CamMoj

Hi everyone,

I was reading this forums and got some good ideas for our road trip. For our honeymoon starting Aug 4th, 2013, we are going to San Francisco for a week, and we will drive down to LA and we are heading to to palm desert from there. We are staying in LA for a night (because we will be tired after all this driving). Then we are heading to Palm desert for two night. Finally we will come back to LA for 2 nights and head out from LAX. Here are some helps/suggestions I need from you guys: (Please note that we are in our 25s, so we want to relax and have nightlife as the same time)

- What good places we can visit at San Francisco at nights and during the day? (except Alcatraz, golden bridge, and fisherman wharf)

- which places we can visit on our way from San Francisco to LA? (except Monetary aquarium and Hearst castle)

- In first visit in LA ( one night one), I have reserved a hotel at Doubletree spectrum at Irvine to be close to Laguna beach. Which places you suggest to visit? ( I have read here, some people suggest La Brisas in Laguna beach)

- where is fun to visit in Palm desert/spring area? I have reserved our resort at Miramonte in Indian Wells. any better suggestion?

- I am not sure whether the palm desert/spring plan is a good one or not. I have chosen it since I heard palm desert is fun and relaxing. any alternative plan would be appreciated. ( San Francisco in the beginning and LA at the end is a must, but Palm Spring in between can be changed)

- any suggestion for places and night life for 2nd visit to LA ( 2 nights stay one)?

any suggestion/help is appreciated.

janisj

two questions

1) how many days do you have for the drive from SF to LA?

and 2) WHY on earth are you going to Palm Desert in <u>August</u>? You won't be able to be outside except during early morning hours. Last week it was 115F and in August is is normally hotter.

sf7307

I agree with Janis that Palm Desert in August is not a great idea. Choose a resort somewhere near the coast - San Diego (the Hotel Del Coronado), Santa Monica (Loew's on the beach), Santa Barbara would all be better choices for August.

Do you have to stay in San Francisco for a full week? It sounds like you have 12 nights altogether, is that right? Where are you coming from (will you be jet-lagged when you arrive?). I might choose to stay 5 days in San Francisco, 2 in Carmel/Pacific Grove, 1 in Cambria (near Hearst Castle), and 3 in the LA area.

Congratulations on your marriage.

CamMoj

Thanks for quick response... here is the plan:
Aug 4th - Aug 10th = SF
Aug 10th heading down to LA and stay over night in LA
Aug 11th to Aug 13th in Palm desert
Aug 13th to Aug 15th = LA

so that would be half a day I was expecting from SF to LA. Let say we leave at 6am.

2) That is a thing, I have never been in palm desert. but I have heard even at 115+ F, you can seat by the pool during the day and it might be little better at night to walk outside.

I am open to any suggestion... I wont mind to change palm desert plan with a beach resort in San Diego, but it seems pricey there.

CamMoj

Thank you for quick response... here is the plan:
Aug 4th - Aug 10th = SF
Aug 10th heading down to LA and stay over night in LA
Aug 11th to Aug 13th in Palm desert
Aug 13th to Aug 15th = LA

so that would be half a day I was expecting from SF to LA. Let say we leave at 6am.

2) That is a thing, I have never been in palm desert. but I have heard even at 115+ F, you can seat by the pool during the day and it might be little better at night to walk outside.

yes I need to stay at SF for a week because I am taking advantage from my work, because they they are sending me to SF for a week. so I am taking my wife there and stay an extra week for vacation in ca.

I am open to any suggestion... I wont mind to change palm desert plan with a beach resort in San Diego, but it seems pricey there.

CamMoj

by the way I am from Montreal, Canada

sf7307

Well, at least coming from Montreal you won't have terrible jet lag!

I have been in Palm Springs in June when it's been 113 degrees. You simply cannot sit out in the sun in that temperature (you could sit under an umbrella next to a mister, or in the pool LOL). Palm Springs is inexpensive in August for a reason!

CamMoj

you are right, I guess coming from Canada, I could not absorb how hot is 110 degree.... lol

so I will modify my trip as following:
Aug 4th - Aug 10th = SF
Aug 10th heading down to LA and stay over night in LA
Aug 11th to Aug 13th = beach resort in ??
Aug 13th to Aug 15th = LA

any affordable beach resort in Laguna beach or santa monica (I heard there are the two best beaches)? with affordable I mean 250/night max

I do not know how San diego's beach resorts are, but I am open to that too for that 2 night.

any help is appreciated.

BarbAnn

A couple of comments.

Irvine is in Orange County, about an hour (depending on traffic) south of LA.

The only way you will get to Irvine from San Francisco in half a day is to take I-5 through California's Central Valley. Very boring, not scenic...agricultural and miles of open space. If you do not want to see the California coast from San Francisco to LA, I would fly SFO to LAX and pick up a car in LA for the rest of your trip. If you want to see the coast, then I would spend the night part way down the coast and then proceed to wherever you decide to stay.

janisj

>>- which places we can visit on our way from San Francisco to LA? (except Monetary aquarium and Hearst castle)<<

>>Aug 10th heading down to LA and stay over night in LA<<

That is what I feared when I asked how many days you have for the drive. That simply isn't a one day drive - except as BarbAnn says down ugly/fast/HOT I-5. So you won't have a chance to stop or see <i>anything</i> enroute. If you actually want to see anything driving between SF and LA you need a minimum of two FULL days and three is better -- and even that would be rushed.

Why not limit yourselves to San Francisco Aug 4-9
The coast Aug 10 to Aug 12 or 13
LA Aug 12 or 13 to Aug 15

CamMoj

because the coast between SF and LA is not as warm and central California (LA) and san diego, so we cannot enjoy the water in the beach... we are from Montreal and we cant get a chance to relax by the beach so often, so that is one of our interest...

I was reading/researching for the beach resort, and except the one in LA, there are many in/close to san diego like La jolla ,Carlsbad and San Diego it self. which of you guys suggest that is better ( in terms for environment, cleanness and etc)?

NatureGirl19317

Hi CamMoj!

Congratulations!

We too spent a few of our honeymoon days crushing in as much of beautiful California as we could! Given the special occassion we rented a convertible to do a ton of driving in only a few days!

We flew into LA and after looking for the Hollywood sign after dark (lesson: not lit) took a late night drive out to/back from Palm Desert, stayed the night in Santa Monica. Woke the next morning and drove north along PCH (famous drive with amazing views) and stayed the night in Monterey. Woke the next morning and drove (way) south to San Diego to stay the night at the Hotel Del Coronado (eh). Woke the next morning to depart California for the start of our "official" honeymoon! So, where there is a will there is a way-we wouldnt have done it differently and were glad we saw so much!


Some ideas:

*Cannery Row-Monterey
We stayed at the Spindrift Inn-to this day still one of my favorite hotels-so so so romantic: http://www.spindriftinn.com/

*17 Mile Drive-Monterey
We happened here by accident heading back from Monterey-traffic was at a stand still and we saw the exit and took it! The lone cyrpus, seal rock (can remember like it was yesterday the whipping wind and the "arf"ing seals!), gorgeous views! This was a really really nice time!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17-Mile_Drive

*Greens-San Fran
On another trip we loved eating at Greens which is right on the water and offers animal-free cuisine in a cool ambiance.
http://www.greensrestaurant.com/

*Santa Monica-Loews
We stayed here and really liked it. I remember having a corner room on a high floor. We could see the ocean (remember seeing someone doing tai chi one morning near the beach-really neat) and the pier from our room!
http://www.santamonicaloewshotel.com/

*Joshua Tree-out near Palm Desert/Palm Springs
If you do end up going out to PD/PS consider taking some drives into the park. We recentlty returned from a week's exploration of JTNP and I cant even begin to describe how amazing it was. Granted the cooler weather allowed us to hike and really take things in but its still worth seeing from the air-conditioned car if you are out that way! Plus they have pull-offs where you can pull over and read about the formations and history of the park. Some short nature walks that take only minutes but again give you some history. Also the Geology Tour which you drive and has stop offs where the formations you are seeing are explained. Given the beauty of the state I dont know why but I was truly amazed at how pretty Joshua Tree was, seriously. You can read more about our time in that area here: http://tinyurl.com/our-time-in-JTNP.

Whatever you decide Im sure will be fantastic as it will be your honeymoon! Enjoy!!!

jamie99

Pity you won't drive the coast, as you are missing out on a beautiful drive. You will have to take I-5 which is boring as heck, you'll be praying for a billboard to read.

sf7307

Please, if you do decide to go to Palm Desert, San Diego, LA and Monterey, use a navigator other than NatureGirl

Patty

Maybe look at Santa Barbara. It will be warmer than other beach areas along the central coast. Then you could at least drive down 101 instead of 5. Keep in mind also that the ocean temperature is fairly cold (high 60s) even in Southern California in August.

mlgb

If you do want to go out to the desert, which I understand many Europeans do wish to do in summer, I would do it just for one night. It takes about 2 hours from Los Angeles (each way) and is an easy drive (freeway the entire way). There is an outlet mall in Cabazon which is on the way.

Check the weather before you decide to do this. For example, right now it is humid (for the desert) and not comfortable even in the morning. August is one of the worst months for humidity in the deserts (we have a version of Monsoon conditions).

BTW I think Palm Springs would be a better choice for you. There are some cute mid-century modern small hotels, eg the Chase, The Miramonte is in Indian Wells (not even Palm Desert) and no more than a glorified motel.

sludick

All discussion about the temps in August aside (which can be dangerous, so take precautions/stay hydrated/etc.) - we stayed at the La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta (near Palm Springs and loved loved loved it. (No, it's not the chain La Quinta; this is a Waldorf Astoria resort.)

It's a historic resort that will take you back to a certain Hollywood era. The rates should be very favorable that time of year; might spend a night or two there.

Congratulations on your upcom

http://www.laquintaresort.com/?WT.srch=1

sf7307

I completely agree with mlgb's last thought -- Palm Desert is really not too exciting - lovely place to relax, eat, shop, golf, but I don't think of it as a destination for 20-somethings.

sludick

All discussion about the temps in August aside (which can be dangerous, so take precautions/stay hydrated/etc.) - we stayed at the La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta (near Palm Springs and loved loved loved it. (No, it's not the chain La Quinta; this is a Waldorf Astoria resort.)

It's a historic resort that will take you back to a certain Hollywood era. The rates should be very favorable that time of year; might spend a night or two there.

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!

tomfuller

Consider flying from San Francisco (or Oakland) to Los Angeles to avoid driving I-5 and dropping off someplace other than where you rent. If you have the extra time, you could also ride the train to Los Angeles.
I hope you have a better experience at SFO than the crash victims are having today.