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USA West Vacations

Las Vegas

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A flashy monument to giddy excess, Las Vegas is the place to escape from all sense of convention and restraint. A long way from its origins as a middle-of-nowhere railway stopover, Nevada's legalization of gambling, in 1931, catapulted Las Vegas into its fate as the nucleus of the gaming world. Known by all as "The Gambling and Entertainment Capital of the World," in recent years the attractions have expanded to include theme parks, family activities, excellent shopping, spas, and world-class golfing.

Nonetheless, it's still the lure of bright lights and easy money that keeps 'em coming. The whole world comes to Vegas to let loose and, in turn, you find yourself happily lost in a surreal replica of skylines from all the great cities of the earth. From Manhattan, to Venice, to the Pyramids, every corner you turn transports you someplace else. If you didn't know better, you might think it was just some strange desert mirage - and Elvis might still be in the building!

Reno

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Although both Reno and Las Vegas started out as nothing more than train stops, it was Reno that first rose to prominence as the country's most notorious town, with liberal divorce laws and rowdy game rooms. Nowadays, Reno is a slower, less crowded, and prettier version of Vegas, but still teeming with arts and entertainment.

Reno has two faces. It is the gateway to the gorgeous skiing and golfing excursions of the Lake Tahoe and Sierra Nevada areas, and it is also a boisterous casino hub downtown. The Reno Arch is where the desert ends and Reno begins, as it overlooks bustling Virginia Street, declaring that Reno is "The Biggest Little City in the World." This reputation rings true as the small-town neighborhoods give way to neon lights, gleaming slot machines, and a thriving cultural scene.

Anaheim

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One of the biggest reasons why people visit Anaheim, of course, is to visit Mickey - but if you think that's all there is to do, you're in for a shock! Very quickly, you'll realize that there are lots of other things to do, like shopping in one of the world's best collection of specialty shops, fashion centers, and outlet malls. Then there's the feasting on a seemingly endless variety of award-winning restaurants; visiting the playful and historic Knott's Berry Farm and the marine wonder of the Aquarium of the Pacific; and learning how to surf. Surfing in Anaheim? Well, no, but close! You'll be just a few minutes away from the California coastline, which means that you'll definitely want to take at least a day to spend at one of the famous shores like Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, or Laguna Beach.

Along the way, between the eclectic sun-and-surf communities, you will inevitably find yourself in anotherone of Southern California's most popular sights - the enthralling Pacific Coast Highway, which lines the rocky shores and sandy beaches of the Pacific. So alluring is its beauty that you'll find it nearly impossible to stay in your car, so allow for extra time to stop and stroll along the American Riviera!

Los Angeles

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"People . . . are looking for a place where they can be free, where they can do things they couldn't do anywhere else." That's what Mayor Tom Bradley had to say about his city in the spring of 1980, and it is probably a pretty accurate insight. Something about Los Angeles - its culture of the individual, its garish sensibilities, its blurring of the reality and fantasy, the forced imposition of greenery and luxury on a desert landscape, and countless other nuances of this fantasy land - make the impossible seem possible. It's one of those places that leaves few people the same once they've been there because even if it doesn't actually change you, it shows you the possibilities of what you could be, if you decided to go for it. As Ronald Reagan said, "No one 'goes Hollywood' - they were that way before they came here. Hollywood just exposed it."

Los Angeles has tons of exciting, fun things to do and see, like film and TV studios, beach parties, ultra-chic boutiques and, of course, movie stars, but it's the electrifying atmosphere permeating it all that makes you feel like something extraordinary is always on the verge of happening. Best of all, you never really feel like an outsider because just about everybody who lives in Los Angeles came from somewhere else, just like you, so don't worry about standing out like a tourist. You're not in Kansas anymore, so cast off your inhibitions and get in character!

Phoenix

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Known as the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix is the 6th largest city in the nation - a hub of the rapidly growing southwest. The idyllic climate, with over 300 days of sunshine each year, has been a major reason for the region's growth ever since World War II, when it became a flight hub for the military because of the favorable climate. Named for the legendary Egyptian symbol of rebirth, it was a perfect choice for this city that was built on the ruins of the ancient Hohokam civilization, whose farmers dug irrigation canals that are still in use today!

The capital of Arizona is a tourist magnet that claims to have more 5-star hotels than any other US city. Golfers in the know favor its countless world-class courses. Nature-lovers can't get enough of the desert canyon lands. Museums honor the ancient native culture and performing arts centers thrive on today's creative talent. If you justwant to be pampered, this is "Spa Central." Nowhere else in Arizona will you find this harmonious contrast between city and wilderness. More than half the state's population lives in the urban basin around Phoenix, yet just beyond its borders are craggy mountains, vast forests, and a huge temperate desert. A western sense of informality and leisure keeps the pace relaxed so get there fast and take it slow!

Palm Springs

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Marilyn came to unwind. Frank, Dean and Sammy came to play. Elvis and Priscilla came for their honeymoon. Bob Hope made it the center of the American golf circuit. Today's stars are rediscovering this oasis, and "America's Desert Playground" is also the playground of the otherwise well-to-do and a host of other discerning, sun-lovers from around the world. This world-class resort city in welcomes all to its warm sands and relaxed, village atmosphere. Rich in history and blessed with some of the finest weather in the world, Palm Springs is the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. This allure for nature lovers remains unmistakable, from a simple hike or a peaceful picnic by a stream to an adventurous jeep excursion or horseback ride deep into the canyons.

Downtown is where the social action is. A stroll on Palm Canyon Drive offers shops, galleries, and coffee houses. Just down the street is the historic Plaza Theater, the scene of many of Jack Benny radio broadcasts as well as a Hollywood premier or two. Today it is the home of The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, which stars top entertainers and long-legged lovelies all over 50 years of age! The mission-style architecture throughout the village is a big part of an ambiance that's sophisticated yet playful. Outdoor activities year-round, great views, and a mountaintop restaurant put this excursion at the top of every favorites list. It isn't just golfers who get into the swing of things at Palm Springs!

San Diego

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As the locals will tell you, this big city with a small town heart is a place to relax. Seventy miles of sun-drenched beaches await you on the Southern California coast, but San Diego has so much more to offer. It is an eclectic mix of a modern sensibilities worked into the elegance of an old-time city. There are sprawling parks and perfect sunset views, renowned cultural events, and of course, world-class shopping. The city crawls into the canyons and up the hillsides, with a downtown that offers the cosmopolitan traveler a wide array of both historical sites and cutting edge urbanity.

The shoreline is part of the grey whale migration route, and wildflowers create a painter's palette of color in the springtime desert to the east. And if you want to go south of the border, the city center is less than 20 miles north of Mexico. Even within the city, there's a rich Hispanic heritage, as well as engaging cultural and artistic performances. A busy special events calendar keeps the whole family entertained, and sporting enthusiasts will enjoy the area's excellent scuba diving and golf courses. With year-round mild weather that is as welcoming as the friendly people who live here, San Diego exudes a casual, unhurried atmosphere.

San Francisco

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Like a never-ending fair, America's favorite city sits at the edge of the western world - a location that adds the flair of romance to its legend. At once provincial and cosmopolitan, this surprisingly small city is a ravishing tourist magnet that is famous for its liberal attitudes, alternative politics, and eccentricity. San Franciscan pride is rooted in the sheer beauty of the city, a picturesque array of hills, wooden Victorian houses, open greens, and the shimmering bay that encompasses it all.

The ease of exploring this place on your own two feet or by hopping on and off a historic trolley, rather than in a car, is one of its great pleasures as one of the few American cities still catering to the pedestrian. Walking along the maze of streets, you learn to love the alternating moody fog and bright sunshine that set a romantic film-noir tone as you turn a corner high on a hill and unexpectedly stumble upon one of the many gorgeous vistas. So lovely is the place that the Reverend Billy Graham was inspired to say, "the Bay Area is so beautiful, I hesitate to preach about heaven while I'm here."

Tucson

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In the New World, a building over 50 years old is often deemed historic, but Tucson proudly breaks the mold. This town in the American southwest dates back to 100 AD, when the Hohokam Indians settled into the fertile farming valley and built a village that thrived for nearly 2,000 years. In fact, the town name comes from the Pima Indian word chukeson, which means "spring at the base of black mountain." Modern Tucson is a bustling center whose major attractions are its rich history, unique nature, world-class performing arts, and the never-ending sun. Melding Hispanic, Anglo, and Native American cultures, it has developed a confident vitality and unique style strengthened by its resistance to the homogenizing effects of urban renewal that swept the country after World War II.

Turning back the bulldozers, Tucsonians succeeded in preserving a good deal of the Old Mexico character and desert landscape that distinguishes their city among its neighbors. The Old Pueblo, as the locals call it, blends the best of contemporary life with the historic influences that shaped it, so you can spend a day driving cattle and then exchange your horse for box seats at the opera. When you get curious about what other wonders lie beyond the foothills, head off in just about any direction and you will find mountains, canyons, desert paradises, and cowboy towns to explore 'till the cows come home!