SAN DIEGO & LAS VEGAS ADVENTURE

Photography, Travel
san diego to las vegas by plane

In September 2012, my husband and I flew down to San Diego, California, to visit my mother. (She was 88 at the time.) San Diego is an American paradise and we enjoyed the sights immensely.

On the way back, we spent three nights in Las Vegas. That was fun but exhausting! (Sadly, we weren’t lucky at gambling either.) So much walking, and we aren’t getting any younger. Here’s a pictorial of our trip:

PART ONE:  SAN DIEGO

www.sandiego.org

OLD TOWN

Old Town 500px
My favourite “hangout” in San Diego; OLD TOWN. Best Margaritas anywhere!
http://www.oldtownsandiegoguide.com/
El Fandango, San Diego
The El Fandango Restaurant in Old Town, San Diego. It has quite a history:
fandango.html

SEAPORT VILLAGE

Seaport Village, San Diego
Took a day off with hubby here. It’s a beautiful 14-acre complex right on the Pacific Ocean.
http://www.seaportvillage.com/
Hyatt Hotel and Seaport Village, San Diego
Hyatt Hotel (shaped like a razor) and Marriott Hotels in the background. San Diego has a lot of unique architecture.
seaport village fountain
Seaport Village, San Diego

DOWNTOWN

Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego
Downtown San Diego; the hub for dining out and nightlife.
www.gaslamp.org

BALBOA PARK

horticultural building and pond
Lily pond and exterior of the Horticultural Building, Balboa Park
lily pond
Lily pond, full view
Mother at Balboa Park
Mother, inside the horticultural building. We rented a wheelchair for her because she couldn’t walk that far. 
horticultural building, San Diego
Casa del Prado building Balboa Park, San Diego
Casa del Prado building
https://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/regional/balboa/casadelprado
cactus garden
Cactus Garden; the most fascinating one of all!
cactus garden
cactus garden
Cactus Garden 1

PART TWO: LAS VEGAS

http://www.visitlasvegas.co.uk

THE FAMOUS VEGAS STRIP

Planet Hollywood
Planet Hollywood. Had dinner here our first night, with a dear friend. Fantastic buffet – lots of seafood! ☺
We didn’t think to take pictures, as we were having such a good time. (This is a Google shot.)
Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas
The beautiful Bellagio Hotel. Was trying to save a few bucks, so we just rented a room at the Travelodge on the strip. Not the greatest decision! 😕
Paris Hotel, Las Vegas
The amazing Paris Hotel. Loved the interior!
It was made to look like the outdoors in Paris, including the bridge over the Seine River.
paris las vegas inside
Paris Hotel interior
monte carlo
The Monte Carlo Hotel in the foreground and New York, New York, behind.
Las Vegas NY NY Hotel
New York, New York Hotel. This was our favourite! If we ever come back, I’d like to stay here.
They recreated entire buildings and streetscapes of New York City. It was also easy to find your way around.
NY NY, Las Vegas
NY NY Las Vegas
NY NY Hotel, interior
Interior; restaurants and shops. They also have a Coney Island area and a giant roller coaster.
NYFD Dinghy, NY NY Hotel
Exterior of New York, New York Hotel – Replica of Fire Dept. dinghy
Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas
The beautiful Venetian – complete with Gondola rides. Sadly, we didn’t get the chance to try it. (They weren’t operating) 
the mirage
The Mirage, where Siegfried and Roy had their white tiger act for decades.
Mirage and Treasure Island Hotels, Las Vegas
Street view. Treasure Island in the background.
Capt. Jack Sparrow look-a-like, Las Vegas
Actor as Capt. Jack Sparrow.
Street performers in various costumes were everywhere. 
Harrah's
Harrah’s, one of the older hotels. All of them have been renovated.
flamingo hotel
The infamous Bugsy Siegel hotel. He was killed because of it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamingo_Las_Vegas#Bugsy_Siegel
caesar's palace
The famous Caesar’s Palace, another giant hotel complex with a huge mall attached.
We didn’t have time to go in, but it’s one of the most expensive hotels.
Luxor Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
The Luxor Hotel. This was just being built last time I was here, in 1989.
Home of Magician Criss Angel’s “Believe” show, which we attended. It was amazing!
Luxor light show, Las Vegas
Nocturnal Light Show (from Google; my camera messed up)
Criss Angel
Criss Angel, at the end of the show.
No pictures allowed prior. We thoroughly enjoyed it!
Luxor stage
The elaborate stage
Titanic piece of ship, Las Vegas
While at the Luxor, we toured The Titanic exhibit so fascinating!
No photos allowed, so this is from Google. It’s an actual piece of the ship.
bodies exhibit
Also toured this exhibit, where they use real bodies.
Apparently there are many different incarnations of this.
The one we saw was quite the anatomy lesson. Very educational!
(From Google again; no pictures allowed)
http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/
the excaliber
The Excalibur; right next to the Luxor. King Arthur’s Court is the theme.

DOWNTOWN: THE FREMONT ST. EXPERIENCE

golden nugget
The downtown area has been turned into a pedestrian mall. Last time I was here, the streets were wide open.
This is much nicer, with a light-diffusing overhang, to block out the burning rays of sun. The famous Golden Nugget is on the left.
downtown las vegas

It was fun!  This was my second trip to Vegas, and much has changed since the last time.
I’d like to go back again in a few years.  I’m sure it will have evolved even more.

giant coke bottle storefront
Thirsty? 😃

Happy Trails!

Debbie signature style 5

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11 thoughts on “SAN DIEGO & LAS VEGAS ADVENTURE”

  2. Pingback: #AtoZChallenge: S is for SCINTILLATING
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  6. What a wonderful feast of photographs for us
    and lots of exciting memories for you Debbie 🙂
    Your mum looks very well and is enjoying her
    ride in that wheelchair, perhaps taking turns is
    fairer but hey you had fun so that is the main
    thing for such a fine holiday 🙂 Have a great rest
    of evening and a wonderful start to your week 🙂

    Androgoth xxx

    Reply