3 days near LA
 

We are going to Palm Desert for three nights/four days to see the Ban Paribas tennis tournament in mid March. Then, we have three nights before flying out of LA. Considering Yosemite (too far? weather in March?), Catalina, Newport Beach, Santa Monica, Laguna, etc. Would love biking, hiking, whale watching...unless we try Yosemite. Would love any suggestions.

In March I'd worry more about the weather on Catalina than at Yosemite. Not that it will be colder at Catalina -- but one expects cold and snow in Yosemite -- rain and storms in Catalina - not so much.

But the problem w/ yosemite is IF there is snow, you can't put chains on a rental car. I really LOVE Yosemite at this time of year but I live 3 hours away and can change plans at the last minute if things turn nasty.

I'd maybe stick to the coast.

Oh - plus Yosemite is a long a$$ drive to LAX . . .

We were at the BNP last year - it's a blast and the weather was sensational. On a day off, we took a day out at Joshua Tree, which was wonderful, but for your purposes, I'd definitely recommend the coast - LA down to Laguna. Lots to do, not nearly as much driving, warmer, and you'll be closer to LAX.

If you come to L.A....here are a vast amount of places to visit that I have compiled (and are still compiling) on my travel website. Have fun! I also included a restaurant link, too, of some of our favorites.


<B>http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/california-dreaming-1/</B>

<B>http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/toms-dining/</B>

((H))

I'd head to Santa Barbara - visit the mission, spend a day in the Santa Ynez vineyards, get a bad case of house envy.

The only way that I would consider going to Yosemite Valley in March would be taking a San Joaquin train from Bakersfield to Merced with a YARTS bus into the valley.
http://yarts.com/routes-schedules/
If lodging is not open or full inside Yosemite, you can stay in El Portal which has a YARTS bus stop.

>>The only way that I would consider going to Yosemite Valley in March would be taking a San Joaquin train from Bakersfield to Merced with a YARTS bus into the valley.<<

Why? That would take MUCH longer than driving and would require going into central Bakersfield AND Merced . . . which are not places one would usually <i>choose</i> to go. Oh, I know why ;)

Forget Yosemite that time of year, too far and too late to get reservations inside the park (places book up to a year in advance).
I would stay in Santa Monica and there is a bike trail that goes as far south as Redondo Beach plus there is whale watching out of Marina del Rey and Redondo Beach. Newport Beach is nice also but farther south and not too many places right on the beach. There is also lots of hiking in the Santa Monica mountains.

I wouldn't go north of LAX from where you are. There's lots to see on that section of the coast. You could visit a Spanish mission. We love the Laguna Beach area.

Thanks everyone - sounds like Laguna, Santa Monica, or Santa Barbara -

If you decide on Santa barbara, here's a little info on the Mission. Really quite beautiful.

<B>http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/old-mission-santa-barbara/</B>

((H))