We're planning a trip to California in October & wanted to round the trip off with about 5 days at a beach resort. We've ruled out Hawaii bcoz the times too short. We were also thinking about Florida bcoz it's on our way back to Europe & we will have to change planes there anyway but we would really prefer to spend the last days at a beach resort either around the LA area or San Diego. My question is the best place to stay & what the weather will be like around the 21st of October.
Thanks

For October in San Diego, the average high is 74 with a low of 61. It should be pretty nice. However, the last week of October two years ago was when we had the wild fires that burned everything. It was 95, dry, windy and smokey the whole week. Hopefully, that won't happen during your trip, although the warm-hot, Santa Ana winds are possible during the fall.

I wouldn't go in the water in October, but it will be nice to take a walk along the beach.

For expensive, I would try some of the hotels in La Jolla. The views are breath taking. Del Mar has some good ones also. Of course, there's the Hotel Del Coronado.

There's also a four seasons in Carlsbad. It's about 3 minutes to the beach. It sits on a lagoon which is connected to the ocean. They have a club house/golf house, that is on the water of the lagoon. The canyons/hills on the other side and abundant plants, trees and birds are nice. You can also hike along the lagoon.

Anyways, have fun and feel free to email me!

I might add that the La Jolla Beach/Tennis club has a hotel (I'm not sure if it's related to the club or not) next door that is RIGHT on the beach. You walk out the door and you're in sand.

To clarify the La Jolla Hotels, my favorite is the La Valencia. It's pink, you can't miss it. It is sort of a spanish/so cal/high end type hotel. It's very nice, plus you can walk to the cove and childern's pool. It's not really a "childern's" pool anymore, as seals have taken over it. Now there is this big fight over the people vs. the seals and who gets the beach. I tell this to people who aren't from here and they laugh. However, there are protests with angry residents vs. the enviro people.

Only in San Diego.

The resort next to the Beach/Tennis Club is the Sea Lodge, and when we stayed there five years ago, it was very nice. Some rooms back up to the beach. There are several good restaurants within walking distance but not much shopping. However, there are lots more restaurants and good shopping only a short car ride away.
When you ask about a beach resort, do you mean you want a hotel right on the beach or a town on the coast?

The Pacific Ocean is pretty darn cold. I'm in SF and we don't ever go swimming in the ocean (maybe with a wetsuit!). In Southern CA, it's a warmer, I don't know by how much, though (chime in here, LA/SD folks!). I just thought I'd warn you that if you want a true "beach holiday" where you lay out on the beach and swim, you may be better off going to Florida. However, if you're going to try to do it CA, San Diego is probably your best bet.

According to,ths National Oceanographic Data Center the ocean temp in October is around 63 degrees Fahrenheit for the coastal waters just north of San Diego.See the Scripps Pier location on this chart.

http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/spac.html

60's is about right for October, except during El Ninos when ocean temps can be in the 70's for weeks or even months.

If you are picturing yourself laying in a lounge chair and working on your tan, it's kinda cold in October in southern california for that!

You can always play it by ear since that time of year can be hit or miss for beach weather. If it isn't warm you could make a change in location and try Palm Springs. That time of year is perfect there and even though it isn't a beach resort it is a great spot for sunshine and relaxation. You won't be travelling during a peak time so you can probably me flexible with your plans. Have fun whatever you decide!

We were in California in August and although I am sure the weather then is different than at the end of October, we loved the beach in Santa Monica. Found it to be warmer that San Diego and enjoyed the board walk too. We stayed at the Doubletree Suites.

Our trip was "family/budget -oriented", we drove up the coast from San Diego to SF and our stay in Santa Monica was our favorite stop.

Thanks everybody, you've been really helpful. We're not expecting to swim in the ocean in October, so we don't need a hotel right on the beach, but I think we'd prefer a coastal town. We would just like somewhere warm to relax after touring for a couple of weeks.

if ocean swimming is not important, i would definitly choose southern californa - florida is still in hurricane season in october. check into places in san diego, la jolla, del mar, carlsbad or laguna beach.

Isn't the time around the 3rd week of October referred to as the Indian Summer?

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/reso...ian-summer.htm

Yep - many times we get our best weather around Sept and October - warm temperatures, sunshine, little to no fog, and that is indeed called Indian Summer.

Tri-Sec, JCor
Can you still call it that? :-?

Everyone knows I'm not the most PC person but...:-"

Native Persons Season?

Kal - I can, because I have Indigenous People in my bloodline. I also have black friends here who prefer the term "black" instead of African-American. Are you Caucasian or white?

I've never met a white or black person. So far they've all ranged from a light pinkish or tan color to very dark brown.

And thanks for using the more-correct term "indigenous", instead of the oft-heard but inaccurate "native". So-called native Americans were immigrants from Asia.

TriSec,
I'm human....raised that way and intend to stay that way. >)

Yer an animal, and you know it!