Taking A Thai To The American West

[Svenn]

M'lady and I, since she recently got a tourist visa, are going to be going on a roughly 3 week long roadtrip probably starting from Washington state this spring... does anyone recommend any sites in the West I should take her to to give the best impression? I'm from Idaho and a bit of a nature buff myself, and thought the Utah salt flats and the Grand Canyon might be the most shocking to her (she's never really been to a mountanous or desert area), and she also likes animals so I was thinking of looping down to San Diego for their famous zoo. I know there has to be something interesting in LA, but I don't have any ideas yet. We're willing to go anywhere, and I was thinking of a few days in Mexico (Sonora?) too (I'm advised we should get hotels there, camping might be a little risky). Anyway, if anyone has any ideas let me know! thanks

[sbk]

Hwy 1 up to San Francisco is a must see.

[PoorSucker]

Las vegas.

[Jingthing]

I agree Big Sur, Highway 1 between Monterey and Heart Castle. With only three weeks, I wouldn't bother with Mexico (hey there is always East LA and San Francisco's Mission District). Too much to see in the USA west and big risk issues with bringing a car down there. Of course, in LA there is a very big Thaitown for a fix of familiar tastes.

Edited January 3, 2010 by Jingthing

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

In L.A., take her to Hollywood, then to Thai town. You might want to take her to Vegas as well. I think the Grand Canyon is a good idea, but don't overdue the nature thing, as she may get bored if you try to take her to Bryce, the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, etc. One day, I hope to take my girlfriend to visit the west as well, as she's only been as far as Texas.

[villagefarang]

Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helen, Crater Lake, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Yosemite, Zion, Bryce, Arches, Capital Reef, Canyon Lands, Grand Canyon (N and S rims), highway one, Hearst Castle, Getty Museum and I'm just getting started. These are all place my wife enjoyed and don't forget snow. You have to show a Thai snow in the mountains.

If she is a real city girl you may have to stick to the outlet malls and shopping centers and Vegas.

Edited January 3, 2010 by villagefarang

[Jingthing]

If you're going down the California coast NORTH of SF, Mendocino is very charming and Point Reyes national coastal park is totally awesome (sorry). Also, you really must include a redwood forest, there are different choices for that.

Edited January 3, 2010 by Jingthing

[siggie2]

Hwy 1 up to San Francisco is a must see.

she must have been there,its called pattayland 3 lol

[Jingthing]

Hwy 1 up to San Francisco is a must see.

she must have been there,its called pattayland 3 lol

Sad to say, nothing like Patters Soi 3 in San Francisco.

[Svenn]

In L.A., take her to Hollywood, then to Thai town. You might want to take her to Vegas as well.

I thought Hollywood might be interesting, but it's kind of lame just to drive around and look at the usual sights... is there some sort of interactive thing we could do? Maybe watch a red carpet event, tour a studio or attend a fashion show or something? I'm also completely ignorant of Vegas... I thought if they had go-go bars it might be kind of (ironic) to go look at one. Other than that I was thinking the one expensive hotel night I might buy (~$200+ ) should be in Vegas. Most of it we'll be camping though since we're both still young and poor(ish).

Also, you really must include a redwood forest, there are different choices for that.

Sequoias have bigger circumferences, and I've never been to 'em, but I guess they're kind of out of the way if we'll be heading up Highway 1. It is true the redwoods are taller, and they're more on the way I guess if we want to get back to Seattle from San Fran.

If she is a real city girl you may have to stick to the outlet malls and shopping centers and Vegas.

Yes, I can't forget outlet malls... are there any major ones or ones that have Asian brands I should know about?

[villagefarang]

While you are at it, why not take her skydiving somewhere picturesque. We did it on the North Shore of Oahu but there are lots of places in the West.

[Jingthing]

Sure you can take the LA Universal studios tour, but it is all very touristy. For something more personal, you would need to have a close look at the local media for the time you are there. In LA, if you are just walking around the nicer areas of Santa Monica, for example, there is a fair chance you will spot a star, if you're into that kind of thing. The Getty museum is great in LA. Its not just the art but also the architecture and view. However, I do believe you need reservations made well in advance.

Edited January 3, 2010 by Jingthing

[Svenn]

With only three weeks, I wouldn't bother with Mexico (hey there is always East LA and San Francisco's Mission District). Too much to see in the USA west and big risk issues with bringing a car down there.

I've never been clear on how safe Mexico is/isn't. I have new small Toyota car, is it in danger of getting stolen? I wouldn't want to go to any touristy places, and thought I'd just try to head straight to the hotel in the guidebook rather than doing any backcountry drives. It's weird, I've lived in Cambodia for a few months and wouldn't have worried (much) about driving the truck outside of PPenh, but yet Mexico still intimidates me. I was seriously thinking of growing a mustache and wearing a cowboy hat to blend in ... and I bet with some makeup and clothing choices my girl could look latina... though I suppose gringos can be spotted a mile away, especially in a place like Sonora where I bet there aren't as many European-Spanish Mexicans?

[Jingthing]

I can't really answer the theft risk chances in Mexico. However, I think you do need a car entry permit. Also, the police are corrupt, but we're used to that one, eh?

http://www.tomzap.com/driving.html

Oh, BTW, I think Thais need a VISA to travel to Mexico.

Bottom line, is it really worth the hassle for a short trip there?

Edited January 3, 2010 by Jingthing

[gotlost]

Took my wife to the US in 2007 landed in LA . Her impression and I did not influence her are Santa Monica Pier and attractions OK. Disneyland so so. Thai Town in LA so so. Everyone is large (fat) and dark. LA in general stunk. Las Vegas FANTASTIC, except when she lost that hundred dollars at the slots. Hoover Dam could not believe the size. The desert between LA and Los Vegas and Reno she could not fathom it. Lake Tahoe and the Sierras she fell in love and then the jewel San Francisco and the drive down Highway 1 love at first sight. Then we flew to Washington DC (Springfield, VA) She thought she had died and went to heaven. To her there is no comparison between Virgina and California. She would go back to Virgina right now California no way.

[bina]

first u should take in to consideration how much of a hiker/camper/traveller she is. i did the 'road trip' with my ex israeli husband back in the 1990's, we did the lewis and clark northwest territories trail by car with major stops at glacier, olympia park, crater lake, then the coastal road to see the sea lions , a redwood forest park (cant remember which one)... but then he was enthralled with the amount of snow (in july in glacier), water and trees and green green green and big.

thai husband isnt much of a hiker/traveller. he likes things in small doses. and seems to prefer also the green/water/jungle type stuff over desertscapes that we have so much of here and that i love.

i could suggest the sonoran desert park at teh outskirts of tucson in arizona and their museum (dad is volunteer ranger for the park!) as it is sort of a mini area of desert with all the animals in natural habitat, but w/o having to trek around thru kilometers of desert; then los vegas just to see the crazy hotels and casinos (retracing steps of my duaghter's latest trip with grandparents to 'see the sites of america); san diego zoo is a must see (daughter (age 22) says so, ive never been)... glacier, for thais, is amazing i think. but remember that u need time to eat drink and sleep and absorb the sites... my ex was really gungho for the whole trip we did, and i ended up hooked up to a IV of fluids somewhere in s. dakota in a mobile clinic after dehydrating... since he did the trip like an army march (few stops in order to cover large amounts of territory).

also, my daughter was in some wild west active museum somewhere in arizona that she found fun (and kitchy, so probably wife would enjoy)...

san franscisco if she likes urban stuff (i hate as does hubby).

if the thai men here , like my husband, ae any example of thai travellers, then a slower pace, more time to eat and yes, some shopping, is needed, more time for just hanging out.... they never seem impressed with the green and trees (in thailand we have bigger, better, greener) but snow on mountains in july /august for sure would hold their interest.

u didnt say if u were doing hotels or camping either. my husband prefers camping actually, and hates anything to do with urban site seeing, and there should preferably be places to fish (again not for thai women ) ...

the other interesting thing my father did with my daughter was taking her to 'the res' (navajo reservation wth hopi reservation in the middle)-- she wanted to see 'indians' so he took her to get the real picture (he used to work with indian/native american self help stuff).

bina

israel

[Jingthing]

Took my wife to the US in 2007 landed in LA . Her impression and I did not influence her are Santa Monica Pier and attractions OK. Disneyland so so. Thai Town in LA so so. Everyone is large (fat) and dark. LA in general stunk. Las Vegas FANTASTIC, except when she lost that hundred dollars at the slots. Hoover Dam could not believe the size. The desert between LA and Los Vegas and Reno she could not fathom it. Lake Tahoe and the Sierras she fell in love and then the jewel San Francisco and the drive down Highway 1 love at first sight. Then we flew to Washington DC (Springfield, VA) She thought she had died and went to heaven. To her there is no comparison between Virgina and California. She would go back to Virgina right now California no way.

That's interesting that she liked Fairfax County over California. Maybe it was more exotic to her and fit in more with the stereotypes of what America is. Suburban living, clean and orderly, colonial architecture, American looking trees and greenery, dare I say white people ha ha, etc. Sometimes California can feel like Asia or Mexico, rather than the US.

Edited January 3, 2010 by Jingthing

[SunSeek01]

Mt Tamalpais is real nice, in Marin just North of the GG bridge. Great views and close to the city.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Tamalpais

[tb86]

for the ooh factor you should try grand canyon, or sedona, in cali try napa, lake tahoe, sf, santa cruz and carmel or you could always do yosemite most of these are country settings except for sf, the lost coast is very nice north of sf up to oregon pretty much, in so cal joshua tree, death valley and los padres national forrest, dont miss out on santa barbara, my wife is dead set on buying a second place there.... so becareful what you wish for,. In la try shopping on melrose or robertson blvd, drive inland to glamis dunes and rent some buggys for the day tons of stuff to do.. have fun,

[zzdocxx]

Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helen, Crater Lake, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Yosemite, Zion, Bryce, Arches, Capital Reef, Canyon Lands, Grand Canyon (N and S rims), highway one, Hearst Castle, Getty Museum and I'm just getting started. These are all place my wife enjoyed and don't forget snow. You have to show a Thai snow in the mountains.

If she is a real city girl you may have to stick to the outlet malls and shopping centers and Vegas.

The above post nails the scenic highlights IMO.

Keep in mind, the drive through Big Sur on Hwy 1 is a tough one, although there are stunning views. I was just up that way again last spring. Basically that view posted above is from a very winding two-lane road that is clinging to the side of the mountains which plunge almost straight down to the ocean there. Just read up so you know what you are getting into if you want to do that trip. (You could probably google up some info.) I would agree that Hearst Castle is also worthwhile.

Many of the tours from overseas put Vegas into the itinerary at some point in the trip for a rest and for a change of pace. There are a lot of good deals in Vegas right now as tourism is down. Especially if you go during the week, but I suppose it depends on how fancy a place you want. If you get a high room at the Bellagio that overlooks the "lake", the show with the fountains is quite something. The water show goes off (I think) every 30 minutes in the afternoon and every 15 in the evening. There are a couple of outlet malls in Vegas but I'm not sure about Asian brands.

I don't think she would be impressed with Thai town in LA, it is not particularly impressive or even upscale. But just depends I suppose.

Right now I would suggest staying out of Mexico because of the drug wars that unfortunately are going on.

Many good suggestions in all the posts here, I like bina's approach, just depends what your wife likes to do.

Good luck, I am in San Diego, so if you have any specific questions about California fire away!

[Jingthing]

Thaitown isn't very impressive that's true but I figure it would be interesting for a Thai to visit the largest settlement of Thai people in the Americas. At the very least, for lunch.

Edited January 3, 2010 by Jingthing

[PeaceBlondie]

For several reasons, forget Mexico.

[Nordlys]

Oh, BTW, I think Thais need a VISA to travel to Mexico.

Bottom line, is it really worth the hassle for a short trip there?

When I took my Thai wife to Tijuana, Mexico from San Diego last year the Mexican embassy in Bangkok said no Mexican visa is necessary if you travel within 50 or 100 miles radium from the San Diego border but beyond that you need a visa without which there's a hefty fine. Mexican embassy in Bangkok won't issue you a visa without a U.S. visa anyway and it's really hassle free compared to U.S. visa. No check on the border from San Diego to Tijuana, we didn't even have to get off the bus we were traveling in, but expect a long queue (half an hour to an hour) on the way back to San Diego.

[Brigante7]

Disneyland, Alcatraz, Vegas, Hoover Dam, South Central?

[Namsai]

Las vegas.

I m agree in Las vegas very beautiful when the night time (The city never sleep same in Bangkok) but it is very hight technology gambling.

San Diego if she like animal San Diego Zoo very big and also Sea wold very fantastic because have a lot of show from wheal. Bal Boa Park very intersting

if you want to go Maxico you have to take her to shopping Outlate.

LA it very propula for the Thai people to come the USA. if she come USA the first time you have to take her LA for find Thai food for eat.Maybe she will miss Thai food already.Downtown in LA the same in Thailand you can find Thai food same you live in Thailand.because alot of Thai people here. Almost Thai people know Holly wood,Universal,Disnyniland,Qeen Marry Couise in Long Beach.( thai people know about the Taitanic) Normally Thai people don t like cold, San Fansico very cold.

[velvetelvis]

My (Thai) wife (now a U.S. citizen) and I live in North Idaho (Sandpoint). She just fell in love with the vast tulip fields north of Seattle. It seems that while roses are pretty much a dime a dozen in Thailand, tulips, which need a cool, dormant season and can only be grown in the mountains of SE Asia, are quite special. To go up to the La Conner - Mt. Vernon area north of Seattle in Washington State during the bloom (usually sometime in April) and drive amongst the endless fields of tulips in bloom is truly fantastic. We've had numerous Thai friends come and visit us, and if the timing is right, we always take them to the tulip fields, and they're always ecstatic posing for pictures amongst the blooms.

go to tulipfestival_dot_org

-whatever

-Lou

[jetjock]

The previous posters have given you so many great suggestions and spring is a perfect time to travel because you should have good weather while avoiding the heavy summer tourist crowds. I know California and Nevada expecially well as I travel a lot between several homes I have in both states, so from my experience, I can assure you that there are so many interesting things to see in just in those two states alone that you will have to plan your trip wisely if you are planning for a 3 week week trip and want to do it comfortably. There are so many interesting beautiful nature sights such as our many natural parks, beautiful scenic drives along coast, gold country along route 49 in California, comstock load country in Nevada, etc. etc.

My wife is Thai and based on the fact that she has been traveling with me around these states for the past 4 years, here are some quick thoughts:

I would strongly suggest as one of your California priorities that you take the drive between Monterey and San Simeon (72 miles) on Route 1-Big Sur Coast Highway. A tour of Hearst Castle in San Simeon would be well worth your time. If you are golfer, between Monterey and Carmel , you might enjoy taking the beautiful '17 Mile Drive' which goes along the coast and the world famous Pebble Beach Golf Course. Thaitown in LA is not really much and probably not worth you time unless you just happen to be driving in that area. I also think a trip into Mexico would be a waste of your time as you will think you are in Mexico when visiting certain areas of California. As a point of information, if you plan to visit some our national parks and and are over 65 years old, (I am not sure if you have to be a US citizen) be advised that you can get an Eagle Pass at any park for only $10. which enable you to get free entrance (including anyone in your car) to virtually all the national parks in the US for the rest of your lifetime. Have fun and enjoy all the beautiful west coast scenery.

[PeaceBlondie]

My kids live on the border. Both sides are the worst part of both countries.

[bgfkhlgfhgfdh]

My overall first opinions are: she won't like anything, and the trip will be very expensive.

However, I have been thinking about how to solve this since I may bring my thai gf to california, as well.

I would skip Washington, Oregon, Hwy 1, San Diego, Grand Canyon, and Mexico.

Looking at hundreds of miles of jagged foggy cold and windy coastline, profoundly terrible idea, I suspect.

Also, very isolating, just you and her in a rental car?

I would focus on things near to San Francisco, Los Angeles, with side trips to Santa Cruz/Monterrey, Lake Tahoe/Yosemite or Las Vegas. Here's some ideas of what I would do with my thai gf in San Francisco.

She likes flowers, public parks, bicycles, anything romantic. So, Golden Gate Park would be good. Skip over Fishermans wharf, but some SF touristy things are ok, for example Market Street trolley instead of waiting for Cable Car. Pier 1 Farmers Market, North Beach, Haight Ashbury, Castro movie theatre, Union Square, Pacific Heights, Marina, Golden Gate Bridge.

Going to a theatre or concert or sporting event could be do-able. Santa Cruz beach boardwalk would also be a winner. A museum or two might be ok, depends on which one, could be fun or romantic, plenty to choose from. Anything having to do with animals, in the wild or in captivity, is another winner. Boat or train rides, could be arranged as well. Amtrak is scenic and goes to both San Diego and Lake Tahoe.

I would pass on doing too much shopping, worrying about thai food, anything too suburban, anything that's not razzle dazzle and vibrant, anything that's hard to undo (such as being halfway down Hwy 1, you really have no way out of it, once you're there).

[GMoney]

- Chippendale's show in Vegas.

- Petrified Forest National Park in AZ.

- Cog railway up to top of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs.

- Great Sand Dunes National Park in Southern Colorado.