Hello Fodor Friends!

My husband and I are trying to plan a two-three day anniversary getaway in So-Central CA. We will be arriving in LA on 5/21. We plan to drive to our destination on Sat. 5/22. We have read about (and visited) so many beautiful CA places, we would like some specific recommendations to help us decide! What's YOUR favorite, and why?

We enjoy the outdoors, specifically hiking. Recently we visited Sonoma and loved it, although we didn't hike, only tasted! We are looking at Carmel, or Mendocino. But, have also considered Coronado, or Dana Point. What about Lake Tahoe?

Please try to include lodging, and dining rec's.

Thanks in advance!
T in FL

Kayaking Monterey Bay among the sea otters = probably my favorite CA experience
http://www.montereybaykayaks.com/go_...erey_bay.lasso

Stop on the way up the coast from LA to eat here -
http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/

For hiking in spectacular coastline scenery, you can't beat Point Lobos State Reserve. Nearby in Carmel, you will find a plethora of fantastic restaurants.

If you're landing at LAX, spending the first night in L.A. and only have 2-3 days, I would discard the idea of Carmel, Mendocino and Lake Tahoe.

Where are you flying home from? And what time is your departing flight? If LAX, Laguna Beach and Dana Point are about as far south as I would go for a weekend (unless you can fly out of San Diego or Orange County). Santa Barbara or the Solvang area is about as far north as I would go.

Or you could stay in L.A. where there are lots of hiking options along the beach, in the Santa Monica Mountains and in Griffith Park.

http://www.terranea.com/palos-verdes-resorts.php

http://www.nps.gov/samo/

http://www.guidespot.com/guides/best_hiking_trails_in

I would head out to Avalon on Catalina Island which is 26 miles off the coast of LA..you can take the Catalina Express which is an hour ferry ride and tons of hiking, and super quaint town.
You'll hit it before the summer crowd and when its foggy at the beach on the coast of LA its sunny in Avalon.

www.catalina.com

Since you are using LAX and only have 2 days outside of the LA basin - nothing north of about Santa Barbara makes much sense for such a short visit. So you are sort of limited to southern CA, Catalina or Santa Barbara.

Carmel and especially Tahoe and Mendocino are too far.

Thank you for the wonderful ideas/responses! I hadn't considered Catalina. I will check into that one. Sounds romantic! I also really liked the kayaking with the sea otters idea, although some may consider that too far to go.

We won't actually be leaving CA at the end of our 3 day weekend, but will be returning to routines--long story, but husband is based in LA right now. So, I will especially check out the links for LA beach hiking!

We have visited Pt. Lobos once before (and LOVED it), but not stayed in Carmel, which is why that was a consideration for this trip....

Thanks again!

Catalina lodging recommendations anyone? I visited the Chamber of Commerce website, but can only go by what is already booked....

Thanks again!

Try the Pavilion Lodge Hotel. It's been shut down while they do the big remodel. It's right across the boardwalk to the beach in a perfect location. They have a large patio area, great for relaxing during day.

http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/a...ilionLodge.php

Is it too cold to snorkel in late May???

Dont think there is much activity in Catalina, it'd be quite cool in May; we did a one day trip ferrying from Dana Point in the Fall and lunch there provided plenty of visit time-- we rented a cart to tour Avalon for a couple hours. I'd opt for Santa Barbara to the north or Laguna to the south. We visit southern CA regularly.

"Is it too cold to snorkel in late May???"

The Pacific is very cold. You'd need wet suits - in May the water will be in the low 60's.