CA-Itinerary help San Diego/Anaheim +??
 

Looking for suggestions for an easy drive from Anaheim to spend 2 days in August. We will have done Disney and San Diego and most likely Laquna Beach prior, perhaps hiking or other outside adventures. multi-generational group from 2 to 75 years. Thanks!

Head for the mountains. Big Bear Lake is a good bet. About a 2 hour drive and you're in a different world.

http://www.bigbearinfo.com/summer.php

(This is not an ad. I've been there a number of times over the years, mostly for hiking and sometimes boating.)

Would you stay in Big Bear Lake or Lake Arrowhead? Do both lakes have beaches or swimming or would that be consideration for hotels?
thanks!

We've spent the last 26+ years in Lake Arrowhead (July) and I prefer Lake Arrowhead. But, Big Bear probably will have more to do - because Lake Arrowhead's beautiful lake is closed to everyone but those who live on the lake (or some restriction).

I personally don't like the long drive over to Big Bear it is long and with such a varied group it might be difficult.

Palm Springs/Palm Desert/Coachella Valley is 2 hours from LA - assuming you don't go during rush hour, and Idyllwyld is also a fun place - an Artists' colony on the "back" side of Mt. San Jacinto - where the Palm Springs tram goes up to 8,500 feet. http://www.idyllwild.com/ and http://www.pstramway.com/

Down here in San Diego - Julian is an hour away - and it's a fun journey to the 4,000 foot level - where you can fish in Lake Cuyamaca - and also explore old mining shafts/caves and a couple wineries, plus find some great apple pie. :) http://www.julianca.com/attractions/index.htm

Big Bear has been in the news recently, as I suspect you are aware, so I was reminded to answer your question about swimming there. Here's a link.

http://www.bigbearlake.net/summer/swimming

A visit to Anza Borrego would be pleasant, and you might also spend a day driving up to the mountain town of Julian, famous for its apple pies. It's an interesting old mining town.