ultramodern and recently constructed in the shell of a much older building. It is thoughtfully laid-out and it is easy to navigate. I love how the facility has all kinds of little details embedded throughout. Also Angeles National Forest, amazing beauty can be found in the canyons and mountains of Angeles National Forest, which can be reached in 30 minutes from Downtown LA. Angeles Crest Highway rises to 8000', with walks up to 10,000 foot mountains nearby. Mt. Wilson offers fantastic views of the LA Region, and on a clear day out to Catalina Island.
In Las Vegas I would like to recommend the Grand Adventures for the Grand Canyon tour! I have read wonderful comments on this Trip , It is everything you read about and more, excellent reviews on this one. Also you can visit the Bellagio Fountains, these 200-foot-tall fountains at the Bellagio hotel are choreographed to music for performances. A trip to Las Vegas isn't complete without them!" And Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, check out the Las Vegas Legends Room, where you can snap a photo with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. or Dean Martin. The Atomic Testing Museum, not-to-be-missed side trip away from the casinos in Las Vegas. The Atomic Testing Museum is perfect for all ages, although little kids might be scared by the Ground Zero theatre. It is an awesome and educational experience other than the normal shopping/gambling/drinking/dining in Las Vegas. It's a self-guided museum that goes through a time-line of the atomic age of the US, and Nevada's role in the testing of these dangerous devices. There are two different "theaters" that have 10+ minute movies. You have the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at Bellagio, If your family like flowers, do not miss this nice garden where you can see flower decoration at its best. The Eiffel Tower Experience is also a good one, the tower and restaurant sit atop the Paris Las Vegas hotel, wonderful views of Las Vegas if you go at night. The views of the strip are fantastic; the Bellagio fountain show looks great from up there as well. Great value for your money. Be careful of the queues though, this is a popular attraction, you won't find a better view in all of Vegas.
Bay Area San Francisco, Walk Over the Golden Gate Bridge-Stretching 4,200 feet and towering as high as a 65-story building, this well-known bridge is the gateway to San Francisco, take a Ferry to Sausalito-great inexpensive way to see the Bay and a fun way to get to Sausalito. Or Hike around Angel Island, pack a picnic and head over to Angel Island. Bring your hiking shoes and explore the island. Great views of Marin, the bridge and San Francisco.
Take a drive to Stinson Beach-great little beach town, usually cold except for a few days during the summer when it clears up and gets really hot. Great little restaurants and shops. It`s a nice walk along this beach, cold or not and breathing in the ocean air. Visit Yosemite!! You will not get tired of the amazing beauty of the Valley. Stay outside the gates at the Evergreen Lodge a rustic setting in the middle of the redwoods. There are great hiking trails near the lodge. Canoe the Russian River (Burkes Canoes) Float down the Russian River and enjoy beautiful views, a peaceful river and a lot of fun! ring , be prepared you can tip over. Outside the Bay area you have much more to do like The Wok Wiz Tour-Two-hour historical tour of San Francisco's Chinatown, Two-hour historical tour of San Francisco's Chinatown.
The daily tour of Chinatown that Wok Wiz offers, covers more history of the area and Chinese-Americans in the area, than food. There are several tour guides who may lead your trip, and each guide adds their own personal touch to the tour but they all cover some of the basic history of the area. This is a wonderful Adventure!
Alcatraz Island, located in the middle of San Francisco bay, is a must-see attraction for any visitor to the area. One of the most infamous prisons in the country for housing notorious criminals...Its definately a must see tour when you are in San Francisco. San Francisco Guided Segway Tour, San Francisco Day Segway tours explore the San Francisco waterfront including Fisherman's Wharf, Maritime Park and the Marina Green. San Francisco night Segway tours explore the spectacular nighttime...

Hope my answer has been helfpul and helps to give your family a great time!

Try using the "build your trip" flight comparsion tool here:Airlines and Flights it will
search multiple websites and get you the best price.

Links of interest:
Things To Do In Los Angeles
Los Angeles
San Diego

[Se7en]

Wow. You are too awesome!!!

Thank you so much. I am so appreciative of your wonderful tips and insights on all these places to go. I will let you know how it goes!

Thank you. You are an expert on having fun and traveling!