Bay area with kids

http://www.squidoo.com/bayareakids

DMV CA Santa Clara Route

http://www.indusladies.com/forums/personal-services-in-bay-area/43466-santa-clara-dmvtest.html
Driving routes:
Route 1:
========
L on Granada
R on Pomeroy
L on El Sobrante Av (Reverse & Curbside Test)
R on Kiely Blvd
L on Benton
R on White Dr
R on Las Palmas Dr @ STOP sign
R on HomeStead
R on Pomeroy
R on Granada
R onto DMV Office and Park

Route 2:
========
L on Granada
R on Pomeroy
L on El Sobrante Av
R on Via Dondera
R on Cala Blazas
L on El Camino Real
R on Lawrence Rd (Not onto Lawrence Freeway)
R on Warburton Avenue (Reverse and Curbside Parking)
R on Pomeroy
R on El Camino
L on Flora Vista
R on Granda
R onto DMV office and Park

Route 3:
========
L on Granada
Lon Pomeroy
R on El Camino Real
R on Kiely Blvd
R on Home Stead Rd
R on Qunice Avenue
L on Brook Dale
R on Pomeroy
L on Benton
R on Flora Vista Ave
L on Granda
R onto DMV office and Park

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090504002623AArxjoZ
The first 5 mins. of the drive test is simply identifying the controls within the car ~ headlights, wipers, defroster, emergency flashers, etc. EVERY driver needs to be familiar with the car they're driving.
From there, the examiner will get in your car and direct you to drive around the IMMEDIATE neighborhood. Specific errors - called "Critical errors" are cause for immediate disqualification; not yielding to a pedestrian or car (right-of-way knowledge), hitting any curb, not stopping for a FULL 3 secs. at any stop sign, making an unsafe left turn (when approaching traffic has the right-of-way) or not looking over your shoulder(s) when changing lanes. Changing lanes is one of the most difficult tasks for new drivers. This includes entering the bicycle lanes.
You MUST look over your right shoulder PRIOR to moving into a bicycle lane. Remember-bicyclists and joggers appear out of nowhere!
Follow all the speed limits (within 9 mph above or below) and you'll pass.
The drive test is 20 mins. and does NOT include parallel parking (between 2 cars) or freeway driving. You will be asked to pull over along a curb and back in straight line. Again, be careful not to hit the curb. Good luck!

Las Vegas Walk

Las Vegas Walk - Day 1

• Mandalay Bay (Shark Reef,restaurant: Statue of Lenin, Red Square, Aureole, Chocolate Swan sweets). Option: Elevated tram to Excalibur.
• Luxor (Sphinx,Bodies the Exhibition, Titanic 10-9)
  
• Free mono rail to Excalibur (Sponge Bob Square Pants simulator ride, draw bridge to take photo, Tournament of Kings, Carnival acts). Option: Stroll over to MGM. Option2: Monorail to Mandalay Bay.
• Walk across street to New York (Central Park, Times Square, Greenwich village,Coney Island Emporium, Manhattan Express Roller Coaster, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Arcade). Option: exit 2nd level, pedestrian bridge to MGM
  
• Walk across Brooklyn Bridge to Monte Carlo (Lance Burton)
  
• Head across road to MGM Grand (Lion Habitat-Ground Level, CSI The Experience: 9-8:30, Kids Quest creche, Rainforest Cafe). Option: exit via ground floor strip entrance & turn right to Hawaiian Marketplace (1 PM free Birdman show), continue to Planet Hollywood, continue past Bally's to Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon to see serious gamblers, then next door to the Flamingo. Option2: Door on South side, take pedestrian bridge to Tropicana, and pedestrian bridge to Excalibur.
  
• Take Mono Rail to Bally's. View Mirage Volcano across the street. Option: elevated moving sidewalk, pass through casino, take walkway on right with shops/restaurants to Paris. Option2: Pedestrian bridge to Bellagio.
• Planet Hollywood (Miracle Mile Shops). Option: crosswalk to Bellagio.
  
• Stroll to Paris Las Vegas (La Creperie, Ascend Eiffel Tower & view Bellagio fountains 9.30 AM-12.30 AM). Option: Out of main door, left to Planet Hollywood & Miracle Mile shops.
• City Centre
  
• Take the over pass cross walk across Las Vegas Blvd. to Bellagio (no kids, Fountain 8PM-midnight every 15 mins, Conservatory, Gallery of fine arts, O. Back of gardens down hall to giant chocolate fountain at Jean-Phillippe Patisserie: 7 AM-midnight, outside to fountain show)
• Use over head side walk across Flamingo Road to Ceasar's Palace (Colosseum, Roman Acqueducts, Brahma shrine,Fountain of the Gods Section-d Forum shops 10-11 every hour 8 mins: animatronic Roman statue shows every hour, Festival Fountain show, Atlantis show in great hall). Option: Moving sidewalk to Mirage.
• Flamingo (wild life sanctuary, Penn & Teller). Option: Pedestrian bridge to Bally's.
• O'Shea's
• Harrah's (Mac King)
  
• Casino Royale
• The Imperial Palace (Car collection)
• Stroll North to Venetian (Grand Canal Shoppes, Gondola, Doge's Palace, Campanile, St. Mark's square, Madame Tussauds, Blue Man Group). Option: exit main doors, turn left to Harrah's, Imperial Palace to Flamingo.
• Wynn (no kids, Conservatory, 150 ft. man made mountain, 3 acre lake, 70 ft.water fall: free viewing area at balcony near Parasol Bar shows 7PM-midnight every 20 mins or Dining Bouloud Brassiere/SW Steakhouse/Parasol/Chanel bars). Option: returning to New York: 1.8 miles walk or Wynn Las Vegas Convention Center Shuttle to Convention Center & monorail to MGM Grand. Option 2: Exit through shopping gallery to NE corner of Strip & Sands Ave, bridge to The Fashion Show mall. North to Riviera & Circus Circus. North to Bonanza gift shop, Stratosphere. South to Sahara & Las Vegas Hilton.

West

• Treasure Island (Sirens of TI 7, 8.30, 10, 11.30). Head up escalator to parking garage & to left is tram ride to Mirage. Option: Out through Buccaneer Bay, turn right, pedestrian bridge to Venetian.
• Mirage (Volcano after dark every 15 mins,Dolphin habitat,secret garden 10- 6.30). Depart South entrance, right on strip to Forum shops. From 3rd fountain in a large rotunda with a wide street branching off south between 2 show fountains, take street to Caesar's palace). Option: Tram to Treasure Island.
• Caesar's palace: On far left is Colosseum.Continue to hotel registration area, head to shopping concourse, exit via concourse, cross pedestrian bridge to Bellagio.
• Cab to Stratosphere (Big Shot, X-Screen, insanity 10 to 1/2)

North

• Circus Circus Adventuredome (circus acts: 11-midnight every 1/2 hr)

Las Vegas - Day 2

• Everything Coca Cola/M&Ms World in Showcase mall (Self-guided tours of people history, desert rainstorm every 45 mins)
• Park @Liberace Museum (Tue-Sat 10-5 & Sun 12 -4)
• Atomic Testing Museum (Mon-Sat 9-5 & Sun 1-5) Option: Start here. Drive to Red Rock Casino, then to Red Rock Canyon scenic drive.
• Speed- the ride (Virtual Car ride)
• Sahara (Roller Coaster, Speedworld 3D simulator)
• Rio (Masquerade show in the sky: 3-(;30: 7 times/day)
• Lied Discovery Children's Museum
• GameWorks
• Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix
• Down Town
• Main Street Station
• Plaza Hotel & Casino
• Golden Gate
• Vegas Vic
• Binion' s gambling hall
• Golden Nugget
• Fremont
• Four queens
• Fitzgerald
• El Cortez
• Las Vegas Academy
• Neon Muesuem
• Fremont Street Experience (Dusk - Midnight every hour)
  
• Arts Factory
• Marjorie Barrick Museum (UNLV Xerix Garden), Natural History Museum
• Springs Preserve
• Red Rock Canyon, Bonnie Springs Ranch, Old Nevada, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire State Park, Lake Mead
• Clark County Heritage Museum
• Ethel M Chocolate Factory & Cactus Garden
• Clark County Heritage Museum
• Flyaway Indoor Skydiving
• Hard Rock Cafe artifacts
• Howard Cannon Aviation Museum

Tamil Nadu Itinerary ideas

Three days

• Kanchipuram
• Shankara Madam
• Kailasanatha: consider ASI guide
• Vaikunta Perumal
• Ekambaranathar
• Kamakshi
• Devarajaswami
• Kanchi Kudil (local history): 53 A, VN Dillai St
• Vegavathi River?
• Marakkanam Siva temple
• Kaliveli tank: migratory water fowl & pelicans
• Uttaramrur
• Two late Pallava temples by Dantivarman
• TBD

Five days

Route 1: Coastal Tamil Nadu

• Viluppuram
• Kalrayan Hills
• Thiruvakkarai
• national geological park with petrified trees
• Sivan Kovil (Special prayers every Pournami)
• Marakanam Beach Salt field
• Ginjee/Senji-Ramagiri/Krishnagiri
• Venugopalaswamy temple
• Mandagapattu Village rock-cut temple: archaelogical site
• Sathru Malleshwara Alayam, Thalavanur village
• Brahma Easalam: Kamalakanni Amman & mural paintings, Rajagiri hill
• Fort (Rajagiri, Krishnagiri)
• Kalyana Mahal tower
• Venkatarama temple
• Tirumalai Jain complex
• Thiruvaamathoor Abhirameshwarar
• Thumpoor Nagamman
• Ennairam Narasimha Swamy
• Thalavanur Shatru Malleswaralayam – Rock cut temple
• Pachchaiamman Temple
• Theerthangarargul Jain sculptures
• Melmalayanur Angala Parameshwari
• Singavaram Ranganathan
• Mel Chittamur Jain temple
• Thirunarungondai Jain cave & temple
• Thirukkoilur
• Ulagalanda Perumal
• Kabilar Kundru
• Mayilam - Arulmigu Subramaniya Swami Temple
• Veedur dam
• Gomukhi dam with 2 waterfalls
• Megam falls 6 Km from Kachirayapalayam
• Eesalam-Ramanatha Easwarar
• Thiruvennainallur Sivan Kovil: Birthplace of Sadaiappar, patron of Kambar
• Auroville
• Garden: 10-1, 2-4:30 except Sunday
• Matri Mandir with tickets?
• Puducherry
• Aurobindo Ashram
• Beach
• Museum
• Manakula Vinayagar temple
• Botanical gardens (10-5)
• Beaches
• Goubert Ave (Beach Road)
• North: Quiet, Reppo, Serenity
• South: Chunnambar: Paradise Beach: water sports, backwater boats
• Boating: Mudaliar Kuppam
• Arikamedu archaelogical site
• Government Pondicherry park
• Cuddalore
• Pichavaram Mangrove forest: Parasailing, rowing, caneoing, boating
• Vadalur: Sathyagnana Sabhai, Ramalinga Swamigal, Dec-Jan Thai Poosam festival
• Srimushnam Bhuvaraha Swami Temple
• Padaleeswarar Temple
• Devanatha Swami Temple
• Tiruppapuliyur Pataleswarar
• Mannargudi Sri Rajagopalaswami
• Thiruvahindrapuram Devanatha
• Kalvarayan hills
• Sethiarthoppu
• Veeranam Lake
• Bhuvanagiri Raghavendra Swami birthplace
• Anaivari village (sugarcane/paddy): Kali Amman Kovil
• Arulmigu Sree Madhurakaaliyamman in North Senninatham village
• Chidambaram
• Nataraja Temple
• Ariyalur
• Gangaikandachozhapuram
• Jayankondam (originally Nellimagramam)-Sivan Kovil with Nellikai tree
• Kaliyaperumal temple
• Siva Temple is located in Thirumazhapadi. This Temple is called Sri Vaithiyanatha Samy Koil
• Vettakudi - Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
• Valikandapuram Temple
• Perumal Kovil
• hirumanur Temple, Keelapaluvar, and Melapaluvur Monuments
• Elakuruchi church-Joseph Besky-Veerama Munivar
• Dharasuram
• Airavateshwara
• Nagapattinam
• Shri Kayahorana Swami Neelayathatchi Amman Temple
• Sowriraja Perumal Temple
• Poompuhar
• Silappathikaram Art Gallery
• Tharangampadi
• Masilamaninathar (dilapidated)
• Koothanur Sarasvati
• Sikkal Singaravelan
• Thirukkuvalai/Thiruvarur/Thiruvaiyaru
• Thyagarajaswamy
• Sri Murugan Temple is situated at Engan
• Sri Kothandaramar Temple at Thillaivilagam in Tiruthuraipoondi Taluk
• Sivan Temple at Alangudi
• Bird Sanctuary at Udayamarthandapuram in Tiruthuraipoondi Taluk
• Kilaiyur twin temples
• Vedaranyam
• Vedarnyeshwarar
• Kodikkarai Backwaters/Bird sanctuary & Boating (Point Calimere)
• Great Vedaranyam Salt Swamp: Dec & Jan: Flamingoes
• Jeep/bus/walk
• Muthupet Mangrove Forest & Lagoon
• Go to Pettai village, get permission from forest department & get boats (Rs.700/day), Early morning is the best time
• Anbil
• Trichy
• Mukkombu (Kollidam river branches off from Kaveri)
• Pachamalai
• Ucchi Pillaiyar/Thayumanavar
• Jambukeshvara @ Thiruvanaikkaval
• Kalanai (Grand Anicut)
• Lower/upper cave temple
• Srinivasanallur
• Koranganatha
• Punaji temple
• Namakkal temple
• Srirangam
• Nartamalai
• Mallaiyadipatti
• Perambalur
• Rajankudi Fort
• Siruvachur Mathurakaliamman Kovil
• Sathanur Fossil tree
• Chettikulam village
• Ekambareshwarar
• Baladhandayuthapani
• Pachamali hill station
• Foothills Myluthu Falls
• Akaya Gangai high up
• Valikandapuram Sri Valeeswarar temple
• Elambalur Brummarishi Malai
• Ladapuram Natural Falls
• Sri Thirumangali Amman Temple
• Sri Viruthagreeswar Temple at Venganur
• Karur
• Kalyana Venkatramaswami temple @ Thanthonrimalai
• Kalyanapasupathishwarar
• Velayuthapalayam, Pugalur, Pugazhli Murugan temple
• Thottakkurichi Shree Malaiyamman Temple,Karur
• Nerur Sadashiva Brahmendra Samadhi, river side park
• Mayanur - Kaveri bed regulator, River side park
• Chettipalayam - Amaravathi bed regulator, park
• Vennaimalai Shree Balathandayuthapani temple
• Vangalamman Temple, Vangal
• Sri Sellandiamman temple, Kadambankruchi, Near Kavery River
• sri solliamman temple, Athur
• kalliamman kovil, Manmagalam
• Noyyal Shree Selaandiyamman Temple, Karur
• Sree meghabhalishwar temple, Pugalur
• Murugan temple,Paalamalai
• Sri Sellandiyamman Temple, sanappiratti
• Sri Sakkarathalvar temple, karur
• Thanjavur
• Brihadeeshwara
• Bird Sanctuary at Vaduvur
• Royal palace
• Saraswathi Mahal Library
• art gallery/Sangeeta Mahal
• Pullamangai
• Brahmapurishvara temple
• Master silk weavers
• SwamiMalai
• Karpathishvara Temple
• Sculptors
• Tirumangalakkudi Pramanatheshvara
• Kumbakonam
• Sarangapani
• Kumbeshwara
• Nageshwara
• Mahamaham tank

Route 2: Central Tamil Nadu

• Hoggennakkal waterfalls
• Salem
• Yercaud
• Lake
• Kiliyur Falls
• Mettur
• Kalrayan hills?
• Rasipuram
• Namakkal
• Thayar Kovil
• Botanical Garden, Semmedu, old Tampcol site
• Rock fort
• Narasimhan
• Ranganathan
• Tiruchengode/Thirukodimadachengondurur: Ardhanareeshwara
• Kolli Hills (Namakkal district)
• Arapaleeshwarar
• Akasha Ganga
• Masila Falls
• the Horticulture Farm, the Herbal Farm, Boat house, Peryaswamy Temple, View Point and the Telescope House
• Boat house @ Vasalurpatty, Sollakadu-Thinnanurpatty road

Route 3: Western Tamil Nadu

• Coimbatore
• Indira Gandhi National Park
• Trichy

Near Tirupathi

• Tirupathi
• Rock formation: Serpent hood, conch, discus
• Akasa Ganga
• Papa Vinasam Dam
• Sri Venkateshwara national park
• Chandragiri Fort
• Sound & Light show: Nov-Feb 7:30 PM
• museums (10-5, Sat-Thu)
• Govindarajaswami
• Venkateshwara museum of temple arts
• Kapileshwaraswami temple
• Kapila Theertham waterfall
• Thiruchanur
• North Pulicate Lake
• Neelapattu Lake
• Nellore
• Mypadu Beach
• Horsley Hills

Near Guruvayur

• Jan 17: Chennai to...
• Jan 18: Guruvayur
• Punnathoor Kotta temple elephants
• Sri Maheswara Temple, Koorkancherry Jan-Feb Utsavam
• Cheruthuruthi
• Kerala Kalamandalam
• Thauryathrikam festival? (January)
• Shiva temple
• Thrissur Archaelogy museum (9-1, 2-4:30) in Sakhthan Thampuran Palace
• Royal Chariot
• Guruvayur Devaswom Institute of Mural Painting
• Thypooya Mahotsavam festival in Jan/Feb
• Jan 19: ...to Ernakulam
• Tirupunitra
• Hill Palace Museum
• Deer park, cashew trees
• Cherai Beach
• Goureeswara Temple
• 9 day Utsavam with traditional dance (Jan/Feb), 2nd day: Elephant procession
• Purnatresan
• Vadakkunnatha temple
• Museums
• Durbar hill road Shiva temple Utsavam (Jan/Feb)
• Netoor
• ENS Kalarippayattu school, opp Mahadevar temple: demos: 6-7 PM, Sun (3-7 PM)
• Mattancherry palace & Parikshit Tampuran Museum (10-5 except Fri & national holidays)
• Kalady
• Cochin Cultural Center
• Kerala Kathakali Center (6:30-7:30 PM, make-up 5:00PM, check timings)
• Jan 20: …to Chennai

Near Hoggenakkal

• Hoggenakkal
• Kolli Hills
• Yercaud & Shevaroy Hills?
• Shevaroyan temple
• Lady’s seat
• Bear cave

List of Places

• Chennai
• Kanchipuram?
• Mahabalipuram?
• Pulicat Lake?
• Yelagiri Hills?
• Yercaud?
• Anbil
• Kaveri?
• Kolli Hills?
• Swami Malai?
• Chidambaram?
• Point Calimere Sanctuary, Kodigeri/Kodikkarai?
• Vedaranyam?
• Guruvayur
• Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary/Indira Gandhi National Park? Coimbatore District
• Erivakulam National Park? Munnar?
• Silent Valley National Park?
• Coonoor?
• Ratnagiri Murugan temple?
• Marudhamalai?
• Ooty?
• Mukurthi National Park?
• Mudumalai National Park?
• Annamali Hills?
• Thekkady, Periyar National Park?
• Tirupathi
• Thiruthani?
• Vellore: Sripuram Golden Temple, Jalagandeshware Temple?
• Puducherry?
• Kodumbalur Muvakoil temple

Other wishlist:

• Coorg, Thala Kaveri, Madikeri
• Nagarhole National Park
• Bandipur National Park

Local places near Chennai

• Crocodile Bank
• Night Safari: 7-8:30 PM weekends

• Pulicat?
• Muttukadu
• DakshinaChitra
• Boating
• Marina Beach & other beaches
• Chepauk Palace
• Covelong Beach
• Guindy/Vandalur? Vaguely remember a zoo here. If so, reject.

• Elagiri hills?
• Vedanthangal?

• Mahabalipuram
• Shore temple, Arjuna’s/Bhagiratha’s Penance/Descent of Ganges, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Pancha Ratham, Mahishashuramardhini Mandapam, Ganeha Ratha, Krishna’s butter ball, Kotikal Mandapam, Ramanuja Mandapam, Dharmaraja cave: consider hiring ASI guide
• Tiger cave in Saluvankuppam
• Trimurthi cave, Adivaraha temple, Varaha Cave temple
• Mammalapuram Dance festival
• Beach away from the shore temple
• New lighthouse, Old lighthouse temple/Olakaneshvara
• Vedagirishwara Eagle temple in Tirukkalunkundram: Bhaktavatsaleshvara
• Injambakkam Cholamandal Artists’ village
• Vivekananda House
• Ramakrishna Mutt temple
• Theosophical Society
• Fort St.George
• Museum
• Chennai Government Museum, Pantheon Road
• Kalakshetra
• Music Academy, Krishna Gana Sabha, Sangita Vidyalaya
• GeorgeTown
• Chennakesavara
• Chennammallikesvara
• Esplanade Lighthouse
• Burma Bazaar
• Sriperambathur: Ramayana friezes
• Thiruttani
• Vellore
• Sripuram temple
• Fort
• Museum
• Jalakanteshwara
• Vrinchipuram Marghabandhu temple
• Thiruvannamalai
• Arunachala temple
• Ramanashram
• Virupaksha/Skandashram Caves
• Panamalai Talagirishvara temple
• Chengalpet
• Vallam
• Three Pallava cave temples