Planning a trip to southern Calif. in April or May. Anyone familiar with the Dana Point area? I've heard and read that the RC is very nice. I'm looking for warm sun, beautiful ocean, moderate to small crowds. Unreasonable there? Any advice or reccs about southern Calif in general appreciated. Thanks.

The RC at Laguna Niguel (Dana Point) is fabulous. Beautiful cliffs overlooking the ocean. Weather is warm/mild, but ocean is cold.

Fabulous resort. But it's costly. Parking alone can add up quickly.

You don't have to pay for parking if you park it in the lot yourself. Also, the hotel has specials often, not sure about April or May.

Just a reminder about the weather along the coast - May Gray and June Gloom.

Stayed at the Ritz over Labor Day (great AAA rate---250/night with valet parking included for ocean-view room). For that rate, it was unbelievable. The property is gorgeous---and worth splurging for the ocean-view room. Sitting on our balcony was wonderful. It's a walk downhill to the beach (which is public), but there is a shuttle you can call if you don't want to walk up and down. Dana Point isn't the most exciting place, but the coast is gorgeous, and there are decent---not great---restaurants. Laguna Beach is fun for walking around and shopping.

The Ritz is a drive to anything except a Starbucks. If you'd rather be in a town, look into the Surf & Sand in Laguna.

Have fun!

Is the weather gray and gloom down near San Diego during May and June? I thought it is pretty much a temperate climate. Is the coast between SD and LA nice to drive? Would you guys recc a car or just stay at the resort? Other Calif coastal advice appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Can't comment on the weather, but I would definitely rent a car unless you won't go nuts eating only at the Ritz restaurants and not leaving the property. You can't really walk to anything. Besides dining choices, it's a pretty area to drive around and visit other beaches, small towns, etc.

Yep, the San Diego coast has the same gloom as any Southern California beach does in June. It's nice here, but not the paradise everyone implies it is. No place is perfect.

Despite a true revulsion with most posts this last month and terrible attitudes that really are ruining this website...I would like clarify that in Dana Point there is a Marriott, in Laguna Niguel, the Ritz. The Marriott is huge and has lots of groups however it also has several pools, nice rooms and great views and the typical Marriott very high level of staff customer service training. The beach in front of the hotel is NOT swimmable -- posted as not and I did anyway and it was very rocky and with a strong current, so trust the post. April, May and June in LG should be fine once the morning cover has burned off. What is truly beautiful are the views, and some of the beaches in actual Laguna Beach which I prefer to the other areas as it is a small, walkable town with lots of restaurants, art galleries, etc. The Pacific Ocean is basically a cold ocean, though, so don't expect very warm water temps early in the year! If you really want to enjoy, stay at a hotel like Bev Hills Hotel with a great pool and do day trips to Laguna. Another option is La Jolla but the ocean there is always freezing and filled with seaweed (which they encourage). The water in San Diego is even colder! Even in August! Crowds won't be a problem early in the year (pre Mem Day). The beaches in Manhattan Beach are probably the prettiest in southern Cal, long and wide. There are some hotels in Redondo Beach but this is not a tourist area per se. I might consider two days in the Laguna area, 3 days in Bev Hills and then 2 days in Santa Barbara (where the burn off will be a bigger problem).

Typically, the coastal weather for So California is warm and clear for May, though there may be a day or two that is cool and overcast. Normally, Memorial Day weekend is hot. June is gloomy, no matter what. There may be a day or two where the sun actually comes out from the clouds, but seriously, it is one of the most depressing months to visit California.

If you are staying at the Ritz in Laguna Niguel, you will need a car. While the area around the hotel is quite lovely, you are going to be quite a distance from everything. (Personally, I could never understand building a huge hotel out there, but who am I to question?) The drive between SD and LA is very nice - in certain areas. Once you get out of LA, around Long Beach, it's best to pick up Pacific Coast Highway. You don't see anything of the coastline from the freeway, and PCH will take you directly along the coast, as well as through various small (and large) beach communities.

You will lose PCH in San Clemente (southern most part of Orange County), and will only have the option of taking the freeway. Between San Clemente and northern San Diego County, the view is great. Even though you are traveling through property belonging to Camp Pendleton, there are places where you can pull off to get a better view of the coastline.

Once you get past Oceanside, you start passing through towns and suburbs of San Diego, so not much in the way of a view. However, there are some very nice beach towns in northern San Diego where you can get off the freeway and drive around.

Personally, I think the best views are between Corona Del Mar and Laguna Beach (in Orange County, while on PCH), and between San Clemente and Oceanside (in San Diego County, while on the freeway).

Thanks for the tips everyone. The only reason I refer to the Dana Point location is because that is their mailing/literal address. At least that is what is listed on thier website.