The wife and I will fly out of Arkansas to Las Vegas Monday night. We have a rental car and are going to Yosemite and Sequoia national park. Is there any suggestions about other must see things while we're there? If time permits we are going to drive a short section of highway 1 by the coast, but we have to catch a flight back on Friday...so not much time. It's been 20 years since I've been to California.

In Vegas?
Besides Guitar Center and Sam Ash you mean?
And a Cirque du Soleil show called Zarkana? :P
 
A few of my own favorite things:
 
Sight-seeing wise, I love both Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon.
The Da Vinci The Exhibition is one of the most breath-taking things I've seen in my life. 
The National Museum of Atomic Testing was also well worth the detour.
Lion Ranch Habitat - if you like big cats. Plus, for an extra fee, we got to play with a cub and feed it. One of the best times of my life!
 
Sharks at the Bellagio were not bad but not as impressive as I'd hoped either.
Secret Garden and Dolphin habitat I dug - but again, not all that impressive - there are better alternatives in other cities.
 
I'll try to think of others and let you know if anything comes up.
 
I know there's a pinball museum which I intend to visit someday soon.
 
And of course, I'm a big fan of the KISS mini golf, but that's just me. :P
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Incidentally - I did miss the opportunity to see Yosemite Park but my wife and her parents went last year and they've convinced me that I would have to see it for myself eventually. So I guess it's a good choice. :)

Have you been up to Zion or Bryce, Rain? Very beautiful.

Beautiful indeed, Mike. The vast,desolate expanses of Utah have their own flavor. It's strange in a way, but when you cross from Colorado to Utah, the change in scenery is almost immediate.
 
Clint, we just got back from driving Hwy 1. We picked it up at San Francisco, and drove it to the Northern end. I'm not sure how it is down South, but that Northern stretch is a white knuckle road, especially at 4:00AM. It was intense, but tolerable when the sun came up. And it was very pretty.
Have a good trip!

MakeShift
Have you been up to Zion or Bryce, Rain? Very beautiful.

Not yet, but I'm hoping to soon enough, though maybe not for next vacation. My wife asked me earlier this week if I still wanted to visit Memphis, Nashville and drive down to New Orleans and then back home though Texas, New Mexico, and all. That was my suggested vacation plan for last winter, and it looks like it could happen early next year.
 
This would be a good time before all the historical studios in Nashville are turned into condos and such... 

Wow, in Vegas and all you mention is Sam Ash and GC?  Did the late Ed Roman's place close down?  Now THAT is the place you want to check out! 

craigb
Wow, in Vegas and all you mention is Sam Ash and GC?  Did the late Ed Roman's place close down?  Now THAT is the place you want to check out! 

Last I heard, yes it did actually. :/ 
 
"We have closed our retail display & showrooms in order to concentrate fully on serious customers & internet sales. We do still have a showroom that is opened by appointment to pro musicians, collectors, serious & previous customers.
 
To make an appointment please call us at (702) 875-4552. We are available during our posted hours of operation.
We want people to call for an appointment and not just drop in. If you just drop in, be prepared to be turned away. It is rude to turn people away but we guarantee a wonderful shopping experience for the person who calls first."
 
 

Cowtown Guitar is still open though. :) Highly recommended by my local guitar playing friends.
 
http://www.cowtownguitars.com
 

If you hit Vegas and like the Beatles, try and see "Love" at the Mirage. (And Rain's suggestion of Zarkana.)

Also a visit to the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop which is the pawn store made famous from the cable show Pawn Stars.

And the Bellagio fountains are a nice treat.