I hope those of you in the area who've contributed here are all ok.

Should we convince this guy in a San Jose stop-over?

Hello biscuithead. Yes think all or most in N.CA are OK. The mountains are sure getting the snow. S.CA is another matter.
Just talked to my daughter who lives south of Santa Barbara in a small town that is about 15 minutes driving time going east from 101 (Ventura County). No rain today but yesterday all 3 roads from their town were closed due to mud and rock slides.
Today one could get out but it would be a 3 hour drive (due to closed lanes) although rain had stopped.

And of course the mountain that came sliding down and buried houses and people is horrible. Haven't turned on the evening news yet but heard at noon that the storm coming in was going south. Hopefully this terrible weather will cease soon.

Take good care .

You might try Lowes hotel in Santa Monica. It is a nice hotel with a great pool near the SM pier so it would be nice for the girls.

That Loews looks nice but on the high $$$ side. How's the weather along the coast at the end of July?

I am lurking on this thread for the great info.....thnaks again!

biscuithead: The weather on the coast in July is practically ideal-- warm, mostly sunny, without the heavier smog you can get in late August. The Pacific water is always relatively cool, but it's swimmable in July (it's better in August). I'm recalling great weather this past year. Or maybe I'm delusional from all the recent rain. In any case, it won't be raining...!

Hey biscuithead, are you out there?

Just wondering how the trip is shaping up? Hope it's falling into place. One of the things I love most about a trip is the anticipation.

Yep, it's coming together but I discover something new all the time and rethink my previous ideas. I'm thinking we'll stay at the Argonaut in SF for a couple of nights, then spend a night Monterey/Carmel area (still haven't nailed down a lodging option there). Then maybe stop in Santa Barbara for a night before spending a couple nights in LA, probably the Renaissance Hollywood. I'm still open to any suggestions as I haven't booked anything yet.

Don't sweat it, I use 'Cali' as well. But it's just because I'm too lazy to type C_A_L_I_F_O_R_N_I_A.

Thanks to all for the info. I am also planning the same trip at the same time with my 2 sons (16 & 19) however, I was planning on the reverse trip. San Diego up to San Fran. Any thoughts on which way to go???

We drove SD to SF last year with two teens. I decided to drive in the northern direction because I wanted to be on the inside lane for the "scary" leg between San Simeon and Carmel. Being terrified of heights, I was glad I chose that direction! There might be other "real" reasons for choosing one direction over another, however.

With two daughters, I wouldn't stay in hollywood (maybe not even west hollywood). There's lots of safer places to stay. Santa Monica, Pasadena, Hollywood... I'd stay just about anywhere EXCEPT Hollywood or the scary parts of LA (you'll know which parts are scary because either there are no decent hotels, or they are really cheap).

As far as Melrose goes, you will all have fun looking at the crazy people and lots and lots of fun retro shops an cute places to eat. Just keep in mind that every 15th store is a tatoo and piercing parlor (you're not in TN anymore).

The bike ride from Santa Monica south is great. You can park at the pier in santa monica and rent bikes there. Make sure you ride the carosel on the pier (it's retro). There's also (muscle beach) just south of the pier with lots of equipment to test your strength and show off. Venice has lots of street vendors/ performers and is fun.

Hollywood bowl is a great evening out if you have time to do it. You can take a picnic with you and watch music under the stars.

If you want real shopping, Rodeo drive is THE place to window shop. Park in a lot, wander thru Tiffany, etc and then walk over to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch and get a window table and people watch!

The good thing about Santa Monica is that it is very well located. Right by the beach with a great pier and boardwalk. Pedestrian friendly promemede that encourages strolling, which is nice at the end of the day when you want to be done driving, but aren't ready to call it a day and stay inside the hotel. A big variety of restaurants...the girls would probably love Johnny Rockets. Tons of shops, galleries, movie theatres, street performers, etc. And easy access to freeways, as well as close to places like Beverly Hills, Hollywood, most of the places you would want to see but wouldn't really want to spend the night with. Also well located if you want to take a drive on the Pacific Coast Highway, which runs right along the coast. Anytime we go to the LA area we use SM as our base. It works out really well.

The girls might like Johnny Rocket's on the Promenade (just another in the national chain), but they can see the slightly wilder original on Melrose! Look for the Harleys parked outside.

On the Promenade, I would recommend Monsoon for a fun place-- faux-Polynesian décor, tasty Asian food, live entertainment in the evening. A lot of Promenade eateries have sidewalk dining, so that's a major plus. For quick bites, there's always Fatburger. The Lobster is at the foot of the Pier, and I would assume it has great views, but I've never eaten there (but drive by every day on my way to and from work). The Chowhound.com folks fight over the place (some love, some loathe).

My husband and I were in LA in Dec (left the day the rains started) and walked over to the Lobster for dinner one evening in time for the sunset. They don't look very high from the street but just inside is a long flight of stairs up, so combimed with the height of the bluff, the views are pretty good. Food was good, not necessarily award winning, but good. And its bigger than it looks, too. Even the bar area tables have a view. I'm glad you mentioned Fatburger...I'll try it next time...always nice to know of a couple of places that are quick, cheap, and unpretentious.