[jack_sparrow81]

If anyone is unsure about where to travel or ran out of ideas, Lake Tahoe is the place to go. My wife and I were looking a decent place to go for our honeymoon that wasn't too expensive and decided to go a travel agent. Most of the places in the Caribean (sp) were either too expensive or just not appetizing. We actually thought about going to the Grand Canyon since the farthest I have been is San Antonio and her Mobile. The lady mentioned Lake Tahoe and we were both for it. The place is just incredible and you definitely appreciate the beauty that God created (i'm rnot a tree hugger or anything). The weather was perfect as well (75 degrees during the day and low 40's at night--plus there is still snow on the mountains). If anyone needs anymore tips or suggestions, just let me know, but I highly recommend at least going once in your life. On a side note, we also went to San Fransisco and the Cali coast and were greatly disapointed. Alot of people talked up San Fran and I talked my wife to going to there instead of Yosemite ( I threw in the whole "there are cute seals all over the Bay area" which we didn't even see one. The whole problem was though I had no clue what to do there and I never heard of the Fisherman Wharf or Pier 39.

[Sly Fox]

Tahoe is great ... but so is much of the Rockies. If you like Tahoe, you'll love Jackson Hole. The Tetons and Yellowstone up the ante even if you miss the Nevada casinos.

[rueful]

You definitely missed alot by not going to Yosemite. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth, but that being said theres not as much to do as a few years ago, alot of the trails (like hiking half-dome) are restricted now because of rocks falling and so many deaths. The west coast is a great place too, you just have to know what to do, and sometimes when to go. Funny story.

Im a senior in highschool and my girlfriend wants to go to san fran. Dont pay much attention just go the next available day we have (lived 2 hours away but could take the YART in). Just so happened we were there during the Gay Pride festivities. Talk about awkward...

I went to Tahoe when I was like 5 with my family, and we went to the set of Bonanza and what not, and other than that I dont remember what else there is to do there, what are some of the other activities there sparrow? (I ask because im planning a honeymoon myself)

[jack_sparrow81]

We went parasailing, white water rafting (about 45 minutes away), zip lining down a mountain (called Heavenly mountain). They also had fishing charters, and boat/jet ski rentals and this new idea which seemed cool but we didn't do it. You stand on a surfboard and stand up and paddlearound the lake like a canoe, but standing up. Their was this incredible paddle boat dinner sunset cruise (tahoe queen) that we did that toured the southern end of the lake and went to the lake most famous spot Emerald Bay. If you have chance look at the pics of Emerald Bay online. It's amazing. There is so much to do around the area though that we wanted to do, but couldn't due to time restraints. There is tons of concerts there too all week (Kenny Chesney played while we were there).

Another cool place to check out is Virginia City, which is 20 minutes away from Tahoe towards Carson City. It's one of the old school gold rush towns, and where some of (and mentioned in the serious) Bonanza was filmed as mentioned earlier. They have all the oldschool saloons and a very old cemetery up on a hill that overlooks the valley. Alot of the tombstones actually had people dying in the 1840's. Samuel Clemons (Mark Twain) visited here alot and was supposdly born here). We didn't gamble at all but of course there is a few casinos out there and in the hotels.

Couple of other cool honeymoon spots we checked out was The Sandals Resort in St. Lucia (carribean) and a resort up against the Arenal Volcano/Hot Springs in Costa Rica. You would be suprised how cheap you book these places nowadays. Look up these places on google. I actually went to the Volcano for my highschool senior trip and it was well worth it.

[Sly Fox]

San Francisco is worth its own thread. It is one of my favorite places to visit in the States. Its beauty is surreal at times.

I haven't been to Costa Rica ... yet. Perhaps 2010 will bring it into play.

[El Scorcho]

Tahoe is great ... but so is much of the Rockies. If you like Tahoe, you'll love Jackson Hole. The Tetons and Yellowstone up the ante even if you miss the Nevada casinos.

My dad thinks Wyoming is the best thing ever.

[Sly Fox]

Wyoming is awesome but I personally believe Western Montana takes it to the next level.

[4everfsu]

I would move to Wy if I was younger. No state income taxes, no taxes on food.

[jack_sparrow81]

The plane ride is what is tough about the trip especially if you live in east coast. After this trip, flying out to Hawaii just doesn't seem that great anymore. Yeah San Fran was beautiful with the Hills and huge trees, i t's tough to navigate if your not sure where your going or what to do. It was really cold to, which I didn't mind staying in Tahoe and all, but I didn't expect near the coast and didn't prepare for it. When we crossed the golden gate bridge, into the closest beach Muir Beach and Stinson Beach, we were just expecting, I dunno I guess "commercialized beach towns" which wasn't the case at all. Don't get me wrong, the breathtaking cliff views and the quietness was cool, but when you grew up on the east coast your just used to the bath water of the Atlantic and a hopping beach town, where you can buy 10 towels for 5 bucks haha. Plus, when you've been to Tahoe all week, the coast didn't compare at all.

What is there to do at Yosemite (besides visit old faithful) in case we go back out there? Looking at some of these places that yall mentioned online, i'm ready to head back out there

[ALUmnus]

What is there to do at Yosemite (besides visit old faithful) in case we go back out there? Looking at some of these places that yall mentioned online, i'm ready to head back out there

Old Faithful is in Yellowstone, not Yosemite. But both are a nature-lover's dream. Even if you don't enjoy nature that much, Yosemite will leave most people in awe.

[LUconn]

I've been to Yosemite twice and it's always been my dream to get to the top of El Capitan.



I've read about it and it takes an entire day to go around the backside (where no rock climbing is involved) and then when you get to the top there's a couple of wires to hang onto to climb the face. It sounds terrifying.

[LUconn]

actually, after doing some quick searching, it's the half dome that I was thinking of. I don't even know what my own dream is. Same park though.



And this is the wires to climb to the summit I was talking about. I really don't know if I could get myself out there to do it



I posted this picture but it's too big for the thread
http://crd.lbl.gov/~dhbailey/photos/dhb-half-dome.jpg

[flamesbball84]

holy crap, that second picutre with the wires is nuts.

[rueful]

i used to live in Merced, CA which is "the gateway to yosemite" and we could see that from our back yard, it was absolutely gorgeous. But LUConn, I dont mean to smash your dreams, but last I heard they had shut down climbing Half Dome because it was crumbling quite a bit and there were quite a few deaths from fallen rocks, but that may not be the case anymore.