1

If you're only planning on spending 8-10 days in the region - and seeing San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, is there some particular reason you are not looking at renting the car? All the land alternatives are fairly cumbersome and inconvenient, while flying is rather an overkill, . SF and LV don't need a car, but LA does, and the coastal trip SF to LA certainly warrants one, as does travel over the Sierras.

2

Being from xSingapore, I don't think you may realize how vast the area is.
xSF to Vegas is a 9 hour drive along the quickest (and least interesting) route.

With 8 days, you have 3 days in L.A, 3 days in xSF and 2 in xVegas. But those are not entirely full days due to travel. Where would you have time to visit xYosemite (4 hours from xSF) or the Grand Canyon (4-5 hours from Vegas)? This is also assuming you will fly between each. If you drive, you lose a day or more.
With 10 days, you account for travel, and a trip to the canyon becomes more realisitc. Again, assuming you fly between the cities.

For the order to visit, find out which one is cheapest to fly into, then find which one is cheapest to fly out of.
If they are different places, stick the other inbetween.
If they are the same place, figure out the second cheapest for each, and determine which combo is cheaper. Or just pick randomly.

3

Agree with #s 1 & 2. It will be very rushed with 8 - 10 days trying to visit Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas while squeezing in Yosemite and Grand Canyon.

You can travel between Los Angeles and San Francsco on the AMTRAK train although flyiing sometimes is competetive with train fare (watch for specials on Allegiance, Horizon, or Alaska airlines). There are also specials for flying to Las Vegas from Los Angeles, but you have to watch for them.

You can arrange a tour to see the Grand Canyon out of Las Vegas, but getting to Yosemite will almost certainly require a car.

"Are there also any less mainstream attractions we could visit?" Yes, lots of them from topless coffee bars to remote wilderness canyons and mountains, but what are your interests?

4

I would look at air into & return from Las Vegas...There are several hostels in your areas of interest...If you wish Hotel, plan on mid week into Las Vegas...I agree, that booked ahead flights with budget air lines, say Southwest & avoiding out of town excursions will allow you to use urban public transport to get to attraction sites of choice... carracar

5

To be sure you have money for the entire trip, better leave Vegas for last--