I went last year to see my sister get married at the Forever Grand wedding chapel, in the MGM Grand, Las Vegas and ended up missing Keighley win a grand final.

I flew to Toronto, which is a fantastic city, for 4 nights. Then travelled by train to Niagara Falls, crossed the border in to the USA and got a taxi to Buffalo Airport to catch an afternoon flight to Vegas.

I had 6 nights there which was enough to be honest. Then I flew to New York for a 4 night stay.

I didn't spend too much time in San Francisco, so I can't really help there, I would agree with the Monterrey peninsula though. Its very nice. Monterrey also has a nice aquarium if you're interested in anything like that. I would feel bad about myself if I didn't recommend you try to get over to Yosemite. I've been lucky enough to see some amazing places around the world and Yosemite is right up there with the best. Cod'ead knows his stuff, the northwest is great. I know dozens of people who say Seattle is one of the nicest cities. Im not much of a city lover and even I liked it there. Oregon is nice too, my girlfriend went to college there a few years ago, she's from Colorado, which is beautiful and she left to go to Oregon, because of the scenery, so it must be outstanding. Anywhere around mt hood would be pretty cool. The trees up there are worth the trip alone. Honestly mate your spoilt for choice, I'd recommend you have a few places you definitely want to see and then get a car and enjoy exploring the places in between too.

The Outer Banks in North Carolina is very nice. Great beach houses and plenty to do in the area. We've been to Jamestown and Busch Gardens.

I know this isn't the topic of the thread and you may not wish to divulge, but how come you're having a 'secret wedding' then a vowel renewal and telling everyone it's a wedding?

SF does'nt smell?

Cannery Row and Pier 39 absolutely reek... Granted, The GG bridge is a superb piece of engineering and Alacatraz is fascinating, but, other than that, the place is a let down.

Vegas is fine for 4 days max. Drive across to Yosemite, have a few nights there, then a few nights on Death Valley and the Grand Canyon, then over to Monterrey for a week, and if you have time, a few days in Ventura, but only if the California State Fair is on. Saw shania Twain, the B52s and The Village People there a few years ago.

Absolutely staggering number of tramps in San Francisco.

I'd have to back up what Richie said about Texas. Did Dallas and San Antonio a few years ago and it was really enjoyable with loads more to do than I'd initially thought.
Can also recommend Phoenix and Tucson (flew there from San Antonio) and if you're in that area stop off for a day or so at Sedona. I'm not particularly one for staring at landscapes but even I had to appreciate how beautiful this area is. Not too far from the Grand Canyon there either.

Plus, like Richie says try and get to a sports event if you can. Been a few times, mostly to baseball (Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Florida) and whilst you might not find the sport itself that interesting the sport is only half of the whole thing. The Americans know how to put on a show and look after their spectators!

I was on my stag night that night. The wedding was on the day of the funeral.

Anywhere back to the OP, I think California is very hard to beat. Start at San Fran for 3-4 day then work down the 101. Id highly recommend the spindrift inn on cannery row (fireplaces in every room and views of monterey bay complete with sea otters) then down big sur. Despite its rep LA is fantatsic for a few days then down to sea world at san diego. Perfect fortnight

and LA.

I guess if you didn't have a roof over your head better to be in warm Cali than the cold east coast.

Next time you visit, try heading North, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. It's like driving 2,000 miles along the Cornish coastline

rhino Phil is right about that food court. First time I have ever eaten pizza pie. I still haven't completely recovered from the experience.

I did the west coast drive in 09 and went to plenty of beautiful places.

SF is a beautiful city, at the right time of the year. It is probably my favourite US city because of the diversity within such a small location. Chinatown is quite unbelievable and the food there is beyond immense, decently priced too. Union Sq is a great hub and with plenty of places to sit and watch all the madness around you its great and surprising relaxing. Staying in the centre can be a bit pricey but booked far enough in advance the prices are reasonable.

The obvious GG Bridge and Alcatraz are must do's but i think Coit Tower doesn't get the talking it deserves the views from up high are magnificent on a sunny clear day, with views across the Bay and the Financial district. The trams are another thing to experience, the speed and angle they get! Plenty of other things to do including shopping (unfortunately) but Pier 39 is a nice place to eat and hang out too. Fish doesn't get much fresher than that.

A drive up the coast is a must, we stayed in Monterey and Santa Barbara and the like but the best point was the Big Sur. It is stunning.

Vegas is very very hit and miss, if you like tacky exaggerated Americanisation of everything then you will love it. If not then give it 3 days and move on quickly. Yosemite like someone said before is a beautiful beautiful place with so much to see and do and staying within a good hours drive of that area can be cheap and quiet after the hustle and bustle of Vegas and SF and even LA if you choose to go there.

Driving is tough work over there often with little to look at out of the window. But thats just me, i loved it in 2009 and in the summer its arguably one of the best places to be.