I know I would like to do the flight over the Grand Canyon and the Universal Studios tour, but am not sure I am fussed about the other optionals. Could anyone give me some advise any of the other experiences? Also, I'm a bit worried that if I decide not to do one I will be left on my own while everyone else off on the tour.

I would very much like to go to Alcatraz, and my friend has passed me a free whale watching pass she obtained on her trip to San Francisco last year. Would there be enough time for me to do these?

This is definately a trip i would like to take, just looking for a little reassurance. Any tips would be really appreciated.

Thanks

Lynne

Did Alcatraz a few years ago (before my JY holiday) and to be honest its nothing special considering you don't have much time and there are other things to see, just do the bay cruise which sales past and get some nice photos of it.

Not sure which optionals are possible they seem to have changed the holiday from 2 years ago, Universal was included back then.

Don't bother with the Queen Mary at Long Beach, waste of the entry fee.

The Rat pack show in vegas is good fun with a decent meal thrown in, worth doing.

Its a great holiday but very hectic you'll love it.

I have just booked this holiday for the 10th September. I asked loads of questions on the phone about the extra tours because i couldn't decide. you don't have to book them until about a week before you go and the lady i spoke to said that they send out some info in the post when you have booked the holiday it so it is a little easier to digest. I spent hours researching every hotel and all the areas it is going to and spent hours on here asking questions. everyone is so friendly. Only being 24 that was a little bit worrying for me but all the replies i got was just telling me to do it and it was only a problem if i let it. Once you ring up and see how friendly and reassuring the staff are you just won't be able to resist booking it... Good Luck

Hannah

I did the America's Golden West tour as my first JY trip last summer (was 33 at the time). Age really isn't an issue. The tour itself is fantastic, my tips on the excursions:

San Fran - I had always wanted to go to Alcatraz and even pre booked on the internet but didn't end up going. You get really up close to it on the bay harbour boat trip and there were so many other things I wanted to do such as ride the cable car etc. In reality you will only have 1/2 a day free (actually, more like 4 hours!)

LA - like Mick, Universal Studios was an included excursion for us but I would still recommend going, albeit we were there in the school summer holidays so did a lot of queuing. The LA tour in the morning is great.

Palm Springs - I did the tour in the morning (desert zoo was good, driving around looking at where people you have hardly heard of once lived not so much - I fell asleep). When they say hollywood houses they mean hollywood stars of the 50's & 60's. Didn't do the Aeriel Tramway as by that stage I was ready for an afternoon off! With hindsight I would probably swap that day and do the afternoon tour, its about the only chance to have an extra hours sleep in the morning.

Las Vegas - didn't do the Rat Pack show as not my taste in music, but there are plenty of other shows which the hotel concierge can sort tickets for you. There are also lots of free 15 minute 'shows' in the various hotels, and don't miss the fountains at the Bellagio - we went back again on our last night!

Grand Canyon - I did the skywalk trip which was fantastic and gave plenty of time to just sit and take in the breathtaking scenery. Whilst the people on our trip enjoyed the helicopter 3 in 1, they did say it all felt a bit rushed.

My top tip is to go with what you want to do, excursions are personal preference and you will have such a great time whatever - don't miss the opportunity!

Have fun

Caroline

I loved San Francisco and visted Alkcatraz which was very interesting, You get an audio tape which guides you aroundwith the voices of ex-convicts and guards.

Universal Studios was great fun. Like Caroline, I enoyed the desert zoo in Plam Springs but wasn't impressed with the tour around "stars" homes. I did the aerial tramway excursion which was good fun. T-shirt weather at the bottom but deep snow at the top.

Unlike Mick I did go on the Queen Mary when we went to Long Beach and found it quite interesting.

When I did the tour, you could fly down into the Grand Canyon by helicopter and then ride in a boat along the river but you cannot fly down into the canyon now. It's achoce of flying over it in either a heicopter or a plane.

Las Vegas was fantastic. I didn't go to any shows but just spent the evening(s) walking around looking at the free entertainment like the fountain show at the Bellagio and wondering around the different casinos soaking up the atmosphere. You have to go to Fremont streeet and see the light show!

All in all it's a great trip.

Regds

Jim

Thank you everyone for your advise. After much deliberating and research, I have finally booked myself in for 15th October. Let the countdown begin!

Hi Lynne,

I am also booked on this date, my second Just You holiday. If the first is anything to go by we will have a blast. Only 6 months to go....!!! lol

Em

I am also on the 15th October, quite looking forward to it - I haven't been on a holiday on my own before (and haven't even been on holiday in about 7 years or more..!) so I'm definitely hoping it will be great.

I am also quite keen to go to Alcatraz, especially since the show has been on TV I've been more and more interested in it (even though the inmates on the show are fictional)!

Where are both of you from?

I'm in Kent.

Don't worry, you will have a good time.

I also want to go to Alcatraz, among other places. I tried to watch Alcatraz but only managed the 1st episode and didn't really enjoy it.

Em

I too haven't been on holiday for about seven years and i'm looking forward to this more every day!

I live right on the Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire boarders so im lucky to only be about half an hour from heathrow.

I have been recording Alcatraz but haven't watched any of it yet. Will have to make sure I catch up before we go.