LA romantic trip
Aug 19th, 2003, 04:34 PM
#1
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LA romantic trip
My wife and I are taking a long weekend from Texas to California. We arrive in LA @ 4:30 pm on Friday and return Monday @ 9:00 am. We are sort of laid back 35 year olds with a sense of adventure. We have been to La Jolla (loved Hotel Parisi) and Laguna (Hated Ritz Carlton) We are interested in a casual( blue jeans) secluded getaway. Will have a rental car so driving is an option. I like the idea of Carmel,Monterrey etc. Cost is not a problem,only time. Any suggestions ? Please Help.
Aug 19th, 2003, 04:49 PM
#2
Unfortunately, by arriving on a Friday at 4:30 p.m., you are destined to sit in heavy traffic for a few hours unless you stay in LA. If you really want to go to Carmel/Monterey, then you need to catch a connecting flight at LAX. Don't drive!
A closer alternative is Santa Barbara ("the California Riviera"). On arrival, pick up your car and have an early dinner somewhere on the west side (Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, Brentwood, or the restaurant at the Getty Center). After dinner, continue on to Santa Barbara (a little over two hours). You'll have Saturday and most of Sunday to explore SB and the central coast wine country.
You'll have to drive back to LA on Sunday afternoon/evening, and traffic will probably be heavy. Stay somewhere close to LAX (Ritz Carlton in Marina del Rey?) for your early Monday departure.
A closer alternative is Santa Barbara ("the California Riviera"). On arrival, pick up your car and have an early dinner somewhere on the west side (Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, Brentwood, or the restaurant at the Getty Center). After dinner, continue on to Santa Barbara (a little over two hours). You'll have Saturday and most of Sunday to explore SB and the central coast wine country.
You'll have to drive back to LA on Sunday afternoon/evening, and traffic will probably be heavy. Stay somewhere close to LAX (Ritz Carlton in Marina del Rey?) for your early Monday departure.
Aug 19th, 2003, 04:53 PM
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On such a short weekend trip, I'd skip driving up from LA to Carmel, Monterey. If you really want to visit those places, fly into SF or SJ.
From LA, go to Santa Barbara. Since cost is no worry, check out the 4$ Biltmore in Montecito, Bacara, or the Alisal Guest Ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley near Solvang. There's enough "adventure" and "seclusion" in Santa Barbara to fill up your weekend.
From LA, go to Santa Barbara. Since cost is no worry, check out the 4$ Biltmore in Montecito, Bacara, or the Alisal Guest Ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley near Solvang. There's enough "adventure" and "seclusion" in Santa Barbara to fill up your weekend.
Aug 19th, 2003, 05:12 PM
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Thanks, It is possible for us to fly into Oakland or San Jose (although theses flights have connections SWA)Question? Would the Carmel/Monterey trip be better than Santa Barbara? (my wife likes to walk on the beach,drink wine, and people watch from a distance) also if we change flights which is better Oakland or San Jose? Thanks
Aug 19th, 2003, 08:59 PM
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Jean's recommended itinerary to Santa Barbara is excellent. Save Monterey/Carmel for a longer trip up to the Bay Area, so you can get a couple of days in San Francisco and a trip out to Napa or Sonoma.
Aug 19th, 2003, 11:46 PM
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"my wife likes to walk on the beach, drink wine, and people watch from a distance"
Hummmm - have you considered San Diego?
There is a perfect restaurant right on the beach - The Green Flash - where you can watch people rollerblade, walk, run, jog by
and, at that magic moment - the time when the sun just just disappears into the Pacific - all this activity stops and people just stand facing the ocean
looking looking
for that legendary green flash that is supposed to appear for just a split second between heaven and earth.
Or, better yet, make friends with someone who has a sailing boat and join the flotilla that sails out of San Diego Bay into the blue Pacific. One day during the week, this flotilla races, another day during the week, this flotilla floats out, people drink and drink, and then they all hope to goodness they can find their way back again! Forgot which day they do what!
Hummmm - have you considered San Diego?
There is a perfect restaurant right on the beach - The Green Flash - where you can watch people rollerblade, walk, run, jog by
and, at that magic moment - the time when the sun just just disappears into the Pacific - all this activity stops and people just stand facing the ocean
looking looking
for that legendary green flash that is supposed to appear for just a split second between heaven and earth.
Or, better yet, make friends with someone who has a sailing boat and join the flotilla that sails out of San Diego Bay into the blue Pacific. One day during the week, this flotilla races, another day during the week, this flotilla floats out, people drink and drink, and then they all hope to goodness they can find their way back again! Forgot which day they do what!
Aug 20th, 2003, 07:49 AM
#8
Me again...
If you still want to go to Carmel, there are flights from LAX to Monterey. Not very many flights each day, and they may not "mesh" well with your arrival at LAX, but Monterey is the closest airport to Carmel.
However, I still think Santa Barbara is your best bet for a weekend trip.
If you still want to go to Carmel, there are flights from LAX to Monterey. Not very many flights each day, and they may not "mesh" well with your arrival at LAX, but Monterey is the closest airport to Carmel.
However, I still think Santa Barbara is your best bet for a weekend trip.
