BTW I don't know if you are using miles or paying for tix, but Jetblue has a good mid day nonstop flight out of Long Beach (LGB) back to JFK, which might work well for your return flight. It's only about an hour from Anaheim and much less hassle than LAX.

sf7307 has done the same kind of analysis I was considering. You will have a much more satisfactory experience if you forget about spending most of one day taking a not-very-interesting 400-mile drive in an attempt to cram San Francisco into your brief visit to California.

HTtY

San Francisco?

I don't know what kind of "analysis" included SFO. Which is different than SAN.

We have to agree to disagree on this. Not everyone requires half a day to eat breakfast and pack, nor half a day to pick up a rental car.

4.5 days is an alarmist exaggeration.

I'd rather have a cup of coffee in the room and grab a yogurt and get out and do something. I sure wouldn't spend hours in the morning fiddling. If I allow an hour to get ready before breakfast I can do all that, make a cup of coffee and shower. As far as breakfast I would rather just have a yogurt or Egg McMuffin and not spend an hour at table service.

But I have high-maintenance friends who need to do full face makeup and then linger over breakfast while the waiter brings them this and that. They're welcome to stay at AI resorts without me.

I'm not high-maintenance nor do I wear make-up, I'm just relaxed, at home & away and plan accordingly. Tea in the room, good coffee elsewhere. No AIs, no yogurt. And never in a rush. Makes me happy and the good news is we can all have the way we like it, no criticism necessary. Carry on.

"alarmist exaggeration" is a bit of an... exaggeration.

And who brought up San Francisco anyway?!?!?

You could combine the outdoors and the music together at the beginning of October, either in L.A. or in S.D. It is the beginning of "Roctober" in both cities, so there will be an abundance of outdoor venues hosting some really great music. In LA, there's music on at the Greek, the Hollywood Bowl, and sometimes the John Anson Ford Theatre or a music festival (generally blue-grass or pop) in Malibu. Check in with ticketmaster nearer the time, although I'd highly recommend Father John Misty, who will be playing at an outdoor venue in LA and in SD during the time you visit.

In SD, you have Humphreys, OAT, and Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre.