Driving From La To Vegas

[stewmac]

not doin this till next year but wanted to do some early research ,rather drive to Sin City than jump the plane ,to see a bit of the States ,any recommendations more than welcome

[Ian Dewhirst]

not doin this till next year but wanted to do some early research ,rather drive to Sin City than jump the plane ,to see a bit of the States ,any recommendations more than welcome

I'd take a leisurely drive down the coast road from L.A. down to San Diego and take in some of the beautiful Orange County spots like Laguna Beach etc and then check out San Diego for a night or two. There's not much between San Diego and Vegas except desert, so you may as well spend the time exploring L.A. to San Diego properly before you do the San Diego-Vegas run.

I don't know about record shops these days. The last time I was there was 2003 and I found some bits and pieces at a record fair and I've always bumped into stuff in San Diego but I seem to remember that most of the obvious spots had been well and truly rinsed. I'd check and see if there's any major record fairs when you're there and plan any possible trips around them.

Ian D

Edited May 1, 2011 by Ian Dewhirst

[purist]

it's been a few years since I did it, but from memory it's basically just one long road once you get clear of the city (ies of L.A.) through the desert with a couple of tourist type places for stops ( until you get quite close to Vegas, then there's a small town, but it's only bars, food, gambling type places) The very first time we drove it we were advised to take extra drinking water with us and there was this one long slow climb where they advised you to switch off your air con (and any other unnecessary electrical drains) which was blooming horrible the first time we did it as it was at a hot time of year ( dont remember it even the following times I did it, so maybe it's only miserable if you're going when it's at it's hottest?) For some reason the number of nine miles sticks in my mind, which driving at 50ish seemed to take forever to get to the peak. My shirt was wet through - that I do remember clearly, and the car slowing down noticeably as we reached the top.

They have helicopter patrols watching this road for overheating & breakdowns, speeders etc. Having said all that I enjoyed the journey so much I made sure I did it again when I had the chance, and even took my son on a later trip. After all how many times in your life do you get the chance to drive through what is wilderness ? and there is a certain beauty to the scrub and mountains.

I've just thought it's 16-17 years since I last did it, so things may well be different now, cars have obviously improved and perhaps somebody like Des Parker has found an off the beaten track desert village where the local 45 collector has amassed 100, 000 soul 45's, but somehow I doubt it. Don't worry I'm sure you'll find plenty of vinyl hunting to interest you in and around the two cities, just enjoy the journey for what it is and do your homework as much as you can before you go ( my personal bug bear is travelling to see records while you are there -and in the US they dont consider distances large as we do-and when yo get there the owner is away, or you've gone on their day off etc that's what drives me mad. You cant have too many contacts !!)

hth, doesnt sound like it will much, sorry.

[Russ Vickers]

it's been a few years since I did it, but from memory it's basically just one long road once you get clear of the city (ies of L.A.) through the desert with a couple of tourist type places for stops ( until you get quite close to Vegas, then there's a small town, but it's only bars, food, gambling type places) The very first time we drove it we were advised to take extra drinking water with us and there was this one long slow climb where they advised you to switch off your air con (and any other unnecessary electrical drains) which was blooming horrible the first time we did it as it was at a hot time of year ( dont remember it even the following times I did it, so maybe it's only miserable if you're going when it's at it's hottest?) For some reason the number of nine miles sticks in my mind, which driving at 50ish seemed to take forever to get to the peak. My shirt was wet through - that I do remember clearly, and the car slowing down noticeably as we reached the top.

They have helicopter patrols watching this road for overheating & breakdowns, speeders etc. Having said all that I enjoyed the journey so much I made sure I did it again when I had the chance, and even took my son on a later trip. After all how many times in your life do you get the chance to drive through what is wilderness ? and there is a certain beauty to the scrub and mountains.

I've just thought it's 16-17 years since I last did it, so things may well be different now, cars have obviously improved and perhaps somebody like Des Parker has found an off the beaten track desert village where the local 45 collector has amassed 100, 000 soul 45's, but somehow I doubt it. Don't worry I'm sure you'll find plenty of vinyl hunting to interest you in and around the two cities, just enjoy the journey for what it is and do your homework as much as you can before you go ( my personal bug bear is travelling to see records while you are there -and in the US they dont consider distances large as we do-and when yo get there the owner is away, or you've gone on their day off etc that's what drives me mad. You cant have too many contacts !!)

hth, doesnt sound like it will much, sorry.

Exactly that........I did it about 4 years ago & still the same. I had a day spare & got it into my head that if I drove for as far as I could away from an interstate, I might stand a chance of finding some where that hadnt been hit before, cant remember the name of the town now, but found a few nice LP's in a book store & walking down the one main road spied a thrift come record store, the metal grille was down, but the doors were open & there was an old dear pottering about. I went next door for a coffee & popped out a little later when they had opened up properly. I walked in, said good morning & the old dear replied 'You wont find any Northern Soul Records in here' & you know what, she was right ........it had been raped & wants lists from the UK were pinned to the wall behind the till lol.

My advise would be to go when there is a record show, avoid obvious stores, as you will probably just waste your time in there & do your homework before you go. There is stuff out there IMHO, but not in the obvious places & there are loads of people diggin for it from the area & you would be very lucky indeed to just fall over stuff these days.

Good luck

Russ

[nrc]

The drive from LA to Vegas is pretty boring with not a great deal to appease the eye. If i remember it takes about five hours going through San Berndino up into the mountains then down the other side. Most people tend to stop for a break at Barstow which is just a big truck stop basically. If you want a diversion for a couple of hours try a drive through Death Valley National Park, other than that visit one of the many dead towns along the route, which mainly are for the tourst industry.

[cloth ears]

my advice .............say to yourself...... not gonna find nuttin.........then whatever you do find is great!!!!!!

visit this place on way to san diego.........san clemente............. watch the surfers, eat on the pier .......my favorite place!!!!!

if your near ................lone pine................almost every western was was filmed in and around there!

records..................................no chance!..........................best of luck though.....................

[Guest DeeJay]

well thats mighty nice of you we live in Laguna Beach (well Laguna Niguel) next to L.B. I guess anything beats selling records with Kieth and Brenda at Brings U Music in Otley

DJ

as for record shops not really worth it-sorry

[Chris L]

not doin this till next year but wanted to do some early research ,rather drive to Sin City than jump the plane ,to see a bit of the States ,any recommendations more than welcome

No, nothing, just one big road in the dusty rock laden desert.....................

[stewmac]

Bah, will have a look around Sin City but it looks like its all gone or at book prices

[Russ Vickers]

Bah, will have a look around Sin City but it looks like its all gone or at book prices

I found some nice albums in LV.............But I would avoid Rich Rosens like the plague mate, top $$$ & bloody rude to boot IMO. Check out who's performing in some of the lesser Casino Lounges though cos you get an occasional suprise.

Best Russ

[SHEFFSOUL]

i did that trip some years ago..stopped off in Barstow as it was on the original route 66..went into a record shack or similar..found loads of northern..i had to meet a mate in vegas..so never finished lookin thru the gems..i planned to go back and never did..found lots of loma 45's..

[Tomangoes]

We did this trip whilst on the LA 2004 soul week. Went down to see Gladys Knight in LV.

Not much to see to be honest apart from the straightest roads in the world!

Nice coming into Vegas withe lights en all.

One of our group thought it would be a good idea to play 'the Joker' at full blast along the strip, with the roof down. It certainly got a few tourists attention!

Did come across a poster for sale in one of the 'collectables' shops advertising 'Otis Redding' in concert 1963 - Doncaster England.

Ed

[Spook]

I found some nice albums in LV.............But I would avoid Rich Rosens like the plague mate, top $$$ & bloody rude to boot IMO. Check out who's performing in some of the lesser Casino Lounges though cos you get an occasional suprise.

Best Russ

Driven from La to Vegas a couple of times, lots of desert scenery and signs saying how far Salt Lake City is !!!

Rich Rosens owns Wax Trax, wants Top Dollar ( JM's guide in hand) keeps the "his best' 45's at home. His lad bought a box over, keeps on and on when are you going to buy anything. Make me on offer etc, but there are some good programes, books etc in his shop lots of do wop.

Enjoy the Drive and LV !

Edited May 18, 2011 by spook

[Mach]

Russ is right,.. in vegas, just bob into the smaller lounges, we did one evening and the "Coasters" were on..superb!

[stewmac]

thanks for the replies looks like we are stayin an extra week now so will be driving around CA lookin at the sites n hopefully some record stores

[Guest Matt Male]

Sounds like you need to be a bit canny thesedays in the states with an eye to what might be the next sound rather than the obvious northern and try to outwit the sellers. How many people ten years ago thought we'd be all playing gritty funky stuff and how much of it was tossed back onto the pile in the shops and warehouses over there?

[Chris Anderton]

NOw, if you get as far as Salt Lake City check out Randys records, had some nice stuff outa there a few years ago.

Couple of shops in Vegas worth checking out, obviously well picked over but ok for cheaper stuff and LPs.

Chris

[Stuart Bower]

Sorry, only done that trip from L.A. to Vegas by coach! And only for the day.