Viva Las Vegas
Shows, dining, pools and desert scenery, about an hour and a half from Northern California.
There's more to Vegas than the casino floor
Las Vegas began in 1905 as a railroad stop in the Mojave Desert. Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, the same year work started on nearby Hoover Dam, and the city has been reinventing itself ever since: from mob-era casinos downtown to the giant themed resorts of the Strip and the headline shows and celebrity-chef restaurants of today.
The Strip is about four miles of resorts along Las Vegas Boulevard, each with its own shows, pools, shops and restaurants. Downtown, Fremont Street is where it all started, with vintage neon signs and a light-show canopy over the street. Beyond the city, the desert is spectacular: Red Rock Canyon is about half an hour west, Hoover Dam is under an hour away, and the Grand Canyon makes an unforgettable day trip.
Spring and fall are the best times to visit, with warm days that are perfect for the pool and the golf course. Summer is very hot, often well over 100°F, though the pools are at their liveliest. Winter is mild and sunny, with cool nights. Big conventions and holiday weekends fill hotels quickly, so a little flexibility on dates goes a long way.
Las Vegas at a glance
Our favorite ways to spend your time
Not an exhaustive list, just the things our travelers come home talking about.
Things to do
- See a showAcrobatic spectaculars, magic, comedy and big-name music residencies. Some sell out weeks ahead, so we'll help you book early.
- Spend a day at the poolMany resorts have elaborate pool complexes with cabanas, lazy rivers and adults-only areas.
- Play a round of golfDesert courses with mountain views are at their best in spring and fall. Book early morning tee times in warmer months.
- Take a Grand Canyon day tripDrive or tour to the West Rim and its glass Skywalk, or fly over the canyon by plane or helicopter.
- Walk Fremont StreetOld Las Vegas downtown, with classic casinos, street performers and the light show overhead after dark.
Places to go
- The StripThe heart of the action: mega-resorts, fountains, shopping and restaurants, best explored on foot in the evening.
- Downtown & the Arts DistrictVintage neon, local bars and galleries, and a more relaxed, old-school side of the city.
- Red Rock CanyonA 13-mile scenic drive through red sandstone cliffs, with easy hikes, about 30 minutes from the Strip.
- Hoover DamAn engineering wonder on the Colorado River, with tours inside the dam and views of Lake Mead.
- The Grand CanyonThe West Rim is about two and a half hours away. The South Rim is farther but worth an overnight stay.
Things to see
- The Bellagio fountainsWater dancing to music every evening on the Strip, and free to watch from the sidewalk.
- The Neon MuseumA "boneyard" of restored classic signs from old Las Vegas, especially fun on an evening tour.
- The Strip from aboveAn observation deck or high-rise lounge shows off the lights after dark.
- Valley of Fire State ParkFiery red sandstone and ancient petroglyphs, about an hour northeast of the city.
- The Grand Canyon SkywalkA horseshoe-shaped glass walkway that extends out over the canyon at the West Rim.
What to eat in Las Vegas
Dishes to order
- Shrimp cocktailA Las Vegas classic since the early downtown days, chilled and served with tangy cocktail sauce.
- The buffetA Vegas institution, with stations covering just about every cuisine you can think of.
- A great steakLas Vegas has some of the best steakhouses in the country. Dress up a little and make a night of it.
- Late-night noodlesBowls of pho, ramen and hand-pulled noodles in Chinatown, open long after the shows let out.
Where to eat
- Celebrity-chef restaurantsMany of the world's best-known chefs have restaurants on the Strip. Reservations are a must.
- Chinatown on Spring Mountain RoadA few minutes off the Strip, with Asian restaurants of every kind and plenty of local favorites.
- Downtown and the Arts DistrictCasual, creative spots, breweries and cocktail bars where locals go.
What to drink
- A classic cocktail with a viewA martini or an old fashioned at a lounge overlooking the lights of the Strip.
- Poolside frozen drinksPiña coladas and daiquiris on a lounger are part of the Vegas routine.
- Water, lots of itThe desert air is dry, even in winter. Keep a bottle with you, especially on day trips.
Let's plan your Las Vegas trip
Las Vegas is a quick trip from the Central Valley, and we can match you with the right resort, show tickets and side trips for the way you like to travel. Tell us when you'd like to travel and we'll come back with options and current pricing.
