California Driving trip
Jun 3rd, 2010, 05:57 PM
#1
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California Driving trip
DH and I, both early 60s, plan to spend about 10 days driving from San Francisco to San Diego. We have done it before and are looking for different places to spend a night or two.
We plan 2 nights in SF and will probably stay at a Starwood as we have points. Not sure which.
We'd like 2 nights in Carmel/monterey area. Any recommendations for hotel in any of the towns in that area? We like to be near the beach, boardwalk if possible.
In Los Angeles we are interested primarily in the Getty and other art museums. I have no clue what area of LA to stay in for the most convenient to museums without getting bogged down in terrible traffic. What about one of the beach areas? Any hotel suggestions.
In San Diego we have stayed in the marina area in the past. Thoughts about the Gaslight district -- is it iffy in terms of safety? We like to be able to go out in the evening.
Also thinking of a night between Monterey and LA. Any suggestions of which town for beautiful scenery, art galleries, beach?
Thanks
We plan 2 nights in SF and will probably stay at a Starwood as we have points. Not sure which.
We'd like 2 nights in Carmel/monterey area. Any recommendations for hotel in any of the towns in that area? We like to be near the beach, boardwalk if possible.
In Los Angeles we are interested primarily in the Getty and other art museums. I have no clue what area of LA to stay in for the most convenient to museums without getting bogged down in terrible traffic. What about one of the beach areas? Any hotel suggestions.
In San Diego we have stayed in the marina area in the past. Thoughts about the Gaslight district -- is it iffy in terms of safety? We like to be able to go out in the evening.
Also thinking of a night between Monterey and LA. Any suggestions of which town for beautiful scenery, art galleries, beach?
Thanks
Jun 3rd, 2010, 08:05 PM
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In San Diego we have stayed in the marina area in the past. Thoughts about the Gaslight district -- is it iffy in terms of safety? We like to be able to go out in the evening.
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No need to worry about feeling unsafe in the Gaslamp district, day or night. I visit/stay often and have never felt any sense of threat.
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Also thinking of a night between Monterey and LA. Any suggestions of which town for beautiful scenery, art galleries, beach?
------------------------------------------------------------ Santa Barbara has that and more.
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No need to worry about feeling unsafe in the Gaslamp district, day or night. I visit/stay often and have never felt any sense of threat.
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Also thinking of a night between Monterey and LA. Any suggestions of which town for beautiful scenery, art galleries, beach?
------------------------------------------------------------ Santa Barbara has that and more.
Jun 3rd, 2010, 10:11 PM
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Some ideas to hopefully help you along... I've stayed at all the areas you're interested in being a former Californian myself. So, the hotels I'll recommend I have also ALL won on Priceline to make for some screamin' deals! If you're new to Priceline, check out betterbidding.com and biddingfortravel.com for help.
For Monterey - We stayed at the InterContinental The Clement Monterey which is right on the water (just a stone's throw away from the aquarium) and fell in love with this hotel! Even though they are officially only a 4 Star hotel, they far exceeded 5 star hotels we've stayed at previously. This is an amazing place to stay from the location, to the staff, to the beautiful ocean views! Thank you Priceline.
LA - well, in my opinion, it is impossible to avoid traffic in LA (or Southern Ca for that matter). However, I would also stay at the beach versus LA proper. We had a great stay at the Hyatt Newport Beach. (Yes, Priceline again)! If you do decide to go here, you must go the Crystal Cove State Beach (our favorite) and also dinner at Mama D's Italian. A perfect day!
San Diego - Gaslamp is great! My husband walked many a nights (usually around midnight) to his hotel in the Gaslamp and never ever had a worry about safety. People would be out walking their dogs, baseball game overflow, etc. We stayed at the Marriott in the Gaslamp and really loved it here too! (Priceline, I'm tellin' you)!
Somewhere in between - try the Best Western Oceanfront Cavalier in San Simeon. Okay, so I did not win this hotel on Priceline, but I wouldn't stay anywhere else! Right on the ocean, they light beehives fireplaces at sunset - you can enjoy a snuggle with your honey and a bottle of wine! Can't stop here without seeing Hearst Castle of course!
Hope you have a fantastic time together creating many a wonderful memory!
For Monterey - We stayed at the InterContinental The Clement Monterey which is right on the water (just a stone's throw away from the aquarium) and fell in love with this hotel! Even though they are officially only a 4 Star hotel, they far exceeded 5 star hotels we've stayed at previously. This is an amazing place to stay from the location, to the staff, to the beautiful ocean views! Thank you Priceline.
LA - well, in my opinion, it is impossible to avoid traffic in LA (or Southern Ca for that matter). However, I would also stay at the beach versus LA proper. We had a great stay at the Hyatt Newport Beach. (Yes, Priceline again)! If you do decide to go here, you must go the Crystal Cove State Beach (our favorite) and also dinner at Mama D's Italian. A perfect day!
San Diego - Gaslamp is great! My husband walked many a nights (usually around midnight) to his hotel in the Gaslamp and never ever had a worry about safety. People would be out walking their dogs, baseball game overflow, etc. We stayed at the Marriott in the Gaslamp and really loved it here too! (Priceline, I'm tellin' you)!
Somewhere in between - try the Best Western Oceanfront Cavalier in San Simeon. Okay, so I did not win this hotel on Priceline, but I wouldn't stay anywhere else! Right on the ocean, they light beehives fireplaces at sunset - you can enjoy a snuggle with your honey and a bottle of wine! Can't stop here without seeing Hearst Castle of course!
Hope you have a fantastic time together creating many a wonderful memory!
Jun 4th, 2010, 03:49 AM
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Thanks for the responses.
In SF someone recommended the Embarcadero district. Any thoughts? Years ago we stayed in Fisherman's Wharf -- don't want that kind of area again -- looking for something more upscale.
As far as budget, we like upscale places; not necessarily Ritz level, but Sheraton, Weston, Marriott etc. Lovely if we could find a place with a fridge or a suite with a separate living room area.
In SF someone recommended the Embarcadero district. Any thoughts? Years ago we stayed in Fisherman's Wharf -- don't want that kind of area again -- looking for something more upscale.
As far as budget, we like upscale places; not necessarily Ritz level, but Sheraton, Weston, Marriott etc. Lovely if we could find a place with a fridge or a suite with a separate living room area.
Jun 4th, 2010, 05:31 AM
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LA - well, in my opinion, it is impossible to avoid traffic in LA (or Southern Ca for that matter). However, I would also stay at the beach versus LA proper. We had a great stay at the Hyatt Newport Beach. (Yes, Priceline again)! If you do decide to go here, you must go the Crystal Cove State Beach (our favorite) and also dinner at Mama D's Italian. A perfect day!
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IMO, if you are doing the Getty and LA culture, then stay in that vicinity. Newport Beach is in my backyard and to me going from there to LA is not a vacation. If you left Santa Barbara early am and ONLY hit the Getty on the way to Newport Beach, then it would be ok. They are entirely two different destinations.
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IMO, if you are doing the Getty and LA culture, then stay in that vicinity. Newport Beach is in my backyard and to me going from there to LA is not a vacation. If you left Santa Barbara early am and ONLY hit the Getty on the way to Newport Beach, then it would be ok. They are entirely two different destinations.
Jun 4th, 2010, 08:17 AM
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The Embarcadero area in San Francisco is just what you're looking for (I'm writing this from my office which is next door to the Hyatt Regency and a block from the Hotel Vitale, across the street from the bay and the Ferry Bldg). The neighborhood is great - plenty of restaurants, great walking along the bay, easy access to public transportation, upscale hotels, just really nice.
Jun 4th, 2010, 09:06 AM
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There are 3 major highways in LA that provide easy(but often slow 
access to 'central' LA. They are: the 405- 10- and 101. The Getty sits high on a hill off the 405,on the edge of 'central' LA, bordering the San Fernando Valley. If you want the beach, Santa Monica is nearby via 10. Inland you have Westwood, Beverly Hills and downtown LA to stay at via 405 or the 101. ALL of these areas have something to offer in their own unique way. Westwood and Beverly Hills are closer to the Getty, but if you plan on doing other LA sights that doesn't mean you have to base yourself there. As I'm sure you know, LA is not a walking city, but don't even consider places like Newport Beach, Redondo Beach etc. You will waste so much time. As for hotel recommendations; I will defer to travelers who frequent LA hotels. I prefer LA for a day trip and San Diego for weekend getaways.
access to 'central' LA. They are: the 405- 10- and 101. The Getty sits high on a hill off the 405,on the edge of 'central' LA, bordering the San Fernando Valley. If you want the beach, Santa Monica is nearby via 10. Inland you have Westwood, Beverly Hills and downtown LA to stay at via 405 or the 101. ALL of these areas have something to offer in their own unique way. Westwood and Beverly Hills are closer to the Getty, but if you plan on doing other LA sights that doesn't mean you have to base yourself there. As I'm sure you know, LA is not a walking city, but don't even consider places like Newport Beach, Redondo Beach etc. You will waste so much time. As for hotel recommendations; I will defer to travelers who frequent LA hotels. I prefer LA for a day trip and San Diego for weekend getaways.
Jun 4th, 2010, 09:20 AM
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For Monterey, if the Clement is out of your price range, you might look at The Portola. It is near the wharf - between the hotel and the wharf is the Monterey History Park where you can go in some old adobe buildings from the Spanish and Mexican California days. It is also easy walking distance to restaurants in the downtown Monterey area.
