California Dilemma, LA, San Fran, San Diego,

Old Jun 29th, 1997, 09:17 AM
  #1  
JoAnn
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California Dilemma, LA, San Fran, San Diego,


Traveling to California for 11 days in August. First time going there. My husband and I will be spending 5 days in Los Angeles on business. Where should we go for the remaining 6 days? What areas and attractions would your readers suggest. San Francisco, San Diego, etc.? We plan on renting a car so distance is not important.

Thank you JoAnn
 
Old Jun 29th, 1997, 12:07 PM
  #2  
Simrin
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If distance isn't important, then by all means, head up north and visit S.F.! Some popular attractions are: Alcatraz, Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf (especially Pier 39), Union Square, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Natural Sciences, Knob Hill. There are tons of great restaurants-- Scoma's, the Waterfront, the Carnelian Room, Scott's Seafood Bar and Grill, Max's Opera House Cafe (for great desserts), Gaylord's, the Four Seasons, etc.
Have fun!
 
Old Jul 6th, 1997, 10:49 AM
  #3  
Anne
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SAN DIEGO! There is so much to see and do there, and the scenery is incredable. San Fransciso is a long drive from LA, why wste your time in a car?
 
Old Jul 6th, 1997, 11:59 AM
  #4  
Polly
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The time in a car between LA and SF is definitely not a waste. Incredible scenery along the way. Stop at a convenience store; buy one of those cheap coolers; pack it with ice, cold drinks, and possibly some snack food so you can pull off at scenic overlooks along the way and enjoy God's beautiful outdoors. Santa Barbara (its red roofs, courthouse, oceanside park, the rose garden in front of the mission), the drive thru the pass (can't remember the name) diverting off the main drag from SB thru Solvang and back to the main highway; Lompoc with its flower fields, San Luis Obispo and the Madonna Inn, Hearst Castle, Morro Rock, the bridge into the Carmel area, Monterey Peninsula...all incredible!! Go for it! Worth it even if you don't have time for SF. My husband & I took 3 overnights to make the trip. Wonderful!
 
Old Jul 8th, 1997, 06:39 PM
  #5  
gaudi
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Be *sure* to get out of LA ASAP! It's a horror! Like the last person said the scenery between LA and SF on coast is wonderful. Big Sur area is spectacular. You will never regret seeing the coastline between say Morro Bay and Monterey.
That trip to Monterey and back will be a good place to spend your 6 days and you'll never be sorry. Personally I don't think Santa Barbara is worth it...too big and those oil rigs stationed right off shore all over. Ugly ocean views. Best to go further north.
 
Old Jul 12th, 1997, 03:52 PM
  #6  
terri
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Im live near San Diego. I reccommend coming here. Get out of la and drive south to del mar and la jolla. Stay at the L'auberge in del mar or the valencia in lajolla. Eat at george's in la jolla and the beach house in Cardiff by the sea. north of del mar for a direct ocean table.
 
Old Jul 16th, 1997, 08:35 AM
  #7  
denise
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If you do decide to head up to SF, make sure to take Highway 1. Don't take an inland route because it's dreadfully boring and way too hot. And San Diego, of course, has some incredible beaches, well worth a trip. I wouldn't bother heading to the zoo or Sea World, though, because the city just has so much else to offer if you look beyond the "typical" attractions.
 
Old Jul 16th, 1997, 01:43 PM
  #8  
Penny Bradshaw
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Originally from CA, I agree with a lot of your responders: go up the coast! Solvang is a scandenavian-norweigan type town. Madonna Inn, in San Luis Obispo, has 'theme' rooms. Hearst Castle has many types (levels) of tours. Personnally, I gave my daughter a mystery airplane flight for a birthday present a couple of years ago. Our destination ended up being San Diego, but I rented a car and went to Mexico! Rosarito Beach is an hour south of Tiajuana (which is on the border). The Rosarito Beach Hotel is where we stayed and it is a great beach-front hotel. Also, the hotel food was great. Shopping in town was fun and the people and food enjoyable! If you've never been to Mexico, and just want to say you did, Enjoy Rosarito Beach. I've even had friends who stayed there and loved it! Have a great vacation!.
 
Old Jul 17th, 1997, 05:16 PM
  #9  
Roger
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Definately the Bay Area. I have lived in both San Diego and San Francisco for several years. The Bay Area has alot more to see and do and is definately more picturesque. San Francisco has Sausalito,the Redwoods and Napa Valley to the north, Reno/Lake Tahoe to the northeast, Yosemite Park to the east and Monterey/Carmel to the south. Obviously, you can't see all of that in a couple of days, but it just shows you the variety. All of the forementioned are no more than a 4 hrs drive away from the city. You can spend several days within the city alone. San Francisco's restaurants are world renown. San Diego is very beautiful, but quiet. The scenery is somewhat dry and not as green as up north. There is also the option of a visit to Mexico to the south, but be careful. Any more info needed, contact me direct. Will be glad to give some advice. P.S.-Please bring a light jacket or sweater to the Bay area, as we have very unique weather here, even in the summertime!
 
Old Jul 18th, 1997, 02:09 PM
  #10  
Linda A.
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Just for the record, there’s more to L.A. than drive-by shootings and O.J.-- museums, galleries, parks, historical sites, good food, all the shopping one could want.... Within 1-2 hour’s drive from the city (depending on which direction you head) you can be at the beach, in the mountains, out in the desert. Yes, traffic CAN be a nightmare at peak hours and there are places no one should visit, but don’t write off Los Angeles entirely. I’m a native Southern Californian and a little biased. S.F. and S.D. are good destinations, too. If you belong to an Automobile Club get some really good maps and decide how many hours you want to spend behind the wheel. Don’t miss seeing at least one of the Missions (part of early California history) and maybe stay in a Bed & Breakfast. Have fun....
 
Old Jul 19th, 1997, 02:16 AM
  #11  
SGorcester
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I agree with Linda A above. Don't shortchange LA as a visitor destination. The museums are some of the best in the country. Visit LA, live in SD. You have an awful choice here. The good news is you can't miss north or south. I love SD and staying in La Jolla (as stated above) is enchanting. Given a must choose scenario: I must come down just slightly favoring the north. You will never regret the suggestions above saying to via Santa Barbara, Carmel, Monterey. However, you will regret not having more time. SD is reachable in one day with time left to visit some sights, SF will take a couple days if you stop at only the must visits spots up the coast. Make this decision based on how you want to travel, then don't look back!
 
Old Jul 19th, 1997, 08:42 PM
  #12  
Karen
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I saw that you had some suggestions for things to see in LA. We will be visiting LA, SF, & SD in 9 days. We are overwhelmed w/ LA. Could you help us? We sent for tickets to Jay Leno & Men Behaving Badly. But that's it. Also, best location to stay in a hotel? We have a friend @ Manahattan Beach.
 
Old Jul 22nd, 1997, 04:30 PM
  #13  
Lynn
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Would agree with most that while San Diego is a beautiful city, I would recommend with the remaining time that you travel north up the scenic California Highway 1. My husband and I did this trip for our honeymoon four years ago, except we started in SF and drove south to SD over a week's time. It's too bad you have to spend so much time in L.A. While the residents have a differing opinion, the highways and driving are a nightmare. It's a scary place for visitors. On your
way North, be sure to see Morro Bay, Monterey (if you & your husband are into golf, you will want to check out Pebble Beach.) and do the 17-mile drive, Carmel (we ate at Clint Eastwood's restaurant the Hog's Breath Inn). Carmel is a very charming town and you can do a little window shopping there. You'll drive through Big Sur on Highway 1 and then there is a lot to see in SF as everyone else has noted--Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, there is a 49-mile scenic drive that we enjoyed, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, etc.......
 

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